Holidays are celebrated differently across the world, shaped by climate, history, religion, and culture. Learn how different states and countries honor Christmas and other winter-season holidays, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Diwali, La Posada, Boxing Day, Ramadan, Omisoka, Junkanoo, Hinamatsuri, Día de los Muertos, and even Waffle Day.

There are many other holiday traditions, and more countries that celebrate similar ones. However, this article was mainly written to go along with this HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD RESEARCH PROJECT. If any links below break at any time, please reach out!

Alaska

Winter in Alaska brings deep snow, long nights, and breathtaking northern lights, making holiday traditions especially magical. Many communities hold ice-sculpting festivals and fireworks displays that brighten the dark season. The town of North Pole is known for its Christmas-themed shops and year-round decorations, but the holidays bring an extra level of sparkle, including Santa parades and workshops. Alaska Native communities celebrate with traditional storytelling, drumming, and dances that honor ancestral heritage. In coastal villages, families may hold feasts after winter hunting seasons, combining both cultural and seasonal celebrations. The cold climate brings people together, making holiday gatherings feel extra warm and meaningful.

Learn more about Christmas in Alaska.

Argentina

Christmas in Argentina falls during the heat of summer, so many families gather outside for Nochebuena, a lively Christmas Eve celebration featuring grilled meats, panettone, and sparkling cider. At midnight, the sky fills with fireworks as families exchange hugs and small gifts. Paper lanterns called—globos—lit with candles are released in the sky. Nativity scenes—called Pesebres—decorate homes, churches, and even public plazas, reflecting the country’s strong Catholic heritage. They usually decorate in red and white instead of red and green.

The celebration continues into January with Día de los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day, when children leave their shoes out for the Magi and often receive one last holiday surprise. In some regions, people also celebrate with folkloric dances and music, adding a regional twist to the season.

Learn more about Día de los Reyes Magos.

Australia

Because Christmas occurs in the middle of Australia’s summer, traditional snowy imagery feels out of place. Instead, families often head to the beach for a barbecue or picnic, enjoying seafood, cold desserts, and fresh produce. Many communities host outdoor events like Carols by Candlelight, where families gather in parks with glow sticks or candles to sing holiday favorites under the warm night sky and Southern Cross stars on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus sometimes arrives by surfboard or boat, adding a fun coastal twist.

The Christmas Bush has deep roots in Australian culture. Long before supermarkets stocked imported poinsettias, local families would gather branches of this native shrub to decorate. By December, the red and pink plants are bursting into vibrant colors.

The season continues with Boxing Day, which features major sporting events, beach outings, and large family gatherings. It’s a time when summer and celebration blend into one festive mood.

Learn more about Boxing Day.

Bahamas

The Bahamas comes alive with Junkanoo, one of the Caribbean’s most energetic and colorful celebrations. Held around Christmas and New Year’s, Junkanoo parades fill the streets with dazzling handmade costumes, rhythmic drumming, cowbells, whistles, and energetic dancing. Preparing for Junkanoo is an art form that can take months of work. Families attend Christmas Eve services, decorate their homes with bright lights, and enjoy seasonal foods like ham, pineapple dishes, and baked macaroni. New Year’s Day brings a second round of Junkanoo festivities, creating a joyful, music-filled end to the holiday season.

Learn more about Junkanoo.

Brazil

Brazil’s holiday season is a lively blend of European and South American traditions. On Christmas Eve, families gather for Ceia de Natal, a meal that often includes turkey, codfish, farofa, and tropical fruits. Many households set up elaborate nativity scenes, or Presépios, and attend Midnight Mass, known as Missa do Galo. Because the weather is warm, many people continue their celebrations outdoors. New Year’s Eve is just as important—many Brazilians dress in white to bring peace and good luck, and thousands gather on beaches to watch fireworks. Some also participate in Afro-Brazilian traditions, offering flowers and candles to the ocean in honor of Yemanjá, the sea goddess.

Learn more about Brazilian traditions.

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Canada

Canada’s winter holidays are shaped by snow and multicultural traditions. Christmas markets, outdoor skating rinks, and brightly decorated neighborhoods create a cozy winter atmosphere. Families bake seasonal treats like butter tarts, shortbread cookies,  tourtière (pork pie), or boulettes (small meatballs), and many watch the Santa Claus Parade, especially in Toronto.

