December Global Celebrations
This holiday, celebrated on December 25th, observes the birth of Jesus Christ.
What is Christmas Day?
This iconic song used to ring in the holidays was actually originally intended to be a song to celebrate Thanksgiving.
What is "Jingle Bells"?
The Jewish Festival of lights is remembered by frying what types of foods?
What is Latkes or Sufganiyot? - Hanukkah
Narrated by Maya Angelou, this 2008 documentary chronicles the history of the December 26th holiday, Kwanza and it's Seven Principles.
What is The Black Candle?
This holiday is an eight-day celebration commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem is also known as the "Festival of Lights"
What is Hanukkah?
A pilgrimage to honor this Marian apparition on December 12th (today) often involves the traditional singing of mañanitas.
Who is Our Lady of Guadalupe (Gwah-duh-LOO-pay)?
Originally composed in Latin in the year 1851, this long-standing Christmas continues to warm hearts and ear during the holiday season.
What is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"?
These small, sweet houses are often built and decorated around the holidays, a traditional popular since the 18002.
What are Gingerbread Houses? - Christmas
This animated classic begins on the first night of Hanukkah in Russia, when a father gives his son a special blue hat.
What is An American Tail?
This annual act symbolizes eternal life and originally featured apples, candles, and eventually lights and ornaments.
What is a decorating the Christmas Tree?
The focus of reflection and intensified meditation on December 8th, commemorating Siddhartha Gautama's great realization.
What is Bodhi Day?
This song was inspired by a 10-year old's Christmas wish for a unique pet
What is “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”?
These fritter-like donuts made with eggs and butter are traditionally served at a communal feast called Karamu for this celebration of African Heritage.
What are Mahindi? - Kwanza
The tradition of seeking shelter on the nine nights leading up to Christmas Eve in this Mexican tradition is depicted in numerous short films, including a 1999 Disney special.
What is Las Posadas?
This calendar, used to count down the days until Christmas, often includes small doors with a treat or image behind each one, traditionally beginning on December 1st.
What is an Advent Calendar?
This winter festival is observed historically by Germanic peoples and often coincides with the Winter Solstice. Often celebrated by burning a special log to welcome in the holiday.
What is Yule? (Yool)
This holiday song, despite its dark/comedic themes, continues to become a staple during the holiday despite Radios originally not airing the song due to the story.
What is “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”?
In Sweden and other Nordic countries, this delicate saffron-flavored bun is traditionally eaten on December 13th, the Feast of St. Lucia.
What are Saffron Buns (or Lussekatter)? - St. Lucia's Day
The Disney animated short Olaf's Frozen Adventure references this Scandinavian feast of light when characters discuss the tradition of having a young woman wear a crown of candles.
What is St Lucia's Day?
This horned, anthropomorphic figure in Austrian and Bavarian folklore punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas Season.
Who is Krampus?
This cultural weeklong holiday celebrates African American Culture and arts; revolving around 7 key principles: self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
What is Kwanzaa? (Kwon-zuh)
This song, while being popular for the Christmas holiday, was written during a 1944 Summer heatwave in California.
What is "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"?
These traditional gingerbread-like cookies, often shapred into figures and spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, are bakes and shared on December 6th in the Netherlands for this holiday.
What are Speculoos (or Speculaas) cookies? - St Nicholas Day
James Stewart and Donna Reed play George and Mary Bailey in this holiday classic which includes a bank run on Bailey Bros. Building and Loan well as the the famous line “Every time a bell rings, an angel get his wings”.
What is It's A Wonderful Life?
This seven-branched candle is lit progressively from December 26th to January 1st to honor Nguzo Saba.
What is the Kinara?