Holidays Around The World

Dec 9

Did you know that the word "holiday" is derived from two words; "holy" and "day"? As the name suggests, it was a day dedicated to significant religious events. However, later in history, this term was used for secular celebrations as well. In a world filled with very unique and equally important culturals, there are more than 11,000 holidays around the world. In order to build cross cultural empathy and understanding, getting to know these culturally diverse holidays can definitely play a role. So let's embark on this journey around the globe and learn about different holidays around the world!

Australia

Anzac Day

Anzac Day, observed on April 25, honors the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC) who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 and has expanded to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars and peacekeeping missions.

The day begins with dawn services, solemn ceremonies reflecting the time of the Gallipoli landing. These include the playing of "The Last Post" and moments of silence, fostering remembrance and honoring sacrifices. Afterward, veterans, current service members, and families participate in parades featuring wreath-laying and readings of historical accounts or poetry. A distinctive tradition is the Two-Up Games, a gambling game historically played by soldiers, now allowed only on Anzac Day, fostering camaraderie and remembrance. Anzac Day unites Australians and New Zealanders by reflecting on values of courage, sacrifice, and community. It also educates younger generations, promoting empathy and strengthening unity through shared moments of reflection and remembrance.

Australia Day

Observed annually on January 26, Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the establishment of the British colony in New South Wales. While it celebrates national achievements and culture, it also marks the beginning of colonization and dispossession for Indigenous Australians, leading some to call it "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day”.

Community events like barbecues, concerts, parades, and fireworks celebrate Australian culture and values. For many, the day is an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. Increasingly, celebrations include acknowledgments of Indigenous heritage, resilience, and contributions to promote reconciliation and unity. Citizenship ceremonies welcome new Australians, symbolizing inclusivity and belonging while providing support to those far from home. Australia Day highlights the country's multicultural identity, fostering dialogue, shared festivities, and national unity while honoring its complex history. Australia Day serves as an opportunity for reflection and connection. The complex and dark background encourages dialogue and reconciliation through events that recognize indigenous history instead of shying away from a shameful past. The holiday helps highlight Australia’s multicultural identity where shared festivities create a sense of national unity while honoring heritage and history.

China

Chinese New Year

Also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, occurring between January 21 and February 20. Rooted in legend, it celebrates renewal, prosperity, and traditions like scaring away the mythical beast Nian with red decorations, firecrackers, and drums.

The holiday begins with cleaning homes to remove bad luck, followed by decorating with red lanterns and phrases. Activities like haircuts and loan repayments are completed beforehand to maintain prosperity. Family reunions are central, with feasts featuring symbolic dishes like dumplings in Northern China or glutinous New Year cakes in the South. The tradition of hongbao, red envelopes containing money, symbolizes good fortune and strengthens family ties. Other customs include dragon dances and temple visits.

Chinese New Year fosters unity by bringing families together and engaging communities through parades, performances, and food markets. It has become a global celebration, promoting cultural exchange and mutual respect.

Golden Week

Golden Week in China refers to extended national holidays: Chunyun (Spring Festival), May Day, and National Day Golden Week. These week-long breaks promote tourism, economic activity, and opportunities for citizens to relax and celebrate cultural traditions. During Golden Week, many travel to iconic domestic sites like the Great Wall or internationally, while others return home to reconnect with family. National Day celebrations feature parades, fireworks, and performances to showcase patriotism. The Spring Festival emphasizes traditional markets and family gatherings, boosting retail and hospitality sectors.

Golden Week encourages cultural exploration by allowing individuals to experience the customs, cuisines, and languages of various regions. Public events and interactions foster multicultural connections, uniting people from diverse backgrounds.

Nigeria

Democracy Day

Democracy Day celebrates Nigeria's journey to democratic governance and honors the historic June 12, 1993, election, regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history. This public holiday, officially moved from May 29 to June 12 in 2019, remembers leaders like Moshood Abiola and reflects on the value of freedom and resilience.

Activities include parades, speeches, and discussions about Nigeria’s progress in governance and human rights. Families gather to enjoy traditional dishes like suya and egusi soup, turning the day into a celebration of unity and hope for the future.

New Yam Festival (‘Iri Ji’)

The New Yam Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration observed by the Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria and other yam-farming communities. Held between August and October, it marks the end of the farming season and expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

The festival begins with offerings to ancestors and deities, followed by the sharing of the season’s first yams, symbolizing blessings and prosperity. The day is alive with traditional dances, masquerades, storytelling, and feasts. Dressed in bright lion patterned attires (called ‘isi agu’), people enjoy wrestling matches and music, making it a communal celebration of life and sustenance.

