What top holidays do people celebrate around the world? Find out below!
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The holiday season is approaching. This time of year brings joyous occasions such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. The holiday season also means spending quality time with family and friends.
While some countries celebrate different holidays from each other, they all share some common traditions. In this article, we explore the top 20 most celebrated holidays in different countries around the globe.
Top 20 Holidays Celebrated in Different Countries
Winter Holidays
1. Hanukkah:
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is a Jewish festival that typically begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. The starting date of Hanukkah is not fixed in the Gregorian calendar, as the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar. Therefore, the date of Hanukkah varies from year to year in the Gregorian calendar.
2. Kwanzaa:
Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. During Kwanzaa, African Americans celebrate their heritage and recognize contributions made by African ancestors. Kwanzaa is a celebration that begins on December 26th and lasts for seven days, concluding on January 1st.
3. Winter Solstice:
Around December 21, the Winter Solstice marks the year’s shortest day. Globally, people engage in festivals to celebrate this event. In ancient times, celebrations included lighting bonfires and candles as a symbolic gesture to beckon the return of the sun.
4. St. Lucia Day:
On December 13, in celebration of St. Lucia Day, Swedish girls don white gowns with red sashes and don wreaths of burning candles on their heads to honor the third-century saint. Traditionally, they wake their families with songs and serve coffee along with saffron buns known as “Lucia cats.”
Spring Holidays
1. Easter:
Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Common traditions include decorating eggs and eating chocolate bunnies.
The date of Easter is determined based on the lunar calendar, specifically the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. As a result, Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 23 and April 26.
2. Passover:
Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the biblical exodus of Jews from Egypt. During this time, Jews commemorate God’s deliverance and celebrate freedom with a special dinner called a seder. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which is the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
3. Vesak:
Vesak is an important Buddhist holiday observed by millions of Buddhists around the world. It celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. During Vesak, people often gather to meditate, exchange gifts, and light candles in memory of their teacher. The exact date of Vesak varies each year as it is determined by the lunar calendar.
4. Songkran:
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year celebration that takes place in April. During this time, people participated in festive activities such as water fights and processions to honor Buddha’s birthday.
What is the most celebrated holiday in the world?
Determining the “most celebrated” holiday globally can be subjective, as it depends on cultural, religious, and regional factors. However, Christmas is widely considered one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide.
What is the most popular holiday in the world?
Another widely celebrated holiday globally is the Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival). Celebrated by millions of people around the world, particularly in East Asia and among the Chinese diaspora, it marks the beginning of the lunar new year.
Fall Holidays
1. Diwali:
Diwali, a significant Hindu festival, marks the triumph of light over darkness. Celebrated on Kartika’s 15th day, the date varies yearly based on the Hindu lunar calendar. People light lamps during Diwali, symbolizing the victory of good over evil on the darkest night of Kartika.
2. Halloween:
Halloween is a popular holiday in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia. People dress up in costumes on this day to celebrate supernatural beings such as ghosts and witches. Halloween is celebrated annually on October 31st.
3. Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the second Monday of October. During this time, people gather to give thanks for the blessings that they have received throughout the year.
What are the top 3 biggest holidays?
Christmas, a global celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth with gift-giving and family feasts; Chinese New Year, marking the lunar new year with traditional festivities and reunions; and Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic festival concluding Ramadan with communal prayers and feasting.
Public Holidays
1. St. Patrick’s Day:
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, commemorates the death of Ireland’s patron saint. Traditionally religious, it involves church visits and a festive meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Surprisingly, the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred in 1601 in Florida.
2. Independence Day:
Every country has its own Independence Day to commemorate its nation’s independence from foreign rule. On this day, people gather together to celebrate with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
3. New Year’s Day:
Today, as many countries adopt the Gregorian calendar, January 1 has become one of the most widely celebrated public holidays globally. It is often marked by midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve, welcoming the new year in each time zone.
People all around the world send out New Year’s Eve invitations for awesome parties, stock up on champagne and snacks, and dance the night away with their loved ones. No matter where you go in the world, you’re guaranteed to witness a countdown and firework show when the clock strikes midnight.
4. Labour Day:
Labour Day is a global celebration honoring the contributions of workers. Observed on May 1st, it acknowledges the achievements of labor movements and advocates for workers’ rights and fair working conditions. The day often involves rallies, parades, and various events to highlight the importance of labor and the ongoing pursuit of workers’ rights.
Religious Holidays
1. Yom Kippur:
Yom Kippur is an important Jewish holiday that takes place in September or October. It is a day of fasting and prayer when Jews reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness from God.
2. Ashura:
Ashura is a sacred Muslim holiday observed by Shi’ite Muslims during the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. During Ashura, people pray and meditate to remember the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
3. Christmas:
Christmas is a famous holiday celebrated on December 25th. This holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is marked by religious services, gift-giving, and feasting. Christmas celebrations last from Christmas Eve until January 6 (Epiphany).
