December Holidays

Celebrate December Holidays with festive fun! Discover federal holidays, unique national days, and family activities to enjoy this holiday season.

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December is a month brimming with joy, wonder, and festive cheer! As the air turns frosty and lights twinkle all around, we come together with family and friends to celebrate the warmth and magic of the season.

From Christmas and Hanukkah to New Year’s Eve, December is filled with special traditions, heartwarming gatherings, and holiday fun for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for festive crafts, tasty treats, or seasonal activities, December’s celebrations bring endless ways to make memories and share in the holiday spirit!

Don't miss last month's November Holidays and Fall Holidays.

Month of December

December is the last month of the year, and it’s filled with celebrations, wintery fun, and lots of reasons to get cozy! This month marks the beginning of winter in many places, which means chilly weather, snow for some, and holiday excitement everywhere.

December also has the shortest day of the year, called the Winter Solstice, when there are fewer daylight hours than any other day. People in different cultures and countries celebrate December in unique ways, like lighting candles, exchanging gifts, or gathering together to eat special foods.

Did you know December is also National Cookie Day, International Monkey Day, and even National Candy Cane Day? Plus, it's a time when people enjoy singing cheerful songs called carols, putting up decorations, and maybe even meeting Santa Claus!

Whether you love winter sports, sipping hot chocolate, or cozying up with a holiday movie, December is packed with reasons to celebrate and have fun with family and friends.

Happy Holidays!

December Federal Holidays

There is only one Federal Holiday in the United States in December. It is Christmas, and it is on December 25th. Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, an important figure in Christianity who was born over 2,000 years ago.

In the United States, Christmas is a federal holiday, meaning most people have the day off from work and school to spend time with family and celebrate together. This time of year brings joy and kindness as people remember the story of Jesus’ birth and share gifts and good cheer.

December National Days

The month of December is filled with unique national holidays that make every day special! From cozy traditions to festive fun, there’s something exciting to celebrate daily.

December 1st

Advent Begins, Rosa Parks Day, National Pie Day, National Eat a Red Apple Day, Day Without Art, World AIDS Day, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day, National Cookie Cutter Day, National Women Support Women Day, World Aids Awareness Day, and National Peppermint Bark Day.

Grab a Red Apple to eat and have fun with these great apple activities including Apple Craft, Apple Handprint Craft, How to Draw an Apple, and Apple Tree Coloring Page.

December 2nd

National Build Joy Day, National Fritter Day, National Mutt Day, World Pollution Prevention Day, National Special Education Day, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, National Anytime Hawaiian Day, World Computer Literacy Day, and Business of Popping Corn Day.

December 3rd

Candle Day, Coats and Toys for Kids Day, Let’s Hug Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, World Pear Day, Faux Fur Friday, World Trick Shot Day, International Day of Persons With Disabilities, National Heather Day, National Green Bean Casserole Day, and National Make a Gift Day.

December 4th

Santa's List Day, National Sock Day, World Wildlife Conservation Day, National Cookie Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day, National Dice Day, International Cheetah Day, Global Fat Bike Day, Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day, and International Day of Banks.

December 5th

Walt Disney Day, National Communicate With Your Kids Days, National Repeal Day, Bathtub Party Day, World Soil Day, Bathtub Party Day, Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, International Ninja Day, International Volunteer Day, National Blue Jeans Day, and World Soil Day.

It's always fun to celebrate Disney, but in honor of Walt Disney Day, have some fun with our Mickey Mouse Craft, Mickey Mouse Ornament, Disney Princess Color By Number Pages, and Disney Coloring Pages.

December 6th

National Microwave Oven Day, Mitten Tree Day, St. Nicholas Day (Feast Day), Put on Your Own Shoe Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Bartender Day, World Trick Shot Day, National Miners Day, and National Pawnbrokers Day.

December 7th

National Cotton Candy Day, International Civil Aviation Day, National Illinois Day, National Slime Day, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and National Letter Writing Day.

December 8th

National Brownie Day, National Lard Day, Take it in the Ear Day, Bodhi Day, National Crossword Solvers Day, Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, Christmas Jumper Day, National Blue Collar Day, National Salesperson Day, Take it in the Ear Day,

December 9th

Christmas Card Day, National Pastry Day, National Llama Day, Genocide Prevention Day, International Anti-Corruption Day, World Techno Day, and Lost and Found Day.

Christmas card day made easier with our Free Printable Christmas Cards and Pop-up Christmas Tree Card

December 10th

National Stretch Day, Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales, International Animal Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day, National Lager Day, Jane Addams Day, Dewey Decimal System Day, Human Rights Day, and Worldwide Candle Lighting Day.

December 11th

National Noodle Ring Day, National App Day, Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day, UNICEF Birthday, UNICEF Day for Change, and International Mountain Day.

December 12th

National Ambrosia Day, Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Festival of Unmentionable Thoughts, National Poinsettia Day, International Day of Neutrality, International Universal Health Coverage Day, National Ding-a-Ling Day, Gingerbread Decorating Day, and Gingerbread House Day.

Have some gingerbread fun with our How to Draw a Gingerbread, Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake, and our Mini Gingerbread Cakes.

December 13th

U.S. National Guard Birthday, National Cocoa Day, National Ice Cream Day, National Cream Cheese Frosting Day, National Violin Day, Pick A Pathologist Pal Day, and National Horse Day.

Get ready for some National Horse Day fabulousness with our H is for Horse Craft and Horse Coloring Page.

December 14th

Free Shipping Day, Roast Chestnuts Day, Martyred Intellectuals Day, More Good Today Day, International Monkey Day, National Bouillabaisse Day, National Energy Conservation Day, and National Alabama Day.

