December Holidays, National Days & Observances
December glows with lights, traditions, family gatherings, winter celebrations and the anticipation of a brand-new year. Christmas, Hanukkah in some years, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, New Year's Eve and dozens of international, cultural, food and just-for-fun observances make December a spectacular finale to the year.
Holiday Helper note: Some observances are official holidays, while others are cultural, religious, awareness-based or unofficial fun days. Dates for movable observances can change from year to year.
Major December Holidays & Observances
December 1: World AIDS Day raises awareness, remembers those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and supports people living with HIV.
December 10: Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Around December 21: December Solstice marks the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
December 24: Christmas Eve is observed through religious, cultural and family traditions around the world.
December 25: Christmas Day is a U.S. federal holiday and a major Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26–January 1: Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration centered on African American and Pan-African culture, family, community and heritage.
December 31: New Year's Eve brings the calendar year to a close with celebrations and traditions around the world.
December Observances That Move
December contains several major religious and seasonal observances whose Gregorian dates can change from one year to another.
- Hanukkah: begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and may begin in late November or December.
- Advent: begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and may start in late November or early December.
- December solstice: usually occurs December 21 or 22, depending on the year and time zone.
- National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day: commonly observed on the third Friday in December.
- Green Monday and Free Shipping Day: shopping-related dates may vary by year and retailer.
- Islamic and Hindu observances: move through the Gregorian calendar according to their respective calendars.
Looking ahead: In 2027, Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25, and New Year's Eve falls on Friday, December 31. Always check the specific year when planning around movable religious, seasonal and weekday-based observances.
31 Days of December Celebrations
Browse the daily list below for major holidays, international observances, food days, winter traditions, festive celebrations and more.
December 1
December begins with World AIDS Day and the unofficial lighting of the holiday season through National Christmas Lights Day and peppermint bark.
- World AIDS Day
- Rosa Parks Day
- National Pie Day
- National Christmas Lights Day
- National Peppermint Bark Day
December 2
- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- National Fritters Day
- National Mutt Day
December 3
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- National Roof Over Your Head Day
- Make a Gift Day
December 4
- International Day of Banks
- National Cookie Day
- National Sock Day
December 5
- International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
- World Soil Day
- National Repeal Day
- National Sacher Torte Day
December 6
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in many countries with traditions honoring Saint Nicholas, whose stories of generosity helped influence later Christmas gift-giving customs.
- St. Nicholas Day
- National Gazpacho Day
- National Microwave Oven Day
December 7
- International Civil Aviation Day
- National Cotton Candy Day
- National Letter Writing Day
December 8
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- National Brownie Day
- Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
December 9
- International Anti-Corruption Day
- International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
- National Pastry Day
- Christmas Card Day
December 10
Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
- Human Rights Day
- International Animal Rights Day
- National Lager Day
- Dewey Decimal System Day
December 11
- International Mountain Day
- National App Day
- National Noodle Ring Day
December 12
Poinsettias and gingerbread houses share December 12, making it an especially festive day for holiday decorating and baking. Display a poinsettia, decorate a gingerbread house, make a miniature candy-covered cottage with the kids or simply enjoy the warm scent of gingerbread filling the kitchen.
- International Universal Health Coverage Day
- National Poinsettia Day
- Gingerbread House Day
December 13
- National Cocoa Day
- National Ice Cream Day (December observance)
- National Violin Day
December 14
- National Bouillabaisse Day
- National Alabama Day
- Roast Chestnuts Day
December 15
- International Tea Day
- National Cupcake Day
- Bill of Rights Day
December 16
- National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
- National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day (date can vary)
December 17
- Wright Brothers Day
- National Maple Syrup Day
- National Device Appreciation Day
December 18
- International Migrants Day
- Arabic Language Day
- National Twin Day
- Bake Cookies Day
December 19
- National Hard Candy Day
- National Oatmeal Muffin Day
- Look for an Evergreen Day
December 20
- International Human Solidarity Day
- National Sangria Day
- Go Caroling Day
December 21
World Basketball Day shares the season with the December solstice, which marks the astronomical beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
- World Basketball Day
- National Crossword Puzzle Day
- National Flashlight Day
- National French Fried Shrimp Day
December 22
- National Date Nut Bread Day
- National Cookie Exchange Day
- Forefathers' Day
December 23
- National Pfeffernüsse Day
- Festivus
- National Roots Day
December 24
Christmas Eve brings families and communities together through religious services, meals, gift traditions, storytelling, music and anticipation of Christmas Day.
- Christmas Eve
- National Eggnog Day
December 25
Christmas Day is one of the world's most widely observed holidays, celebrated both as a Christian holy day and through a vast range of cultural and family traditions.
- Christmas Day
- National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26
December 26 begins Kwanzaa, a seven-day celebration of African American and Pan-African culture, family and community. It is also Boxing Day in several countries.
- Kwanzaa begins
- Boxing Day
- National Candy Cane Day
- National Thank-You Note Day
December 27
- International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
- National Fruitcake Day
- Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
December 28
- National Card Playing Day
- National Chocolate Candy Day
- Pledge of Allegiance Day
December 29
- International Cello Day
- National Pepper Pot Day
- Tick Tock Day
December 30
- National Bacon Day
- National Resolution Planning Day
December 31
New Year's Eve closes the calendar with countdowns, parties, reflection and hopes for the year ahead. Celebrate with favorite foods, music, games, a year-in-review conversation or a countdown to midnight, then welcome January with fresh hopes and possibilities.
- New Year's Eve
- National Champagne Day
- Make Up Your Mind Day
- No Interruptions Day
More Ways to Celebrate December
December offers countless ways to make the season feel special. Decorate the house with lights, greenery or treasured ornaments, bake a batch of cookies, build a gingerbread house, exchange handwritten cards, listen to seasonal music or gather everyone together for a favorite holiday movie. Even a simple evening with hot cocoa and twinkling lights can become a tradition worth repeating.
The month is also rich with cultural and religious traditions. Learn about Christmas customs from different parts of the world, discover the history and traditions of Hanukkah when it falls during December, explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa or mark the winter solstice by watching the sunset, stargazing or spending time in nature on one of the year's shortest days.
As the year draws to a close, make room for both celebration and reflection. Look through favorite photographs, write down memorable moments from the year, prepare a special New Year's Eve meal, play games with family or friends, make a wish for the year ahead or simply enjoy the final hours of December. From sparkling lights and festive foods to meaningful traditions and quiet winter moments, December offers 31 days to celebrate the season and finish the year beautifully.
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