There's no shortage of holidays in December. Although major holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve aren't until later in the month, the early days of December are still brimming with festive cheer, aka plenty of holidays, observances and awareness days.
Kick off the month by lighting a new candle (National Candle Day on Dec. 4), making a batch of brownies (National Brownie Day on Dec. 8) and calling up the women in your life to spread the love (National Women Support Women Day on Dec. 1). Then when the time comes to get in the holly jolly spirit, deck the halls with twinkling lights on National Christmas Lights Day, pass out a batch of Christmas cookies on National Cookie Exchange Day and belt out your favorite Christmas tunes on Go Caroling Day.
Amid all the baking, decorating and shopping, take a moment to remember what's at the heart of the holiday season: spreading good tidings, cheer and joy to those around you. Research local volunteer opportunities ahead of International Volunteer Day on Dec. 5, then continue with random acts of kindness on National Joy Day on Dec. 7.
For a quick departure from all things Christmas (yes, holiday burnout is real), take a moment to celebrate other December holidays and observances, including National Lager Day (cheers!), World Snowboard Day and the Winter Solstice.
Now, grab your pen and start adding these December holidays and observances to your calendar. That way, you can guarantee that you'll end the year on a high note.
Daily holidays and observances in December 2022
December 1
- Eat a Red Apple Day
- National Christmas Lights Day
- National Cookie Cutter Day
- National Peppermint Bark Day
- National Women Support Women Day
- Rosa Parks Day
- World Aids Day
December 2
- National Build Joy Day
- National Fritters Day
- National Mutt Day
- Special Education Day
- World Pollution Prevention Day
December 3
- International Day of People with Disabilities
- Let’s Hug Day
- Make a Gift Day
- National Green Bean Casserole Day
December 4
- Candle Day
- Global Fat Bike Day
- International Cheetah Day
- National Cookie Day
- National Sock Day
- Santa’s List Day
- Wear Brown Shoes Day
- World Wildlife Conservation Day
- International Day of Banks
December 5
- International Volunteer Day
- National Blue Jeans Day
- Walt Disney Day
December 6
- National Microwave Oven Day
- St. Nicholas Day
December 7
- National Cotton Candy Day
- National Joy Day
- National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance
December 8
- National Brownie Day
December 9
- Christmas Card Day
- International Day of Veterinary Medicine
- National Llama Day
- National Pastry Day
December 10
- National Lager Day
- National Salesperson Day
- Nobel Prize Day
- Dewey Decimal System Day
December 11
- International Mountain Day
- National App Day
December 12
- Choral Day
- Gingerbread Decorating Day
- National Ambrosia Day
- Gingerbread House Day
- National Poinsettia Day
December 13
- National Cocoa Day
- National Cream Cheese Frosting Day
- National Horse Day
- National Violin Day
December 14
- National Bouillabaisse Day
- National Energy Conservation Day
- Monkey Day
- Roast Chestnuts Day
- Free Shipping Day
December 15
- Lemon Cupcake Day
- National Cupcake Day
- National Re-Gifting Day
December 16
- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 17
- National Maple Syrup Day
- National Ugly Sweater Day
- National Wreaths Across America Day
December 18
- Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day
- Bake Cookies Day
- Flake Appreciation Day
December 19
- National Hard Candy Day
- National Oatmeal Muffin Day
December 20
- Go Caroling Day
- National Sangria Day
December 21
- Winter Solstice
- Don’t Make Your Bed Day
- Look on the Bright Side Day
- National Crossword Puzzle Day
- National Short Girl Appreciation Day
- World Snowboard Day
December 22
- Mathematics Day
- National Cookie Exchange Day
December 23
- Festivus
- National Christmas Movie Marathon Day
December 24
- Christmas Eve
- Last-Minute Shopper’s Day
- National Eggnog Day
December 25
- Christmas
- National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26
- Boxing Day
- National Candy Cane Day
- National Thank You Note Day
December 27
- Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
- National Fruitcake Day
- Visit the Zoo Day
December 28
- Card Playing Day
- National Call a Friend Day
- National Chocolate Candy Day
December 29
- International Cello Day
December 30
- National Resolution Planning Day
December 31
- Make Up Your Mind Day
- National Champagne Day
- New Year’s Eve
Weekly holidays and observances in December 2022
- Dec. 1 to 7: National Cookie Cutter Week
- Dec. 5 to 9: National Influenza Vaccination Week
- Dec. 5 to 11: Computer Science Education Week
- Dec. 18 to 26: Hanukkah (starts the evening of Dec. 18 and ends the evening of Dec. 26)
- Dec. 26 to Jan. 1: Kwanzaa
Monthly observances in December 2022
- Bingo Month
- Learn a Foreign Language Month
- National Cat Lovers’ Month
- National Fruitcake Month
- National Pear Month
- National Tie Month
- Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month
- Write a Friend Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
- World AIDS/HIV Awareness Month