Japan

Golden Week

Golden Week is a cluster of national holidays, making it one of the longest vacation periods in Japan. It includes Showa Day (April 29), honoring Emperor Showa, Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children’s Day (May 5).

During this time, families travel, enjoy festivals, and visit scenic spots like Mount Fuji and Kyoto’s temples. The streets come alive with parades, food stalls, and cheerful crowds. For many, it’s a time to relax and reconnect, whether through picnics under blooming wisterias or exploring Japan’s natural beauty.

Obon

Obon is a Buddhist holiday honoring ancestors’ spirits. Families believe this is the time when spirits return to the world of the living. They clean graves, offer food and flowers, and light lanterns to guide their loved ones home.

Festivities include Bon Odori, a traditional dance performed in parks and temple courtyards. Communities gather to celebrate with music, colorful yukatas (summer kimonos), and fireworks. Obon ends with Toro Nagashi, where lanterns are floated on rivers to guide spirits back to the afterlife, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere. Apart from being a way to honor the ancestors, it brings people from different walks of life in Japan together, embracing that day as one.

Mexico

Constitution Day

The Mexican constitution was enacted on February 5th of 1917. This came at a very important time for Mexico, as this was during a time when they were in a revolution with the goal of overthrowing President Porfirio Diaz’s 35 year dictatorship.

In 1917 when Venustiano Carranza became the new president, this signaled the beginning of a democratic era of Mexico. The constitution did major things such as abolishing slavery, ensuring religious freedom, and the principle of equality. Constitution Day is a major public holiday in Mexico celebrated on the first Monday in February. This day is celebrated through large parades, colorful costumes, and marching bands. Festivals, picnics, and concerts are some other ways that people get together to celebrate. With this holiday always falling on a Monday, people get to enjoy a long weekend to spend time with family and friends to celebrate.

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

The Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is a multi-day holiday that takes place from October 31st to November 2nd. Families welcome back the souls of loved ones for a reunion.

The roots to the Day of the Dead can be traced back to the Aztecs and other indigenous people of what is modern Mexico. The belief is that on this day(s) the boundary between the living world and the spirit world dissolves. People make altars better known as ofrendas. Ofrendas typically have pictures of loved ones, in addition to foods they enjoyed during life and other items to commemorate them. Candles and cempasuchil (marigolds) are also placed on the altars. Skeletons and skulls are common symbols of the holiday. One depiction of the holiday in popular media is the Disney movie Coco, which follows a young boy named Miguel, who is accidentally transported to the land of the dead, meets his ancestors, and learns about the true meaning of family.

India

Holi

Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It takes place on the full moon day of Phalguna (February-March). People throw colored water and powders on one another. Street celebrations often have loud music, and societal differences fade away for a time.

Over the years celebrations have spread outside of the country to other places with Indian populations. It is a time to forget about your differences and celebrate with friends, family, and community. Colors used for Holi were originally commonly derived from natural sources, such as getting yellow pigment from turmeric and marigold, although now synthetic colors are primarily used. Some foods enjoyed during this time include gujiya (a deep-fried dumpling or pastry filled with coconut and dried fruits), malpua (Indian pancakes), and beverages like lassi. Many myths have been associated with the holiday including Krishna and Radha, Hiranyakashipu and Prahlada, and Shiva and Kama.

Diwali

Diwali is the most important festival of the year for Hindus particularly. Over the course of five days, people participate in festive gatherings, feasts, prayer, and fireworks displays. The word comes from “Deepavali” which means a row of lights.

People light rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside of their homes. This holiday symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The dates are based off of a lunar calendar, but it typically falls in late October to early November. Specific practices can vary by region, as India is a large country and things are done differently throughout. Other religions like Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs also participate in the holiday and have their own traditions for it.

America

Thanksgiving and Christmas

In America, thanksgiving and Christmas go hand-in-hand. It is during this holiday season that friends and family from all over gather together, and enjoy each other’s company over a delicious dinner, giving thanks and showing appreciation for each other. For many, it is, as Andy Willams would say, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. During this time, family and friends gather, reflect, and give thanks for the blessings in their lives. The holiday began in the early 17th century when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a feast to celebrate the harvest. Today, Thanksgiving is marked by elaborate meals, with turkey usually being the centerpiece, accompanied by stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. However, it may vary from family to family. Parades, such as the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and football games are also a big part of the festivities. It is a day of gratitude, togetherness, and the kickoff to the holiday season in the United States. Thanksgiving connects people from all different backgrounds as it focuses on giving thanks for what we have, and for the people in our lives.

