Dates for your diary – December

15-22, Hanukkah, Judaism

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of light. It commemorates a famous battle, led by a tribe called the Maccabees, where Jewish people triumphed over their oppressors and returned to their temple, only to find it ransacked. They repaired the temple and wanted to light the oil lamp to rededicate it to God, but found there was very little oil left. However, what was left burned miraculously for eight days. This is why during Hanukkah, many Jews light an extra candle on their menorah each night, as the week progresses.

Hanukkah is also celebrated by giving gifts, eating fried food such as latkes and playing games.

18 – International Migrants’ Day

This year marks the 25th anniversary of this annual event, implemented by the UN to honour the contribution made by the millions of migrants around the world, as well as highlight the problems worldwide forcing people to leave their homes: climate change related events, war, famine, economic pressures among others. It aims to remind us of the value of migrants to our communities and countries.

December’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural

1 –         Gita Jayanti, Hindu
6 –         Feast of Saint Nicholas, Christian
8 –         Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Catholic Christian
8 –         Rohatsu (Bodhi Day), Buddhist
12 –       Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholic Christian
15 –       Dhanu Sankranti, Hindu
15-22 –  Hanukkah, Judaism
16 –       Las Posadas starts, Catholic Christian
21 –       Yule, Wicca and Pagan
24 –       Christmas Eve, Christian
25 –       Christmas Day, Christian
25 –       Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, Orthodox Christian
26 –       Feast of Saint Stephen, Christian
26 –       Zartosht No-Diso, Zoroastrian
27 –       Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Sikh
28 –       Holy Innocents’ Day, Christian
28 –       Feast of the Holy Family, Catholic Christian
31 –       Watch Night, Christian

 Awareness and Events

1 –         World Aids Day
2 –         International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
3 –         International Day of Persons With Disabilities
10 –       Human Rights Day
18 –       International Migrants’ Day
20 –       International Human Solidarity Day
21 –       Winter Solstice
26 –       Boxing Day
26 Dec – 1 Jan – Kwanzaa
31 –       New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay