In the US, when we think about winter holidays, we tend to think of Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve. However, the reality is winter holidays are celebrated around the world.
Whatever, whenever, and however you celebrate, order Z&M wines shipped to your home to get the party going.
Winter Holidays Around the World
When it comes to the way different cultures celebrate during the colder months, there’s a rich tapestry of solemnities. Some are religious or have religious origins, others are totally secular and just for fun!
Let’s take a look at the ways winter holidays are celebrated around the world.
EPIPHANY
The Christian holiday of Epiphany celebrates the Three Magis visit to the baby Jesus after his birth. In many places, Three Kings’ Day marks the end of the Christmas season and the Twelve Days of Christmas. This observance takes many forms around the world.
RUSSIA
On Epiphany eve, Russians take a quick dip in freezing cold lakes and rivers. This is meant to evoke Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Russian Orthodox priests bless the water before everyone takes the plunge!
ITALY
Because Italy is comprised of various regions, Epiphany traditions can vary throughout the country. Most regions have some version of the legend of La Befana.
In most renderings, La Befana is an old woman who visits children the night before Epiphany delivering gifts. This tradition is often attended by bonfires symbolizing a purging of the bad things from the past year.
SPAIN
While Spanish kids have some presents to open on Christmas, their real gift holiday is Epiphany. Instead of Santa, the Three Kings (the Magi) deliver their holiday gifts!
Children leave out treats and milk (or wine!) for the Three Kings.
GERMANY
On Epiphany, traditionally on January 6th, German tradition involves the Three Kings traveling from house to house. The entryway of the house is blessed with Holy Water, and inscribed with the initials of the Mag. Legend names the Magi Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, so the new year is also part of the equation.
The inscription looks like this:
20+C+M+B+21
Winter Holidays and Festivals in Asia
In many Asian countries, winter brings amazing holidays and festivals.
CHINA
Harbin, China is home to the Ice and Snow World Festival, where you can partake in various winter sports and hobbies. It also features snow and ice sculptures, as well as ice lanterns.
These sculptures aren’t your everyday snowman or buffet centerpiece. Think recreations of real buildings that you can walk in and through! At night, many are illuminated to breathtaking effect.
This world famous winter festival boasts 10 to 20 million visitors each year, typically running from early January through February.
SOUTH KOREA
If you find yourself in South Korea from December to March, don’t miss the Garden of Morning Calm lighting festival. 330,000 square meters of bright, multicolored lights illuminate this iconic park.
JAPAN
Japanese New Year, or Shogatsu, is a festival celebrated from December 31st through January 2nd. This is a time to gather with friends and family. Children receive gifts in the form of money packets, and people visit temples to pray for prosperity in the year ahead.
Notably, the New Year winter holidays in Japan are one of two days annually that the public are allowed inside the Imperial Palace. Shogatsu concludes with a speech from the Emperor.
INDIA
In India, Republic Day is celebrated on January 26th, and it’s a national celebration of the adoption of their constitution. Republic Day sees a large parade in the country’s capital of Delhi, as well as throughout the rest of India.
Shops and businesses close down in observance of this patriotic celebration.
Africa & The Middle East
Africa’s situation as a continent makes it ideal for people who want to escape winter’s chill. Sub-Saharan Africa is the perfect place to enjoy warm temperatures, while North Africa is mild and enjoyable.
HANUKKAH IN ISRAEL
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the eight day festival of lights, sees events across Israel. One of them–an iconic relay race. Runners pass a torch from the city of Modi’in to the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.
KAAPSE KLOPSE
This South African festival’s roots in 18th century colonialism combine Dutch Afrikaans-speaking traditions with the customs of enslaved persons. Also known as Tweede Nuwe Jaar, it usually takes place on January 2nd.
Its origins come from enslaved persons traditionally getting the day after New Year’s Day off. Today, it is a way that communities of color celebrate their legacy in South Africa and address important societal issues.
YENNAYER (AMAZIGH NEW YEAR)
North African people the Amazigh (also known as the Berber people) celebrate the New Year on January 12th or 14th. A winter holiday celebration marking the new agricultural year, it involves special foods, singing, and dancing. Good luck traditions accompany weddings other cultural rites of passage, making for a joyous time of year!
VOODOO FESTIVAL
What are you doing January 10th? If it doesn’t involve the slaughter of a goat by a high priest and drinking gin–but you wish it did–head to Benin. In the city of Ouidah, the annual Voodoo Festival brings in the crowds.
This national holiday grew out of a 1993 government initiative. President Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo founded the festival to preserve and promote the religion and its traditions.
Z&M Is Here for Your Winter Celebrations–And Throughout the Year
We are available year-round in our winery in Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as our vineyard in Lawrence, Kansas. Both of our locations offer more than innovative Kansas wines. We have an array of products from local creators, makers, and artisans that make great holiday gifts–or anytime gifts!
We have our Bella Vino line of soaps, candles, lip care, and body scrubs made from our Twisted Wine ingredients. We also offer jellies and jams made from the same ingredients we use in our one-of-a-kind wines.
We love a good celebration here at Z&M. Join us for any one of our fun, community-centered events. We can’t promise ritual goat slaughters or world-class ice sculptures, but we can pretty much guarantee a good time.