December Global Holidays 2023

Posted on 2nd Dec, 2021 by Malvika Varma , Updated 3 months ago

December Global Holidays in 2023

Embracing the final month of the year with snuggly sweaters, a warm cup of hot coffee with cookies, faint sound of Christmas carols practiced by kids in a nearby Church, and stockings hung near the chimney. Ah! December is here! “December global holidays” 2023 complete festive list is here.

December, the most magical month of the year is upon us. The quiet reflectiveness of this festive month spreads cheers to all. It is undoubtedly the most joyous month which embarks upon the holiday mood and brings happiness. December marks midwinter and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. December calls in for some well-deserved revelry before the new year comes around. In other words, December is full of events worth celebrating and hence December is the month of global holidays!

The word ‘December’ is derived from the Latin word ‘decem’ which means ten. According to the calendar of Romulus 750 BC, December was originally the tenth month of the year. Later, the months of January and February were created and added to the beginning of the calendar. But December retained its name. 

“There’s something super special about December.”

Charmaine J. Forde

December Global Holidays & Festivities (A Complete Calendar Of 2023)

December Global Holidays are all about joy and happiness!

Rightly said by Floyd Huddleston, December is the time people visit their homes to see their family and friends. It is the time of the year to eat delicious food in the warmth of love and affection of the near and dear ones. It is the month of several festivals and events such as cultural, religious, and corporate events worldwide. Let us explore these festivals and set ourselves in a holiday mood. 

With snow and a chimney in the home, nature’s beauty cannot be justified in words. Although the winters are associated with rest, hibernation, and quietness, its scenic beauty is mesmerizing. December is one of the most awaited times of the year. December Global Holidays bring a plethora of festivities that are culturally significant to their countries of origin. While some festivals are filled with solemn tradition, others emphasize fun and frolic. For example, the Thanksgiving traditions make the festival even more exciting. To know more, check out our Thanksgiving blog.

From the modern festivities to the ancient rituals, December fills your heart with hope and magic. Right from Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday, globally people dwell in the spirit of the holiday season. It is at its peak in the December month till the New Year. 

“No matter what my fortune may be, or where I may roam, in December, I’ll be going home.”

Floyd Huddleston

Table Of Content

December Global Holidays 2023 in United States of America

As the year approaches, people indulge in cultural festivals and focus on celebrating the little things that matter. Below is the list of December global holidays 2023.

World AIDS Day

Date Marked: (Dec 1, 2023)

World’s AIDS Day is conceived to help bring attention to the HIV virus and create awareness. This day is dedicated to dispelling the myths about HIV disease and commemorating those who are infected or affected by the disease. The idea of observing World AIDS Day was introduced in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter. It is observed on December 1 every year by governmental and health agencies worldwide. 

World AIDS Day is observed in various ways, such as visiting destitute children who are orphaned due to the disease, conducting HIV awareness campaigns, and educating the masses about safe sex. The red ribbon is the internationally recognized symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.

Krampusnacht

Date Marked: (Dec 5, 2023)

Celebrated in Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe, Krampusnacht is “Krampus night.” On this day, adults might dress up as Krampus. Krampus is a beasty demonic figure who assists Saint Nicholas in scaring the children who have misbehaved. The Krampus costume is made from sheep or goat skin and a hand-carved wooden mask. It is a century-old tradition similar to the Christmas concept of the Naughty and Nice list .

Moreover, this character is portrayed in many Hollywood horror movies. This year Krampusnacht will be celebrated on December 5.

Saint Nicholas Day

Date Marked: (Dec 6, 2023)

Also called the Feast of Saint Nicholas, Saint Nicholas Day is the day to honor the death anniversary of the catholic saint, St. Nicholas of Myra. He was the man whose life inspired the tradition of Father Christmas and Santa Claus. The third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus. In several European countries, it is a holiday and celebrated with feasts and parades.

Children hang out their shoes with carrots and hay for the Saint’s horse in the prior evening, hoping St. Nicholas will fill them with candies and small gifts. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in the coastal regions of northwestern Europe, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. It is also celebrated in many small towns and villages of Greece and Russia.

