A dazzling end-of-year holiday season

The last month of the year is when many countries organize attractive festivals with diverse activities, marking the beginning of the new year.

People around the world joyfully celebrate Christmas. (Illustrative image. Source: wintercitylights.com)

Every year at the end of December, the Christmas spirit fills every street. Taking place on the night of December 24th and the day of December 25th, Christmas is an important holiday for Christians, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas and Santa Clauses

The streets are decorated with many pine trees adorned with colorful ornaments, images of Santa Claus, reindeer, snowflakes, and gifts…

Christmas is a time for families to gather and celebrate, and it's a day many children around the world look forward to, because on this holiday, children receive meaningful gifts from Santa Claus as a wish for good luck and happiness.

In the US, the popular Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine, recently held its 24th annual Santa Sunday event on December 12th, attracting over 300 participants for a charity fundraising event. Everyone dressed up as Santa Claus, complete with red hats, red suits, and white beards, and went sledding.

This event not only kicked off skiing and recreational activities at the Sunday River resort, but also served as a fundraising event for local scholarships. Attendees registered online beforehand and contributed money to the charity. According to The River Fund Maine, this year's Santa Sunday event raised $9,000 to help underprivileged students in Maine.

In addition, there's the Klaus Jurgen Festival in Switzerland, held annually on the night of December 5th. This is a peculiar festival where people gather on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne, chasing after Santa Claus holding a golden bell. If you visit Switzerland for the first time during the Klaus Jurgen Festival, you'll certainly be surprised by its uniqueness.

The Klaus Jurgen Festival typically lasts for over two hours. Participants use a 2-meter-long whip to chase Santa Claus. People lining the streets cheer enthusiastically.

Originating from the Swiss cultural custom that noise can ward off evil spirits and bring a happy and peaceful life, Klaus Jurgen was initially held in the countryside and later expanded to a larger scale.

Hanukkah Festival of Lights

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a traditional Jewish festival. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev (according to the Jewish calendar). The festival is not fixed in any particular day but usually takes place in December and lasts for eight days. The centerpiece of the festival is the Menorah, a nine-branched lamp, consisting of eight small candles and one large candle called the Shamash. The main Shamash candle is used to light the other candles.

According to tradition, families light candles during the eight days of the Hanukkah festival. On the first day, the Shamash candle is lit alongside another candle. Each evening, a new candle is lit on Hanukkah until the eight days are over. Before lighting the candles, blessings are recited. After lighting them, traditional songs are sung. Families gather to eat and play traditional games. The candle-lighting ritual expresses gratitude and reminds descendants of Jewish history.

Harbin Ice Festival

The Harbin Ice Festival is one of the world's largest and longest-running ice and snow festivals.

Taking place from around the end of December to the end of February the following year in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, the festival is notable for its massive, meticulously crafted ice sculptures. Diverse in form and content, the festival captivates visitors with its grandeur. Creative castles and towers recreate famous landmarks around the world. As night falls, the ice sculptures are illuminated with colorful LED lights, creating a magical and enchanting scene. Visitors can participate in many exciting activities, especially winter sports like ice skating and skiing, suitable for all ages. Equally appealing is the international ice and snow sculpting competition, attracting artists from all over the world. The festival is a wonderful opportunity to discover the beauty of winter in the final days of the year.

Ice fishing for trout

In December, South Korea holds an ice fishing festival for salmon at the O'Daecheon stream in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. This is not only a unique cultural event but also an opportunity for visitors to discover the delicious taste of salmon, a long-standing traditional delicacy in Korea.

Here, visitors can participate in ice fishing for trout, using bait to catch fish, or try their hand at catching fish by hand. In addition, activities such as snowmobile racing and winter sports competitions create a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, captivating both locals and international tourists.

Preparing to bid farewell to the year with colorful December festivals is the perfect way to experience the unique culture and customs of each country, where every festive moment is created from the magic of rich local cultural nuances.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ruc-ro-mua-le-hoi-cuoi-nam-298057.html