Masked mummers in some areas in Canada are part of a holiday tradition during the twelve days of Christmas. Groups of masked people visit homes during the Christmas season. They knock on doors asking, “Any mummers allowed in?” If welcomed, they perform music, sing, and dance for the hosts, who then try to guess their identities.

Canadians also celebrate Boxing Day on December 26, which originally honored charitable giving but today often includes shopping, sports events, and family relaxation. Indigenous communities incorporate winter cultural gatherings such as storytelling circles, dances, and feasts, making the holiday season a time of connection and heritage across the country.

Learn more about Boxing Day.

China

China’s major winter-season festival is the Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival. Preparations begin weeks in advance, as families deep-clean their homes to remove bad luck and hang red decorations symbolizing happiness and prosperity. The holiday centers on family reunions, beginning with a large New Year’s Eve dinner featuring dumplings, fish, and rice cakes. Children look forward to receiving red envelopes filled with money. Streets come alive with lion dances, dragon parades, lantern displays, and firecrackers meant to chase away evil spirits.

While Christmas is not a traditional holiday, it has become popular in major cities, especially for decorations and seasonal shopping. Santa Claus is referred to as Dun Che Lao Ren, which means “Christmas Old Man”. Some families hang stockings in hopes that Dun Che Lao Ren will fill them with gifts.

Learn more about the Lunar New Year.

Czech Republic

Christmas in the Czech Republic is filled with meaningful customs passed down for generations. On the eve of December 5th, Svatý Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas) visits children accompanied by an angel (anděl) and a devil (čert). He is dressed as a bishop and rewards good children with sweets and treats, while the devil scares the bad ones with the threat of a potato or a lump of coal. This is a playful tradition, not real. The children must often sing a song or recite a poem to receive their gifts.

On Christmas Eve, many families eat a meal featuring fried carp, potato salad, and Christmas cookies. Fortune-telling traditions such as cutting apples to predict the year ahead or floating walnut shells with candles add a layer of magic. Although Svatý Mikuláš provides small gifts on December 5th, the main Christmas presents are brought by Ježíšek (Baby Jesus) on Christmas Eve, who quietly delivers presents while families finish dinner. Markets in Prague and other cities shine with festive lights, handmade crafts, and warm treats like mulled wine. The season is peaceful and full of charm.

Learn more about traditions in the Czech Republic.

Egypt

Egypt’s holidays reflect its diverse religious communities. Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 after completing a 43-day fast known as the Holy Nativity Fast. On Christmas Eve, families attend a long church service and later enjoy Fata, a festive dish made of rice, bread, and lamb. People visit friends and neighbors on Christmas morning, bringing kaik (shortbread) to share.

Muslims in Egypt celebrate Ramadan with nightly gatherings for iftar, the fast-breaking meal after sunset, and decorate homes and streets with colorful lanterns called fanoos. Holiday markets, decorated streets, and generous giving bring warmth to communities during these celebrations.

Both traditions create a season filled with reflection, family, and joy.

Learn more about Ramadan.

France

France’s holiday season is known for its elegant food traditions, sparkling decorations, and charming Christmas markets. Families share Réveillon, a luxurious meal eaten late on Christmas Eve, often featuring oysters, foie gras, roasted meats, and the famous bûche de Noël (Yule Log) cake. Children set their shoes near the fireplace for Père Noël to fill with gifts. Markets across the country, especially in Strasbourg, fill with handmade crafts and festive foods.

After New Year’s, families celebrate Epiphany with galette des rois, a flaky pastry with a hidden trinket inside, bringing an extra touch of fun to the season.

Learn more about Epiphany.

Germany

Germany is considered the birthplace of many Christmas traditions, including Advent calendars, Christmas trees, and festive markets. During Advent, families light candles on wreaths and count down the days with calendars filled with treats or small gifts. Christmas markets glow with wooden stalls selling ornaments, gingerbread, and hot spiced wine. Many families decorate their trees on Christmas Eve and enjoy a cozy meal together, making the holiday warm and festive despite the winter cold. Christmas traditions vary from region to region.

The Christkind, often depicted as an angelic figure with golden hair and radiant wings, is said to deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Rather than being seen, the Christkind’s arrival is announced by the ringing of a small bell, signaling that presents have been delivered and it’s time for families to gather around the tree.

