Last Updated on 21 November 2023

“Happy Holidays” is NOT an attempt to get rid of Christmas. It is a recognition that there are many people who celebrate many different holidays during this time. Even Christians have more celebrations than just Christmas. Wishing someone “happy holidays” is actually a way to be friendly while recognizing the person you’re talking to may have different holidays that they celebrate.

Here is a list of religious and civic holidays that are celebrated in November and December (and into January & early February).

DateHoliday
Mid-OctChung Yeung Festival
Oct/NovDiwali
Nov 1All Saints Day
Nov 1-2Day of the Dead
Nov 1Samhain
Nov 2All Souls’ Day
Nov 5Guy Fawkes Day
Nov 10Día de la Tradición
NovBon Om Touk
Nov 27Guru Nanak Gurpurab
End of NovRohini Vrat
Dec 3-24Advent
Dec (varies – 8 days)Hanukkah
Dec 6St. Nicholas Day
Dec 8Immaculate Conception Day
Dec 8Rohatsu (Bodhi Day)
Dec 12Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec 13St. Lucia’s Day
Dec 16-24Las Posadas
Dec 21Winter Solstice
Dec 21 – Jan 1Yule
Dec 25Christmas
Dec 26Boxing Day
Dec 26 – Jan 1Kwanzaa
Dec 26Zarathosht No-Diso
Dec (varies)Asarah B’Tevet
Dec 30Feast of the Holy Family
Dec 31New Year’s Eve
Dec 31Ōmisoka
Jan 6 – Fat TuesdayMardi Gras
Jan 7Orthodox Christmas
Jan 13Lohri
Jan/FebChinese New Year
Feb 2Candlemas
Feb 6Waitangi Day
FebLantern Festival

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