How to Celebrate Different Winter Holidays from Around the World

When the air gets crisp and the lights start twinkling, it’s not just the holiday season—it’s also the perfect time to teach kids about the diverse ways people celebrate winter around the world. As a parent, I’m always looking for ways to make the holidays more meaningful and memorable, and incorporating traditions from other cultures is such a fun way to do that. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to broaden kids’ horizons without leaving the house.

So, whether you’re looking to add some new traditions to your family celebrations or just want to spend a cozy day exploring the world from your kitchen table, let’s dive into some beautiful winter holidays from around the globe—and how you can bring them to life at home.

Diwali (India)

Let’s kick things off with Diwali, the Festival of Lights. While Diwali typically falls earlier in the season (usually in October or November), its glowing celebrations fit right into the winter holiday vibe. This Hindu festival marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families light oil lamps, set off fireworks, and share sweet treats.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Light up your home with candles or string lights to create a warm, magical atmosphere.
• Make simple paper lanterns or diyas (small clay lamps) with your kids and place them around the house.
• Try making an easy dessert like gulab jamun (fried dough balls soaked in syrup) or enjoy store-bought Indian sweets like ladoos or barfi.
• End the evening with a conversation about what “light over darkness” means to your family.

Christmas (Worldwide)

Of course, Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, with traditions that vary widely depending on where you are. In the U.S., we’re used to Santa, stockings, and sugar cookies. But did you know that in Japan, Christmas is all about fried chicken and cake? Or that in Mexico, families celebrate with Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey?

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Create a "Christmas Around the World" evening. Research how other countries celebrate and recreate those traditions with your kids. Try Japanese Christmas cake or set up a piñata like in Mexico.
• Share stories about Santa’s global counterparts, like Ded Moroz in Russia or La Befana in Italy.
• Encourage your kids to “give back” by making cards or small gifts for neighbors or donating toys.

Hanukkah (Jewish Communities)

Known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days, usually in December. Families light the menorah, eat foods fried in oil, and play games like dreidel. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of a single day’s oil lasting eight days.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Make or buy a menorah and light a candle each night (even if you’re not Jewish, it’s a great teaching opportunity for kids).
• Cook traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts).
• Teach your kids the dreidel game—it’s simple and involves a spinning top, some chocolate coins (gelt), and a lot of fun.

Kwanzaa (United States, African Diaspora)

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African heritage and culture. Created in the 1960s, it focuses on seven principles like unity, creativity, and faith. Families light a kinara (a candle holder similar to a menorah), share meals, and celebrate through music and storytelling.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) with your kids and talk about how they apply to your family.
• Cook a meal inspired by African or African American cuisine. Think sweet potatoes, collard greens, or jollof rice.
• Spend time creating something as a family—a craft, a story, or even a song—to honor the principle of creativity.

Dongzhi (China)

Dongzhi, or the Winter Solstice Festival, is celebrated in China and other East Asian countries. It marks the longest night of the year and the return of longer days. Families gather to eat warm, comforting foods and honor the change of seasons.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Make tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), which symbolize family togetherness. If you can’t find them in stores, kids will have fun helping you roll simple dough balls out of rice flour.
• Learn about the science of the solstice—why the nights get longer and shorter—and take a walk to appreciate the winter sky.
• Share warm drinks like tea or hot chocolate while you talk about your favorite family traditions.

Lunar New Year (East Asia)

Although it typically falls in late January or February, Lunar New Year’s festive spirit feels right at home in a winter celebration. Families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck, hang red decorations, and share feasts with loved ones. In Chinese culture, 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon!

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Decorate your home with red paper lanterns or simple cutouts of Chinese characters for good luck.
• Try making dumplings or noodles as a family, which symbolize prosperity and long life.
• Create red envelopes and tuck in small treats or coins for your kids, explaining the significance of gifting during this celebration.

Yule (Pagan and Wiccan Traditions)

Yule is an ancient festival celebrating the winter solstice, originating in Norse and other pagan traditions. Modern-day Wiccans and pagans celebrate by decorating with greenery, lighting candles, and reflecting on nature’s cycles.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Go for a nature walk and collect pinecones, evergreen branches, or holly to use as decorations.
• Make a Yule log for dessert, or bake cookies shaped like stars or trees.
• Light candles as a family and share your hopes for the coming year.

Omisoka (Japan)

Omisoka is Japan’s version of New Year’s Eve and focuses on preparing for a fresh start. Families clean their homes, eat symbolic foods like soba noodles, and gather to watch the year’s final moments tick away.

How to Celebrate at Home:

• Pick a room in your house to declutter and organize with your kids. Make it fun by turning it into a game or challenge.
• Cook soba noodles together and talk about their symbolism of longevity and strength.
• Watch a countdown together, whether it’s on TV or a homemade clock your kids can decorate.

Why It Matters

Celebrating holidays from around the world isn’t just about fun—it’s a way to teach kids empathy, curiosity, and respect for others. You’re opening their eyes to how people live, celebrate, and connect, which is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. And remember, you don’t have to go all out—small touches, like lighting candles or sharing a special meal, can make a big impression.

So, what will you celebrate this winter? Whether it’s lighting candles for Hanukkah, rolling tangyuan for Dongzhi, or reenacting Las Posadas for Christmas, I hope you and your family enjoy exploring the world—one tradition at a time.