As the holiday season approaches, I am a huge proponent of celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion. It is important to be aware of the different cultural practices, and any opportunity to celebrate and bring joy is something I always look forward to. I am fortunate to be living in the world's borough, where we have representation from every imaginable country and culture. Food is one of the best parts of cultural celebrations which is why I am include the most common food used to celebrate each of them. May we celebrate the diversity of cultures in a sustainable manner and bring joy to our communities.
Here is a chronological list of twenty of the most common cultural celebrations around the world. I hope you find it as fascinating as I do.
Which of these are meaningful to you and your family, based on your cultural background?
January
👑
1. Día de los Reyes MagosEpiphany
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~150 to 200 million people across Latin America, Spain, and global Hispanic/Latino communities.
- Time of Year
- January 6 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Spain 🇪🇸, Mexico 🇲🇽, Puerto Rico 🇵🇷, Argentina 🇦🇷, Colombia 🇨🇴
- Traditional Cuisine
- Roscón de Reyes or Rosca de Reyes (sweet oval bread topped with candied fruits hiding a baby Jesus figurine), paired with Mexican hot chocolate or atole.
January – February
🧧
2. Lunar New YearSpring Festival
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 1.5 billion people worldwide.
- Time of Year
- Late January to mid-February Lunisolar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- China 🇨🇳, Vietnam 🇻🇳 (Tết), South Korea 🇰🇷 (Seollal), Taiwan 🇹🇼, Singapore 🇸🇬, Malaysia 🇲🇾
- Traditional Cuisine
- Dumplings (jiaozi), whole steamed fish (symbolizing abundance), rice cakes (nian gao), rice cake soup (tteokguk in Korea), and sticky rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves (bánh chưng in Vietnam).
February – March
🎭
3. CarnivalCarnaval / Mardi Gras
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~200 to 300 million people participating in street parades, masked balls, and festivities worldwide.
- Time of Year
- February or March (before Lent) Lunisolar-tied Christian Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Brazil 🇧🇷, Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹, Italy 🇮🇹, Colombia 🇨🇴, United States 🇺🇸
- Traditional Cuisine
- Feijoada (black bean and pork stew) and street coxinhas (chicken croquettes) in Brazil; King Cake in New Orleans; frittelle (sweet fried fritters) in Venice.
March
🎨
4. HoliFestival of Colors
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 1 billion people, primarily across South Asia and global diaspora communities.
- Time of Year
- March Hindu Lunisolar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- India 🇮🇳, Nepal 🇳🇵
- Traditional Cuisine
- Gujiya (sweet fried dumplings stuffed with khoya and dried fruits), Thandai (spiced milk drink infused with saffron, nuts, and rose petals), Dahi Bhalla, and Puran Poli.
☘️
5. St. Patrick’s Day
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~100 to 150 million people (including an estimated global Irish diaspora of 70+ million and widespread cultural celebrants).
- Time of Year
- March 17 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Ireland 🇮🇪, United States 🇺🇸, United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺
- Traditional Cuisine
- Corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, shepherd's pie, colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage), and stout beer.
🌱
6. NowruzPersian New Year
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 300 million people across Central, South, and West Asia.
- Time of Year
- March 20–21 (Vernal Equinox) Solar Hijri Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Iran 🇮🇷, Afghanistan 🇦🇫, Tajikistan 🇹🇯, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿, Iraq 🇮🇶
- Traditional Cuisine
- Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (herbed rice served with smoked or fried fish), Kuku Sabzi (herbed frittata), and sweet pastries like baklava and samanu.
March – April
🐣
7. Easter
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 2 billion Christians and secular participants globally.
- Time of Year
- March to May Calculated Lunisolar Method
- Primary Countries
- Worldwide across Europe (e.g., Greece 🇬🇷, UK 🇬🇧), the Americas (e.g., Brazil 🇧🇷, USA 🇺🇸), and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Traditional Cuisine
- Hot cross buns, roasted spring lamb, sweet bread (tsoureki in Greece or colomba in Italy), and decorated hard-boiled eggs.
💦
8. SongkranWater Festival
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~100 million people across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and regional visitors.
- Time of Year
- April 13–15 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Thailand 🇹🇭, Myanmar 🇲🇲 (Thingyan), Laos 🇱🇦 (Pi Mai), Cambodia 🇰🇭
- Traditional Cuisine
- Khao Chae (jasmine-scented rice in chilled ice water with sweet & savory side dishes), green papaya salad (Som Tum), and mango sticky rice.
🌸
9. HanamiCherry Blossom Viewing
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~60 to 80 million people in Japan, alongside millions of seasonal tourists.
