December Global Holidays 2023

Are you looking for an excuse to let your hair down and celebrate? 

The last month of the year is typically associated with long, dark, and cold evenings. Fortunately, a wide range of special events are held during the month to help bring people together. While many of these events have religious roots, others are just a good excuse to party. Traveling to different events around the world is also a good way to get into the festive spirit. 

So, let’s find out about some of the best December global holidays 2023. 

World AIDS Day 

The month kicks off on the 1st to raise awareness of AIDS and the impact it has on sufferers globally. The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988, and the event has risen to become a major event. People gather around the world to hold memorial services, talks, offer support, exhibit art, and share their stories. 

King Bhumibol’s Birthday

The fifth of the month celebrates the birthday and life of the former king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej. This beloved monarch was born in 1927 and ruled Thailand from 1950 until he died in 2016. The Thai people wear yellow on this day to show their love for the king and visit temples to pay their respects. 

The celebrations are particularly vibrant in the capital city of Bangkok and feature an impressive fireworks display. Parades and other festivities are also held throughout the country. 

Read more: 7-Eleven Holiday Hours

St. Nicholas Day

On the 6th of the month, people around the world celebrate the legendary generosity of St. Nicholas. This Christian saint is best known for giving toys and other gifts to poor children. People honor the saint by exchanging gifts on this day and holding feasts. 

Bodhi Day 

Buddhist holiday celebrates the attainment of enlightenment by Siddhartha Gautama. While this holiday falls on December 8th in most East Asian countries, it falls on a full moon in other countries. This is a special day of religious worship where Buddhists visit their local temple and read the Buddha’s life story. 

Immaculate Conception

If you are in a Catholic country on the 8th of the month, you are likely to be invited to a feast. This is one of the most important Catholic celebrations of the year and marks the conception of Jesus. On this day, Catholic people around the world also attend mass, exchange gifts, and give thanks for the purity of Mary. 

Saint Lucia’s Day 

This Christian feast day is celebrated on the 13th of the month in European countries like Italy, Sicily, and Sweden. The festival celebrates Saint Lucia, who is the patron saint of light. For many people, this day marks the start of the Christmas celebrations and is a day of reflection.

Throughout Europe, families gather to enjoy special meals together and exchange gifts. There are also special church services, parades through the streets, and communal feasts.  

Las Posadas

If you are spending time in Latin America during the last month of the year, make sure you check out this festival. Las Posadas usually starts on the 16th and runs until the 24th. It honors the journey that Mary and Joseph undertook to Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth in a stable. 

Throughout Mexico and other Latin American countries, this occasion is celebrated with parades through the streets. You will also have the chance to try special food and catch live music performances. The last day of the festival is marked by the breaking of a huge piñata and distributing candy to children. 

Hanukkah 

This is one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year and is celebrated from the 18th to the 26th. Special traditions and rituals are followed on each day of Hanukkah, and each has an important meaning. Among these are the lighting of candles to remember the miraculous oil that lasted for eight nights. 

Jewish people also eat special food during this time, such as potato pancakes called latkes. 

International Human Solidarity Day

The 20th of the month is dedicated to human brotherhood and cooperation, and it was established by the United Nations. The day is designed to raise awareness about global issues and promote peace and understanding. Many people mark the occasion by donating to a cause or volunteering at a local charity. 

This is also a good day to spend time with family and friends and show them that you care about them. 

Winter Solstice 

This pagan festival celebrates the shortest day of the year and is held on the 21st. For pagans, this day has the same significance as Christmas and honors the sun goddess or god. Many people hold feasts with family members and friends on this day, exchange gifts, and take part in cleansing rituals. 

Perhaps one of the best places to experience the magic of this festival is Stonehenge in England. Thousands of people gather at this ancient stone circle to honor their ancestors and maintain the connection. Activities often include burning sage, drinking traditional alcohol such as mead, and general merriment. 

Yule

This is another pagan holiday that celebrates the rebirth of the sun. It starts on the 21st with the Winter solstice and ends on January 1st. Many people celebrate this festival instead of Christmas and use this time to honor and celebrate nature.

Many of the Yule traditions are very similar to those that Christians follow during advent. They include decorating homes with trees, holly, and other plants and lighting candles. People also give gifts to friends and family members during Yule and enjoy feasts. Above all else, this is a time of reflection and spending time with loved ones. 

Festivus

This is a fun festival for atheists and anyone who feels overwhelmed by Christmas traditions. Festivus was created in 1966 by writer Dan O’Keefe and is held on the 23rd of the month. 

One of the main events of the day is the Festivus dinner, which is typically a huge feast. Friends and family members gather to tell stories about their lives and take part in feats of strength.

No Christmas tree at this festival!

