December is a month of festivals, activities, fun, and most importantly a month of global holidays. Due to the international festive season in December, everyone gets a chance to enjoy a couple of days off with their family and friends.
Head out now to enjoy your December!
The International Festive Season in December is filled with Global Holidays and chilly winters, with a great deal of joy. December holidays take a turn from 2021 and end in 2022, starting the month with the celebrations of Hanukkah and ending it off with Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Check out the following list of festivals, celebrated globally, giving you international holidays for the international days.
List Of December Global Holidays in 2022
| Hanukkah (Global, Mostly in America and amongst Jewish people) | November 28 – December 6 |
| World Aids Day (Global), National Day (United Arab Emirates) | December 1 |
| Farmer’s Day (Ghana) | December 2 |
| Krampusnacht (Austria), King Bhumibol’s Birthday (Thailand) | December 5 |
| Independence Day (Finland), Constitution Day (Spain), St. Nicholas Day (Europe) | December 6 |
| Unduvap Full Moon Poya (Sri Lanka) | December 7 |
| Feast of Immaculate (America, Argentina, Italy, Korea, Nicaragua, Paraguay, the Philippines, Spain, and Uruguay), Bodhi Day (Japan) | December 8 |
| Constitution Day (Thailand), Human Rights Day (Global) | December 10 |
| The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico) | December 12 |
| Republic day (Malta), St. Lucia Day (Sweden), Santa Lucia (Scandinavia and Italy) | December 13 |
| Victory Day (Bangladesh), Day of Reconciliation (South Africa) | December 16 |
| Las Posadas (Mexico and Guatemala) | December 16 – 24 |
| National Day (Qatar) | December 18 |
| Winter Solstice (Global) | December 21 |
| Festivus (America) | December 23 |
| Christmas Eve (Global) | December 24 |
| Christmas Day (Global) | December 25 |
| Boxing Day (Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada) or St. Stephen’s Day, Independence Day and Unity Day (Slovenia) | December 26 |
| Kwanzaa (Africa) | December 26– January 1 |
| Rizal Day (Philippines) | December 30th |
| New Year’s Eve (Global), Omisoka (Japan) | December 31st |
So this was the entire list of global holidays in December 2022, but for your sake, we have also made a list of all the global holidays of the previous year. This is for you to compare the changes in the dates between these two years. Let’s have a look:
| December 1 | National Day (United Arab Emirates) |
| December 4 | Farmer’s Day (Ghana) |
| December 6 | Independence Day (Finland), Constitution Day (Spain) |
| December 7 | King Bhumibol’s Birthday (Thailand) |
| December 10 | Constitution Day (Thailand) |
| December 12 | The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico) |
| December 13 | Republic day (Malta) |
| December 16 | Victory Day (Bangladesh), Day of Reconciliation (South Africa) |
| December 18 | National Day (Qatar) |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve (Global), Independence Day (Libya) |
| December 25 | Christmas Day, Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan) |
| December 26 | Boxing Day (Europe), Independence and Unity Day (Slovenia) |
| December 29th | Unduvap Full Moon Poya (Sri Lanka) |
| December 30th | Rizal Day (Philippines) |
| December 31st | New Year’s Eve (Global) |
In the list, you will find all the international festivals celebrated in December that lead to the December Global Holidays in 2021.
Enjoy and have fun with December global festivities!
Now, let’s get started with the blog, have a look at the major country-specific festivals that are also celebrated worldwide.
1. Hanukkah
Date of celebration: November 28- December 6
Category: Religious
Purpose of Celebration: rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem, where Jews fought and won against the iron hands of greek-Syrian. Paying respect to the temple with this festival of lights.
Mostly celebrated in Israel and countries with a Jewish population
Hanukkah is one of the December Global Festivals, a celebration of dedication, by the Maccabees, who were the first Jews to fight and protect their religious beliefs by restoring their temple for future generations to worship and remember. This function is celebrated as the symbol of dedication and proclamation of the temple, which has been decided to be celebrated for 8 days.
Miracle: When Judas- Maccabees entered the temple, ages ago, he found a small jar of oil. The jar had enough to be burnt to cut down the darkness for one day, but magically the oil burned for 8 continuous days. This is the story behind the 8-day celebration with 8 candles.
Some believe that the candle should be lit on the first day and other candles on each day for 8 days. Others believe that all eight candles should be lit the first night, decreasing the count every day.