Bodhi Day

Date Marked: (Dec 8, 2023)

It is a religious festival in Japan to celebrate Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death all in one day. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar schedule by Mahayana Buddhists. Each year it is celebrated on December 8. Bodhi Day commemorates the day of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who experienced enlightenment.

The word’ bodhi’ means ‘awakening,’ and ‘enlightenment’ in Sanskrit and Pali. It is an important day for religious observance in the Buddhist communities. A meal of rice and milk is popular on this holiday.

Feast of Immaculate

Date Marked: (Dec 8, 2023)

It is a catholic feast day to celebrate Mary’s conception without sin. Also known as Immaculate Conception Day, it is celebrated in great joy for God’s gift to humanity in Mary. This day also recognizes the truth that God has created each and every human being to fulfill a particular mission that can be fulfilled by them only. It is a widespread belief that Mary was chosen as Jesus’s mother by God because of her purity. On this day, Catholics go to Church and pray for everyone’s well-being. Catholic churches in Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Philippines, Spain, the United States, Uruguay, and Portugal celebrate this day.

Human Rights Day

Date Marked: (Dec 10, 2023)

Every year, Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. This day is celebrated to mark the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. People’s fundamental rights irrespective of race, nationality, religion, or gender are documented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day every year, an event is held to honor the declaration’s adoption. Human Rights Day is marked as a day when nations address essential aspects of human rights. This day is celebrated globally.

International Human Solidarity Day

Date Marked: (Dec 20, 2023)

The International Human Solidarity Day was established in 2005 by the General Assembly. On December 20, every year, it is observed to celebrate the unity in diversity and remind all the member countries to respect their commitments to international agreements. On this day, various poverty eradication initiatives are reviewed and launched to promote solidarity and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The spirit of International Human Solidarity Day is cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character to maintain international peace and security.

St. Lucia’s Day

Date Marked: (Dec 13, 2023)

It is a religious festival to honor Italian Saint Santa Lucia. She chose to dedicate her life to God instead of marrying. She died as a martyr who the Romans killed in 304 A.D. It is considered as a figure of light and hope in the darkest part of the year. It symbolizes light in the middle of long, dark Nordic winters. St. Lucia’s Day marks the beginning of the Christmas season and is celebrated in Scandinavia and in Italy.

Atmospheric concerts and processions mark this day. Singers clad in white and wearing headdresses with actual flickering candles are a feature of this holiday. It is a traditional feast day and is celebrated on December 13. 

Las Posadas

Date Marked: (Dec 16 – Dec 24, 2023)

It is a Mexican holiday to honor the journey of Joseph and Mary as they made their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Las Posadas takes place between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24. Las Posadas translates in English as ‘the inns’ or ‘the lodgings’. It is a nine-day Mexican Christmas tradition based on the story of Mary, Joseph, and their search for a safe place to stay.

A small child dressed as an angel, leads a procession of children through town as they go to various homes, seeking lodging for Joseph and Mary. It includes songs and scripture readings. It is an important festival in Cuba, Spain, Latin America, Guatemala, Mexico, and by Hispanics in the United States leading up to Christmas.

Hanukkah

Date Marked: (December 18th – December 26th)

Hanukkah is Hebrew for dedication. Hanukkah is a Jewish festival also known as Chanukah or the Festival of Lights. This 8 days festival begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. After the Maccabean Revolt, the re-dedication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem is celebrated during this period. 

Ma’oz Tzur is one of the songs associated with Hanukkah. Candles are lit every night throughout the eight days to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Reciting the Hallel prayer, eating traditional oil-dried foods like potato pancakes (called latkes) and jam-filled donuts (called sufganiyot) are popular Hanukkah customs. The Judaic blessings are chanted before and during the process of lighting the candles. In 2023, the festival falls between December 18 to December 26. Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews worldwide.

Yule

Date Marked: (21-Dec-22 to 1-Jan 2023)

Celebrated by Germans all around the world, Yule. Also called as Yuletide, this is observed by lighting a big log in a bonfire and spending the entire night outside. This 12 day festival is the oldest and most prominent winter holiday globally, as it coincides with the Winter Solstice. It is a pagan celebration with roots in Norse and Celtic cultures. Candlelit dinners and Yule tree decorations are common features of Yule. People exchange nature-based gifts with friends and family.