Christmas is a festive occasion celebrated on December 25th. It is a time filled with traditions, family gatherings, and a spirit of giving. Homes are often adorned with twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and decorations. The holiday season kicks off with various events, including parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, and holiday markets. On Christmas Eve, many families attend church services and children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, who is believed to deliver presents during the night. Christmas Day typically involves a festive meal, exchanging gifts, and spending quality time with loved ones. The holiday captures a sense of warmth, joy, and togetherness, making it one of the most anticipated times of the year in the United States.

Israel

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant celebration in Israel. The holiday usually takes place in late November and December, although this year it takes place from December 25th through January 2nd. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

During the eight-days, families gather to light the menorah, adding one candle each night until all eight are lit. Traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are eaten, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. Children play with dreidels and receive Hanukkah gelt, which are chocolate coins. Public menorah lightings, festive parties, and special events fill the country with a sense of unity and celebration. Hanukkah in Israel is a blend of ancient traditions and modern festivities, creating a warm and meaningful holiday season.

Passover

Passover, which is usually celebrated during April, is a holiday celebrated in Israel, observing the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt.

The festival begins with a ritual meal that includes reading the Haggadah, which recounts the story of the Exodus. Families and friends gather to share symbolic foods that represent various aspects of the Israelites' hardships and liberation. For the entire week of Passover, leavened products are avoided, and special holiday foods are consumed. The country transforms with a festive atmosphere, featuring numerous public events, including communal Seders, educational programs, and cultural performances. Passover in Israel is a time of reflection, remembrance, and celebration of freedom and national identity.

Pakistan

Eid ul-Fitr

Eid ul-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the end of Ramadan. In Pakistan, the day begins with special prayers in mosques and open grounds, as people wear new clothes and extend greetings of “Eid Mubarak.” An essential tradition is giving Zakat al-Fitr, a form of charity ensuring everyone can join in the celebration. Families and friends gather to share lavish feasts featuring dishes like biryani, kebabs, and sheer khurma, a festive dessert. Children eagerly receive “Eidi” (gift money) from elders, and visits to family homes strengthen bonds. Eid ul-Fitr is also marked by a deep sense of community, as neighbors exchange sweets and tokens of appreciation. The atmosphere is lively and joyous, filled with laughter, celebration, and unity. Through these customs, Eid ul-Fitr in Pakistan embodies the values of gratitude, compassion, and togetherness, uniting communities and reminding people to celebrate life’s blessings.

Kashmir Day

Observed annually on February 5th, Kashmir Day is a holiday in Pakistan to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their ongoing struggle.

The day begins with prayer gatherings in mosques, focusing on peace and justice for Kashmir. Public rallies and marches take place nationwide, where participants hold signs and banners in support of the Kashmiri cause. Media channels broadcast documentaries, programs, and discussions on the Kashmir issue, educating people on the historical and political dimensions of the conflict. Many organizations host seminars to emphasize the importance of peaceful resolution. Symbolic “human chains” are formed in various regions, representing unity between Pakistan and Kashmir. While Kashmir Day lacks festive elements, it remains significant in fostering public awareness and reinforcing cultural and historical ties with Kashmir. The day highlights Pakistan’s commitment to solidarity, emphasizing hope for peace, and justice for those affected by the ongoing regional strife.

United Kingdom

Easter

Easter in the UK celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is observed on the first Sunday after the spring equinox’s full moon, typically in March or April.

The holiday kicks off with Good Friday, a solemn day where Christians attend church services to honor Jesus’s crucifixion. Easter Sunday is joyous, with many attending sunrise services and families celebrating with traditional Easter meals, often featuring roast lamb and simnel cake. Children look forward to Easter egg hunts, where they search for hidden chocolate eggs, a symbol of new life. Easter Monday, a bank holiday, provides an extended weekend for families to enjoy outings, picnics, and community events. Across the UK, Easter combines religious significance with family fun, bringing people together to celebrate themes of renewal and hope. The holiday’s blend of faith, tradition, and seasonal festivity creates a memorable experience for families and communities alike.

Halloween

Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has ancient Celtic roots marking the end of harvest. In the UK, it’s now a fun, family-friendly holiday focused on costumes, decorations, and community gatherings. Children and adults alike dress in costumes ranging from classic ghosts to favorite fictional characters. Door-to-door trick-or-treating is a highlight, as kids collect candy from neighbors, while homes are adorned with carved pumpkins and themed lights. Many towns organize Halloween events, including ghost tours, haunted houses, and storytelling sessions. Traditional Halloween treats like toffee apples, bonfire toffee, and pumpkin-themed desserts are enjoyed at family gatherings and parties. Adults often attend costume parties, celebrating the day with friends. Halloween combines folklore and playful creativity, drawing communities together for an evening of spooky enjoyment. Although it’s lost much of its ancient spiritual significance, Halloween remains beloved, connecting people through a shared celebration of eerie fun.