Complete List of Religious Holidays in December

December is a month rich with global religious observance, hosting major holidays across several faiths. The most widely known religious holidays in December include Christmas (Christianity), Hanukkah (Judaism), Bodhi Day (Buddhism), and the cultural celebration of Kwanzaa. Other significant observances include St. Nicholas Day and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Below is a complete, list of major religious holidays that commonly fall in December.

Christian Holidays in December

1. Advent (Sundays leading up to Christmas)

• Season of preparation for Christmas observed by many Christian denominations.

2. Feast of St. Nicholas – December 6

• Celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians; basis for the Santa Claus tradition.

3. Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8

• Major Catholic holy day honoring the Virgin Mary.

4. Our Lady of Guadalupe – December 12

• Major Catholic celebration, especially in Mexico and the Americas.

5. Christmas Eve – December 24

• Christian observance marking the night before the birth of Jesus.

6. Christmas Day – December 25

• One of the most significant Christian feasts celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

7. Feast of St. Stephen – December 26

• Observed in Western churches; known as “Boxing Day” in some countries.

8. Feast of the Holy Family – Sunday after Christmas

• Catholic celebration honoring Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

9. Eastern Orthodox Nativity Fast (until Jan 6–7)

• Orthodox Christians observe a fasting season during December leading to Christmas.

Jewish Holidays in December

1. Hanukkah (dates vary; often in December)

• 8-day Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Islamic Holidays in December

Islamic holidays rotate yearly because the Islamic calendar is lunar. Some years they fall in December:

1. Ramadan (rarely December, but possible depending on year)

2. Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)

3. Eid al-Adha

4. Islamic New Year

Note: These are NOT fixed to December—only included because they sometimes fall in December depending on the lunar cycle.

Hindu Holidays in December

1. Gita Jayanti (often December)

• Marks the day Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita.

2. Mokshada Ekadashi (often December)

• A fasting day linked to Gita Jayanti.

3. Datta Jayanti (dates vary; often in December)

• Celebration of the deity Dattatreya.

Buddhist Holidays in December

1. Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) – December 8

• Commemorates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).
• Observed primarily in Zen and Mahayana Buddhism.

Religious Holidays in December Table

Conclusion

The above complete guide provides the dates, history, and key traditions for every major religious holiday in December, ensuring you have the definitive resource to understand and appreciate these important annual observances worldwide.

Related:

Complete List of Religious Observances