HolidayList
📅 holiday

Winter Solstice

Tuesday, December 22, 2026

— days to go

The coming of the winter solstice may pass without Westerners giving it much attention, but in Macau, Winter Solstice is an official public holiday. The holiday is held every 22 December, creating a multi-day holiday for many with Christmas Eve and Christmas day holidays on 24 and 25 December. In 2026, Winter Solstice falls on Tuesday 22 December. The holiday will be on Wednesday 22 December in 2027. The whole city celebrates Winter Solstice, primarily by feasting in a rare manner. Families throughout Macau will, on this day, indulge in a big way in the many delicacies that make Macau a recognised “foodie destination” all year round. And hotels and restaurants have special menus and deals on this day as well. And as if Christmas and New Year’s being near to Winter Solstice were not enough, there is more. The Macau International Marathon is held every December and is open to the public for both spectating and free participation. You can see the event in the Macau Olympic Complex on the island of Taipa.

History

BCEStonehenge Built. Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England, was built around this time, with its main axis aligned to the setting sun of the winter solstice This observance marks an important moment in history, remembered annually for its cultural and historical significance.

How It's Celebrated

Gather with friends and family, enjoy traditional foods or activities associated with the day, and take a moment to appreciate its significance.

Other Years

2026 Tue
22 Dec
2027 Wed
22 Dec
2028 Thu
21 Dec
2025 Sun
21 Dec
2024 Sat
21 Dec

Countries

🇲🇴 MO

You Might Also Like

View all →
🌍 observance Feb 3

Mozambican Heroes Day

In 1962, FRELIMO. Founded. The Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) is founded to fight for the independence of Mozambique from Portuguese colonial rule

MO
📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

MT
📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.

RU
📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1