4.Eid al-Fitr:
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a joyous celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a day of gratitude, feasting, and giving thanks to Allah for the strength and self-discipline shown during Ramadan.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr by sharing meals, exchanging gifts, and practicing charity with family and friends. Special congregational prayers, Salat al-Eid, are observed, and new or special clothing is worn. The date is determined by the sighting of the new moon, marking the end of Ramadan.
5.Eid al-Adha:
Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice,” honors Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah. Occurring 70 days after Eid al-Fitr, it aligns with the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslims globally mark the day with prayers, animal sacrifices, and sharing meat, symbolizing devotion, selflessness, and community. The date follows the lunar Islamic calendar.
The most popular holidays vary globally and include celebrations such as Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Ramadan, among others. Each holiday carries cultural, religious, or traditional significance, bringing people together to commemorate shared values and beliefs. Regardless of the specific holiday, these festive occasions provide opportunities for joy, reflection, and connection with loved ones, fostering a sense of community and shared celebration across diverse cultures and regions.
Celebrating Common Theme Holidays
Different countries may celebrate holidays that share a common theme: Japan’s Vernal Equinox Day and India’s Holi festival, both celebrate spring;
Day of the Dead and All Souls’ Day, which are celebrated in different South American and Spanish-speaking countries, both honor the dead.
Valentine’s Day, observed worldwide on February 14th, honors St. Valentine, a 3rd-century Catholic priest. Celebrated globally, it involves card exchanges among children and gift-sharing among adults. Across the world, a countdown and fireworks accompany the clock striking midnight on this romantic occasion.
Exchanging Gifts
Exchanging gifts is a universal custom during the holidays, and people worldwide participate in this practice. In China, families exchange red packets filled with money to symbolize luck and prosperity for the new year.
Italians traditionally exchange panettone, a sweet bread made with dried fruit. And in Venezuela, it’s customary to exchange regalos de Aguinaldo, which are small presents given to family and friends.
Expressing appreciation and love, gift-giving occurs during special events like birthdays and weddings. Gifts range from thoughtful to extravagant, reflecting the relationship and occasion. Whether practical or sentimental, the act fosters meaningful experiences, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.
What holiday is celebrated in every country?
New Year’s Day is the closest to a globally celebrated holiday, as it marks the beginning of the new year on January 1st according to the Gregorian calendar, the calendar system most widely used worldwide today.
Holidays in Different Calendars
Gregorian Calendar
The Dawning: A celebration of the Light of the Traveler, and a time to spread cheer and give gifts to help keep The Darkness at bay during the long days of the winter months. Celebrated in the Destiny franchise of video games. Movable date Edit The following festivals have no fixed date in the Gregorian calendar and may be aligned with moon cycles or other calendars.
Hebrew Calendar
The Festival of Lights, celebrated worldwide for eight days by Jewish communities, marks the recovery of Jerusalem and the Second Temple’s rededication. Commencing on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar (late November to December), it involves lighting a candle on a 9-branch menorah each night. Traditional Hanukkah meals replace turkey during this beloved Jewish holiday.
Islamic Calendar
These are the most celebrated dates in the Islamic calendar. Mid-Sha’ban, also known as Bara’at Night, is celebrated in the Islamic calendar between the 14th and 15th day of Sha’ban. Day of Arafah, occurring on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, is the holiest day during the Hajj pilgrimage and precedes the major Islamic holiday, Eid al-Adha.
Official Holidays
Official holidays, acknowledged by governments, commemorate specific events with ceremonies and activities. While some like New Year’s Day have fixed dates, others like Easter or Thanksgiving vary annually. These occasions often involve public or religious events and parades.
Countries have official national holidays, often coinciding with legal holidays when schools and businesses close. These occasions allow people to celebrate cultural values and traditions, fostering community and family gatherings.
Playing Games
Three Nights of January is Japan’s largest and most widely celebrated festival. At midnight, people enjoy noodles, and the emperor offers prayers. Families engage in various traditions, including special meals, kite flying, and playing games like “Fujiwara.” Additionally, the festivities include Haiku poems, New Year TV shows, and performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Global Shopaholics and Holidays
There are several ways in which Global Shopaholics can be useful to you during holidays in different countries. One of the main benefits is that it can help you shop online from USA retailers who may not ship to your country or region. By using GS service, you can have your purchases shipped to the free USA addresses provided and then have the parcel forwarded to your final destination.
Save time and money by using GS, avoiding customs fees and direct shipping concerns. Benefit from reduced shipping costs through consolidation, especially when sending gifts to multiple locations. GS offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for holiday shopping and gift sending.
Conclusion
The information above outlines the most widely celebrated holidays around the world. Whether you’re looking to plan your next holiday get-together or learn more about the customs of other cultures, this list is a great starting point. So go ahead—explore and celebrate!
Happy Holidays! 🎉🎊🎇
