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Hanukkah - Hanukkah, celebrated from December 18 to 26 this year, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. One candle is lit on the menorah each day in memory of the eight days of the Maccabean Revolt. Other traditions involve playing with a dreidel.

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Chalica - Celebrated by Unitarian Universalists, from December 5 to 11 this year, Chalica revolves around a chalice, and each night it is lit to honor one of the principles of the religion. It was invented in 2005 and hasn't gained a major following.

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Krampusnacht -

Krampusnacht, celebrated on December 5, is the preamble to Christmas where an evil Santa, Krampus, scares and punishes children. Observed in Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, Krampus is a half goat and half demon.

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Bodhi Day - Bodhi Day, a Buddhist holiday falling on December 8 this year, commemorates when the Buddha was said to achieve enlightenment under what is referred to the Bodhi tree. The central tenants of Buddhism are built around what the Buddha is said to have realized on that day.

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception -

Celebrating the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, on December 8, it's one of the most important holidays in the Roman Catholic religion. Many people make pilgrimages on the day, sometimes holding lit candles and crawling on their hands and knees.

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Saint Lucy's Day - The Christian feast day on December 13 is for the third-century martyr, Saint Lucy. She is said to have brought food to persecuted Christians in hiding using only candles to light the way, which is why people celebrate with torches today.

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Las Posadas - Celebrated mostly in Latin America from December 16 to 24, Las Posadas features reenactments of the nativity scene using actors and costumes.

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Winter Solstice -

Pagans, dragoons, spiritualists and all kinds celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21, the longest night of the year and the beginning of lengthening days. 

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Yaldā Night -

This Iranian Winter Solstice celebration, also on December 21, involves reading poetry, as well as eating and drinking together.  It's also celebrated in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan and Turkey. 

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Dongzhi Festival -

Falling on December 22 this year, this secular winter solstice festival observed in China, Japan, and Korea is in acknowledgement of the ying and yang energies. It's celebrated by families eating fatty rice balls together. 

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Saint Stephen's Day - This Christian feast day on December 26 is for Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and is observed in Central and eastern Europe. Ireland, Catalonia, and Finland also observe the holiday, which is particularly important for the Orthodox Church.

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Newtonmas -

An atheist alternative to Christmas on  December 25, Newtonmas' tagline is "Reason's Greetings"

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Kwanzaa -

This secular, Pan-African celebration of the diaspora in the Americas is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 and was founded in 1966. Seven candles are lit on Kwanzaa for the seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. 

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Holy Innocents' Day -

Celebrated on December 28, Holy Innocents' Day commemorates the Massacre of the Innocents from the Gospel of Matthew. It's observed in Spain and Latin America with a feast and dancers.

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Hogmanay -

This Scottish celebration of the last day of the year, December 31, features Vikings in the streets carrying torches. The tradition is believed to come from either French or Norse customs. 

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New Year's Day - Most people celebrate New Year's Eve, leading into New Year's Day on January 1, whether it's in front of a TV screen or out partying.

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Saint Basil's Day - An Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican holiday, Saint Basil is believed to have died on January 1. Saint Basil is remembered as the creator of communal monasticism in Christianity.

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Twelfth Night - Otherwise known as Epiphany Eve, it's celebrated on January 5 and especially common among Church of England and Anglican Church goers. Placing fruit and Christmas cake on the Christmas trees around town in the middle of the night is a common tradition in rural England.

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Koliada -

This eastern European and Slavic tradition was adopted into Christianity, but existed in a prior form and is celebrated on January 6. People parade around with homemade signs and sing traditional songs. 

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Epiphany - This Christian feast day on January 6, sometimes called the Three Kings Day, celebrates the belief of God incarnating into Christ. The day is celebrated around the world in a multitude of fashions, with some treating it like Christmas Day and others with a mass baptism.

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Lohri - This Punjab winter solstice festival on January 13 involves dancing around a fire and paying homage to the Sun God, Surya. Door to door trick or treating is also part of the one day event.

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Makar Sankranti - This Hindu festival, also in homage to Sun God Surya, is held on January 14 or 15. Kite flying, making sticky candy and giving it to children, as well as praying in the water are all part of the celebration.

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Tu BiShvat -

Tu BiShvat is one of the four New Years Days in the Jewish calendar. This year, it begins at sundown on February 5 and ends at sundown on February 6. The celebration isn't strictly religious, and is observed by non-practicing and Hasidic Jews alike. Some will plant trees on the day.

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Imbolc - This Gaelic festival marking the start of spring on February 1 is practiced in Ireland and Scotland. It was in worship of Brigid, the goddess of fertility, before being adopted by the Christian faith.

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Christmas - Celebrated on December 24 or 25, depending on where you live, Christmas is the Christian commemoration of the birth of Christ and has become the most widely known holiday in the world. Though many claim it's the reason for the season, as you can see, there are many other holidays to celebrate at the end and beginning of the year.

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Happy holidays! -

Enjoy the season with whatever holiday you celebrate!

See also:Where to find the most festive Christmas markets in Europe

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