Activities:
- Chanting of songs, like- Ma’oz. (traditional songs)
- Performances of Hallel prayers
- Eating oil-dried foods, like- Potato pancakes, latkes, jam-filled doughnuts(sufganiyot)
- Exchanging gifts and playing with dreidels
- Daily reading of scriptures, recitation of Psalms, or singing of hymns
- Hanukkah Gelt, children receive money from the elders as a token of love
- Card playing is a common activity that is participated in and enjoyed by all.
2. World AIDS Day
Date: 1 December
Category: Health
Purpose of celebration: Educating people to give heat on the most ignored but important issues of the world – HIV/AIDS
Mostly celebrated in: no country-specific, celebrated worldwide
Data Analysis: As of 2020, 36.3 million people have died due to AIDS, worldwide. And 37.7 million people are living with HIV, which makes it one of the mso5 dangerous diseases in the world in recorded history.
The good part is that the death rate by HIV has decreased by 64%, from 2004 to 1.9 million to 2020- 680 000
Another December Global Holidays is World’s AIDS Day. This day is solely mourned to pay respect and to consider the people who have lost their lives, due to HIV/AIDS. This day started on December 1, 1988, and continues to be known worldwide to date.
This life-threatening disease is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. World AIDS Day is one of the 11th official global public health campaigns marked by WHO. This day is to create awareness and consideration for this disease, throughout the globe.
Activities:
- awareness AIDS Camps
- Attending orphans
- Fund-raising camps for the same
- Promoting safe sex programs
- Urging the government to spread safe sex missions
3. Krampusnacht
Day of celebration– 5 December
Category– Religious
Purpose of celebration– As the Krampus night, where parents are dressed as Krampus to scare their children
Mostly celebrated in– Austria, Slovenia, Parts of Italy, etc.
One of the most unique and attractive holidays, celebrated by all the German-speaking countries in Europe is Krampusnatch. Krampus is basically said to be the evil person who does the exact opposite of good on Christmas. The festival is being carried out for over centuries now, in the memory of ol St. Nick.
And now the legend Krampus has gained so much popularity that not just in Austria or the neighboring countries, but several countries of the world get excited about Krampusnacht when Christmas is around the corner. The creature of Krampus was considered to be a ‘pagan supernatural’ that is depicted quite in the same way as it is in Christianity.
Activities:
People are dressed as the Krampus evil itself and even buy or rent its costume. And while dressed as Krampus, they have parties and ponder over the streets.
4.Human Rights Day
Day of celebration– 10 December
Category-Public awareness
Purpose of celebration– To make people aware of the basic standard of living
Mostly celebrated-worldwide
The UN adopted the date 10 December as the Human Rights day and proclaimed its universal declaration in the year 1948, making it another December Global Holidays. It is the most translated document in the world, and one can find it in over 500 different languages. Well, you can assume it’s worth it from this I guess.
Basically, this day is celebrated as the anniversary of the declaration of Human rights. The aim of declaring human rights in the world was to establish a common standard of living for people from each and every corner of the world.
5.The Day of Virgin Guadalupe
Day of celebration- 12 December
Category– Religious
Purpose of celebration- To honor the Virgin Mary
Mostly celebrated in- Mexico
This day of a national holiday is celebrated every year in Mexico to mark the day of the virgin mary’s appearance with this young man on December 12 in 1531. The people of Mexico make their way on this day towards the villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, which is in the northern neighborhood of Mexico City. there, they celebrate their lady Guadalupe and in her honor, there are mass ceremonies and fairs.
And not just the Mexicans, people from various corners of the world travel to this city to celebrate this beautiful festival with their people, which makes The day of Virgin Guadalupe a December global festivities.
Activities:
There are certain fun and joyous activities that take place during this festival, let’s have a look at them:
- Ceremonies are held.
- Fairs of various delicious and authentic food.
- Altars of flowers are built in her honor.
- Parades.
- Bullfights
- And rodeos
6. Santa Lucia
Date of Celebration: 13 December
Category: Religious
Purpose of celebration: Dedicated to Lucy of Syracuse, who lived her life to make others survive, by distributing food, medications, and necessary supplies.
Mostly celebrated in Scandinavian and Italy
It has been said that Lucia, of Syracuse, has been a legendary figure who was the sole source and supplier of food and aid to Christians, who were hiding in Roman catacombs. Shea was wearing a candle-lit wreath to distribute food and other necessary supplies freely. This day is celebrated as the festival of light.
