December is celebrated everywhere. So many festivals and traditions make it hard to choose. December is the most popular holiday month, with 6 billion people celebrating as of November 24, 2022.

December Global Holidays

People celebrate something essential during holidays. It can be a religious or cultural celebration, like Christmas or Hanukkah.

December holidays frequently have important customs and ideals. They can help you connect with your culture or faith through food, music, and rituals.

Here are the top 20 December global holidays to celebrate, whether you're trying to connect with your own culture or faith or just curious about how others celebrate.

 

Date

Holiday

What we celebrate

December 1, 2022

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is a global holiday that is celebrated on December 1st. It is dedicated to raising awareness about AIDS and the impact it has on people all around the world.

December 5, 2022

King Bhumibol’s Birthday

On this day, Thailand celebrates the birthday of its beloved king, Bhumibol Adulyadej. King Bhumibol was born in 1927 and was the king of Thailand between 1950 and 2016.

December 6, 2022

St. Nicholas Day

December 6 is a holiday that people celebrate as St. Nicholas Day. It celebrates the life of St. Nicholas (A.K.A. Santa Claus), a Christian saint who was known for his generosity and kindness. On St. Nicholas Day, many people exchange gifts and eat special foods in honor of the saint.

December 8, 2022

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is a holiday that celebrates the moment when the Buddha reached enlightenment. It is observed on December 8th in most countries, but some celebrate it on other dates.

December 8, 2022

Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast day that celebrates the conception of Jesus Christ by Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is celebrated on December 8th and is one of the most important Catholic holidays.

December 10, 2022

Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day is a special day that celebrates the fundamental human rights that every person is entitled to. It’s observed every year on December 10th and is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in protecting human rights around the world. It is also a time to recommit to making sure that all people are treated with dignity and respect.

December 13, 2022

Saint Lucia’s Day

Saint Lucia’s Day is not exactly the most famous of the December global holidays. Still, December 13 is a religious holiday in honor of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light. It is often celebrated with special church services, parades, and cookouts. In some countries, such as Italy and Sweden, it is also a day for celebrating the start of the Christmas season.

December 16-24, 2022

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a December holiday celebrated in Mexico and many other Latin American countries. It commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.

December 18-26, 2022

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated for eight days and nights, usually beginning on the 25th of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar.

December 20, 2022

International Human Solidarity Day

International Human Solidarity Day is a global holiday on December 20 that celebrates the idea of human brotherhood and cooperation. It was created by the United Nations in 2007 and is celebrated every year on December 20th. The goal of this holiday is to promote peace, understanding, and cooperation between all people. This day is also used to raise awareness about global issues such as poverty, hunger, and disease.

December 21, 2022

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is a holiday that celebrates the shortest day of the year. It is observed on December 21st in most countries, but some celebrate it on other dates. The word “solstice” means “sun stands still,” and this name reflects the fact that on the winter solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky. After the winter solstice, the days begin to get longer again.

December 21, 2022

Yule

Yule is a winter holiday that celebrates the rebirth of the sun. It is celebrated by many different people around the world, including Pagans, Wiccans, and Druids. Yule usually takes place in late December or early January and is often marked by special celebrations, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

December 23, 2022

Festivus

Festivus 2022 is a parody holiday that was created in the 1960s by Seinfeld writer Dan O’Keefe. It celebrates the non-religious aspects of Christmas and is typically celebrated on December 23rd.

December 24, 2022

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is another one of the important December global holidays and a special day for Christians all around the world. It is the day before Christmas and is often celebrated with family gatherings and special church services. Many people exchange gifts on this day, and some families even eat their Christmas dinner on this day.

December 25, 2022

Christmas

Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians all around the world and is considered one of the most important holidays of the year.

December 26, 2022

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a public holiday originally celebrated in the middle-ages in the United Kingdom, today it’s celebrated in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

December 26, 2022

St. Stephen’s Day

St. Stephen’s Day is a holiday celebrated on December 26th in honor of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It is often celebrated with special church services, parades, and cookouts.

December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African-American culture and heritage. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga and is celebrated every year from December 26th to January 1st.

December 31, 2022

New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve, people around the globe celebrate the coming of the New Year on this last day in the gregorian calendar.

December 31, 2022

Omisoka

Omisoka is the last of the December global holidays as the Japanese celebrate it on December 31st. It is a day to celebrate the coming of the New Year, and people typically exchange gifts, eat special foods, and participate in traditional ceremonies.