International Winter Holidays: Around the World in 10 Holidays

Most of us know that with winter creeping up on us, there are holidays coming up, too. Here in the United States, that typically means Christmas and New Year's Eve. But what about the rest of the world? There are many holidays that are observed this time of year from all over the globe, whether by different religions, cultures or countries.

Here are a few celebrations, both familiar and lesser known that I've come across*:

Chanukah (Hanukkah) —literally means "rededication"; the Jewish "Festival of Lights," celebrating the Jewish victory at the temple and the 8 days the lamp oil lasted when there was only enough for one day during the rededication of the temple. It begins at sundown on the 25th day of the month Kislev, on the Jewish calendar (in Nov./Dec.). Some common things seen during this celebration are the menorah, which has nine candles, one lit for each day and one to light with; latkes, or potato pancakes; dreidals, which are like spinning tops used for a game of betting; and sufganiyot, unshaped jelly donuts with no holes.

Chinese New Year— this observance is set by the Chinese calendar, which is based on lunar and solar movement. The festivities start with the first new moon of the new year and end on the full moon 15 days later. Each day observes a different theme. The 15th day is known as the Lantern Festival; this is a time of family reunion, celebration and thanksgiving, and religious ceremonies for ancestors, gods, and heaven and earth.
Kwanzaa—from matunda yakwanza, from the phrase "fist fruit." A seven day event, lasting from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honoring African American people, culture and history, where community, gathering and reflection are celebrated. This observance was created by Dr. Maulana Karenge in 1966 to celebrate the African American culture. Each evening, a family member lights candles in a special candle holder and there is a discussion of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith). On the 6th day family and friends eat a large feast and celebrate history, culture and the upcoming new year.

Ramadan—the 9th month of the Muslim calendar, which includes fasting during daylight hours each day (no food or drink) and small meals with family and friends in the evenings; there are also other restrictions. A time of worship and contemplation, concentrating on faith and spending less time on concerns of everyday life. The evening of the 27th day of the month, known as Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power), is considered to be the time when Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran, and when God determines the course the world for the following year. When the fasting ends, there are three days of holiday, known as Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking), with gift-giving and prayer, feasting, and sometimes fairs.

Shichi-Go-San--Japanese festival, literally "Seven-Five-Three." On Nov. 15 or the closest weekend; a celebration for girls 3 and 7 years old and boys 3 and 5 years old, evolved from designated milestones of childhood. The children dress in their best clothes—traditionally kimonos but often western clothing—and pray at shrines to ensure futures free of sickness and misfortune. They are given chitose-ame, or thousand-year candy, in long white paper bags covered with symbols of luck and longevity. This is the most auspicious day of the year according to the Chinese calendar, but it is not a national holiday, and is celebrated out of tradition.

Saint Lucia Day (luciadagen)—a Swedish holiday set on Dec. 13; considered the beginning of the holiday season and honoring St. Lucia , a virgin martyr. The story of Lucia consists of this saint going out in the early morning with food and drink for the poor; she was persecuted for being a Christian who wouldn't give up her faith to marry an unbeliever. This story is acted out in family homes, with the oldest daughter playing the "Lucia bride," bringing her parents a tray of sweet saffron buns and coffee. She wears a white gown with a red sash and a crown of greens, and her siblings will dress in white and follow her, carrying lit candles. This feast day marked the return of the sun.
Tet—Vietnamese new year; the start of the new year in the lunar calendar, between the last ten days of Jan. and mid-Feb. A festival after the harvest lasting three days, when everyone is nice and careful not to show anger or rudeness. Families try their best to get together during this time. On the family altar, joss sticks are lit several times a day, and offerings of food, fruit, water, flowers and betel are made for friendship, ancestors and children. Red envelopes containing money are given to children for a lucky year.

Boxing Day—celebrated in Britain , Canada , Australia and New Zealand . It falls on Dec. 26, which is also St. Stephen's Day in Britain . This holiday is of unknown origin, and possibly dates back to the middle ages. One explanation for the foundation of the holiday is that it was once customary for tradesmen (service people) to collect their Christmas boxes or gifts in return for good service throughout the year; also included giving money and gifts to the needy and charities. In England , because it is also St. Stephen's Day, it has become associated with horse-racing and hunting (and other sports).

Scotland does not celebrate Boxing Day, but makes up for it with Hogmanay, a huge festival of revelry on Dec. 31, much like our own New Year's Eve, though only celebrated on a large scale in recent years.

And of course, there is Christmas, which is celebrated by countless people around the world, usually as a Christian festival but also by many others. The word literally means "the feast of Christ," and is adapted from winter pagan festivals such as the winter solstice. The whole holiday as it is known in America is an amalgamation of numerous countries' traditions. Santa Claus was adapted from St. Nicholas (the name came from the Dutch Sinter Klaas), the image of Santa came from the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore, "An Account of a Visit From Saint Nicholas," better known as the story Twas the Night Before Christmas. Christmas trees came from Germany (Queen Victoria and Prince Albert brought them into fashion); gift-giving became strong around the early 19th century.

Each culture celebrates with different traditions. We have great tradition here in the United States , but there is so much more going on in the fall and winter across the globe. By celebrating long-standing traditions or finding new ones, the colder months can be filled with lots of high spirits, and winter can seem less dull.

*Author's note: I don't celebrate most of these holidays myself—I apologize for any incorrect information I may have unintentionally included.