6 Interesting Winter Holidays Around the World That Aren’t Christmas

The winter season is often associated with all things Christmas: decorated trees, carolers, wreaths of holly, presents, and more. However, there are plenty of other winter holidays beyond just Christmas and even Hanukkah. That’s not including the Christmas-adjacent celebrations or other well-known holidays like Kwanzaa. Each one provides importance to groups of people during the winter season. If you want to learn more, explore these six winter holidays celebrated around the world below.

6. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, India

Starting our list of winter holidays is Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, celebrated on January 10th. It is the birth date of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru and famed warrior and philosopher. The holiday is mostly celebrated in India and other countries in the region, with a strong affirmation to live their life according to the example of the famed guru. Sikh temples are decorated with candles and flowers, and the faithful sing chants while food kitchens are opened for the poor to enjoy a meal.

5. Lohri, India

Fifth on our list of winter holidays is Lohri, celebrated in the Punjab region of Northern India on January 13th. The holiday is especially important to Punjabi farmers, as they recognize the holiday as the beginning of the New Year and a marker of the harvest. At the center of all Lohri celebrations is the bonfire, symbolizing Agni, the God of Fire. During festivals, adherents throw offerings into the fire to symbolically burn negativity from their lives, and walk around the bonfire to ask for prosperity in the coming year.

4. Yalda Night, Iran

Next on our list of winter holidays is Yalda Night, celebrated in Iran on December 21st. One of the most important celebrations of the year for adherents, families gather together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Today, people gather and read poetry and share drinks and food that symbolize the eternal cycle of rebirth, including pomegranates, nuts, and watermelons. The festivities are also celebrated in countries that were part of the Persian empire, such as Afghanistan and Armenia.

3. Night of the Radishes, Mexico

Rounding out the top three winter holidays on our list is Night of the Radishes, celebrated in Mexico on December 23rd. Radishes are a big deal in Oaxaca, Mexico, with its inhabitants holding a festival that revolves completely around the vegetable. During the celebration, talented artisans carve all kinds of religious icons and folklore symbols entirely from oversized radishes. Some even earn prizes at an annual competition that has been celebrated since 1897.

2. St. Lucia’s Day, Scandinavia

Second on our list of winter holidays is St. Lucia’s Day, which is popular in Scandinavian countries, including Denmark and Sweden. Celebrated on December 13th, the holiday commemorates the Christian martyr St. Lucia, a young woman who died for her faith in the 4th century. To invite the protection of the saint, believers adorn churches, homes, and public buildings with candles. Food is also an important part of the celebration, most notably gingerbread biscuits and lussekatter, a saffron bun with raisins.

1. Bodhi Day, Asia

Last but not least on our list of winter holidays is Bodhi Day, celebrated on December 8th by Buddhists in Japan, China, and other countries. The holiday is meant to commemorate when the religion’s founder, Siddhartha Gautama, achieved enlightenment and became Buddha. Buddhists respectfully celebrate the holiday by meditating and attending services at temples. They may also decorate Bodhi trees in their homes and eat meals of rice and milk, the meal Buddha ate shortly after achieving enlightenment.