December 23 National Days

December 23, 2025, is the 357th day of the year, with just 8 days remaining until the end of the year. Falling only two days before Christmas, the observances on this date reflect the season’s focus on holiday traditions, shared time, and reflection rooted in family and heritage.

Below is a list of all 5 national and international days celebrated on December 23, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 23

Festivus is a secular, satirical holiday created as an alternative to traditional holiday customs. It began as a private family tradition developed by Daniel O’Keefe and later gained wider recognition through the TV series Seinfeld. The observance uses deliberately simple and exaggerated traditions to critique holiday pressure, social expectations, and commercial excess.

HumanLight is a secular holiday created to mark the winter season through a humanist perspective. Founded in 2001 by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network, it centers on values such as reason, compassion, humanity, and hope. The observance emphasizes community, ethical reflection, and recognition of human achievements without religious or supernatural elements.

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day is a seasonal observance that encourages people to stop preparing, get comfortable, and spend a few uninterrupted hours enjoying favorite holiday movies with family or friends.

National Pfeffernusse Day highlights a traditional German Christmas cookie known for its aromatic spice blend and hint of black pepper. The name means “pepper nuts,” referring to both the seasoning and the cookies’ small, round shape. The recipe is commonly linked to 18th-century German baking traditions tied to the winter holiday season.

National Pfeffernusse Day

National Roots Day encourages people to explore their family history, heritage, and ancestry. Placed during the holiday season, it naturally aligns with family gatherings, making it easier to share stories, record memories, and learn about ancestors whose experiences shaped later generations.