World celebrations

World celebrations

Holidays Around the World

Everyone all over the world loves holidays!

Holidays allow us to spend time with friends and family, enjoy big feasts, and sometimes even get gifts! However, most holidays are much more than a day off from school or a time to get presents. Holidays help us remember our history, share our values, and honor our past and cultures.

Home to Many Holidays

Many other cultures around the world have brought their holidays to the United States.

America is home to people from all over the world. These people have their own cultural traditions and celebrations to share. That's why along with American holidays like Thanksgiving and 4th of July, many of us celebrate Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Mardi Gras. Click the arrow below to learn more about holidays from around the world.

5 de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage, culture, and pride. It is celebrated every year on May 5th in honor of when the Mexican army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. People celebrate by attending parties, parades, dancing, and eating traditional Mexican food like tacos.

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Rio Carnival: Brazil

Rio Carnival is a 5-day-long celebration that kicks off on the Friday before Ash Wednesday (although the street parties can start up to a month beforehand!). During this period, the streets of Rio de Janeiro are filled with music, dance, and colour. The parade in the Sambadrome features hundreds of dancers, musicians, and performers, showcasing their dazzling costumes and choreography.

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May Day: Europe and Great Britain

May Day is a celebration of spring that goes back thousands of years. People welcome the warm weather and the harvesting of crops with songs, dances, and feasts. You can always tell a May Day celebration by the big Maypole, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and decorated with flowers.

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Chinese New year

Chinese New Year lasts about two weeks and it celebrates the beginning of a new year on the Chinese calendar. People decorate their homes, have feasts, fireworks, and do special dances called the lion and dragon dances. The celebration ends with a lantern festival.

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Diwali

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is an ancient Hindu holiday that celebrates light over dark. People dress in their best clothes, say prayers, and light candles and lanterns.

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