The Weihnachtsmann, or “Christmas Man,” is more similar to the American Santa Claus. He is typically portrayed as a jolly figure in a red suit who brings gifts on December 24th.

On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 6th, children place their boots out for St. Nicholas, who fills them with sweets and fruits. St. Nicholas is usually portrayed as a kind, bishop-like figure wearing long robes and a mitre.

Learn more about traditions in Germany.

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Greece

Holiday traditions in Greece are deeply rooted in music, food, and faith. Children sing kalanda, or Christmas carols, door-to-door while tapping triangles or small drums, often receiving sweets or coins in return. Some carry small boats with them. Many families decorate small wooden boats instead of trees, honoring Greece’s maritime history. Christmas meals feature roasted meats, honey cookies, and sweet breads like Christopsomo.

A long-standing Greek Christmas tradition involves a simple wooden bowl filled with a small amount of water, with a wire stretched across the top. Hanging from the wire is a wooden cross wrapped with fresh basil. The water in the bowl keeps the basil vibrant throughout the season. Each day, typically, the mother of the household dips the basil-covered cross into holy water and then sprinkles each room of the home. This daily ritual is believed to protect the house from mischief and ward off unwanted spirits during the holiday season.

Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, includes the Blessing of the Waters, where priests throw a cross into the sea, and swimmers dive in to retrieve it for good fortune.

Learn more about Epiphany.

Learn more about traditions in Greece.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, the holiday season blends traditional celebrations with the warm spirit of the islands, creating a unique mix of cultural influences. Christmas is often marked by mele kalikimaka, the Hawaiian holiday greeting, and families decorate with tropical flowers, palm fronds, and island-style ornaments. Instead of sleighs, Santa may arrive by canoe, greeting children on the beach. Many communities host parades featuring hula dancers, ukulele music, and brightly lit outrigger canoes, adding a distinctly Hawaiian flair to the festivities.

For those who celebrate Hanukkah, menorahs may be lit outdoors at sunset, reflecting the beauty of the ocean and sky. The season also includes shared meals featuring local dishes such as kalua pork, fresh pineapple, and lomi salmon. No matter which holidays are observed, gatherings emphasize ohana—family, togetherness, and gratitude—making the Hawaiian holiday season both festive and deeply meaningful.

Learn more about traditions in Hawaii.

India

India’s holiday season is incredibly diverse, reflecting its many religions and cultures.

Diwali is a super bright and happy festival that many people around the world celebrate. It’s often called the Festival of Lights because families light lots of tiny oil lamps and candles to make their homes glow. These lights are meant to chase away darkness and bring in goodness. During Diwali, kids help clean and decorate the house, and families draw colorful designs called rangoli on the ground using chalk, sand, or flower petals. People wear new clothes, visit friends and family, and share delicious sweets. Fireworks and sparklers light up the night sky, too! Diwali is all about celebrating good winning over bad, light winning over darkness, and spending time with the people you love.

Christians celebrate Christmas with midnight Mass, star-shaped paper lanterns, and nativity scenes.

Muslim families observe Ramadan during the appropriate season, breaking each day’s fast with special meals and honoring traditions of charity.

India’s celebrations are vibrant, joyful, and filled with color and community.

Learn more about Diwali.

Learn more about Ramadan.

Ireland

In Ireland, the Christmas season mixes old customs with lively community traditions. One cherished part of the holiday is placing a lighted candle in the window on Christmas Eve. This warm, glowing candle is meant to welcome travelers and symbolize hospitality and hope. People also enjoy the festive atmosphere of midnight Mass, where families gather late at night to celebrate together. On December 26th, many Irish communities observe St. Stephen’s Day, a public holiday filled with visiting friends, relaxing after Christmas, and enjoying leftovers.

A very old tradition still seen in some towns is the Wren Boys procession, connected to Wren Day. In this custom, groups dress in colorful costumes, sometimes wearing straw hats or masks, and go from house to house singing, dancing, and collecting coins for charity. While the original meaning has changed over time, today it is mainly a fun community celebration filled with music and storytelling.

Some people take part in chilly Christmas or New Year’s swims in the sea. Homes ring with music, storytelling, and hearty meals that bring families together. Ireland rings in the New Year with gatherings, special dinners, and moments of reflection. Some families follow an old custom of opening the back door to let the old year out and the front door to welcome the new one in, symbolizing fresh beginnings.

Learn more about St. Stephen’s Day.

