December 2024 offers a rich tapestry of holidays and traditions, with each observance reflecting different values, beliefs, and customs. Whether it’s the religious significance of Christmas and Hanukkah, the cultural pride of Kwanzaa, the solstice celebration of nature, or the jubilant ushering in of a new year, this month is filled with opportunities to connect with loved ones, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the future.
No matter what holiday or tradition you observe, the essence of December remains the same: a time to come together, celebrate the season, and cherish the moments of joy, gratitude, and connection that make life meaningful.
A full list of December holidays and observances in 2024
Remember these important dates, weeks and awareness days.
When it comes to holidays and observances, December just might be the busiest month of the year.
Between the first day of the month and the very last, you’ve got the Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
And that’s just the beginning.
To help you keep track of all the month’s events, we’ve assembled a list of December holidays and observances to add to your 2024 calendar.
This comprehensive rundown includes a variety of fun observances like National Cookie Day, Eggnog Day, Ugly Sweater Day and Bathtub Party Day, along with important dates like Giving Tuesday and Wreaths Across America.
You’ll also find holidays for just about everything else seasonal you can think of, including gingerbread, candy canes, fruitcake and even re-gifting your Christmas presents.
Along with daily observations, this list of December holidays includes week and month-long commemorations, as well.
Grab a pen or your phone, and get ready to jot down these holiday happenings that are sure to keep the merry coming all month long.
Daily December holidays and observances in 2024
- Christmas Book Day
- Cyber Safety Sunday
- Day With(out) Art Day
- Eat a Red Apple Day
- First Sunday of Advent
- National Christmas Lights Day
- National Cookie Cutter Day
- National Peppermint Bark Day
- National Twin With Your Dog Day
- National Women Support Women Day
- Rosa Parks Day
- Wear a Dress Day
- World Aids Day
December 2
- Cyber Monday
- International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- National Build Joy Day
- National Fritters Day
- National Mutt Day
- National Skip School Day
- Play Basketball Day
- Safety Razor Day
- Special Education Day
- Walt Disney Day
- World Computer Literacy Day
- World Pollution Prevention Day
December 3
- Giving Tuesday
- International Day of People with Disabilities
- Let’s Hug Day
- Make a Gift Day
- National Green Bean Casserole Day
- National Heather Day
- National Roof Over Your Head Day
- World Trick Shot Day
December 4
- Cabernet Franc Day
- Candle Day
- Carols by Candlelight
- Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day
- International Cheetah Day
- International Day of Banks
- National Cookie Day
- National Dice Day
- National Package Protection Day
- National Sock Day
- Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
- Santa’s List Day
- Wear Brown Shoes Day
- World Wildlife Conservation Day
December 5
- Bathtub Party Day
- International Ninja Day
- International Volunteer Day
- National AFL-CIO Day
- National Blue Jeans Day
- National Communicate With Your Kids Day
- National Repeal Day
- Sacher-Torte Day
- World Soil Day
December 6
- Faux Fur Friday
- Mitten Tree Day
- National Bartender Day
- National Gazpacho Day
- National Microwave Oven Day
- National Miners’ Day
- National Pawnbrokers Day
- National Salesperson Day
- St. Nicholas Day
December 7
- Candle Day
- Chester Greenwood Day
- Coats and Toys for Kids Day
- Crate Day
- Global Fat Bike Day
- International Civil Aviation Day
- National Letter Writing Day
- National Cotton Candy Day
- National Joy Day
- National Rhubarb Vodka Day
- National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance
- National Slime Day
- Tree Dressing Day
December 8
- Bodhi Day
- Constitution Day
- National Blue Collar Day
- National Brownie Day
- National Donair Day
- National Health Savings Account Day
- National Lard Day
- Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day
- Worldwide Candle Lighting Day
- World Choral Day
December 9
- Christmas Card Day
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Genocide Prevention Day
- Green Monday
- International Anti-Corruption Day
- International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- National Llama Day
- National Opal Apples Day
- National Pastry Day
- Weary Willie Day
- World Techno Day
December 10
- Dewey Decimal System Day
- Human Rights Day
- International Animal Rights Day
- Jane Addams Day
- National Lager Day
- National Salesperson Day
- Nobel Prize Day
December 11
- Holiday Food Drive for Needy Animals Day
- International Mountain Day
- National App Day
- National Have A Bagel Day
- National Noodle Ring Day
- National Tango Day
- UNICEF Day for Change
December 12
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Gingerbread House Day