Instead of a Christmas tree, a bare aluminum pole is set up that is known as a Festivus pole. The Airing of the Grievances is another popular tradition, where family members tell each other what they have done wrong. This is likely to stir up some deep feelings, and it can be a very memorable event.  

Christmas Eve

This is the main Christmas celebration day in European countries like Poland, Germany, and Austria. This is an important day for families in these countries, and it is marked by exchanging gifts. Family members also gather to feast, sing carols, and enjoy some bonding time.

A large number of special church services are held throughout the world on this day. A range of concerts, festive markets, and other family-friendly events are also held. For other people, this is the time to do any last-minute Christmas shopping. 

Christmas Day

The 25th of the month is generally set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Children around the world wake up to discover heaps of presents delivered by Santa Clause during the night. Many people attend church services on this day, give gifts, and feast with family members and friends. 

Even people who are not Christian can enjoy the Christmas decorations and public events. Food lovers can try their hands at creating a lavish Christmas dinner from scratch. People from all faiths take the opportunity to show loved ones that they care. This is also a popular day to volunteer at soup kitchens. 

Boxing Day

On the 26th of the month, this is a day for families to relax together at home. The day takes its name from the fact that rich families would give their servants the day off on the 26th. The heads of families would give their servants their ‘Christmas’ gifts on this day, commonly known as ‘boxes.’

Today, the 26th, is a popular day to hit the stores and browse for bargains. People also take the opportunity to return unwanted Christmas gifts on this day. Some people also take the opportunity to volunteer at charities and give back to the community. 

St. Stephen’s Day

The 26th of the month is the day to honor the life of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. One of the main events of this day is special church services dedicated to this prominent figure. Feasts are held after the church service to give thanks and continue the Christmas celebrations. 

Many people also take part in parades and reflect on the meaning of Christmas and sacrifice. 

Kwanzaa

Starting on the 26th day of the month, this celebration runs until January 1st each year. The event is held to celebrate the vibrant intricacies of African-American heritage and culture. This holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. This is an important time for African-American families to come together and celebrate their unique traditions. 

New Year’s Eve

This celebration marks the last day of the year and is often a vibrant occasion. Unlike many of the other festivals of the month, this day is mainly about partying. Large groups of friends gather to dance the night away and count down to the New Year at midnight. 

Large and vibrant cities are the best places to experience the magic of New Year’s Eve with family and friends. Huge fireworks displays are held around the world as well as special parties. Events of note include masquerade balls, watching the ball drop in Times Square in New York, and boat parties.

Omisoka

This celebration is held on the very last day of the year and plays an important role in Japanese culture. This is an important time for friends and family members to get together and celebrate the coming year. Japanese people take part in traditional ceremonies on this day, eat special foods, and exchange foods.

If you are in Japan on this day, make sure you head to a local temple and watch the festivities. There are also likely to be communal picnics and other public celebrations. Grab a good spot after dark to watch a fireworks display. 

Calendars For Your Special Day!

Keep track of your special days or occasions with this helpful selection of online calendars, such as the Aesthetic Vertical Greenery Wall Calendar – Runs from June 2023 Until December 2023, the Calendar 2023-2023 – 18-Month Wall Calendar with Colorful Monthly Page, Jul. 2023 – Dec. 2023, and the Aesthetic Floral Wall Calendar – Runs from January 2023 Until July 2023.

In addition, check out these themed calendars, for example; the Out on the Porch Wall Calendar 2023: A year of front row seats to fabulous views, the 2022 Square Wall Calendar – Space, 12 x 12 Inch Monthly View, 16-Month, Natural World Theme, and the 2022 Square Wall Calendar – From Garden to Kitchen, 12 x 12 Inch Monthly View, 16-Month, Food Theme, if you love your cooking.

Or perhaps you need a new monthly planner; for that, I found the EZ2See® 2023 Weekly Planner Calendar – Daily Plan Organizer with Large Black Print, Numbers, Borders, the 2022-2023 Monthly Planner – Monthly Planner 2023-2023 from July 2023 – December 2023 with Tabs & Pocket, the Blue Sky 2023-2023 Academic Year Weekly and Monthly Planner, 8.5″ x 11″, Flexible Cover, Wirebound, all available online in 2023.

December Global Holidays 2023 – Final Thoughts

If you are planning to travel during December, it is a good idea to time your trip carefully. That should be much easier now that you know all the December Global Holidays 2023. If you are lucky, you may be able to witness the magic of at least one of these special events.

 Instead of simply being a spectator, try and get in on the action to make the occasion even more memorable. However, some holidays such as New Year’s Eve in major cities, tend to attract very large crowds. You are likely to find that accommodation and transportation options are limited at these times. Therefore, it is important to make your travel plans as far in advance as possible.

All the very best and enjoy the December Holidays!