Israel

Israel celebrates a wide mix of winter holidays, but Hanukkah is the most celebrated by Jewish families. Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, and each evening families gather to light a special candleholder called a menorah. They add one new candle each night until all eight are shining brightly. The lighting is often followed by singing traditional songs, reciting blessings, and sharing stories about the ancient miracle in which a small amount of oil burned for eight full days. Foods fried in oil are especially important, reminding everyone of the miracle of the oil. Two favorites are sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, and latkes, crispy potato pancakes. Children look forward to spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top marked with Hebrew letters, and receiving gelt, which can be chocolate coins or small gifts.

Christian celebrations are centered around Bethlehem and Jerusalem, where processions, church services, and pilgrimages attract visitors from around the world.

Learn more about Hanukkah.

Italy

In Italy, the Christmas season is filled with warm family traditions, delicious food, and unique celebrations that vary from region to region. The holiday officially begins on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a national holiday when many families decorate their homes and set up the presepe, or nativity scene. The nativity is often more important than the tree, and some towns create elaborate outdoor displays with life-size figures or living nativity performances.

Christmas Eve is often celebrated with La Vigilia, a special meal that traditionally features several seafood dishes since many Italian families avoid meat that night. After dinner, many people attend Midnight Mass, especially in cities near Vatican City, where St. Peter’s Basilica holds one of the most famous Christmas services in the world.

Christmas Day is reserved for gathering with family and enjoying foods like pasta, roast meats, and sweet holiday breads such as panettone or pandoro. One of the most well-known traditions is that gifts may be delivered not by Santa Claus, but by La Befana, a kind, witch-like grandmother figure. According to legend, she flies on her broomstick and visits children on the night of January 5th, leaving sweets for those who have been good and coal (now usually candy coal) for those who need a reminder to behave.

The season continues into January with Epiphany, when La Befana makes her visit and many towns hold parades or festivals in her honor.

Learn more about La Befana.

Learn more about Epiphany.

Japan

In Japan, Christmas is not traditionally a religious holiday, but it has become a fun, light-hearted celebration focused on joy and togetherness. The most important tradition is Omisoka, or New Year’s Eve. Families spend the day cleaning their homes from top to bottom in a custom called “ōsōji,” symbolizing a fresh start. In the evening, they gather to eat toshikoshi soba, long noodles that represent long life and the hope for a smooth transition into the new year. Just before midnight, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times in a ceremony called joya no kane, believed to clear away the 108 human desires and bring spiritual peace.

New Year’s Day, known as Shōgatsu, is one of the most important celebrations of the year. Families visit shrines and temples for hatsumōde, the first prayer of the new year, and exchange small envelopes called otoshidama, which contain money for children. Homes and entrances may be decorated with traditional items like kadomatsu (bamboo and pine arrangements) or shimenawa (sacred ropes), symbolizing good luck and protection.

Another holiday celebrated in early spring is Hinamatsuri, or Girls’ Day. Families with daughters display beautiful dolls dressed in traditional court clothing and enjoy special foods, such as hina-arare rice crackers. It’s a day to wish for health, happiness, and a bright future for young girls.

Learn more about Omisoka.

Learn more about Hinamatsuri.

Kenya

In Kenya, many families celebrate Christmas. Instead of snow and winter coats, Kenyans enjoy warm, sunny weather, which means most Christmas activities take place outdoors. Families travel from big cities back to their rural hometowns to spend time with relatives, often preparing large feasts that may include roast goat, chapati, pilau rice, and fresh fruits. Church celebrations are a major part of the holiday, with lively services that include singing, drumming, dancing, and colorful traditional clothing.

Kenya is also home to many Muslims, and in years when Ramadan falls near the holiday season, families observe it with daily fasting, prayer, and a joyful celebration called Eid al-Fitr at the end of the month. These traditions bring neighborhoods together, with people visiting friends, exchanging gifts, and sharing meals.

The New Year is another festive time in Kenya. Families and friends gather for outdoor barbecues, beach trips, and cultural performances. Fireworks light up the sky in cities, and many people attend special church services to pray for blessings and fresh beginnings in the year ahead.

Learn more about traditions in Kenya.   

Learn more about Ramadan.