- Time of Year
- Late March to April Solar/Seasonal Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Japan 🇯🇵
- Traditional Cuisine
- Hanami bento (picnic boxes with sushi, tamagoyaki, and pickled vegetables), Sanshoku Dango (three-colored sweet rice dumplings on a skewer), and sakura-themed mochi.
Variable Lunar Dates (rotates through the seasons)
🌙
10. Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 1.9 billion Muslims globally.
- Time of Year
- Shifts ~11 days earlier each year (rotates through every season) Islamic Lunar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Global Muslim communities including Indonesia 🇮🇩, Pakistan 🇵🇰, Egypt 🇪🇬, Turkey 🇹🇷, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, Morocco 🇲🇦, Nigeria 🇳🇬
- Traditional Cuisine
- Eid al-Fitr: Sweet date pastries (Kahk in Egypt, Ma'amoul in the Levant), Sheer Khurma (vermicelli pudding in South Asia). Eid al-Adha: Roasted lamb leg, kebabs, and Biryani.
June
🌼
11. MidsummerSt. John’s Eve
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~25 to 30 million people across the Nordic and Baltic region and Northern Europe.
- Time of Year
- June 20–24 (Summer Solstice) Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Sweden 🇸🇪, Finland 🇫🇮, Norway 🇳🇴, Denmark 🇩🇰, Latvia 🇱🇻, Estonia 🇪🇪
- Traditional Cuisine
- Pickled herring (sill), fresh new potatoes with dill, sour cream and red onions, grilled salmon, and fresh summer strawberries with cream.
🌞
12. Inti RaymiFestival of the Sun
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~200,000 to 500,000 participants and spectators in the Andean region.
- Time of Year
- June 24 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Peru 🇵🇪, Ecuador 🇪🇨, Bolivia 🇧🇴
- Traditional Cuisine
- Pachamanca (meats, potatoes, corn, and beans cooked underground with hot stones), Chicha de Jora (fermented corn beer), and roasted guinea pig (cuy).
July
🏇
13. Naadam
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~3 million people (celebrated nationwide across Mongolia).
- Time of Year
- July 11–15 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Mongolia 🇲🇳
- Traditional Cuisine
- Khuushuur (deep-fried meat pastries filled with minced beef or mutton), Buuz (steamed mutton dumplings), and Airag (fermented mare's milk).
September – October
🥮
14. Mid-Autumn Festival
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 1.4 billion people across East and Southeast Asia and diaspora communities.
- Time of Year
- September or October Lunisolar Calendar (15th day, 8th lunar month)
- Primary Countries
- China 🇨🇳, Vietnam 🇻🇳, Taiwan 🇹🇼, Singapore 🇸🇬, Malaysia 🇲🇾
- Traditional Cuisine
- Mooncakes (filled with lotus seed paste, salted duck egg yolks, or nuts), taro root, roasted duck, and fragrant osmanthus wine or tea.
🍎
15. Rosh Hashanah & Yom KippurHigh Holy Days
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~15 to 16 million Jewish people worldwide.
- Time of Year
- September or October Hebrew Lunisolar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Israel 🇮🇱, United States 🇺🇸, France 🇫🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
- Traditional Cuisine
- Sliced apples dipped in honey (symbolizing a sweet new year), round braided challah bread, pomegranate seeds, matzo ball soup, and roasted brisket.
October – November
🦃
16. Thanksgiving
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~300 million people across the United States and Canada.
- Time of Year
- 2nd Monday of October (Canada 🇨🇦) / 4th Thursday of November (USA 🇺🇸) Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦
- Traditional Cuisine
- Roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin or pecan pie.
💀
17. Day of the DeadDía de los Muertos
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~130 to 150 million people, primarily across Mexico and Mexican communities globally.
- Time of Year
- November 1–2 Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Mexico 🇲🇽
- Traditional Cuisine
- Pan de Muerto (sweet, orange-blossom scented bread dusted with sugar), sugar skulls (calaveras), mole negro with chicken, and spiced hot tamales.
🪔
18. DiwaliFestival of Lights
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 1 billion people worldwide.
- Time of Year
- October or November Hindu Lunisolar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- India 🇮🇳, Nepal 🇳🇵, Guyana 🇬🇾, Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹, Suriname 🇸🇷, Malaysia 🇲🇾
- Traditional Cuisine
- Sweet mithai (kaju katli, gulab jamun, laddoo), savory snacks like samosas, chakli, and murukku, and rich curry feasts.
🏮
19. Loi Krathong & Yi Peng
- Estimated Celebrators
- ~65 to 70 million people in Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian regions.
