The onset of December sets up the perfect time for family vacations and getaways. People scour through their calendars to check for the list of holidays in December to plan their trips. With a host of public and bank holidays, the month of December calls for a time to unwind with family and friends. While some holidays are applicable to the entire nation and abroad, some are state-specific.
We have curated a list of holidays in December so that you can plan your trips early.
Public holidays are established by the land’s law and are non-working days. They can vary from country to country as well as from one state to another. Also known as colloquially Government Holidays, public holidays in India consist of a variety of religious, cultural and nationalistic holidays that are registered at the state level.
The following table illustrates the public holidays in India in December 2022:
Date | Day | Holiday | State |
December 01 2022 | Wednesday | Indigenous Faith Day | Arunachal Pradesh |
December 03 2022 | Friday | Feast of St Francis Xavier | Goa |
December 05 2022 | Sunday | Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Jayanti | Jammu & Kashmir |
December 08 2022 | Wednesday | Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Day | Punjab |
December 12 2022 | Sunday | Pa Togan Nengminza Sangma | Meghalaya |
December 18 2022 | Saturday | Death Anniversary of U SoSo Tham | Meghalaya |
December 18 2022 | Saturday | Guru Ghasidas Jayanti | Chandigarh |
December 19 2022 | Sunday | Liberation Day | Goa, Daman and Diu |
December 25 2022 | Saturday | Christmas Day | National |
December 26 2022 | Sunday | Shaheed Udham Singh Jayanti | Haryana |
December 26 2022 | Sunday | Christmas Holiday | Meghalaya, Mizoram, Telangana |
December 30 2022 | Thursday | Tamu Losa | Sikkim |
December 30 2022 | Thursday | U Kiang Nangbah | Meghalaya |
December 31 2022 | Friday | New Year’s Eve | Manipur |
Bank holidays in India are marked by the Central and State Governments as well as by Union Territories. They have been listed as per the provisions of the Negotiable Instrument Act of 1881. Generally, banks in India remain closed on national holidays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Some states may declare bank holidays for a particular month as per their festivals or religious events. For example, the day of Dashami is considered to be a public holiday in the state of West Bengal.
Here is the list of general bank holidays available in the month of December 2022:
Date | Day | Holiday |
December 10 | Saturday | Second Saturday |
December 24 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday |
December 25 | Sunday | Christmas Day |
December reminds us all about family time, cookies, snow, travel, gifts and the new year that is about to come. There is this famous quote associated with this month which goes like “it is that time of the year”; this quote depicts how special it is for everyone. The month of December brings all the positive and cheery vibes along with it.
Here is a list of all the December holidays around the world in 2022:
Holiday | Date | Day | Place of Celebration |
Hanukkah | December 18- December 26 2022 | Jerusalem, Israel | |
Krampusnacht | December 05 2022 | Monday | Germany, Austria and other alpine countries |
Bodhi Day | December 08 2022 | Thursday | Japan |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 08 2022 | Thursday | Argentina, Philippines, Brazil, Spain and other catholic states |
St. Lucia’s Day | December 13 2022 | Tuesday | Sweden, Norway |
Las Posadas | December 16- December 24 | Mexico and a few other parts of the USA | |
Winter Solstice or Yule | December 21 2022 | Wednesday | Antarctica |
Christmas Eve | December 24 2022 | Saturday | USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand |
Christmas Day | December 25 2022 | Sunday | USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand |
Boxing Day | December 26 2022 | Monday | USA, Australia, Bahamas, South Africa, Canada, Nigeria, New Zealand |
St. Stephen’s Day | December 26 2022 | Monday | 25 countries worldwide, such as Denmark, Austria & Czech Republic |
Kwanzaa | December 26 2022- January 01 2023 | Africa, some parts of the USA | |
New Year’s Eve | December 31 2022 | Saturday | Worldwide |
The month of December is full of festivals and celebrations to end the year on a light note and with positive vibes. In India, our cultural and social diversity allows us to enjoy an array of festivities and celebrations all around the country in the month of December.
Here are the Indian festivals that you can attend in December to witness a “once in a lifetime” kind of experience:
The Rann Utsav is celebrated in Kutch, and it celebrates life. “Celebrating life” is as vibrant as it sounds. If you take a look at the tents set up amidst the white sand, it is one breathtaking view that you will never forget. You can experience folk dance, folk music and the heritage culture of Kutch while attending the Rann Utsav.
This celebration goes on for a long time. Visit any time between October 26 2022 and February 20 2023.
