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Winter holidays around the globe vary significantly across different cultures and regions, making them excellent opportunities for fostering cultural awareness and global perspectives among students. By engaging with these diverse celebrations, educators can stimulate curiosity and enhance critical thinking skills, while also meeting the NCSS standards.
Incorporate Winter Holidays into Your Classroom Calendar
Winter holidays encompass a wide array of festivities beyond Christmas and New Year’s. This includes vibrant celebrations such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, and Three Kings’ Day. Each of these holidays boasts its own unique customs, culinary delights, music, and narratives that encapsulate the values and history of the cultures that observe them. By exploring these traditions, students can gain a deeper appreciation for diversity and the various ways people unite in celebration during the holiday season.
Winter Holidays: Christmas Around The World Activities Research Bulletin Board
By Little Ladybug Shop
Grades: 3rd-5th
This educational resource features a grading rubric, a quick research checklist, and a clickable table of contents available in both print and digital formats. It covers various holidays including Christmas, Advent, and Hanukkah, providing insights into traditions, culinary specialties, dates, and songs.
Winter Holidays Around the World Digital Resource Scavenger Hunt Activity
By Michelle McDonald
Grades: 5th-7th
Standards: CCSSRI.5.7, RI.6.7; CCRA.R.7
This engaging digital scavenger hunt invites students to explore winter holiday traditions in countries like Brazil, Germany, Sweden, and Finland, allowing them to discover unique cultural practices.
Winter Holidays Around the World Bulletin Board Kit (December Decor) – EDITABLE
By Emily’s World of Teaching
Grades: PreK-6th
Enhance your classroom with festive decorations for holidays such as Hanukkah and Christmas. This kit includes eight holiday posters, borders, and letters to create an inviting learning environment.
Inspire Hope During Hanukkah
Embrace the spirit of winter holidays by diving into the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. The timing of Hanukkah varies yearly, beginning on the 25th of Kislev. This holiday commemorates a miraculous event where a small quantity of oil lasted eight days. Celebrations include lighting the menorah, partaking in traditional foods, playing dreidel, and exchanging gifts.
By learning about Hanukkah, students can explore how traditions serve to preserve cultural identity and understand the significance of symbols like light, representing hope and resilience.
- Analyze Symbols of Hanukkah. Examine primary sources to uncover the various symbols associated with Hanukkah and their meanings, creating a symbol map that illustrates cultural significance.
- Map Hanukkah Celebrations Worldwide. Investigate how different Jewish communities celebrate Hanukkah, reinforcing themes of culture, identity, and global connections.
- Express Hope through Art. Delve into the meanings of light and other symbols from Hanukkah, then create abstract artworks representing hope and resilience.
Hanukkah Activities: Menorah Craft, Worksheets, PowerPoint, Emergent Readers
By A Dab of Glue Will Do
Grades: PreK-2nd
Engage younger learners with Hanukkah celebrations through crafts, circle maps, and comparative activities focused on different holidays. This resource also includes a PowerPoint lesson and informative posters.
Celebrate Change on St. Lucia Day
Recognized on December 13th in Sweden and other Nordic nations, St. Lucia Day brightens the darkest period of the year. This festival pays homage to Saint Lucia, a young woman symbolizing hope and light, with children adorning white robes and wearing glowing candle crowns.
In classrooms, St. Lucia Day serves as a catalyst for exploring symbols and seasonal traditions through various winter-themed activities.
- Illuminate the Darkness with Poetry. Encourage students to write poems using symbolism and figurative language that reflect the importance of light amidst darkness.
- Be the Light through Journaling. Have students reflect in journals on moments when they brought light to others during difficult times using winter-themed prompts.
- Design the Bringer of Light. Task students with creating comic strips that depict St. Lucia and her role in illuminating the world.
Santa Lucia/Saint Lucia Activities | Digital and Print | Google and Seesaw
By Emily Education
Grades: 1st-3rd
Teach students about the essence of Santa Lucia, a holiday filled with kindness and generosity, through an engaging unit that includes crafts, digital activities (pre-loaded into Google and Seesaw), readers, and more!