St. Lucy, a representation of a lady in a white dress, symbolising a baptised robe and a red sash, that talks about the blood of martyrdom, a crowning a wreath of candles.
Activities:
- Songs are sung
- Girls are dressed as st. Lucy carries cookies and saffron buns. This signifies bringing light and opening the way of darkness.
7. The Day of Reconciliation
Date of celebration– 16 December
Category– Reconciliation
Purpose of celebration- To commemorate the veteran’s fighters
Mostly celebrated-Africa
This public holiday in South Africa cam e to effect after the year 1995, when there was finally end to Apartheid. The main aim of this holiday or to celebrate this day is to foster reconciliation and establish unity in the country. The date of celebrating this day was particularly chosen by the African government to make sure that it was comfortable for both of the ethnic groups in the country, for recognizing the need of racial harmony.
In simpler words, the celebration of this day can be named as the day when the Africans remember their past history while recognizing veteran’s contribution to their country, marching, and other festivals.
Activities:
There’s a public holiday in the entire nation on 16 December. There are various ways in which the Africans celebrate this special day, let’s have a look:
- Parade takes place across the cities.
- Various cultural groups join the parades and portray the veteran’s contribution to their country.
- Multiple festivities take place where all the residents of the country participate.
8. Yule
Date of celebration: 21 December- 1 January
Category: Religious /pagan
Purpose of celebration: To honour Norse god, Odin, by the Germanic population all over the world.
Mostly celebrated in German and Germanic groups around the world.
This December Global Holiday is one of the oldest winter festivals of the world, Yule is celebrated and most known in the Germanic parts of the world. It is a day of thanking the gods for the existence of humans and nature associated with humans. It is also a festival, celebrated and remembered for 12 days, thanking the Gods. Yuletide comes after the first winter solstice.
This day of celebration can be known as “Joulu” or “Yule Time”, or “Yule Session”. By some scholars, this day of celebration has been connected to the god of Odin. Odin is a widely worshipped god according to German mythology. The mythological studies associated Odin with wisdom, death, healing, royalty, knowledge, the epitome of war and wrath, victory, and sorcery. Even poetry and frenzy.
Activities:
Burning a big log and lightning the night by having fun and spacing the night outside.
Today, the log burning is done and moreover, there is a Yule altar made by the worshippers of God Odin. To pay respect and worship together in the hope of wealthy mother nature.
- Yule tree ornament decoration
- Candlelight dinner
- Exchanging gifts
- Family night shouting together
9. Festivus
Date of Celebration: 23 December
Category: Parody
Purpose of celebration: To create awareness about Christmas materialism and commercialization
Mostly celebrated in: Celebrated worldwide, especially in the US
Some call this festival anti-tradition, but some celebrate it to cut down the materialistic urge to spend on expensive Christmas trees and gifts for Christmas. Nonetheless, this December Global Festival is growing at a pace and has spread over the world. Given below are 5 steps to celebrate
Five steps of Festivus:
Step1: Get a festive pole in aluminium, one is preferred. Try to not decorate it, promoting natural beauty. Lol
Step2: Prepare an amazing dinner for this Festivus activity
Step3: Airing your grievances is a ritual where you have to carry on all your grievances and complaints from your family, talk, and discuss honestly to just take it all out at once. And is it a festive activity, no one can object? So, it is a say-it-out-loud therapy.
Step4: Join the feat of strength, Rule: the host should be pinned to the floor, otherwise the Festivus festival is incomplete. All the guests participate to show their physical strength and to put down on the floor.
Step5: share Festivus miracles
This is a fun session where everyone shares about the daily activities that were unexpectedly and unconsciously accomplished by magic. Well, that’s what everyone believes to have fun and do make it entertaining.
10. Christmas
Date of celebration: 25 December
Category: religious
Purpose of celebration: For mankind, to worship Christ who restored humanity over sin.
Mostly celebrated: worldwide
Well, one of the most famous December Global Festival and a December Global Holiday indeed. The day is celebrated in the name of Jesus Christ, who is believed to get crucified to restore humanity over sin. Originally, it came from the Mass of Christ or Jesus. Christmas, being a Christian festival, is accepted and celebrated all around the world, with the same high spirits and enthusiasm. Even though the correct birthdate of Christ is unknown,
Christmas is celebrated as a cultural festival, rather than a religious one, and that’s why it is celebrated all around the world by Christians and non-Christians.
