You probably flip your calendar from November to December with extra excitement as you polish up your wish list and bookmark the best holiday shopping guides. The last month of the year is full of big holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, which bring families together to celebrate their faith and culture. Throughout these weeks are also plenty of other important and fun observances that make December a truly special month. December holidays are all about recognizing what we have now, and what we can look forward to in the new year.
While December is home to wonderful holidays and observances from the quirky to the specific, it is also National Human Rights Month, National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and Worldwide Food Service Safety month. It only makes sense that a month dedicated to giving and to helping others brings attention to important causes. So, while you get ready to set up your Christmas village with the family, also consider holiday activities that give back.
And speaking of holiday traditions, there are plenty throughout the month. Whether you will be decorating your home for Kwanzaa, lighting candles for Hanukkah, or trimming the Christmas tree, December can be a busy time of year. But taking note of the sillier national days — whether it's one dedicated to holiday treats like Peppermint Bark Day, or even Bathtub Party Day — can help make the month feel less stressful.
There are also historical observances including International Day for the Abolition of Slavery and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, as well as National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Lighter holidays include Boxing Day and Festivus (for all the Seinfeld fans out there).
Without a further ado, here is a complete list of December holidays to make the most of the final month of the year as we approach New Year's Eve. We recommend sipping on a candy cane sparkler as you mark your calendar.
Thursday, Dec. 1
- World AIDS Day
- National Christmas Lights Day
- Peppermint Bark Day
- National Package Protection Day
- Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day
- Eat a Red Apple Day
Friday, Dec. 2
- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- Ghana Farmer’s Day
- Faux Fur Friday
- National Mutt Day
- National Fritters Day
- Safety Razor Day
- Business of Popping Corn Day
- National Bartender Day
Saturday, Dec. 3
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Make a Gift Day
- National Roof Over Your Head Day
- National Green Bean Casserole Day
- Let's Hug Day
- International Sweater Festival
Sunday, Dec. 4
- Candle Day
- World Wildlife Conservation Day
- International Day of Banks
- World Pear Day
- National Cookie Day
- National Sock Day
- Wear Brown Shoes Day
- Tree Dressing Day
- Skywarn Recognition Day
- Santa’s List Day
- International Cheetah Day
- National Dice Day
- Global Fat Bike Day
- Earmuff Day
- Cabernet Franc Day
Monday, Dec. 5
- International Ninja Day
- International Volunteer Day
- National Repeal Day
- World Soil Day
- Sacher-Torte Day
- Bathtub Party Day
Tuesday, Dec. 6
- National Gazpacho Day
- National Miners Day
- St. Nicholas Day
- Walt Disney Day
- Put on Your Own Shoes Day
- National Pawnbrokers Day
- Mitten Tree Day
- National Microwave Oven Day
- National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Wednesday, Dec. 7
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- International Civil Aviation Day
- National Letter Writing Day
- World Trick Shot Day
- National Cotton Candy Day
Thursday, Dec. 8
- Latina Equal Pay Day
- National Brownie Day
- Christmas Jumper Day
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
- Bodhi Day
Friday, Dec. 9
- National Llama Day
- International Anti-Corruption Day
- International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
- Christmas Card Day
- International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- National Pastry Day
- Techno Day
- Weary Willie Day
Saturday, Dec. 10
- Human Rights Day
- Dewey Decimal System Day
- National Salesperson Day
- Nobel Prize Day
- International Animal Rights Day
- Jane Addams Day
- National Lager Day
Sunday, Dec. 11
- UNICEF Birthday
- International Shareware Day
- National App Day
- Noodle Ring Day
- International Mountain Day
Monday, Dec. 12
- Gingerbread House Day
- Green Monday
- Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- National Poinsettia Day
- International Day of Neutrality
- International Universal Health Coverage Day
- National Ding-A-Ling Day
- National Ambrosia Day
- Worldwide Candle Lighting Day
Tuesday, Dec. 13
- National Day of the Horse
- National Guard Birthday
- National Violin Day
- National Cocoa Day
- Pick a Pathologist Pal Day
- National Ice Cream Day
Wednesday, Dec. 14
- Monkey Day
- National Free Shipping Day
- Roast Chestnuts Day
- Halcyon Days
- National Energy Conservation Day
- National Bouillabaisse Day
- Martyred Intellectuals Day
Thursday, Dec. 15
- Bill of Rights Day
- National Wear Your Pearls Day
- International Tea Day
- Lemon Cupcake Day
- National Cat Herders Day
- National Cupcake Day
Friday, Dec. 16
- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
- National Ugly Sweater Day
- National Underdog Day
- Las Posadas
Saturday, Dec. 17
- Wright Brothers Day
- Pan American Aviation Day
- National Maple Syrup Day
- National Device Appreciation Day
- National Wreaths Across America Day
Sunday, Dec. 18
- Hanukkah Begins
- Arabic Language Day
- Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day
- National Twin Day
- International Migrants Day
- Bake Cookies Day
- National Roast Suckling Pig Day
Monday, Dec. 19
- National Emo Day
- National Hard Candy Day
- National Oatmeal Muffin Day
- Look for an Evergreen Day
Tuesday, Dec. 20
- International Human Solidarity Day
- Games Day
- National Sangria Day
- Go Caroling Day
Wednesday, Dec. 21
- Winter Solstice
- National Crossword Puzzle Day
- National Short Girl Appreciation Day
- National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day
- Look on the Bright Side Day
- National French Fried Shrimp Day
- Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day
- Humbug Day
- National Flashlight Day
- International Dalek Remembrance Day
- Blue Christmas
- National Coquito Day
Thursday, Dec. 22
- National Cookie Exchange Day
- National Short Person Day
- Forefathers’ Day
- Mathematics Day
- National Date Nut Bread Day
Friday, Dec. 23
- National Roots Day
- Festivus
- National Pfeffernusse Day
- Kisan Diwas
- National Christmas Movie Marathon Day
Saturday, Dec. 24
- Christmas Eve
- The Feast of the Seven Fishes
- National Consumer Rights Day
- National Eggnog Day
Sunday, Dec. 25
- Christmas Day
- National Pumpkin Pie Day
- Quaid-e-Azam Day
Monday, Dec. 26
- Kwanzaa
- Boxing Day
- National Thank You Note Day
- National Whiners Day
- Day of Goodwill
- National Candy Cane Day
Tuesday, Dec. 27
- International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
- Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
- National Fruitcake Day
Wednesday, Dec. 28
- National Playing Card Day
- National Short Film Day
- Pledge of Allegiance Day
- National Call a Friend Day
- National Download Day
- Proclamation Day
- National Chocolate Candy Day
- Holy Innocents Day
Thursday, Dec. 29
- Still Need to Do Day
- National Pepper Pot Day
- Tick Tock Day
Friday, Dec. 30
- National Bacon Day
- Falling Needles Family Fest Day
- National Resolution Planning Day
Saturday, Dec. 31
- New Year's Eve
- No Interruptions Day
- Make Up Your Mind Day
- National Champagne Day
Corinne Sullivan is a digital writer and editor who covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, holidays and more. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the digital editorial assistant for Woman’s Day, where she covers seasonal recipes, holiday gift ideas, and other lifestyle topics for the website. When she isn’t assisting with day-to-day editorial needs, Elizabeth is baking dairy-free cakes, reading romance novels, or strolling through nature.
