Almost everyone we know loves a holiday!  In our country, the United States, we celebrate many special days.  Some of these holidays are based on different religions.  Others are days that are meaningful to our nation.  We have holidays to honor important people and events. But we are not the only country with special days.  People all over the world celebrate holidays with traditions, ceremonies, festivals, and cultural events.  Wouldn't it be fun to travel around the world and share in the festivities!

Let's take a quick spin around the globe
and visit the Diwali Festival in India!

If we visit India during the Diwali Festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, we will find homes beautifully decorated during this time of joy. There seems to be magic in the air!  This mood is created by thousands of oil lamps and candles glowing everywhere.  Homes, gardens, rooftops, and porches are filled with lights.  For five days, Indians celebrate by giving gifts, eating special foods and sweets, and watching fireworks.  This is a celebration to  thank the gods for the blessings of knowledge, wealth, and good fortune. 

Now, on to Korea for a New Years Celebration!

One of the most important holidays that Korean families celebrate is Seol, the Lunar New Year. In the morning the children bathe before getting dressed in their new clothes, often colorful traditional costumes.  The family members then drink toasts to their ancestors and give offerings of specially prepared dishes of food.  Children bow to their elders and kneel to honor their ancestors.

After a breakfast of rice-cake soup, off they go to visit relatives, neighbors, and friends.  Children are often given candies and coins during the visits, along with best wishes for good fortune in the coming new year.

Let's stop in Sweden for Saint Lucia Day!

In Sweden, on December 13th, it is the custom for children to rise early in the morning and serve breakfast in bed to their parents.  This begins the festivities known as St. Lucia Day.  The oldest daughter dresses as Saint Lucia, in a long white gown with a red sash around her waist. She wears a wreath of berry branches and candles in her hair.  Her brothers and sisters also dress in white.  The girls carry lighted candles, and the boys, dressed as "starboys," wear tall cone-shaped hats and carry wands decorated with stars.  The children sing traditional songs as they serve coffee, sweet rolls, and cookies to their parents.

During the rest of the day, everyone has fun.  Winter has come, so Swedish families participate in activities like those we enjoy in New York, including ice skating and sleigh riding.  

Not far from Sweden is Finland.
Let's make a quick stop at the Midsummer Celebration!

Far up north in the country of Finland, when the long dark winter nights are finally over, summer is a welcome arrival.  A celebration known as Midsummer, is held in June.  It takes place in the countryside, where people can enjoy camping in the woods, or a weekend at a lakeside cottage.  Bonfires, called kokkos, are lit all over the country in celebration of the beauty of nature.  Those who must stay in cities buy birch tree branches and flowers to decorate their homes and workplaces.  By decorating they can at least pretend they are in the country.  

With a quick spin of the globe, we will be in for Brazil for Independence Day!

On Independence Day in Brazil, we will find festivals and parades throughout the country.  Brazilians, who live in the largest country in South America, love to celebrate their democracy and freedom.  It is a day to remember the history of their country.  They march in large parades proudly displaying flags and banners of their country.  Performers sing, dance, and play musical instruments.

Independence Day is celebrated on September 7th.  Brazil won its independence from the country of Portugal in 1822, after more than 300 years of colonization.  Brazil was ruled by Portugal, from 1500 to 1822. 

We celebrated only one holiday while visiting a small number of countries.  All countries have many holidays.  Let's take a look at four very different countries and some of the holidays they celebrate.

Click on the name of the country below
that you would like to visit.