10 Most Famous Holidays In January Around The World
| Table of Contents |
The month of January heralds the beginning of a new year filled with numerous occasions, both big and small, for people to take part in. January 1 is federally observed as New Year's Day, so there's already a big holiday from day one.
Naturally, New Year's Day brings with it the prospect of making changes to your life, career, health, and finances. There are also daily, weekly, and monthly events that you might not be aware of but will enjoy celebrating throughout the month.
You have an excuse to treat yourself to hot tea, oatmeal, spaghetti, and bubble baths during these January holidays. They'll also serve as a helpful reminder to value simple things like bubble wrap, penguins, and squirrels. In addition, there are significant days of remembrance spread out throughout the month in addition to the numerous absurd and enjoyable holidays. You can use them to help you rank important issues such as civil rights and blood donation.
Read more: January 2024 US Calendar: Full List of Holidays and Celebrations
What Are The Most Popular Holidays In January Around The World?
1. New Year Day - January 1
 |
| Photo Matador Network |
The January holidays begin on New Years Day, which ushers in a brand-new year! It's time to turn things around and set some sane goals for the new year. If you overindulged on New Year's Eve, you might find yourself spending the day in bed recovering from the celebrations the night before!
Why Celebrated: It is a celebration of the first day of a new year, as per the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
One of the most widely celebrated holidays in January is New Year's Day, which is celebrated everywhere. Fireworks are fired off at midnight to kick off the festivities, which also include singing, dancing, and drinking. A few even exchange kisses. Most people follow this custom because they believe it will bring good fortune in the coming year. The goal is to learn from the past year's mistakes and embrace the new year as a fresh start.
It is one of the oldest holidays observed globally, having been instituted nearly 2,000 years ago with the introduction of the Julian Calendar by Julius Caesar. It was initially observed more paganistically, but soon after, it was converted to Roman Catholicism. But in the 19th and 20th centuries, the day and its festivities began to lose their religious connotations and began to resemble more of a celebration.
There are still a lot of superstitions and traditions associated with New Year's Eve celebrations despite the departure from religion. The most popular is the New Year's resolution, wherein individuals typically make a commitment to change their behavior for the year, such as joining a fitness center, quitting smoking, or getting a new job. But at most, resolutions are only good for a few days or a few weeks.
2. National Hangover Day - January 1
 |
| Photo Pinterest |
Huge parties are usually thrown on New Year's Eve. Like most people, you probably have one, two, or even six cocktails to celebrate the new year. Regrettably, drinking too much alcohol can have some very unpleasant side effects. Alcohol can turn nasty a good twelve hours after the incident. So read on for some tips on feeling better in case January 1st turns into National Hangover Day on New Year's Day. After all, tomorrow is a workday.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HANGOVER DAYHave some hangover relief remedies ready Stock up on necessities that will help you feel a bit more like yourself after a night of partying to be ready. Whatever your go-to remedies for hangovers are—Ibuprofen, sports drinks, greasy potato chips, antacids—make sure you keep them on hand. Host a hangover brunch If you're feeling really ambitious, why not throw a party? After all, the cure to your hangover may just be a really awesome Bloody Mary. Drink some...Pedialyte? This wasn't invented for hangover relief, of course, but it just might help. The drink, marketed for use by children, can replace nutrients and electrolytes your body might need to feel better. |
| Hangover Day makes us feel connected If you wake up on January 1st with a hangover, you will be in good company. Let us all be reminded that we are not the only ones who messed up last night on National Hangover Day. There are a lot of people on the "struggle bus" who are heading in our direction. |
3. National Thank God - First Monday Day of January
God be praised for a national As It's Monday Day suggests, we ought to celebrate the first Monday of the new year with vigor and enthusiasm.
Not only is it observed on the first Monday of January, but it is observed on every Monday of the year. Mondays are usually full of new beginnings. Most people start a new job on Mondays. Mondays mark the beginning of a married couple's first workweek together, which usually starts on the weekend. Because Mondays are frequently the day of federal holidays, they are often used for special occasions throughout the year.
| In addition to scheduled events, Mondays are full of random ones. There will be important occasions when Monday falls on 52 or 53 occasions a year. Seventeenth of that time is ours. It doesn't make any difference in the world if we blame Monday's traffic jams for our own tardiness. Rather than making a joke out of Monday, see what it has to offer. Freshly brewed coffee to keep us perky Opportunity for a bright future 52 chances to see a beautiful sunrise A new week share your talents with the world 52 opportunities to teach someone a new skill that will better their lives Each Monday offers the potential of meeting new people |
4. Festival of Sleep Day - January 3
 |
| Photo AskIdeas |
The Festival of Sleep Day was pushed as a way to give people the much-needed "shut-eye" and chance to unwind after the holidays. We frequently overindulge in holiday parties and sleep little during this time. The Festival of Sleep Day will provide you with ample opportunity to rest and recover. As you will see in the upcoming sections, this is crucial.
There are several steps you can take to ensure that you get a good night's sleep. This entails evaluating your sleeping environment. It needs to be a peaceful and cozy area. The temperature also needs to be exactly right. Additionally, even on the weekends, it's imperative to try to go to bed and wake up at approximately the same time every night. The body will adjust to a routine more easily as a result.
READ MORE: Top 20 Weirdest and Most Bizarre Festivals in the World
5. Epiphany - January 6
For those who thought Christmas was over, January 6th marks Epiphany, the end of the Christian holiday season! Many devoted Christians continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ for an additional week, despite the fact that most people take down their Christmas decorations by New Year's. It is most commonly associated with the day the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger, though it has been known by many different names throughout history and across cultures.