Activities:
- Sharing gifts within the family or outside the family and to friends
- Sharing sweets, pastries, special cakes and having Christmas gatherings and dinner parties
- Attending church prayers
11. Boxing Day
Date of celebration: 26 December
Category: General
Purpose of celebration: Difference in symbolic reasoning and approaches
Mostly celebrated: Worldwide
- Countries who have marked this day as a public holiday: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
The day follows after Christmas, where rich people often distribute gift boxes to the servants or helpers. It is also celebrated by a general distribution of gifts amongst people. It is also known as “St. Stephens’ day” and was also celebrated as Goodwill day(1994).
Considering the work of helpers throughout the year. Some believe that it was the day when churches started collecting funds and giving donation boxes to the unprivileged. Others believe it to be the day to thank all the helpers for their work.
Keeping the above reasons in mind, as you may please to choose. Boxing Day is one of the most important December Global holidays.
12. Rizal Day
Day of celebration– 30 December
Category-Memorial
Purpose of celebration- To honour their national freedom fighter
Mostly celebrated-The Philippines
Rizal day is a day of national holiday in the Philippines, where they commemorate the life and works of José Rizal. The day is celebrated every year on December 30, on the anniversary of Rizal’s execution in Manila. Rizal Day was first celebrated as just the mourning day of José Rizal and all the other victims of the Spanish colonial rule.
Activities:
On the day of remembrance of their national hero, there are several activities that take place. There’s a whole ceremony organized by the government of the Philippines, the ceremony takes place at the Rizal Park, the palace where the execution of José Rizal took place in Manila. Let’s have a look at what are the activities that take place at the ceremony:
- The president and the vice president host the national flag of their country.
- Flypast of the Philippines air force.
- The rite takes place in numerous other parts of the country too, similar to the one held in Manila.
- And many other activities like flag raising, speeches, wreath-laying, etc.
13. Kwanzaa
An African festival celebrated in the US!
Date of Celebration: 26 December- 1 January
Category: Cultural
Purpose of Celebration: To eye on certain African traditions and values. Celebrating the union of Africans and Americans.
Mostly Celebrated: worldwide, mainly in the US.
“Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality and is one of the December Global Festival. Thus, Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e. Muslims, Christians, Black Hebrews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha’i, and Hindus, as well as those who follow the ancient traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanta, Dogon, etc.”
-Maulana Karenga
This international festival is celebrated as the union of Afro-Americans. This union was turned into a celebration by Maulana Karenga, who named it Kwanzaa, meaning the “first” fruit of the harvest. This first day of the harvest symbolises the first day of the reunion, sympathy, and respect towards the two tribes.
The festival lasts for 7 days with a candlelight ceremony. Every day has a special significance. The festival is all about unity, self-determination, ultimate purpose, faith, creativity, community work and responsibility, and much more.
Activities:
- Signing and dancing in traditional African music
- Poetry reading and storytelling
- Discussions of African social beliefs, more like therapy.
14. New Year’s Eve
Celebrated On: 31 December- 1 January
Category: General
Purpose of Celebration: Ending the year with happiness and prosperity. In the hope of having a better year ahead.
Mostly Celebrated in: This festive eve is celebrated worldwide
The last December Global Holiday and the last December Global festivities ends with the last day of the year. Adieu to the last year by shaking hands with the next year. Starting off the next year in the hope of new beginnings with prosperity, goodwill, health, and success.
Both the days are celebrated, as the party starts from December 31 and reaches its peak at midnight, where the new day- January 1, of the new year, begins.
Activities:
- Religious people go to the worship halls to pray for the fortunate new beginnings
- Some people enjoy gatherings, dinner dates, and outings.
- Some people enjoy partying till the next day with screams, songs, and dances to kick off the new year with high spirits and boosted energy.
15. Omisoka
Day of celebration– 31 December
Category– Cultural
Purpose of celebration– To have luck in the upcoming year
Mostly celebrated in– Japan
The origin of Omisaka is from Misoka which means the last month of the year. There are multiple traditions celebrated during this time in Japan. One of these traditions is to eat soba-noodles on Omisaka, the noodles are made from buckwheat flour. It is also said that people who won’t eat everything on their plate and lefts something from it would be unlucky for the next year in terms of money. While in some regions of Japan, some people eat udon noodles, this is because “un” means luck in Japanese.
Activities:
People eat several types of noodles during the festivals as they believe that will bring them luck. People also take a special form of bath on this last day of the year.
