We all know Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s—but what about the holidays that are ancient and far less ubiquitous? Throughout history, winter has been a time of festivities and merriment, although not all of these holidays have made it to our modern day. 

Ancient Rome was rife with winter celebrations, such as the festival of Saturnalia, which aimed to celebrate their god of agriculture, Saturn. Lasting a whole week, this holiday was full of freedom and recreation. Work was halted, and restrictions on morality were eased. People would gamble, create wax figures, and decorate homes with lights and greenery, a tradition which likely influenced Christmas as we know it today. 

Moving more to the North, Yule was a holiday celebrated in Scandinavia by the Ancient Norse. Over the years, it has changed, but originally the festivities would involve creating offerings for the gods, feasting, and bonfires. You might have heard of a yule log, which has morphed from its original purpose into a tasty dessert families enjoy around Christmas time. Many years ago, the yule log was burned after the winter solstice to celebrate the return of longer days, an idea that was prominent in many different cultures. 

In China, the solstice was commemorated with the festival of Dongzhi, a time full of gift-giving and spending time with family. It was first celebrated in the Han Dynasty, where people would worship the heavens and their ancestors, as well as eating delicious food with their loved ones. This holiday is still celebrated today, although it has changed somewhat from its historical version.

Another ancient holiday still celebrated today is Yalda Night, which originated in Iran. The ancient Persians were commemorating the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days, even having this date be marked as the beginning of the year in ancient Persia. This holiday focuses on spending time with your family and friends, coming together to feast on fruits, meats, and many other foods. 

Despite the small amount of mainstream holidays today, there are so many interesting ones that have been celebrated both in the past and into our modern era. Now that the holiday season is in full swing, taking the time to research some could provide you with a festive and engaging pastime that might inspire new traditions in your own life.