Chinese calendar

The winter season is filled with holidays. Here are some examples of how different cultures celebrate in the winter months around the world:

1. Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that lasts eight days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev. Part of the celebration includes a candelabrum called a menorah. Each day includes a ritual of lighting one of the candles, symbolizing the miracle of the Maccabees’ oil lasting nine days.

The rest of the celebration includes:

Singing songs
Playing with a top called a dreidel
Eating potato pancakes, or latkes
Making jelly-filled donuts called sufganiyot 

2. Diwali

The Hindu religion celebrates Diwali, a festival of lights, during the month of Kartika on the Hindu Lunisolar calendar – it is usually between mid-October and mid-November. The five-day festival is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and is a celebration of light over dark, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

The celebrations include:

Fireworks
Decorations like intricate flour and rice designs beside shrines
Candies called “mithai”
Gifts

3. Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa originated in 1966 as a holiday that honours African heritage and culture. The week-long celebration includes lighting seven candles in a kinara, each candle symbolizing one of the principles of Kwanzaa, and culminates with a feast and presents.

4. Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year, is the first day on the traditional Chinese calendar, it is a celebration of ancestors and deities. The holiday has a variety of regional customs and traditions but most celebrate with a family gathering and feast, along with red envelopes filled with lucky money, and cleaning the house in preparation for the holiday. 

5. Christmas

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus every year with Christmas. Christmas is on December 25th and most celebrations include a feast, gift-giving, and decorating a Christmas tree. 

Finland

In Finland, families light a single candle on Christmas eve beside the graves of their loved ones.

Ireland

In Ireland, children go door to door singing while holding up holy bush and wren on a stick.

The winter is filled with many joyous holidays that are celebrated around the world. They are the perfect time to spend quality time with the family, eat delicious food, and stay out of the cold! If you’re looking for activities to do with your kids during the winter that aren’t holiday-related, our other ideas are here.