- International Universal Health Coverage Day
- National Ambrosia Day
- National Ding-a-Ling Day
- National Poinsettia DayÂ
December 13
- Day of the Horse
- Friday the 13th
- Lost & Found Day
- National Cocoa Day
- National Cream Cheese Frosting Day
- National Guard Birthday
- National Salesperson Day
- National Violin Day
- Pick a Pathologist Pal Day
December 14
- Christmas Bird Count Week
- Gingerbread Decorating Day
- Halcyon Days
- International Shareware Day
- More Good Today Day
- National Bouillabaisse Day
- National Energy Conservation Day
- National Screwdriver Day
- National Wreaths Across America Day
- Monkey Day
- Roast Chestnuts Day
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day
December 15
- Bill of Rights Day
- Cat Herders Day
- National Cupcake Day
- National Lemon Cupcake Day
- National Wear Your Pearls Day
December 16
- Barbie and Barney Backlash Day
- Day of Reconciliation
- Las Posadas
- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
- Stupid Toy Day
December 17
- National Device Appreciation Day
- National Maple Syrup Day
- Pan American Aviation Day
- Saturnalia December
- Wright Brothers Day
December 18
- Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day
- Bake Cookies Day
- Flake Appreciation Day
- International Migrants Day
- National Roast Suckling Pig Day
- World Arabic Language Day
December 19
- Look for an Evergreen Day
- National Emo Day
- National Hard Candy Day
- National Heroes and Heroines Day
- National Oatmeal Muffin Day
- National Re-Gifting Day
December 20
- Cathode-Ray Tube Day
- Games Day
- Go Caroling Day
- Mudd Day
- National Sangria Day
- National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
- Sacagawea Day
- Underdog Day
December 21
- Don’t Make Your Bed Day
- Gravy Day
- Humbug Day
- International Dalek Remembrance Day
- International Energy Drink Day
- Look On The Bright Side Day
- National Coquito Day
- National Crossword Puzzle Day
- National French Fried Shrimp Day
- National Flashlight Day
- National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day
- National Short Girl Appreciation Day
- National Short Story Day
- Phileas Fogg Win a Wager Day
- Ribbon Candy Day
- Winter Solstice
- World Basketball Day
- World Snowboard Day
December 22
- Forefathers’ Day
- Mathematics Day
- National Cookie Exchange Day
- National Date Nut Bread Day
- National Short Person Day
- Mathematics Day
- National Cookie Exchange Day
December 23
- Festivus
- National Christmas Movie Marathon Day
- National Pfeffernusse Day
- National Roots Day
December 24
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Book Flood
- Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
- National Eggnog Day
December 25
- A’Phabet Day or No “L” Day
- Christmas Day
- Hanukkah
- National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26
- Boxing Day
- Day After Christmas
- Day of Goodwill
- First day of Kwanzaa
- National Candy Cane Day
- National Thank You Note Day
- National Whiners’ Day
- Proclamation Day
- St. Stephen’s Day
December 27
- Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
- National Fruitcake Day
- National Leftovers Day
- Visit the Zoo Day
December 28
- Holy Innocents Day
- National Call a Friend Day
- National Card Playing Day
- National Chocolate Candy Day
- National Download Day
- National Short Film Day
- Pledge of Allegiance Day
Sunday, December 29
- Falls Festival
- International Cello Day
- Pepper Pot Day
- Still Need To Do Day
- Tick Tock Day
December 30
- Falling Needles Family Fest Day
- National Bacon Day
- National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
- National Resolution Planning Day
December 31
- Hogmanay
- Make Up Your Mind Day
- National Champagne Day
- New Year’s Eve
- No Interruptions Day
- Universal Hours of Peace
- Unlucky Day
Weekly holidays and observances in December 2024
- Advent: Dec. 1 – 24
- Better Conversations Week: Nov. 24 – Dec. 30
- Christmas Bird Count: Dec. 14 – Jan. 5, 2025
- Computer Science Education Week: Dec. 2 – Dec. 8
- Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week: Dec. 1 — Dec. 7
- Hanukkah: Dec. 25 – Jan. 2
- Inclusive Schools Week: Dec. 2 — Dec. 8
- Kwanzaa: Dec. 26 – Jan. 1
- National Cookie Cutter Week: Dec. 1 – Dec. 7
- National Handwashing Awareness Week: Dec. 2 – Dec. 8
- National Influenza Vaccination Week: Dec. 6 — Dec. 12
- Older Driver Safety Awareness Week: Dec. 2 — Dec. 6
Monthly observances in December 2024
- Bingo Month
- Blue Christmas
- Decembeard
- Gift of Sight Month
- National Cat Lover’s Month
- National Fruitcake Month
- National Giving Month
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
- National Learn a Foreign Language Month
- National Write a Business Plan Month
- National Pear Month
- National Tie Month
- Operation Santa Paws
- Safe Toys and Gifts Month
- Spiritual Literacy Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
- Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
- Write to a Friend Month
- World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month
