December 7 - 15
Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights” from sundown on Thursday, December 7, through sundown on Friday, December 15. It is a celebration of a miracle that happened many years ago when a small jar of oil for the lamp in the Holy Temple lasted for eight days instead of just one. This holiday is celebrated by lighting the menorah, gathering with family and friends, sharing special meals and giving gifts over the eight days of Hanukkah.

December 16 - 24
The words Las Posadas mean the inn or lodge, and it is the traditional celebration of the Christmas story. Las Posadas takes place over nine nights, from December 16 to 24, and commemorates the search for a place to stay. Las Posadas is a hallmark in Mexican culture celebrated with food, drinks, sweets, music and piñatas.

December 24 - 25
Christmas is celebrated in many countries throughout the world and commemorates the birth of Jesus. Many have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances blending religious and secular customs. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, are a time to gather with family and friends and enjoy traditional foods and sharing of gifts. Holiday decorations such as wreaths and trees can be found in homes as well as twinkling lights and festive music. It is a period of general goodwill and an occasion for charitable generosity.

December 26 - January 1
Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. It is an African-American and Pan-African celebration from December 26 to January 1 by tens of millions around the world. The language of Kwanzaa is Swahili (the Kiswahili language and African culture). Foundational to Kwanzaa is the Nguzo Saba (the 7 principles): Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

December 31
In Turkey, the New Year traditions include decorating streets, stores and homes with pine trees, ornaments and lights. On December 31, friends and family gather to celebrate the new year. A special dinner is prepared with traditional dishes such as stuffed turkey, seasonal vegetables and sweets. New Year’s Eve is the time to make resolutions for the coming year.

January 1
Japanese New Year is celebrated on January 1st and is one of the most important holidays for Japanese Americans. Families gather together to celebrate and enjoy rice cakes or Mochi which is associated with rabbits and the moon. Families decorate their houses with plum blossoms, pine boughs and bamboo which represent making it through the cold times of winter and a welcome wish for spring.

February 10
Some Asian cultures, like Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tibetan, use the lunar calendar (based on phases of the moon) to mark the New Year. For Chinese New Year, people spend weeks preparing. Everyone cleans their homes and decorates with good luck sayings. On New Year’s Day, people dress in new clothes and greet people, saying gong xi fai cai (Mandarin) or gung hei faat choy (Cantonese), “wishes for happiness and prosperity.” Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, marks the beginning of spring. Relatives visit, share food, and pay respect to their ancestors.

April 9 - 10
Eid al-Fitr is marked with the coming of the new moon and the festival marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting. Eid al-Fitr means “the festival of breaking of the fast.” Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with great enthusiasm by wearing beautiful new clothes and visiting the mosques to attend Salatul Eid (Eid prayers).

October 31
Diwali is a time to welcome a new year, happiness and prosperity. It is a festival of lights that follows the lunar calendar and is similar to a new year celebration. Diwali is one of India’s most celebrated holidays and is recognized by people of different faiths, including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and many others.