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# Winter Holidays
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/winter_holidays_1230100607/
- Published: 2010-12-30T19:06:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:19:52.000Z
- Description: A guide to the winter holidays Americans mark: Kwanzaa from December 26 to January 1, Hanukkah's eight days beginning on the 25th of Kislev, Christmas on December 25, and New Year's Day, with notes on the National Christmas Tree lighting.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Miscellaneous, Health News, #vivvo-import

# Americans celebrate several different [holidays](http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Happy%5FHolidays.shtml?ref=foodconsumer.org) throughout the winter months:

**Kwanzaa** is an African-American cultural holiday that intertwines African traditions with American customs. Kwanzaa starts on December 26 and lasts until January 1\. You may wish to view information about the [history and traditions of Kwanzaa](http://www.africanburialground.gov/ABG%5FKwanzaa.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org).

**Hanukkah** is the annual Jewish festival of rededication, celebrated on eight successive days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar. [Hanukkah](http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/dec08/hanukkah.html?ref=foodconsumer.org), or the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC.

**Christmas Day** is December 25\. [Christmas](http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/modern/jb%5Fmodern%5Fxmas%5F1.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) is a Christian holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sending greeting cards are traditions even for many non-Christian Americans.

The [2010 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony](http://www.recreation.gov/marketing.do?goto=/treeLottery%5Fpreonsale.html&ref=foodconsumer.org) took place on December 9, 2010\. The ceremony is a holiday tradition that includes the illumination of the [National Christmas Tree](http://www.thenationaltree.org/?ref=foodconsumer.org) on the Ellipse just south of the [White House](http://answers.usa.gov/system/web/view/selfservice/templates/USAgov/egredirect.jsp?p%5Ffaq%5Fid=12132&ref=foodconsumer.org). With the White House as the backdrop, the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees-- one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia-- become the "Christmas Pathway of Peace" and serve as the event focal point.

**New Year's Day** is January 1\. The celebration of this holiday begins the night before, when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. You may wish to view a list of [Popular New Year's Resolutions](http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New%5FYears%5FResolutions.shtml?ref=foodconsumer.org) made by Americans each year.

**Additional Resources:**

- [Letters to Santa Program](http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/holiday/santa.htm?from=2009holidaypressroom%5Frightnav&page=LettersSanta&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [NORAD Tracks Santa](http://www.norad.mil/about/Santa.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Snowflakes for Kids](http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/environment/story2/snowflakeframes.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Enjoying the Holiday Season in Rural America](http://ric.nal.usda.gov/nal%5Fdisplay/index.php?info%5Fcenter=5&tax%5Flevel=1&tax%5Fsubject=483&want%5Fid=1567&topic%5Fid=0&placement%5Fdefault=0&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Winter Fire Safety Tips](http://answers.usa.gov/system/web/view/selfservice/templates/USAgov/egredirect.jsp?p%5Ffaq%5Fid=10369&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Winter Holiday Safety Tips](http://answers.usa.gov/system/web/view/selfservice/templates/USAgov/egredirect.jsp?p%5Ffaq%5Fid=10370&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Health and Safety Tips for Pets](http://answers.usa.gov/system/web/view/selfservice/templates/USAgov/egredirect.jsp?p%5Ffaq%5Fid=10372&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Find Holiday Gifts](http://answers.usa.gov/system/web/view/selfservice/templates/USAgov/egredirect.jsp?p%5Ffaq%5Fid=10576&ref=foodconsumer.org)

by usa.gov team