Whenever we think about December, one of the first things that come to our mind is music festivals. Organised in Rajasthan’s 17th-century fort Alsisar, the Magnetic Fields festival offers you a unique opportunity to enjoy futuristic music from India and all around the world.
This festival is an exceptional experience for new-age music enthusiasts. Experience an unforgettable, 3 days-long musical journey with drinks and food. Visit Alsisar anytime between the 9th and 11th of December to join the crowd.
This wonderful festival is held at Hampi, Mysore and Bidar simultaneously. Riding through the wind in a hot air balloon offers you a bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape of Karnataka. This 4-day long event is arranged in December to promote aero-sport in the state.
Launched in 2016, this festival is arranged in Goa to support the growing art community in India. This is a unique arrangement which showcases visual, culinary and performative art practices. Visit anytime between December 15 and December 23 to be a part of this art fest.
Poush Mela in Shantiniketan is a vibrant fête of the rural population. This carnival showcases the authentic essence of Bengali culture. Celebrated on the 7th day of Poush, it attracts tourists from all over the country. Visit anytime between December 24 and 26 to join the crowd of Baul singers, tribal dance groups and local village artists.
This “Festival of festivals” is an annual celebration at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama (situated near Kohima). You will get to experience a concoction of several tribes of Nagaland and their rich cultures. Visit between December 1st to 10th to experience this vivacious celebration.
This festival is held to celebrate the birthday of Tibetan saint-scholar Tsongkhapa and the Buddhahood. People in Ladakh celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. The most magnificent part is when there’s a fascinating display of fire and light created by the whirling of the flaming torches. These are then thrown away to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.
As a socially diverse country, the Christmas celebrations in India are not less enthusiastic than in other parts of the world. This is mostly celebrated in the southern and northern parts of India, where the density of Christian popularity is larger. If you want to witness Christmas at its finest in India, you can consider visiting any of these cities- Goa, Manali, Pondicherry, Kerala, Mumbai, Kolkata, Sikkim, Bangalore and Chennai.
December has something in its air which makes even the most regular trips seem exceptional. Whether you are a mountain or a sea person, it is the best time of the year to pack your bags and experience the “chill”. If you plan your vacation accordingly, you might as well get to experience some of the unique festivities of the states.
Here are the 5 best places you can visit in India during December:
Rightly known as the “party capital” of India, Goa gets even more exciting in winter. It offers you an opportunity to welcome the new year with great music, good food and exceptional drinks on a white sandy beach.
This is one of the best places you can visit in December. Its pleasant surroundings and serene environment will definitely take away your yearlong stress.
December is the best time to visit this white spectacle in the middle of the desert. Also, Gujarat is one of the warmest places to visit in India during December.
December is the best time to visit this snow-covered destination. Witness the breathtaking, panoramic view of Neelkant, Mana Parbat and Nanda Devi.
Other than mountains and sea, islands are one of the best places to explore in December. When it comes to islands, there is no other better Indian destination than Andaman.
One of the best ways to end this year and experience the beginning of a new one is to be at one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. At this time of the year, festivities and celebrations are held all around the world. Being a part of any of them will be a magnificent way to look back and welcome the new year with open arms.
Here are the 5 best places to visit outside India during December 2022:
This is definitely one of the best places to make year-end memories with your loved ones. Krabi is one exotic destination to look forward to in December with its limestone mounds, beaches and aquamarine waters.
The pleasant weather in Bali makes it a perfect holiday destination in December. During Christmas and New Year, you will experience some of the most beautiful decorations in Bali.
The southernmost city of South Africa, Cape Town is a true beauty. Experience the best of nightlife scenes on the white sandy beaches of Cape Town in December.
Dubai is one of the most visited places in December. The tropical climate makes it a perfect escape destination for people who wish to escape the cold climate.
The pleasant and warm weather in Mauritius in December attracts tourists from all over the world. Get to experience the most beautiful Christmas and New Year celebrations with fireworks and feasts in this tropical paradise.
Now that you have the comprehensive list of holidays in December, plan your trips early so that you don’t miss out on travelling to your favourite destination. It’s your choice whether you want to stay in India or travel abroad, but make sure to check out the list to get an idea of the most happening places in December.
Make this December all the more memorable. Scroll through the holidays in December 2022, select your favourite destination, book your tickets, travel and enjoy to the brim. Want to travel to your favourite destination but short on cash? Don’t worry, we have your back. Get a travel loan up to Rs.20 lakh with Navi in minutes. Enjoy Zero paperwork, minimal documents and instant disbursal! Get the Navi app today!
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