It is one of the prominent global December holidays. Yule has pagan roots to the Norse god Odin and the Anglo-Saxon festival of Modraniht.

Winter Solstice

Date Marked: (21 Dec, 2023)

Winter Solstice is celebrated across the globe as the days just get longer from December 21. On this day, there are many traditions observed. In England, there is a Stonehenge gathering at dawn the day after the longest night to witness the magical occurrence of the sun rising through the stones. Its archaeological research suggests winter solstice festivals happened there. 

Dongzhi is celebrated in China with family gatherings followed by a big meal. Rice balls called tang yuan is a featured dish. Additionally, to mark the end of the harvest season, the holiday has roots in the Chinese concept of yin and yang. 

Shab-e-Yalda is celebrated in Iran at the end of shorter days. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Yalda means ‘birth,’ and is marked by family gatherings, candles, and poetry readings. Additionally, a feast is organized to get through the longest night of the year. 

Burning of Clocks Festival

Toji in Japan, Santo Tomas festival in Guatemala,

` and Dongchi in South Korean tradition are observed to mark the winter solstice. The Burning of Clocks festival takes place in Brighton. Also, it is associated with its yearly solstice parade, bonfire, and fire show. People wear costumes representing clocks. It denotes the passage of time march with lanterns made of wood and paper to the beach. The lanterns are then burned in a huge bonfire. It symbolizes the wishes, hopes, and fears that are brought to the flames.

Newgrange gathering of Ireland is a popular winter solstice tradition. The Newgrange passage tomb and ancient temple are aligned to witness the dramatic sunlight effect on the winter solstice. People gather to watch this 17 minute light effect by a small opening. 

Festivus

Date Marked: (Dec 23, 2023)

Courtesy to the episode on the Seinfeld show titled ‘The Strike’. It is a parody holiday to stand against Christmas consumerism. People stand around a decorative aluminum pole instead of a decorated tree. The frugal spenders and minimalism advocate this false holiday to promote awareness about Christmas materialism.

The two common traditions of Festivus are ‘Feats of Strength’ and ‘airing of grievances’, which have continued to grow in popularity.

Rizal Day

Date Marked: (Dec 30, 2023)

Rizal Day is the national holiday observed in the Philippines to commemorate the death of the Filipino patriot José Rizal in 1896. The life and works of José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, are remembered and paid homage every year on December 30. The official ceremonies are performed at Rizal Park in Manila. On Rizal Day, flags are flown at half-mast, and the President of the Philippines lays a wreath on the shrine dedicated to Jose Rizal.

Christmas

Date Marked: (Dec 25, 2023)

Marking the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is one of the most popular December Global Holidays. Even the non-Christians celebrate this festival worldwide with zeal and enthusiasm. People exchange gifts, share feasts with family and decorate trees in their homes. Many people attend Church services on Christmas Day. 

In Iceland, Yule Lads are featured along with the Christmas market. The thirteen Yule Lads are similar to the thirteen Santas. Each of Yules visits every night for thirteen days before Christmas. They leave gifts for kids in the shoes left in the window sills

Americans associate Christmas with Christmas trees, visits from Santa Claus, and dreams of snowy landscapes. As Christmas falls during summer in Australia, people go camping or to the beach over the holiday. In England, instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus as in the US, children celebrate this one of the most sought-after December Global Holidays by leaving mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas. 

“Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christmas treat.”

Sara Coleridge

Superfares offer exclusive deals for Christmas flight deals. Feel free to call our travel experts and save big on your next holiday! Coronavirus has completely topsy-turvy our travel plans but the coronavirus warriors have proved that service to humanity makes a lot of difference in the difficult times. To know more about how to Thank Coronavirus helpers, please read our blog dedicated to them.

Boxing Day

Date Marked: (Dec 26, 2023)

Boxing Day remains one of the most iconic December global holidays. It is celebrated in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. Many sports events are organized on this day. If you are looking for Boxing Day flights for this holiday season, contact Superfares.

