During the winter months, many cultures around the world celebrate with festivals of light. Celebrating with light began long ago and has become a tradition in many countries. Immigrants have taken these traditions to communities throughout the United States. Where in the world and the United States are some of these light festivals celebrated?

Diwali
Diwali is a holiday celebrated in the country of India. The name Diwali means an array, or group, of lights. Diwali is a family celebration that begins in early November and lasts for five days. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. People decorate their homes, light thousands of lamps, and pass out candy. This holiday is becoming popular in the United States. This year Barack Obama became the first president to celebrate Diwali at the White House. In Dallas, Texas, a Diwali celebration was held at Cowboys Stadium. 100,000 people attended this celebration!

This family is celebrating Diwali.

St. Lucia Day
St. Lucia Day is celebrated in many parts of Europe and in the Caribbean. Each year on December 13, a young girl in the community wears a white robe and leads a parade through the streets. On her head she wears a pine wreath topped with lit candles. The candles represent the end of darkness and the return of light. Many families in Wisconsin and Minnesota honor their European heritage by continuing this tradition.

Los Posadas
Los Posadas is celebrated in Mexico. It begins on December 16th and lasts for nine nights. Each night during the celebration, children and their families carry candles through town in a parade that ends with treats for all. Many families with Mexican heritage live in the states of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Los Posadas is also celebrated in those states today.

Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year often takes place in January or February. Earth’s Moon is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebration. People celebrate this source of light with food and lanterns shaped like a full moon. The Chinese New Year is also celebrated with bright and colorful lights in the form of fireworks! These fireworks are meant to represent the joyful beginning of a new year. The Chinese New Year is celebrated in many parts of East Asia. It is also celebrated by Chinese families living in the United States, especially in California.

Fireworks display in Hong Kong on Chinese New Year.

Many cultures celebrate a festival of lights in special ways. Think about how your family celebrates the holidays. Do you use lights in your celebrations?

TLX News Journal Geography Activity:
Create a new family or cultural tradition to celebrate light. Make an invitation to your Light Celebration event!