When many of us think of December, we often think about Christmas, but this month is host to a range of other festivals and celebrations. Saint Nicholas Day is one of the celebrations in December that is observed throughout much of Europe, usually on the 5th or 6th of December. This festival celebrates a Christian bishop called Saint Nicholas of Myra. In some countries, Saint Nicholas Day is seen as a much more important festival than Christmas, and people celebrate this important day in lots of ways. Bodhi Day, also known as Rōhatsu in Japan, is a Buddhist holiday that takes place each year on the 8th of December. It marks the day that Siddhārtha Gautama, a
central figure within Buddhism who is also known as the Buddha, is said to have achieved enlightenment.
Hanukkah is a festival that’s celebrated by Jewish people, taking
place around late November to December. One of the best known celebrations in December, this festival has its origins in
events that happened over 2,000 years ago.
Pancha Ganapati is one of the more recent celebrations in December, having been celebrated since 1985. Originally created as a Hindu alternative to Christmas by a
religious leader called Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, it takes place over five days from the 21st to the 25th of December