For eight days each November or December, Jews
light candles in a special candleholder called a menorah. They do
this to remember an ancient miracle in which one day's worth of oil
burned for eight days in their temple. On Hanukkah, many Jews also
eat special potato pancakes called latkes, sing songs, and spin a
top called a dreidel to win chocolate coins, nuts, or raisins
Spin a Virtual
Dreidel.
St. Lucia Day
To honor this third-century saint on December
13, many girls in Sweden dress up as "Lucia brides" in long
white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of burning candles on their
heads. They wake up their families by singing songs and bringing them
coffee and twisted saffron buns called "Lucia cats."
People celebrate this Christian holiday by going
to church, giving gifts, and sharing the day with their families.
In some parts of Europe, "star singers" go caroling singing
special Christmas songs as they walk behind a huge star on a pole.
Listen
to Christmas Carols.
Kwanzaa, which means "First Fruits,"
is based on ancient African harvest festivals and celebrates ideals
such as family life and unity. During this spiritual holiday, celebrated
from December 26 to January 1, millions of African Americans dress
in special clothes, decorate their homes with fruits and vegetables,
and light a candleholder called a kinara.
Try Favorite
Kwanzaa Recipes.
Many Chinese children dress in new clothes to celebrate the Chinese
New Year. People carry lanterns and join in a huge parade led by a
silk dragon, the Chinese symbol of strength. According to legend,
the dragon hibernates most of the year, so people throw firecrackers
to keep the dragon awake.
Lent is a solemn time of reflection for Christians. So, the Tuesday
before Lent begins is a time of merry-making for many people around
the world. In New Orleans, people wear costumes and attend huge parades
for the festival of Mardi Gras. Brazil's Carnaval also features parades,
costumes, and music. The day before Lent starts is also known as Shrove
Tuesday. In England, some towns have pancake contests in which women
run a race while flipping a pancake at least three times.