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Mexico

Mexico’s holiday season begins in early December with Las Posadas, a nine-night celebration from December 16th to 24th that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Each night, children and adults form processions, carrying candles and singing carols as they move from house to house. At each stop, they are turned away until they finally reach the designated “inn,” where the celebration ends with prayers, songs, and often a festive gathering. Homes are decorated with piñatas, lanterns, and nativity scenes, and families prepare traditional foods like atole and sweet breads to share.

Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, is one of the most important family gatherings. Families attend midnight Mass, called Misa de Gallo, and return home to a late-night feast featuring roasted meats, tamales, and other regional dishes. Children eagerly anticipate receiving gifts, though in many regions the main gift-giving day is Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes) on January 6th, when children leave their shoes out for the Magi to fill with presents.

Earlier in the fall, Mexican families also honor Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This holiday is a joyful remembrance of ancestors, where families build altars (ofrendas) adorned with marigolds, candles, photos, and favorite foods of the deceased. While Día de los Muertos is not a Christmas celebration, it sets the tone for a season full of family, reflection, and honoring traditions.

Learn more about Las Posadas. 

Learn more about Día de los Muertos.

Philippines

The Philippines is famous for having the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as September and continuing well into January. The festive spirit is everywhere, from brightly lit streets to homes adorned with colorful parols, star-shaped lanterns that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and light guiding the way to the manger. The season is rooted in Catholic traditions, and one is Simbang Gabi, a series of nine dawn masses leading up to Christmas Eve. Many families believe that completing all nine will bring blessings and special wishes for the coming year.

On Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, families gather for a large feast after attending midnight Mass. Traditional dishes vary by region but often include lechón (roast pig), ham, queso de bola (edam cheese), pancit (noodles for long life), and sweet desserts like bibingka and puto bumbong. It’s a time for family, music, laughter, and storytelling, as generations come together to celebrate.

New Year’s Eve is celebrated with fireworks, loud music, and special foods meant to bring luck and prosperity, such as round fruits and sticky rice cakes. Many Filipino families also visit relatives and friends during the early days of January, keeping the sense of community strong. The holiday period concludes with the Feast of the Three Kings on January 6, marking the end of Christmas festivities.

Learn more about traditions in the Philippines.

Poland

In Poland, Wigilia, or Christmas Eve, is often considered the most important part of the celebration. The evening begins once the first star appears in the sky, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. Families gather around the table, which is traditionally covered with a white tablecloth and includes an extra place setting to welcome unexpected guests or honor absent family members. Before the meal begins, family members share opłatek, a thin wafer, breaking it together while exchanging heartfelt wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity.

The Wigilia meal is meatless, in keeping with traditional Catholic practices, and usually includes 12 dishes representing the twelve apostles. These dishes often feature fish, such as carp or herring, beet soup called barszcz, mushroom pierogi, sauerkraut, and various breads and desserts sweetened with poppy seeds. After dinner, families may attend Pasterka, the Midnight Mass.

Gift-giving in Poland usually takes place on Christmas Eve, and children often leave Christmas stockings for Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas) or, in some regions, Baby Jesus to fill. Homes are decorated with nativity scenes and candles, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.

The holiday season continues into New Year’s Day and Epiphany (January 6), with many communities holding processions, church services, and festive gatherings.

Learn more about traditions in Poland.

Russia

In Russia, the holiday season combines Orthodox Christian traditions with lively New Year’s celebrations. Many Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7, following the Julian calendar. The night before Christmas, families gather for a special twelve-dish supper, which may include grains, honey, fruits, fish, and other symbolic dishes representing prosperity and blessings.

Many attend Christmas Mass, and nativity scenes decorate homes and churches. While Christmas is meaningful, the biggest winter celebration in Russia is New Year’s Eve, often more festive than Christmas itself. Families decorate Yolkas (New Year trees), exchange gifts, and celebrate with fireworks. Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost), accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka, delivers presents to children, creating a joyful atmosphere that blends folklore and modern traditions.

Learn more traditions from Russia.

Spain

In Spain, the holiday season begins in early December, and one of the main highlights is Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, when families gather for a late-night feast after attending Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass). The meal often features seafood, roast lamb or pork, and seasonal sweets, including turrón (a type of nougat), polvorones (crumbly almond cookies), and marzipan treats. Homes are decorated with Belenes (nativity scenes), sometimes elaborately detailed with miniature figures, towns, and landscapes. In many regions, nativity displays are more important than Christmas trees and can be found in public squares, churches, and private homes.