- Time of Year
- November (Full Moon of 12th Thai Month) Lunisolar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Thailand 🇹🇭, Laos 🇱🇦, Myanmar 🇲🇲
- Traditional Cuisine
- Khanom Krok (grilled coconut-rice pancakes), Pad Thai, steamed fish cakes (Hor Mok), and sweet coconut gelatin desserts.
December
🎄
20. Christmas
- Estimated Celebrators
- Over 2.3 billion people globally (both culturally and religiously).
- Time of Year
- December 25 (Western) / January 7 (Orthodox) Solar Calendar
- Primary Countries
- Worldwide across the Americas (e.g., USA 🇺🇸, Mexico 🇲🇽), Europe (e.g., UK 🇬🇧, Germany 🇩🇪), Sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania.
- Traditional Cuisine
- Roasted turkey, goose, or ham; fruitcake, gingerbread, and stollen; panettone in Italy; hallacas in Venezuela; tamales in Mexico.
🇧🇩 Bonus: 5 Popular Celebrations from Bangladesh
Since I am from Bangladesh, here are five of the most iconic cultural, national, and religious celebrations observed there.
🎉
1. Pohela BoishakhBengali New Year
- What It Entails
- The largest secular and cultural festival in Bangladesh, marking the first day of the Bengali calendar. The day begins at dawn at Ramna Park in Dhaka with traditional songs by Chhayanaut. Celebrations feature the famous Mangal Shobhajatra—a colorful procession of giant puppets, masks, and motifs organized by Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts—alongside folk fairs (Boishakhi Mela). People dress in traditional red and white attire (saree for women and panjabi for men).
- Traditional Foods
- Panta Ilish (fermented leftover rice soaked in water served with fried Hilsa fish, green chilies, onions, and pickles) and various Bengali sweets like rosogolla and sandesh.
- Time of Year & Calendar
- Fixed on April 14 each year; follows the Bengali Solar Calendar.
🕯️
2. Ekushey & International Mother Language DayLanguage Martyrs' Day
- What It Entails
- A deeply poignant national observance honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on February 21, 1952, demanding Bengali be recognized as an official language. The tribute begins at midnight with thousands walking barefoot in quiet processions (Prabhat Pheri) to place floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar (Martyrs' Monument) across the country while singing the iconic song "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushe February". It also coincides with the month-long Ekushey Boi Mela (National Book Fair) in Dhaka.
- Traditional Foods
- Simple home-cooked meals, as it is a day of solemn reflection rather than festive feasting.
- Time of Year & Calendar
- February 21; follows the Gregorian Solar Calendar.
🌙
3. Eid ul-Fitr
- What It Entails
- The largest religious festival in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, marking the completion of the holy month of Ramadan. Millions travel from urban centers to their ancestral village homes (homecoming) to be with family. Celebrations begin with morning congregational prayers (Eid Jamaat), followed by wearing new clothes, visiting relatives and neighbors, exchanging greetings (Kadambusi and hugs), and distributing Eidi (cash gifts to children).
- Traditional Foods
- Sweet milk vermicelli puddings (Sheer Khurma and Semai), savory beef/mutton Biryani, Polao, and rich meat curries.
- Time of Year & Calendar
- Shifts ~11 days earlier each Gregorian year; follows the Islamic Lunar Calendar.
🪷
4. Durga Puja
- What It Entails
- The biggest religious festival for the Hindu community in Bangladesh, spanning ten days (with the main public festivities over the final five days). Intricately crafted idols of the Goddess Durga are installed in elaborately decorated temporary shrines called Pandals. Celebrations feature drumbeats (dhak), traditional incense dances (Dhunuchi Naach), family gatherings, and exchange of gifts. The festival concludes on Bijoya Dashami with joyful processions and the immersion of the idols into rivers.
- Traditional Foods
- Vegetarian Bhog feasts served at pandals featuring Khichuri, Labra (mixed vegetable curry), Luchi (fried puffed bread), Alur Dom, and traditional sweets like Naru (coconut balls) and Chhanar Payesh.
- Time of Year & Calendar
- September or October; follows the Hindu Lunisolar Calendar (Ashvin month).
🪁
5. ShakrainPoush Sankranti / Kite Festival
- What It Entails
- An ancient traditional kite-flying festival celebrated primarily in Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka). As the sun rises, roofs across the old town fill with people engaging in competitive kite flying (kite fighting). By evening, the skyline lights up with fireworks, fire-breathing performances, paper lanterns (Fanush), and laser shows set to music.
- Traditional Foods
- Winter delicacies including various sweet and savory rice cakes (Pitha) such as Vapa Pitha, Paton Pitha, and Dudhpuli, alongside Gur (date palm jaggery) desserts.
- Time of Year & Calendar
- January 14 or 15 (marking the end of the Bengali month of Poush); follows the Bengali Solar Calendar.