December 15th

National Cupcake Day, National Lemon Cupcake Day, International Tea Day, National Regifting Day, Ugly Sweater Day, Bill of Rights Day, and National Wear Your Pearls Day.

Have some ugly sweater fun with our Ugly Sweater Template.

December 16th

National Wreaths Across America Day, Stupid Toy Day, Underdog Day, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, and Day of Reconciliation.

We have all kinds of fabulous Christmas Wreaths for National Wreaths Across America Day!

December 17th

National Maple Syrup Day, National Device Appreciation Day, Wright Brother's Day, Pan American Aviation Day, Saturnalia, and National Say it Now Day.

December 18th

National Twin Day, National Roast Suckling Pig Day, Bake Cookies Day, Answer The Telephone Like Buddy The Elf Day, Flake Appreciation Day, World Arabic Language Day, and Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day.

We've got lots of great options for Bake Cookies Day in our Best Holiday Cookies.

December 19th

National Oatmeal Muffin Day, National Heroes and Heroines Day, National Hard Candy Day, and Look for an Evergreen Day.

December 20th

Go Caroling Day (a favorite Christmas Tradition), Dot Your I’s Day, Games Day, National Sangria Day, International Human Solidarity Day, and Sacagawea Day.

Don't miss our Top Sangria Recipes including a few of our favorites Green Apple Sangria, Fall Sangria, and Red, White and Blue Sangria.

December 21st

National Maine Day, Don’t Make Your Bed Day, Look on the Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day, National Crossword Puzzle Day, National French Fried Shrimp Day, Make Your Bed Day, World Snowboard Day, National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day, National Short Girl Appreciation Day, Yule, and Humbug Day

December 22nd

Forefather’s Day, National Short Person Day, Mathematics Day, National Cookie Exchange Day, and National Date Nut Bread Day.

December 23rd

Festivus, National Roots Day, National Pfeffernusse Day, and National Christmas Movie Marathon Day.

December 24th

Last-Minute Shopper's Day, National Eggnog Day, National Chocolate Day, and Christmas Eve.

December 25th

National Pumpkin Pie Day, A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day (teheh... Noel, get it?), Christmas Day (Jesus' Birthday).
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We have tons of fun Merry Christmas Fun including Christmas Printables, Christmas Activity Sheets, Christmas Drawings, Christmas Coloring Pages, and Christmas Crafts.

December 26th

Boxing Day, National Candy Cane Day, Kwanzaa, Day of Goodwill, National Homeowners Day, National Thank You Note Day, and National Whiners Day.

Celebrate National Candy Cane Day with our Candy Cane Coloring Page.

Kick off Kwanzaa with this Kwanzaa Coloring Page.

December 27th

National Fruitcake Day, National Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day, Visit the Zoo Day, and International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

December 28th

Card Playing Day, Holy Innocents Day, National Call a Friend Day, National Chocolate Candy Day, Proclamation Day, Pledge of Allegiance Day, National Short Film Day, and National Download Day.

December 29th

Tick Tock Day, International Cello Day, Still Need To Do Day, and Pepper Pot Day.

December 30th

National Bacon Day, National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, Falling Needles Family Fest Day, and National Resolution Planning Day.

December 31st

Make Up Your Mind Day, National Champagne Day, Unlucky Day, World Peace Meditation Day, and New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve Fun Facts

New Year's Eve is the final celebration of December, filled with countdowns, fireworks, and excitement as we say goodbye to the old year! Discover fun facts about how people around the world celebrate this festive night.

Be sure to celebrate with New Year's Crafts, New Year's Bingo, and New Year's Word Search.

December Weekly Holidays and Observances

Week 1 of December

National Cookie Cutter Week, National Influenza Vaccination Week, Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, National Hand Washing Awareness Week, Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week

Week 2 of December

Computer Science Education Week, Christmas Bird Count Week

Week 3 of December

Gluten-Free Baking Week, National Handwashing Awareness Week

Week 4 of December

Thank a Soldier Week - The week including Christmas
Twelve Days of Christmas - December 25th - January 5th
Kwanzaa - December 26nd - January 1st

December National Monthly Holidays

National Fruitcake Month
National Pear Month
World Food Service Safety Month
Write a Friend Month
National Tie Month

Bingo Month
National Car Donation Month
Learn a Foreign Language Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Tomato and Winter Squash Month

Safe Toys and Gift Month
Universal Human Rights Month
Spiritual Literacy Month
Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruit Month
National Write a Business Plan Month

Read a New Book Month
Art and Architecture Month
Made in America Month
National Cat Lovers’ Month

Floating Holidays in December

Cyber Monday – 1st Monday After Thanksgiving
Giving Tuesday – 1st Tuesday After Thanksgiving
Choose Women Wednesday - 1st Wednesday After Thanksgiving
National Play Outside Day - 1st Saturday
International Children’s Day - 2nd Sunday
Green Monday - 2nd Monday
White Elephant Day – 2nd Wednesday
National Regifting Day – 3rd Thursday
National Package Protection Day - Wednesday after Thanksgiving
Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)

Facts About Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration filled with joy, family gatherings, and traditions like lighting the menorah. Each night, a new candle is lit, representing miracles and bringing light and warmth to this special December holiday.

Facts About Winter

Discover fascinating facts about winter that make this chilly season so magical! From snowflakes to hibernation, there’s so much to learn and enjoy about winter.

Don't miss our other Winter Fun including Winter Crafts, Winter Drawings, Winter Printables, Winter Bingo, and Winter Color By Number.

December Activities

Get ready for a month packed with festive fun and creativity! From holiday crafts to coloring pages and word searches, these December activities are perfect for celebrating the season.

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