The Day of the Innocent Saints, known in Spanish as Día de los Santos Inocentes, is celebrated in Spain on December 28th. It is the Spanish equivalent of April Fool’s Day, a day filled with practical jokes and humor, despite its somber historical origins. 

While children may receive small gifts on Christmas Day, the main gift-giving day in Spain is Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes) on January 6. On the evening of January 5, cities and towns host Cabalgatas, or parades, where the Three Wise Men ride through the streets on decorated floats, throwing candy and small gifts to children. Families place their shoes out overnight for the Magi to fill with presents, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

Learn more about traditions in Spain. 

Sweden

In Sweden, the winter holiday season blends ancient traditions with modern festivities. One of the first highlights is St. Lucia Day on December 13, when girls dress in white robes with red sashes around their waists, and crowns of candles, bringing light to the dark winter days while singing traditional songs.

Families celebrate Christmas with a Julbord, a buffet of meats, fish, cheeses, and desserts, and homes glow with Advent candles and stars in windows. The Christmas tree, often decorated with straw ornaments, apples, and candles, is central to the holiday spirit.

Later in the spring, Swedes celebrate Waffle Day on March 25, a lighthearted tradition marking the arrival of warmer weather, with sweet waffles enjoyed with friends and family.

Learn more about St. Lucia Day.

Learn more about Waffle Day.

Turkey

In Turkey, Christmas is not widely celebrated since the majority of the population is Muslim. Still, New Year’s Eve has become a major festive occasion and carries many of the decorations and customs associated with Christmas in other countries.

During the winter season, streets, shops, and homes are decorated with lights, colorful ornaments, and small pine or fir trees, creating a cheerful and festive atmosphere. Families often gather for special dinners featuring traditional Turkish dishes, and in cities like Istanbul and Ankara, public celebrations include fireworks, concerts, and festive events. Children sometimes exchange gifts with family and friends, and adults enjoy social gatherings to mark the turning of the year.

Turkey’s primary winter religious celebrations are rooted in Islamic traditions, with Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr observed earlier in the year according to the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, families fast from sunrise to sunset, and the daily fast is broken at iftar meals, which are often large, communal feasts with a variety of dishes, sweets, and drinks. Communities come together for prayers, charity, and sharing meals with neighbors, creating strong bonds and a sense of togetherness.

Learn more about Ramadan.

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Ukraine

In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, following the Orthodox Christian calendar. The season begins with Sviat Vechir, or Holy Supper, on Christmas Eve, eaten when the first star appears. It includes 12 meatless dishes symbolizing the apostles. Families often display a didukh, a sheaf of wheat that represents the household’s ancestors and the harvest. Carolers, known as Koliadky singers, travel from house to house dressed in traditional costumes, singing songs and bringing blessings to each home. Gifts are exchanged, and families attend Midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The season continues through New Year’s, combining joyful feasts, community gatherings, and traditional music, making the Ukrainian winter holidays a heartfelt mix of faith, family, and culture.

Learn more about traditions in Ukraine.

United States

The United States celebrates a wide variety of winter holidays due to its cultural diversity. Christmas is the most widely observed, with families decorating trees, hanging stockings, baking cookies, and gathering for meals. Communities host parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, and elaborate holiday displays. Santa Claus has a naughty or nice list and brings gifts to children who are nice.

Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, and each evening families gather to light a special candleholder called a menorah. They add one new candle each night until all eight are shining brightly. The lighting is often followed by singing traditional songs, reciting blessings, and sharing stories about the ancient miracle in which a small amount of oil burned for eight full days. Foods fried in oil are especially important, reminding everyone of the miracle of the oil. Two favorites are sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, and latkes, crispy potato pancakes. Children look forward to spinning the dreidel, a four-sided top marked with Hebrew letters, and receiving gelt, which can be chocolate coins or small gifts.

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and family, observed from December 26 to January 1. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African-American identity and community. During Kwanzaa, families light a special candleholder called a kinara, adding one candle each night to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa—unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Gifts, called zawadi, are often given to encourage learning, growth, and achievement. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but a cultural celebration that emphasizes community, reflection, and pride in heritage.

Many families also celebrate Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and other cultural holidays depending on their background.

Learn more about Hanukkah.

Learn more about Kwanzaa.

Learn more about the Lunar New Year.

Learn more about Ramadan.

 

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