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What is Global Holiday
the world of holidays and observances. With over 200 countries and their respective cultures, it becomes difficult to know which days to celebrate. This article will provide a brief overview of some major holidays celebrated worldwide-Ramadan, Diwali, and Tango de Mayo-to give you an idea of what we’ll be observing around the globe this year!
What are the major December holidays celebrated worldwide?
Holidays are observed by adherents of various faiths in different ways. Celebrations include religious observances, public festivities, and customs that have lost religious significance. [Include a brief definition of the term ‘holiday’ and holiday traditions that may be practiced.
List of December Holidays around the World
December is an important month that has different traditional religious and secular celebrations. The following list includes the holidays that are celebrated in December:
-Kwanzaa (24th)
-Christmas (25th)
-Boxing Day (26th)
-New Year’s Eve (31st)
-New Year’s Day (1st)
Top Global Holidays and festivals
Many of these days have their own traditions and celebrations, but they also have a lot of similarities. For example the gifts that are exchanged on Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Although many cultures around the world celebrate December holidays, some countries make special exceptions to celebrate other celebrations as well. In Mexico for example, the traditional celebration of Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated on November 2.
Eid ul fitr
Eid ul Fitr in a Muslim holiday. It commemorates the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and reflection. After a month of no eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset, everyone in the community gathers together to celebrate the end of Ramadan with prayers and feasts. In Southeast Asia, it is customary for people to greet one another by saying “Ramadan Mubarak!” meaning “Blessed Ramadan!”
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is an Islamic holiday that honors the willingness of Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts four days. This holiday takes place in commemoration of Allah’s (God’s) willingness to sacrifice his own son for mankind. The celebration starts by sacrificing a lamb or goat, distributing its meat among family and friends, and giving money to those who are poor. Eid al-Adha also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. The last two days of celebrations involve visiting relatives and celebrating with large meals at home.
What international holidays are in December 2020?
Kwanzaa
-Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that lasts seven days and starts December 26th and ends January 1st. The name of the holiday originates from a Swahili phrase: “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits of the harvest.”
-Each day of Kwanzaa has its own meaning and is dedicated to one principle: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, creativity, faith, and cooperative economics. The focus of this holiday is family togetherness and people gift each other with small tokens.
Christmas
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and often give gifts to one another. There are variations in the traditions of gift-giving, but it is typically done on December 24th.
Christmas in Germany
In Germany, there is a long Christmas tradition that includes markets that set up in front of churches on the weekends before Christmas Day. In cities like Nuremberg you can find small wooden houses decorated with Christmas ornaments. Kids put on costumes and carry lanterns to the markets, where they sing holiday songs for people passing by, hoping to earn some money.
Diwali
Hinduism is practiced in many countries across the world, including India. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is the most popular celebration for Hindus. People decorate their homes with hanging lanterns and light lamps to guide Lord Rama home after he defeated the demon Ravana. In addition to lighting candles, people make a special effort not to sweep or clean their homes during this time, as sweeping would mean sweeping away luck from your house! Diwali is a time for family and friends to gather together, eat delicious food, and give gifts.
St. Lucia’s Day
People in Sweden celebrate St. Lucia’s Day on December 13th with Lussebullar (saffron buns), candles, and songs like “Santa Lucia”. The eldest daughter wears a crown of candles on her head, and she carries a tray of saffron buns. When they reach the table, everyone sings in thanks for all their blessings.
Lohri
Many Punjabi people celebrate Lohri with family and friends to give thanks for the harvest! They make bonfires out of dried cow dung and dried logs, and they roast peanuts over the bonfires. They also celebrate with dancing, singing, and eating special foods like kheer (a sweet rice pudding or payasam).
China:
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the new moon between January 21st to February 20th. Celebrations are often done in groups, with people wearing red outfits and giving out “lucky money” to children. The Chinese zodiac is used for divination, but most Chinese citizens are not super-religious about it.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas. It’s traditionally not an official holiday or religious observance. Boxing Day marks the beginning of the new year in England and Canada.
the day commemorates Saint Stephen, who was considered to be one of Christianity’s first saints
on Boxing Day, people give money, clothes, food, or toys to those who are less fortunate than them as a custom
the day was originally an opportunity for servants and the lower classes to take over their masters’ jobs as servants would be given time off on Christmas Day
Boxing Day is celebrated in New Zealand and other former British colonies such as Australia and Canada. The day is celebrated with large sales at stores, where people can buy items at a reduced price.
in Ireland, the day is celebrated with informal street parties and is called “Wren Day” or “Hunt the Wren Day”. The tradition of hunting down a wren has died out over time, but people still dress up in costumes and gather to celebrate.
