Image Credit: Rodion Kutsaev
Events, celebrations, awareness events, saint's days, annual campaigns, major sporting events - UK and global festivities happening in December 2025.
It's the final month of the year, and in December we look forward to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as well as looking ahead to 2026 on New Year's Eve.
Whether you are a parent, a carer, a teacher or just want to know what is going on this month, here are the key dates and events happening this December in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as around the world.
1st Dec 2025
Advent is the 24 days leading up to Christmas, when Christians prepare for Christmas. It is often celebrated by lighting Advent Candles and opening the doors of Advent calendars.
– Best Toy-Filled Advent Calendars for Kids
3rd Dec 2025
A day to recognize and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities. The aim of the day is to break down barriers to inclusion and advocate for the rights of people with disability.
4th Dec 2025
The world's fastest land animal is racing against extinction. This day is about raising awarness of the cheetah's imminant extinction.
5th Dec to 6th Dec 2025
Celebrated across mainland Europe, St. Nicholas has reputation as a bringer of gifts. Children will often receive a small gift, such as their shoes will be filled with sweets.
8th Dec 2025
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) is said to have attained enlightenment. It is celebrated by meditation, carrying out kind acts and eating a traditional meal of cake, tea and readings.
10th Dec 2025
The anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. It is usually marked by high level political events and conferences.
11th Dec 2025
This UN designated day is to raise awareness about the importance of mountains to life and bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.
13th Dec 2025
St. Lucy's Day, which is celebrated on many european countries, but mainly in Scandanavia. It is a festival of light celebrated with a ceremony where a girl is chosen to represent the saint wearing a white dress and a crown of candles.
How To Celebrate St. Lucia Day
14th Dec to 22nd Dec 2025
The Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.
16th Dec 2025
Jane Austen's birthday, and a day dedicated to celebrating her life and achievements, and to telling as many people as possible about her amazing works.
21st Dec 2025
An annual nationwide event raising awareness of small birds and other wildlife in winter and how you can help them through this tough time of year.
21st Dec 2025
This day is the first day of astronomical summer in the souther hemisphere. Also known as midsummer.
More About The Summer Solstice
22nd Dec 2025
The winter solstice represents the beginning of the astronomical winter and is the shortest day - the day with the least daylight.
More About The Winter Solstice
24th Dec 2025
On the day before Christmas, it is your last chance to buy presents and get them wrapped, or just sit back, relax and anticipate the big day!
– What Do I Put In A Christmas Eve Box?
25th Dec 2025
The Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated around the world in a more secular way to bring some festive cheer to the cold winter months and dark nights.
Everything Christmas - From Gift Guides To Crafts, Movies and Books
– Create Your Free Printable Father Christmas Letter Now!
26th Dec 2025
The day after Christmas, where traditionally servants were given a 'Christmas box', usually a gift or money for good service throughout the year.
– Best Christmas Skating Rinks in the UK
26th Dec to 1st Jan 2025
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African heritage. It was created in 1966 to give people of colour an alternative to Christmas where they could celebrate their heritage and culture.
Here are some more important events that are coming soon.
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