December 2024 - Intercultural calendar

The calendar provides an overview of public holidays, traditional and religious holidays and international commemoration days without intending to be exhaustive.

1 December: First Sunday of Advent (Catholic, Protestant) - Christianity

This day begins the period of preparation for Christmas. The Gospel read on this day is the same as on Palm Sunday: the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities - international

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was proclaimed by the United Nations to raise public awareness for the problems of persons with disabilities and promote their rights, dignity and well-being.

6 December: Saint Nicholas' Day (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) - Christianity

This day commemorates Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived on the south coast of what today is Turkey. Several acts of kindness and miracles are attributed to him. Customs include a disguised St. Nicholas visiting the children and asking them "if they have been good". Children put boots before the door and St. Nicholas fills the boots with gifts and sweets. The day is also a festival in Orthodox churches that follow the Revised Julian or Gregorian calendars such as the Romanian Orthodox church.

8 December: Bodhi Day - Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhist celebration of the day when Prince Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, reached Enlightenment in the early morning of 8 December 525 BC and became a Buddha.

8 December: Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (Catholic, public holiday) - Christianity

This feast is the celebration of the conception of Mary by Saint Anne. The Roman Catholic doctrine states that Mary was conceived free from all stain of original sin.

8 December: Second Sunday of Advent (Catholic, Protestant) – Christianity

It is a tradition during advent to decorate doors with Christmas wreaths or mistletoe that symbolise Christmas.

10 December: Human Rights Day - international

Human Rights Day commemorates the day when the UN General Assembly, which consisted of 56 member states at the time, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in New York in 1948. It was a milestone in the history of humankind because it was the very first time that the UN member states agreed on human rights that are universal - to be enjoyed by all people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights grants everyone worldwide the same rights - to live free and in dignity without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

15 December: Third Sunday of Advent (Catholic, Protestant) – Christianity

Christmas markets near churches were documented in Austria as early as the 13th century. Just like today, food and Christmas decorations were sold at the stalls.

18 December: International Migrants Day – international

The United Nations proclaimed International Migrants Day to recognise the important contribution of migrants while highlighting the challenges they face. Due to war and conflict, the effects of climate change and other insecurities around 280 million people were international migrants and around 60 million people were internally displaced in 2020. Migrants and displaced persons are among the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. They often have limited or no access to essential services such as residence permits or basic welfare support.

22 December: Fourth Sunday of Advent (Catholic, Protestant) – Christianity

Christmas baking and singing Christmas songs are popular customs during advent. "Klöpfeln" (i.e. knocking or rapping softly on a door or window) is a tradition, which can still be witnessed in some regions today. Children dress up and go from house to house at dusk singing songs and knocking on windows. This symbolises Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

24 December: Christmas Eve (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) - Christianity

The beginning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus are celebrated in midnight church services. Customs include presents to remember that the Christ Child was a present to the people, greeting cards, Christmas decorations in streets and homes, Christmas trees, nativity sets or nativity plays. Christians of the Orthodox churches of Alexandria, Antiochia, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Constantinople, Romania, Ukraine and Cyprus celebrate Christmas on this day according to the Revised Julian or Gregorian calendars. (There are exceptions.)

25 December: Christmas Day (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, public holiday) - Christianity

On the first day of Christmas the birth of Jesus is at the centre of carol singing, plays and customs at church and in the family.

26 December: Saint Stephen's Day (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, public holiday) - Christianity

On the second day of Christmas, Christians remember Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death. According to legend Saint Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the Christian Church.

26 December: Hanukkah - Judaism

The eight-day "Festival of Lights" commemorates the victory of Judas Maccabeus over Antiochus IV and the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. When the temple was restored and cleansed, only one day's supply of oil was found for the daily lighting of the menorah. This small supply lasted eight days and today candles are lit in increasing numbers for eight nights on an eight-branched menorah to remind Jews of the miracle. There are Hanukkah parties, gifts are exchanged and people eat traditional foods.

31 December: St. Sylvester - international

31 December is celebrated as St. Sylvester's Day in the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate Pope Sylvester I. It is the last day in the Gregorian calendar. New Year's Eve is widely celebrated around the world and is often a time for noisy and happy celebrations.