As early as the fourth century, churches in the Eastern Roman Empire observed Christmas on January 6. Because of this, some refer to December 25 as "Old Christmas," when it comes to the Feast of the Epiphany, which was observed in the West. Since then, many cultures have developed unique names and traditions to mark this day. For example, people in Scandinavia celebrate Little Christmas Eve on December 23. Since January 6th commemorates the day the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, it is customary in Spain for children to receive their gifts on this day rather than on Christmas Day.
In Ireland, Little Christmas is also called Women's Christmas because Irish men do the day's household chores. Other popular traditions include singing, drawing on doors, having one's house blessed, eating three kings cake, going to church, and taking a winter swim. Many Christians remove their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve, even though some Christian nations customarily take down their decorations on Candlemas, the end of the Epiphanytide. Those who neglect to take down their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve are required to leave them up until Candlemas, according to the first tradition.
6. Makar Sankranti/Pongal - January 14
This year, January 14 is Makar Sankranti, India's first major festival. The festival is traditionally celebrated in January. In different parts of India, Hindus commemorate Makar Sankranti, a major harvest festival, with different names, traditions, and events. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of longer days and the end of winter due to the sun's northward path. Uttarayan, the name for this time of year, is considered to be very auspicious.
The harvest festival is a religious and seasonal event that pays homage to Lord Surya, the Sun God, and marks the sun's arrival in the Makara (Capricorn) raashi (zodiac sign). The festival is mostly observed by Hindus and Indians across the world, but it is also observed by those in the Indian Subcontinent. The names of the celebrations for Makar Sankranti vary depending on where it is observed.
For example, in northern India, it is called Maghi by Sikhs and Hindus, and it comes before Lohri. In many parts of India, including Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Telangana, Makara Sankranti is also known as Poush sôngkrānti; in central India, it is called Sukarat; in Assamese, it is called Magh Bihu; and in Tamil, it is called Thai Pongal or Pongal.
7. Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday - January 15
We commemorate the civil rights movement pioneer Martin Luther King on January 15. Most often, when we hear his name, we associate it with the civil rights movement, his renowned "I Have a Dream" speech, and, tragically, his assassination. Let's take a moment to examine the man's life narrative as we commemorate his birthday.
 |
| Photo Tell The Lord Thank You |
On January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, Alberta Williams King and Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. welcomed their son Martin Luther King, Jr. into the world. King was given his father Michael King's name at birth. However, following a period of gradual transition, the elder King changed both his own and his son's names in 1934.
King was the middle child, with his older sister Christine King Farris and younger brother A.D. His love for music and singing led him to sing with his church choir at the 1939 Atlanta premiere of the film "Gone with the Wind." When King was younger, he became friends with a white boy whose father owned a store near King's house. The boys were six years old when they started school. King went to an African American school, but his friend went to a school that was only for white pupils. Their friendship ended because the boy's father didn't want his son to play with a black child.
 Martin Luther King Day: What’s open, what’s closed, is there trash pickup |
8. National Hugging Day - January 21
 |
| Photo Pinterest |
Why Celebrated: To get people to hug each other more often.
Despite having originated in the US in the middle of the 1980s, this carefree and joyful day has spread throughout the world, encouraging people to give hugs to friends, family, and even complete strangers. Studies have shown that a 20-second hug relieves tension and reduces stress, so partaking in the festivities is a great stress relief! The holiday originated from the idea that people don’t have much to celebrate in between Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day.
 National Hugging Day: Dates, Celebrations, History, Meaning and Facts |
9. International Holocaust Remembrance Day- January 27
The United Nations declared 2005's International Holocaust Remembrance Day to be a global day of remembrance for the Holocaust's victims. The liberation of Auschwitz on January 27th, 1969, was declared International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the UN.
 International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Date, Celebration, History |
10. National Hot Chocolate Day- January 31
 |
| Photo Pinterest |
Few drinks have as much cultural roots in American childhood culture as hot chocolate. This beverage brings back memories of snowy days spent skiing, sledding, or just relaxing and taking in the scenery. Nothing warms our souls and tantalises our taste buds quite like hot chocolate, which is thick, smooth, toasty, and typically covered in whipped cream. On January 31, we celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day, a day dedicated to our beloved chocolate beverage, so curl up with your favorite mug.
NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY ACTIVITIESDrink up Take your favorite drink with you and head to your local eatery or coffee shop to enjoy your favorite hot chocolate. The best way to savor chocolate's rich splendor is to drink it hot! Make your own marshmallows and whipped cream It's surprisingly easy to make whipped cream and marshmallows. A simple mixture of gelatin, sugar, vanilla, and corn syrup makes up marshmallows, while sugar-whipped cream is all that exists in whipped cream. Try your culinary skills with this easy recipe that you can find online, and you'll have a tasty addition to your collection of chocolate-based recipes. Host a hot chocolate sampler These days, hot chocolate combinations abound and include gingerbread, creme de menthe, Mexican, white, and many more flavors. You understand. Make some unique hot chocolate flavors to add some flavor to everyone's favorite winter beverage and make happy hour with friends truly enjoyable. |
 Top 10 Most Popular Holidays in November Around The World November is not just the month of Thanksgiving, people around the world also have other festive holidays. Here is the top 10 most festive holidays ... |
 Top Most Popular Holidays in the World for December Few months present as many multicultural celebrations as December. From Christmas to Omisoka, the last month of the year is a “world of holidays.” Let’s ... |