Reenact Las Posadas
Experience the beloved Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, celebrated from December 16th to 24th in Mexico and across Latin America and the United States. This festive occasion reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter before Jesus’ birth, where participants visit homes singing and carrying candles, fostering community spirit.
- Create a Soundtrack for the Journey. Challenge students to curate a soundtrack that embodies the journey of Las Posadas.
- Weave a Narrative Journey. Craft a narrative centered around a journey where characters face challenges and seek help, mirroring the story of Mary and Joseph.
- Compare Traditions. Explore the similarities between Las Posadas and Christmas caroling by comparing their histories and cultural contexts.
Las Posadas | Holidays Around the World & Christmas | Craft, Reading Info & More
By Tweet Resources
Grades: K-4th
Standards: CCSSRI.K.1, RI.K.3, RI.K.4
This resource includes engaging informational reading materials, a word search, a project, and fun activities such as stamping your passport.
Discover Global Christmas Traditions
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide. While it traditionally honors the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, customs vary greatly among cultures.
From tree decorations and gift exchanges to festive meals and community gatherings, Christmas takes on different forms. In Germany, for instance, Christmas markets and Advent calendars are integral to the celebrations, while in Japan, it is more of a festive occasion characterized by lights, decorations, and special meals rather than a religious observance.
- Engage in Global Storytelling. Organize students into groups to research and present different Christmas stories from around the world in a story circle.
- Explore Holiday Music. Investigate the diverse sounds of Christmas music globally and create a “winter holiday around the world” soundtrack.
- Culinary Exploration. Research popular Christmas dishes worldwide and compile a cookbook featuring these festive recipes.
Christmas Traditions Then and Now Activities: History of Christmas Social Studies
By Tech Teacher Pto3
Grades: 2nd-4th
This resource is ideal for social studies and history lessons, prompting students to compare historical and contemporary Christmas celebrations. With fact sheets, comprehension activities, crafts, and creative projects, students will explore traditions like Christmas cards, gift-giving, and decorations in an interactive manner.
Honor African Heritage During Kwanzaa
Celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, Kwanzaa brings communities together through storytelling, music, and shared meals. This vibrant holiday highlights seven guiding principles while lighting the Kinara. Engage your students in discovering these principles through a social studies adventure.
- Craft a Holiday Recipe Card. Encourage students to research and create a recipe card for one of Kwanzaa’s symbolic dishes.
- Storyboard Kwanzaa. Have students create a movie storyboard that maps out the seven days of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa Activities by Latoya Reed
Grades: K-3rd
This comprehensive bundle includes engaging passages, word searches, bubble maps, circle maps, and traditional writing activities. Students can also enjoy crafting a Kinara and creating homemade gifts.
Learn About Three Kings Day
Also known as Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. This holiday is marked with parades, special breads like king cake, and gift-giving. Celebrated on January 6th in countries like Mexico, Spain, and various Latin American nations, it provides a great opportunity to embrace diversity in the classroom.
- Decorate a King Cake. Facilitate a hands-on activity where students make and decorate a king cake while learning about its symbolism and traditions.
- Write to the Kings. Have students compose journal entries addressed to one of the kings, reflecting on acts of kindness they would like to share with others.
- Create Royal Masks. Use papier-mâché to craft masks representing the three kings based on the gifts they presented.
Three Kings Day Mini Book | Holiday Reading Activities Printable + Free Spanish
By Nikki and Nacho
Grades: K-1st
Standards: CCSSRI.K.1, RI.K.2, RI.K.3
Prepare for Three Kings Day by having students complete a mini-book, including comprehension questions, graphic organizers, and resources in Spanish.
Explore Lunar New Year
Taking place between late January and mid-February based on the lunar calendar, Lunar New Year is a joyous occasion celebrated by millions in China, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Families gather for special meals, dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and ancestor veneration. Each year corresponds to one of the 12 zodiac animals, infusing the holiday with cultural significance.
- Organize a Dragon Dance Parade. Create dragons and puppets using recycled materials, culminating in a parade through the school.
- Write a Fortune. Encourage students to craft short stories based on fortunes, placing them inside red envelopes.
- Make Paper Lanterns. Have students design lanterns and write well-wishes to share during the celebrations.
