Most people prefer Christmas or refer to it as the best and only holiday, but we all know there are so many more. What are they? From Hannukah to Kwanzaa, there are so many unique celebrations we don’t even know about. 

Hanukkah

Known for its eight candles and eight days of celebration. The Jewish people celebrate it and all eight nights represent many important battles the Jewish people had to go through back many years ago. “Hannukah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights commemorating the reclaiming and rededicating of the second temple in Jerusalem”. When their temple was destroyed they wanted to light their menora (one of the last things standing), but all they had was only a one-day supply of oil. What makes the Menora magical though is that the candles stayed lit for 8 whole days. That is why they celebrate the “Festival of Lights.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration that lasts for seven days, “created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966”. Celebrated all over the world by African-Americans from December 26th to January 1st. It is very similar to Hannukah except it has a Kinara that holds seven candles instead of eight. Kwanzaa is a “…week day-long celebration that celebrates African-American culture and heritage.”. Usually, on the sixth day, they all come together to sit and feast with each other.

Las Posadas

Las Posadas takes place during December 16-December 24 as a Mexican holiday. Las Posadas is a holiday that honors Joseph and Mary on their journey to Bethlehem from Nazareth. This holiday is celebrated by a small group of children being led by one dressed as an angel,  going through towns and to homes singing songs, reading scriptures, and ending in a mass service while the children have candy from the pinatas they break.

Boxing Day

Boxing day is celebrated on December 26th in the U.K. and other European countries.

On boxing day servants get the day off and “…the day when their employers would give them a “Christmas box” or monetary gift, modern boxing day customs include sporting events such as full programs of top tier international football leagues, shopping, and a holiday from work.”. Today, boxing day is a shopping holiday but before it used to be a holiday when you would give to the poor. 

Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day)

Although celebrated in January, It isn’t Santa who brings joy; instead, it is the Three Wise men.

Much like Christmas, they’re the ones who bring Spanish children their gifts the night before Three Kings Day. According to Christian tradition, the Three Wise Men came to visit the newborn baby Jesus shortly after his birth and give gifts such as gold, myrrh (a sap-like substance), and frankincense. These men were named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. However, in recent years, some Spanish families have decided to embrace the tradition of Christmas and get gifts on both the 25th of December and the 6th of January. 

Soyal 

Soyal is known as the winter solstice ceremony of the Zuni and Hopi people held on December 21st. (The shortest day of the year) Many cultures around the world celebrate this tradition in many ways since the day holds lots of symbolism for cultures that live by the cycles of the seasons. Throughout this festival, the Hopi carry through ceremonies that are done to call the sun back from its sleep. They believe that the sun god has traveled far from the tribe on the solstice, so warriors and other members of the tribe are used to bringing the sun back. This tradition is also a time for blessings, and they also exchange gifts and something called well wishes.

Winter Solstice/Yule/ Christmastide

Celebrated on December 21st, this Pagan celebration on the darkest day of the year is also known as one of the oldest winter holidays in history! This tradition is also known as the rebirth of the sun. Historically, Yule (now referred to as Christmastide) is celebrated by feeding a large oak tree into a fireplace. The tree would get cut down during the Winter Solstice, and the yule log would be pushed into the flames over the 12 days of Christmas. This yule log would be decorated and placed on a mantle or altar.

Christmas

From the songs to the movies, this holiday is one of the more known traditions during Winter time. Celebrated on the 25th of December, this holiday is celebrated worldwide, symbolizing the bringing together of family, friends, and love. Large socks also known as stockings are set up for miniature gifts, and the main ones are found underneath the Christmas tree, of course, all families celebrate differently. Christmas originated with the story of Jesus’s birth and is carried on as a celebration. 

Do you celebrate any of these holidays? How do you spend your winter? Let us know in the comments!