Cultural Calendar Dates for December 2023

As we approach the end of the year, there are several important cultural dates to keep in mind for those in HR, People, Culture, or Learning and Development. In December, there are a variety of events that range from silly to serious, but all of them have significant cultural and historical importance. 

‍

December 2023 Events, Celebrations and Special Days

‍

📅 Rosa Parks Day (US) | 1 December 2023

👉 Rosa Parks Day is observed on two different dates: February 4th to commemorate her birthday and December 1st to remember the day she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in 1955.

‍

📅 International Day of Persons with Disabilities | 3 December 2023

👉 Did you know, that globally, 1.5 billion people live with a disability? Of these, 61 million live in the U.S. alone, and 13.9 million in the U.K. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed annually on December 3rd. Discover more about the day via the UN.

‍

📅 International Volunteer Day | 5 December 2023

👉 This day celebrates the efforts of volunteering on December 5th each year. The inspirational 2023 theme? The power of collective action: if everyone did.

‍

📅 Christmas Jumper Day | 7 December 2023

👉 Let’s be honest: every day in December is Christmas Jumper Day in the PepTalk office. However, if you’re celebrating in line with the charity event, mark your diaries for Thursday, 7 December, to put on your most Christmassy jumper.

‍

📅 Hanukkah (Chanukah) | 7-15 December 2023

👉 The eight-day Jewish festival starts at sunset on December 7th and ends at nightfall on December 15th in 2023. Chag sameach!

‍

📅 Human Rights Day |  10 December 2023

👉 Observed every year on December 10th, it’s when traditionally, the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded.

‍

📅 Arabic Language Day  | 18 December 2023

👉 World Arabic Language Day has been celebrated every year on 18 December since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 when the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language.

‍

📅 Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere | 22 December 2023

👉 In the Northern Hemisphere, December 22nd is the shortest day of the year and marks the beginning of winter, with meteorological, astronomical and spiritual importance for many.

‍

📅 Christmas Eve, Christmas Day  | 24 and 25 December 2023

👉 For those who celebrate, the 24th and 25th of December are some of the cosiest times of the year. Since 1994, shops worldwide have played Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You non-stop during the festive season.

‍

📅 Kwanzaa | 26 December 2023 - 1 January 2024

Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The holiday gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.

‍

📅 New Year’s Eve  | 31 December 2023

👉 December 31st marks the celebration of the close of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Did you know Japanese people consider it lucky to dream of an eggplant, hawk or Mt. Fuji on the first night of the New Year?

‍

From Human Rights Day on December 10th to the Winter Solstice on December 22nd, there are many opportunities to celebrate and reflect on various cultural, religious, and social traditions. Whether it's Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Boxing Day, December is a month filled with diverse celebrations and observances. 

‍

💡Would you like to mark any of these events with a speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Drop us a line if you're interested, and remember, it’s never too early (or too late) to get a PepTalk!