Season of many holidays

Council Statement: Season of many holidays

The ‘holiday season’ is language with a shared understanding of dominant cultures; it generally means the celebration of American Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s between November and January. If we change our perspective and acknowledge that there are additional holidays celebrated by friends, colleagues and neighbours during that period, we arrive at the recognition of a season of many holidays.

Alongside Christmas and New Year’s in Canada, which are steeped in meaningful personal traditions of gatherings, food and sentiment for those that celebrate, are equally significant celebrations:

• Diwali was celebrated on November 12
• Hanukkah occurs from December 7 to 15
• Bodhi Day, a Buddhist celebration, is December 8, 2023
• Winter Solstice is December 21
• Dongzhi Festival, celebrated in Japan, China and Taiwan is from December 21 to 23
• Christmas is December 25
• Kwanzaa is from December 26 to January 1
• New Year’s Day is January 1
• Orthodox Christmas is January 7
• Maghi, a Sikh observance, will take place on January 13
• Lohri, the Punjab Winter Festival, is January 13
• Haudenosaunee Mid-winter Ceremonies will be celebrated during the new moon in January and lasts for approximately eight days
• Lunar New Year will take place on February 10
• Vasant Panchami, a Hindu observance, is February 14
• Magha, a Buddhist observance, will take place on February 24

Despite the notable differences such as religion, date and appeal, together these holidays remind us of human desires to be connected to each other.

For many years, traditional Christmas decorations have been put up in municipal facilities and spaces across Waterloo. This décor is intended to recognize the joy of the holiday season with the community. To create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, banners recognizing the season of many celebrations will be displayed in City of Waterloo facilities until February.