Holiday facts for kids
A holiday is a special day that happens regularly, usually every year. It's a day when people often don't go to work or school, and they celebrate something important. The word "holiday" comes from "holy day," meaning a sacred or special day. In some places, like the United Kingdom, "holiday" can also mean a trip away from home.
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Long Holidays with No Work
Many countries have holidays that create a "long weekend" or a longer break from work and school.
- In China, people celebrate the Spring Festival, May Day, and National Day. These are big holidays with time off.
- Japan has a special week called Golden Week, which includes several holidays close together.
- Poland celebrates the Majówka, which is like a picnic holiday.
- In Ireland, Holy Week (the week before Easter) is often a long holiday, sometimes including St. Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, and Good Friday.
Long Weekends
A long weekend happens when a holiday falls right next to a regular weekend. This gives people three or more days off in a row.
- In Australia and England, holidays are often moved to a Monday or Friday to create a long weekend.
- The United States has several holidays that are always on a Monday to make a "3-day weekend." These include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
- Other U.S. holidays, like Independence Day (July 4) and Veterans' Day, can fall on any day. If they land on a Saturday or Sunday, the day off is usually moved to the closest Friday or Monday to still create a long weekend. For example, if a holiday is on a Saturday, people might get the Friday before off.
Winter Holidays in Western Countries
The winter season in many Western countries is a time for several important holidays.
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Boxing Day (December 26, also known as Wren Day or St. Stephen's Day in some places)
- Kwanzaa (celebrated by some African Americans)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Hanukkah (a Jewish holiday, often celebrated in December)
- Yule (an ancient winter celebration)
Holiday Greetings
During the winter holiday season, people often use special greetings:
- Merry Christmas (also Feliz Navidad in Spanish and Joyeux Noel in French)
- Merry Yuletide
- Happy Hanukkah
- Happy Kwanzaa
- Happy New Year
- Joyous Yule
- Happy Solstice
- Season's Greetings
- Happy Holiday(s)
Holidays Celebrated Around the World
Some holidays are celebrated in many different countries, though sometimes on different dates or with different traditions.
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Valentine's Day (February 14)
- International Women's Day (March 8, especially in Eastern European countries)
- World Party Day (April 3)
- Earth Day (April 22)
- Labour Day, Worker's Day or May Day (May 1 in most countries; the United States and Canada celebrate Labour Day on the first Monday of September)
- Mother's Day (second Sunday in May in North America, fourth Sunday in Lent in the UK)
- Father's Day (dates vary by country)
- Halloween (October 31)
- New Year's Eve (December 31)
Holidays in the United States
The United States celebrates several national holidays throughout the year:
- Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (January 15 or the third Monday in January)
- Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12 or the second Monday in February)
- George Washington's birthday, also called Presidents' Day (February 22 or the third Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday in September)
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
Religious Holidays
Many holidays around the world are based on religious beliefs and traditions.
Buddhist Holidays
Buddhists celebrate holidays that mark important events in the life of Buddha or significant moments in their faith.
- Vesak is one of the most important Buddhist holidays, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha.
- Blessed Rainy Day is celebrated in Bhutan.
Ancient Celtic and Norse Holidays
These holidays are based on ancient traditions, often following the seasons and the Wheel of the Year.
- Samhain (Celtic): October 31 - November 1, marking the Celtic New Year and the start of winter.
- Yule (Norse): December 21 - 22, celebrating the winter solstice.
- Imbolc (Celtic): February 1 - 2, marking the first day of spring.
- Beltane (Celtic): April 30 - May 1, celebrating the first day of summer.
- Litha (Norse): June 21 - 22, celebrating the summer solstice.
- Lughnasadh (Celtic): August 1 - 2, marking the first day of autumn.
Hindu Holidays
Hindu holidays are often vibrant festivals celebrating different gods, goddesses, and important events.
- Diwali is a major festival of lights, celebrated over several days.
- Holi is a colorful festival known for people throwing powdered paint.
- Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of the elephant-headed god Ganesha.
- Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
Christian Holidays
Christian holidays celebrate events in the life of Jesus and other important figures or concepts in Christianity.
- Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus.
- Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
- Good Friday remembers the death of Jesus.
- Lent is a period of fasting and reflection before Easter.
- Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus's followers.
- All Saints' Day honors all Christian saints.
- Watch Night is celebrated by some Christians on New Year's Eve.
- Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras is the last day of Carnival before Lent begins.
Catholics also celebrate special days for saints.
Islamic Holidays
Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and mark significant events in Islamic history and faith.
- Eid holidays are major celebrations.
- Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan-Ul-Mubarik, the month of fasting.
- Eid ul-Adha is the "Greater Eid," celebrating Abraham's devotion.
- Mawlid Al Rasul celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
- Isra' Mi'raj commemorates Prophet Muhammad's journey to heaven.
- Youm Arafat is the day before Eid ul-Adha.
Bahá'í Holidays
Bahá'í holidays are special days in the Bahá'í Faith, often related to the lives of its founders.
- Naw Ruz is the Bahá'í New Year.
- The Ridván festival celebrates the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh.
- The Declaration of the Báb and Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh are also important days.
Jewish Holidays
Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew calendar and commemorate historical events and religious themes.
- Shabbat (Sabbath) is observed weekly from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest.
- Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.
- Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, a very solemn day.
- Passover celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
- Hanukkah (also Chanukah) is the Festival of Lights.
- Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them.
See also
In Spanish: Día festivo para niños