It’s the day when churches give charity boxes to the needy people after Christmas. Furthermore, Boxing Day is marked as the day to appreciate the services and administration. Such as to honor the services of errand boys, postmen, and other people. A day off for the workers and a ‘Christmas box’ or monetary gift is given on this day.

St. Stephen’s Day

Date Marked: (Dec 26 – Jan 1, 2023)

Saint Stephen’s Day is commemorated in honor of one of the first Christian martyrs named Saint Stephen. He was stoned to death in 36 AD. It is believed that after preaching to his people for 40 days, Saint Stephen was killed by stones. It is celebrated in Ireland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Wales, Finland, and Bulgaria.

Kwanzaa

Date Marked: (Dec 26, 2023)

The meaning of Kwanzaa is ‘First Fruits’. Kwanzaa is based on ancient African-American harvest festivals. It is a spiritual holiday celebrated from December 26 to January. Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. Originated from the Swahili language, the word ‘kwanza’ means ‘first.’ The word comes from the Swahili phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza’, which means ‘the first fruits’. It is a spiritual holiday where people decorate their homes and light a candle holder called a kinara. This festival lasts for seven days and is celebrated by songs, dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, followed by a large traditional meal called ‘Karamu’. To correspond with the theme of seven, it is spelled with an additional “a” at the end to make it a seven-letter word.

New Year’s Eve

Date Marked: (Dec 31, 2023)

New Year’s Eve is one of the most fun-filled December Global Holidays as people adieu to the old year and welcomes the new year. As it is the last December holiday, many parties and concerts are organized to celebrate the new beginnings. At midnight, the celebrations are usually at their peak, and people enjoy with joyful screams as the countdown to midnight culminates. Few countries like Australia organize fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Year’s Eve. People like to socialize and gather in pubs and restaurants for New Year’s Eve.

As many people make travel plans for the new year, Superfares offer amazing festive flight deals. Just give us a call and we ensure that your vacation plan for December is sorted!

Ōmisoka

Date Marked: (Dec 31, 2023)

Ōmisoka is a Japanese traditional culture that is held on the last day of the year. The origin of the word is Misoka which means last of the month and ‘O’ means big. In Japan, on this day a custom is observed by people.  They make a point of finishing tasks from the previous year so that they are able to start afresh in the New Year. People gather together with family and enjoy a bowl of long noodles called Toshi Koshi-soba or Toshi Koshi-udon. The long noodles represent the crossing over from one year to the next. Few Japanese people also visit a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple at midnight which is known as Hatsumōde – the first temple visit of the year. On Ōmisoka, people do house-cleaning to ward off evil spirits. Ōmisoka is celebrated each year on December 31.

So, that is all about December Global Holidays & Festivities in 2023

December is the wonderful month of the year to enjoy and treat yourself to the finer things in life. It is that time of the year we like to sit back, relax and reflect on all the good things in life with which we are blessed. December is undoubtedly an exciting month to wind up the year in style with big holidays. So what are your plans for the “December Global Holidays”? Do share your thoughts on it in the comments section below. 

Also, do check our blog on Delta Flight Attendant Zip Ties Hijacker – True Story and other aviation news.

Have a merry global holiday season!

Frequently Asked Questions

A: December is a month of celebrations for important festivals such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solistice, Kwanzaa, New Year, Boxing Day, and much more. This month has several festivals and events of great significance and is celebrated globally so december month is also known as december global holidays.

A: Boxing Day is celebrated on 26 December each year.

A: Hanukka is celebrated by Jews worldwide. In 2023, the festival falls between December 18 to December 26.

A: Thanksgiving 2023 is on Thursday, 23 November in United States whereas in Canada, Thanksgiving 2023 will be celebrated on Monday, October 10.

About Malvika | View Posts

Malvika Varma is an experienced content marketer and blogger who immensely believes in the wonders that words can do. She assists companies by crafting valuable content for clients. She empowers the digital marketing campaigns to build an effective connection with readers and capture conversions. An engineer by choice and a philomath at heart, Malvika spends most of her time reading, traveling, and catching up with friends and family. When she is not doing all those things, you can find her decorating her home and workspace.