Winter in Canada is a special time of year. Along with snow and cold weather, it also brings many holidays and celebrations. These celebrations come from different cultures, religions, and traditions, showing how diverse Canada truly is.
For both newcomers and people who have lived in Canada for many years, winter holidays are a time to slow down, spend time with family, and connect with their communities. These occasions help people keep their traditions alive while also learning about others.
In this article, we will look at eight winter holidays celebrated by newcomers around Christmas.
So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Advent: Preparing For Christmas In Christian Traditions
Advent is a special season followed by many Christian communities, including Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant churches. It lasts for the four Sundays before Christmas and focuses on preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ. The word “Advent” comes from a Latin word that means “arrival.”
Each of the four weeks of Advent has a theme. These themes are hope, peace, joy, and love. Families and churches often mark this time by lighting candles on an Advent wreath. They may also read from the Bible, attend church services, and spend quiet time in prayer and reflection.
In the past, fasting during Advent was common. Some people still follow this practice today as a way to stay focused and mindful during the season.
In modern Canada, Advent is not only religious. It has also become part of popular culture. Advent calendars are now widely used by people of all ages. These calendars help count down the days until Christmas and often include chocolate, small gifts, or other surprises. Many people enjoy them, even if they do not follow Christian traditions.
Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival Of Light
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days. It is based on the Hebrew calendar and begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. This usually falls in November or December.
One of the most important Hanukkah traditions is lighting the menorah, which is a candle holder with nine branches. Eight branches are for each night of Hanukkah, and one is a helper candle called the shamash. Candles are usually lit after sunset. One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second night, and so on until all candles are lit together on the final night.
Families also enjoy other traditions during Hanukkah. These include singing songs, eating special foods like potato latkes, playing the dreidel game, and giving children small gifts or money called gelt.
Hanukkah remembers an event that happened over 2,200 years ago. It celebrates the time when a small amount of oil burned for eight days in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, even though it was only expected to last for one day. This miracle is at the heart of the celebration.
Boxing Day: A Holiday Of Shopping And Togetherness
Boxing Day is celebrated every year on December 26, the day after Christmas. It is a public holiday in Ontario and for many workers across Canada.
Today, Boxing Day is best known for big sales and discounts. Many people go shopping to find good deals, and some even line up early at stores.
However, Boxing Day is not only about shopping. Many Canadians use this day to relax and spend time with friends and family. People often watch or attend sports games, especially hockey or soccer. Others enjoy outdoor activities like ice skating or simply staying home and resting.
Boxing Day began in Britain during the time of Queen Victoria. It was a day when wealthy families gave boxes filled with food, money, or gifts to servants and people in need. Over time, the meaning of the holiday changed, but the idea of sharing and community remains.
Kwanzaa: Celebrating African Heritage And Values
Another one of the eight winter holidays celebrated by newcomers around Christmas is Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and community. It is observed from December 26 to January 1 and was first created in 1966. It became more popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
Kwanzaa is based on seven guiding principles known as the Nguzo Saba. One principle is celebrated each day by lighting a candle on a candle holder called a kinara. The seven principles include:
- Umoja (unity)
- Kujichagulia (elf-determination)
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
- Ujamaa (cooperative Economics)
- Nia (purpose)
- Kuumba (creativity)
- Imani (faith).
During Kwanzaa, families gather to share stories, music, and traditions. On the final day, people exchange gifts and enjoy a shared meal called Karamu. The celebration focuses on togetherness, pride, and cultural connection.
St. Nicholas Day: A Tradition Of Giving
St. Nicholas Day honors St. Nicholas of Myra, a Christian bishop from the 4th century who was known for his kindness and generosity, especially toward children. This day is celebrated mainly by families with European roots, such as Dutch, German, Polish, and other Central and Eastern European communities.
The celebration takes place on December 6, or on the night before. Children place their shoes or stockings near a door, window, or fireplace. According to tradition, St. Nicholas visits during the night and fills them with small gifts, sweets, or chocolate coins.
Some families also write notes or say prayers as part of the tradition. In certain places, the day includes church services, parades, or community events. The main focus is on kindness, generosity, and caring for others.
Lunar New Year: Welcoming A New Beginning
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is celebrated by many East Asian communities in Canada. These include Chinese, Vietnamese (where it is called Tết), Korean (Seollal), and others. The date changes each year but usually falls between late January and mid-February.
This holiday marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar. It is a time for family gatherings, honoring ancestors, and welcoming good luck and prosperity.
Homes are often decorated with red items like lanterns and banners, as red is believed to bring good fortune. Families prepare special meals with dishes such as dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and pork. Each food has a meaning connected to health, wealth, or happiness.
Other traditions include giving red envelopes with money, watching lion and dragon dances, setting off fireworks, and cleaning the home before the new year to remove bad luck.
Three Kings Day: Marking The Visit Of The Magi
Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6. It remembers the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus, when they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This holiday is observed by many Christian communities, especially those with Spanish, Italian, French, and Latin American roots. It is particularly popular in Quebec.
In Canada, celebrations often include:
- Special Church Services: Many attend Mass or Epiphany services, sometimes with processions or blessing of homes.
- Gift-Giving Or Sweets For Children: In some cultures, children receive small gifts or candies, reflecting the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus.
- King Cake Or Similar Festive Foods: Families and communities often bake a King Cake (with a hidden figurine or coin) or other traditional desserts to mark the day.
- Community Events: Some churches or cultural organizations hold public celebrations, often with music, dance, and storytelling.
For many newcomers, this day is a way to keep their traditions alive while sharing them within Canada’s multicultural society.
Makar Sankranti: Celebrating The Sun And New Beginnings
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the movement of the sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn. This change signals longer days after winter and the start of a more positive period. Unlike many Hindu festivals, Sankranti follows the solar calendar, so it usually falls on January 14 or 15 each year.
In Canada, the festival is celebrated by Hindu and Indian communities, especially those from South and West India. People often visit temples for special prayers and rituals that honor the sun god.
Community groups may organize cultural programs, music, performances, and food gatherings. In some areas, kite-flying events are held if the weather allows. Families prepare traditional sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery, along with regional dishes.
Makar Sankranti is a time to show gratitude, come together as a community, and welcome new beginnings with hope and positivity.
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