December 1 National Days

December 1, 2025, is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years), leaving just 30 days until the end of the year. Falling on a Monday in the 49th week, this day brings 16 national and international observances.

From seasonal traditions and cultural celebrations to raising awareness about significant global issues, December 1 offers meaningful ways to engage, reflect, and take action.

Below is a list of all national and international days celebrated on December 1, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 1

Antarctica Day marks the signing of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which turned the continent into a zone for peace and science. The treaty banned military activity, protected the environment, and stopped countries from claiming land there. The observance, created in 2010, explains why Antarctica matters and how global cooperation keeps it protected.

Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays. It draws attention to the way bifocals can make computer work uncomfortable. The lenses have two viewing zones, so people often tilt their heads or shift their posture to see the screen clearly. The day encourages eye-friendly habits such as taking short breaks or adjusting screen height, or getting an eye exam to see if another type of lens would work better.

Cyber Monday* (Monday after Thanksgiving) started in 2005 when the National Retail Federation introduced the term to describe the rise of online shopping. Data showed that many people placed online orders on the Monday after Thanksgiving, often using faster internet at work. It quickly became one of the biggest e-commerce days of the year and shaped how retailers plan digital holiday sales.

Cyber Monday

Day With(out) Art began in 1989 by the New York organization Visual AIDS. It draws attention to how deeply the AIDS crisis affected artists and cultural institutions. Museums and galleries mark the day by closing select exhibits or offering special programs to honor artists lost to AIDS-related illnesses. The observance also promotes HIV awareness, testing, and education.

National Eat A Red Apple Day encourages people to enjoy a red apple at the start of winter. Apples provide fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support health as the season shifts toward colder weather and heavier foods.

National Christmas Lights Day encourages people to switch on their holiday lights to welcome the Christmas season. The date fits naturally into early December, when many communities begin decorating and darker evenings call for extra brightness. The day highlights how lights symbolize warmth, celebration, and the start of festive traditions.

National Christmas Lights Day

National Cookie Cutter Day opens National Cookie Cutter Week, annually held from December 1–7. Founded in 2019 by Bobbi Barton, the day marks the unofficial start of holiday baking and encourages people to use their favorite cutters or try new festive shapes.

National Peppermint Bark Day celebrates the chocolate-and-mint treat that became widely known in the 1990s. Williams-Sonoma played a major role in its rise after releasing its version in 1998 and later sponsoring the observance in 2021. The day fits naturally into early December, when many people prepare seasonal desserts and edible gifts.

National Pie Day (not to be confused with the more famous January 23 observance) offers another chance to enjoy any type of pie as the holiday season begins.

National Twin With Your Dog Day encourages dog owners to have a bit of fun by dressing themselves and their pets in matching outfits or accessories. The day was created by the British company Leo Charley & Me and inspired by the founder’s adopted Cocker Spaniel, Charley.

National Women Support Women Day, founded in 2018 by Amy O’Donnell, focuses on encouragement, mentorship, and collaboration among women. It draws attention to how women can support each other in workplaces, communities, and daily life, especially in fields where gender gaps influence opportunities.

National Women Support Women Day

Prisoners for Peace Day, organized by War Resisters’ International, centers on people imprisoned for refusing military service or engaging in nonviolent activism. Supporters often send letters to raise the spirits of these prisoners and to spread awareness about their situations.

Rosa Parks Day is observed on two dates: February 4 (her birthday) and December 1, the day she was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama. Several states mark the December date to honor her role in sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and shaping the Civil Rights Movement.

Wear a Dress Day is observed on June 1 and December 1 and encourages people to put on a dress simply because it feels nice. The idea began in Bend, Oregon, in 2010 after a conversation about how dresses often stay in the closet for no real reason. The day invites anyone to join in, wear a dress they like, and have a bit of fun on this day.

👗 There is also a separate observance, National Dress Day on March 6, which focuses on celebrating dresses tied to special memories.

Walt Disney Day* (First Monday of December) honors the life and work of Walt Disney, the American animator and producer who created characters like Mickey Mouse and helped shape modern entertainment. The day highlights his role in developing animated films, theme parks, and new storytelling techniques that changed how people experience movies and family entertainment.

Walt Disney Day

World AIDS Day, created in 1988 by the World Health Organization, focuses global attention on HIV and AIDS. The observance explains how HIV spreads, how prevention works, and how treatment helps people live long, healthy lives. It also encourages support for those living with HIV and remembrance of those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.