DECEMBER

2nd

Laos-National Day

United Arab Emirates - National Day

4th

Barbórka - Miners' Day in Poland 

Judaism - First day that rain is prayed for. It is notably the only Jewish day which is tied to the civil calendar. 

Santería, Lukumí - Day of Shango 

India - Navy Day

5th

Austria - Krampus 

Thailand - The King's Birthday, National Day, Father's Day 

6th

Europe - Saint Nicholas Day, where St. Nicholas/Santa Claus leaves little presents in children's shoes ("Sinterklaas" in Belgium and the Netherlands, "Swiety Mikolaj" in Poland). 

Finland - Independence Day

Spain - Constitution Day

7th

Colombia - Día de las Velitas (Day of the Candles): Festivity 

8th

Eastern Christianity - Conception of the Theotokos (Mother of God) by Anna - Major Feast Day 

Buddhism - The Enlightenment of Gautama Buddha (Bodhi Day) 

Bulgaria - Day of the Student (?????????? ???????) 

Italy, Austria, Malta - Public Holiday. 

Romania - Constitution Day 

Panama - Mother's Day 

Spain - Immaculate Conception - Day of the National Army 

Portugal - Immaculate Conception - Day of the national Patron Saint 

France - Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) held in Lyon to honor the Virgin Mary. 

Republic of Macedonia - St Kliment Day, National holiday 

9th

Peru - Army Day 

Sweden and Finland - Anna's Day. Recognizes everyone named Anna, and marks the day to start the preparation process of the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve. 

Tanzania - Independence Day

11th

Argentina - Tango Day, Buenos Aires 

Burkina Faso - Republic Day (1958, Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community.) 

Philippines - Pampanga Day, local official holiday 

12th

Bahá'í Faith - Feast of Masá'il (Questions)

Mexico - Our Lady of Guadalupe Day 

Kenya - Jamhuri Day: Independence Day

16th

Bahrain - National Day 

Bangladesh - Victory Day 

India - Vijay Divas (Victory Day) 

Kazakhstan - Independence Day 

South Africa - Day of Reconciliation 

Afrikaners (South Africa) - Day of the Vow 

Mexico - First day of Las Posadas 

Philippines - First day of Misa de Gallo 

21st

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice, sometimes known as Yule, occurs on or very close to this date. In the Southern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs around this time. It is also an important festival in the Chinese calendar. 

Yalda, originally a religious holiday for Zoroastrians, is now a social holiday in Iran. 

22nd

Indonesia - Mother Day, as an achievement for Dewi Sartika. 

23rd

Japan - The Emperor's Birthday - Birthday of Akihito, the current Emperor of Japan 

Sweden - Birthday of Queen Silvia, an official flag day 

Oaxaca - Night of the Radishes 

25th

Christianity - Christmas Day 

Quaid-e-Azam's Day - Pakistan 

26th

The first of the twelve days of Christmas in Western Christianity. 

Boxing Day in the Commonwealth of Nations except when 26 December is a Sunday Boxing Day is transferred to 27 December by Royal Proclamation. 

Wren day in Ireland and the Isle of Man. 

Australia - Proclamation Day (South Australian public holiday), for the foundation of the Australian state of South Australia on December 28, 1836 but commemorated on this day. 

South Africa - Day of Goodwill, a public holiday 

First day of Kwanzaa 

Abadiu of Antinoe is commemorated in the Coptic Church on this date. 

Bahamas - First day of Junkanoo street parade 

In Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden, the 26th is known as the Second day of Christmas In some of these countries it is also a public holiday. 

30th

Philippines - Rizal Day