Kindergarten Lunar New Year Activities (Lessons + Centres) | TPT
By A Pinch of Kinder – Yukari Sloane
Grades: PreK-1st
Subject: Math
This engaging Lunar New Year activity pack includes lessons and hands-on literacy and math activities perfect for incorporating into your Kindergarten classroom plans!
Banishing Bad Luck at Setsubun
On February 3rd or 4th, Japan celebrates Setsubun, a festival aimed at driving away evil spirits and welcoming good fortune. Families celebrate by tossing roasted soybeans, donning demon masks, and shouting for luck. Incorporate some fun activities to engage students in this festive tradition.
- Perform a Skit. Have students act out a skit demonstrating the rituals of Setsubun.
- Create Symbolic Drawings. Ask students to design a good luck charm they can display at home to ward off bad luck after Setsubun.
- Build a Bean Toss Game. Create an interactive carnival-style game where students toss beans at a target representing a demon.
Culture of Japan: Setsubun (節分) Japanese Bean Throwing Festival Printable Book
By Teaching Terakoya
Grades: K-6th
This printable book outlines popular Setsubun traditions, from bean throwing to special sushi, with pages designed for coloring after reading.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Spirit of Love
Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, honors love, friendship, and kindness across various countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia. Valentine’s Day traditions vary widely, often involving cards, flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt messages, with origins linked to Saint Valentine.
- Craft Cultural Hearts. Investigate Valentine’s Day customs worldwide and create artwork incorporating symbols and patterns from different cultures.
- Send International Love Notes. Encourage students to write Valentine’s Day cards inspired by global traditions, such as heart-shaped poetry in France.
- Design a World Valentine’s Map. Divide students into groups to pinpoint Valentine’s Day celebrations on a world map.
Valentine’s Day Adapted Books: Level 1 and Level 2 – History of St. Valentine
By Mrs Ds Corner
Grades: K-3rd
Subject: ELA
Educate your students on the history of St. Valentine and Valentine’s Day with this collection of leveled, adapted readers, complete with comprehensive questions to enhance understanding.
Experience the Colors of Holi
The Festival of Colors, or Holi, signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Celebrated in India and Nepal, Holi takes place in late February or March, coinciding with the full moon of the Hindu month Phalguna. This vibrant festival encourages people to throw colorful powders, dance, and share festive foods, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity.
At its core, Holi embodies themes of forgiveness, connection, and community celebration. Use these themes to guide your own Holi festivities.
- Host a Holi Gallery Walk. Create illustrated storyboards depicting the legends of Holi and organize a gallery walk for classmates to explore.
- Design Cultural Infographics. Have students create digital infographics highlighting Holi traditions and symbols.
- Simulate the Festival of Colors. Provide students with tissue paper and confetti to experience the colorful significance of the festival.
Holi Informational Text Reading Comprehension Worksheet: Holidays in Hinduism
By Teaching to the Middle
Grades: 3rd-5th
This resource includes a reading passage (Lexile 610-800) about Holi, followed by 11 comprehension questions (multiple choice and identification) to assess students’ understanding, available in both color and black-and-white formats.
Celebrate St. David’s Day and Its Traditions
On March 1, don daffodils and leeks in celebration of St. David’s Day, the Welsh holiday honoring the patron saint of Wales. This cultural celebration includes traditional foods and performances, showcasing Welsh pride and history.
- Create Daffodil Art. Use tissue paper to craft daffodils and various art pieces based on research into the holiday.
- Design a Cultural Celebration Poster. Create a poster for St. David’s Day and compare it with other global cultural festivals.
St David’s Day | Creative Codebreaker Cryptogram | Wales Research Project
By Pagecraft ELA
Grades: 6th-12th
Subject: ELA
Challenge students with cryptogram codes this St. David’s Day as they engage in a research project about Welsh traditions, landscapes, and language, perfect as an escape room alternative.
Explore Winter Holidays Around the World with TPT
Winter is a season rich with celebration and tradition, and examining winter holidays globally allows students to recognize the diverse ways communities come together. From colorful festivals to meaningful rituals, music, and storytelling, each holiday offers unique lessons and joyful experiences. The winter holiday resources available on TPT provide opportunities for learning and reflection, helping students connect with the world around them.
