8 December Holidays Celebrated Around the World

Plus fun and festive activities for all ages

December is a month full of holidays celebrated all around the world, each with their unique traditions and festivities. Here are eight December holidays that you can learn about and enjoy with your class or family and friends.

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It’s a time when people all over the world come together to celebrate their traditions and create lasting memories with their loved ones. In the spirit of the season, we’ve put together a list of 8 December holidays celebrated around the world, along with fun activities for all ages. Whether you’re a parent looking to teach your kids about different cultures, or a teacher looking for new and exciting ways to engage your students, these holidays and activities are sure to inspire and delight.

8 December Holidays Celebrated Around the World

Scroll down for a shareable link to a December holidays around the world explore board!

St. Nicholas Day

In Germany, December 6th is a special day known as St. Nikolaustag. This holiday is a celebration of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children. On the night of December 5th, children place their shoes by the door, hoping that St. Nicholas will fill them with treats and small gifts. The next morning, children wake up to find their shoes filled with goodies like chocolates, fruits, and small toys.

Learn more: Saint Nicholas Day from Britannica Kids

Activities to try:

Make a Saint Nicholas paper bag puppet. from StNicholasCenter.org
Make Saint Nicholas kits for Saint Nicholas Day. from StNicholasCenter.org

St. Lucia's Day

St. Lucia’s Day, celebrated on December 13th, is a Swedish holiday honoring St. Lucia, the bearer of light. It marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Sweden and is characterized by processions of young girls dressed in white robes, wearing crowns of candles on their heads. The oldest daughter in the family typically portrays St. Lucia and leads the procession, followed by her siblings.

Learn more: St. Lucia Day from Britannica Kids

Activities to try:

Make a St. Lucia Day star hat. from Crayola.com.
Watch St. Lucia Day | Holidays Around the World | Sing Along from the Miami Children’s Museum.

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24. It commemorates the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to Jesus. The festival features a procession of children and adults, with the children dressed as angels and carrying images of Mary and Joseph. The procession visits selected homes, reenacting the couple’s search for lodging, and is followed by the breaking of piñatas filled with candy and toys.

Learn more: Las Posadas: A Mexican Christmas Tradition for the Whole Neighborhood from Little Passports

Activities to try:

Make a Las Posadas activity book from Evan Moor
Create a poinsettia pinata from Redwood City Public Library.

Christmas

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world, observed on December 25th. It is a time when Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas traditions vary from country to country, but common customs include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and gathering with loved ones.

Learn more: Christmas Traditions Around the World from Google’s Santa Tracker.

Activities to try:

Try Holiday Hijinks: A Christmas Escape from VirtualEscapeRooms.org
Play a Christmas game from Google’s Santa Tracker.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually falls in December. It commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. During Hanukkah, Jewish families light the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, adding one candle each night. Celebrations include lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot.

Learn more: Hanukkah | All About the Holidays from PBS.org.

Activities to try:

Try Dreidel Dash: A Hanukkah Escape from VirtualEscapeRooms.org
Learn how to play Dreidel from Scholastic.com.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American and holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way to honor African heritage and culture. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a different principle, such as unity, self-determination, and cooperative economics. Celebrations include lighting the Kinara, singing and dancing, and sharing stories and traditional foods.

Learn more: Kwanzaa | All About the Holidays from PBS.org.

Activities to try:

Explore the Seven Principles from Scholastic.com.
Try the daily recipes and activities for the seven days of Kwanzaa from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, observed on December 26th, is a holiday that originated in the United Kingdom and is also celebrated in Canada and some other countries. It is a day to give thanks for the blessings received during the Christmas season and to remember the less fortunate. In the past, it was customary to give boxes of gifts or donations to servants and those in need. It is also a popular day for shopping and attending sports events.

Learn more: Boxing Day from Britannica Kids

Activities to try:

Learn about Boxing Day traditions around the world from LittlePassports.com
Pick one of 10 Fun Community Giving Ideas from Scholastic.com.

Ōmisoka

Ōmisoka is a day to prepare for the new year. Ōmisoka, meaning “New Year’s Eve,” is a Japanese tradition celebrated on December 31st. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and preparation for the coming year. Families gather together to enjoy a special meal called “toshikoshi soba,” long noodles that symbolize longevity. People clean their homes, eat soba noodles for longevity, and visit temples or shrines to pray for good fortune in the coming year.

Learn more: Ōmisoka: Japanese New Year! from KidzWorld.com

Activities to try:

Learn about other New Year’s traditions with Break IN to the New Year escape room from VirtualEscapeRooms.org
Try an Ōmisoka craft activity and follow the tutorial video from RedwoodCity.org.

December Holidays Around the World Explore Board

This December holidays explore board is the perfect introduction to these fun holidays from around the globe. You can share this resource with your students or explore it together with your own children. After learning about the different holidays try one of the activities from above.

No matter which holiday you celebrate, there are plenty of fun activities that you can enjoy with your loved ones. You can decorate the house, bake holiday treats, make crafts, or volunteer at a local charity. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to spend time with those you love and spread joy and kindness this holiday season.

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