Many holidays take place worldwide, but not all of them are well-known. Here is a list of ten unique and interesting seasonal holidays you should know. There’s something for everyone! So if you’re looking for something new to celebrate this year, check out one of these unique holidays.
What are seasonal holidays?
In the Northern Hemisphere, seasons are generally based on the temperature changes as the Earth’s axis tilts away from or towards the sun. The four main seasons are winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Many seasonal holidays take place around different parts of the world during these times, some of which are well-known while others are more obscure.
Diwali:
Diwali is a five-day Hindu festival in October or November each year. It is also known as the “festival of lights”. And is celebrated by decorating homes and businesses with lamps and candles. Diwali is a time for family, friends, and community gatherings. Besides this, special foods and sweets are prepared. And fireworks are often set off. However, the holiday’s essential part is worshiping Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Eid al-Fitr:
Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that takes place at the end of Ramadan, a month-long fasting period. It is a time for celebrating with family and friends, giving gifts, and helping those in need. Other than this, Eid al-Fitr is also a time for feasting. With traditional foods such as sweetmeats and desserts being enjoyed. So, if you’re looking for a holiday combining giving and indulging, Eid al-Fitr is a perfect choice.
Krampusnacht & St. Nicholas Day:
In countries like Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, December 6 is a day to celebrate St. Nicholas Day and Krampusnacht. St. Nicholas Day is a holiday that celebrates the life of Saint Nicholas, who was known for his generosity. Krampusnacht, on the other hand, is a holiday celebrating the creature known as Krampus. Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon creature who is said to punish naughty children. On this night, people often dress up as Krampus and go door to door, frightening children.
Halloween:
This seasonal holiday is celebrated on October 31st night. It is mainly observed in countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Halloween is also known as All Hallows’ Eve, and it is a time when people dress up in costumes, attend parties, and enjoy festive activities. Besides this, people also participate in Trick-or-Treating, where children go door to door in their costumes to collect candy and other treats.
Bodhi Day:
Buddhists around the world celebrate this holiday on December 8. It commemorates the day that Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, attained enlightenment. Besides this, it’s also a time to reflect on one’s journey to spiritual awakening. On Bodhi Day, Buddhists often meditate, give gifts, and perform acts of service. However, the essential part of the holiday is the recognition that each person has the potential to achieve enlightenment.
Las Posadas:
This holiday is celebrated in Mexico and Central America from December 16 to 24th. It commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Posada means “inn” or “shelter” in Spanish, and during the holiday, people go from house to house asking for shelter. If the homeowners answer “No” three times, they finally let the visitors in and celebrate with a feast. Other than this, the holiday also includes piƱatas, processions, and nativity scenes.
Hanukkah:
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Holy Temple’s rededication in Jerusalem. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and is celebrated for eight nights. Besides this, families also exchange gifts and enjoy traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) during this holiday. However, the unique thing about Hanukkah is the game of dreidel. This top-spinning game is played with special coins or chocolate. The winner of the game gets a prize, making it extra exciting for everyone involved.
Kwanzaa:
This holiday, which celebrates African American culture, lasts from December 26-January 1. Families and friends get together during this seasonal holiday to enjoy music, dance, feasting, and gift-giving. Other than this, people also reflect on the principles of African heritage, represented by seven candles. However, this holiday is not very well known outside of the US.
Christmas:
Christmas is a religious and cultural holiday celebrated annually by billions of people worldwide. Its festivities include exchanging gifts, decorating homes and Christmas trees, attending church services, eating special meals, and enjoying seasonal music and movies. Besides this, many people also participate in Secret Santa, a Western tradition in which people anonymously exchange gifts.
Easter:
Easter is celebrated in late March or early April as a time for rebirth and renewal. This Christian holiday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is associated with giving gifts, decorating eggs, and Easter egg hunts. In some places, such as the United States, people also celebrate by eating Easter ham. However, in other parts, such as Australia, the focus is more on fun activities like Easter egg hunts and painting eggs.
Thanksgiving:
A time for family, friends, and food, Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday of November. This holiday originated as a way to give thanks for the harvest, but it has since become a time to celebrate all we are thankful for. Families and friends enjoy a traditional feast, which typically includes roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Conclusion:
There are many unique and exciting seasonal holidays celebrated around the world. So if you’re looking for something new to celebrate this year, check out one of these eight memorable holidays. From Bodhi Day to Hanukkah to Easter, there’s something for everyone.