December 6 National Days

December 6, 2025, is the 341st day of the year, with 24 days remaining. Falling on a Saturday in the 49th week, the date highlights themes of invention, community support, and cultural heritage. Several observances also focus on safety, outdoor activity, and charity.

Below is a list of all 17 national and international days celebrated on December 6, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 6

Chester Greenwood Day* (First Saturday of December) honors Chester Greenwood, who designed the first earmuffs in 1873 at age 15 while ice skating in Farmington, Maine. He later patented his “ear mufflers,” and Farmington—often called the Earmuff Capital of the World—has celebrated him since 1977, when the Maine Legislature officially recognized the day.

🎧 A related observance, National Earmuff Day, is held on March 13.

Coats and Toys for Kids Day* (First Saturday of December) was created in 1983 by the Salvation Army to encourage donations of warm clothing and toys for children who need support during the winter months. The day brings attention to seasonal needs and helps connect local donors with community programs.

Crate Day* (First Saturday of December, New Zealand 🇳🇿) originated in 2010 as a promotional event by the New Zealand radio station The Rock to mark the start of summer. Participants traditionally share a crate of beer during outdoor gatherings such as barbecues. The day is well known in New Zealand but also receives criticism from health and emergency services due to concerns about binge drinking.

Global Fat Bike Day* (First Saturday of December) was founded in 2012 by Si Matthews and Ritchie Salt as a grassroots event bringing fat-bike riders together around the world. Fat bikes, built with tires about 3.8 inches wide or more, provide stability on snow, sand, and other low-pressure terrain. The day encourages cyclists to explore local trails in winter conditions and connect with the fat-biking community.

Mitten Tree Day recognizes a donation tradition in which people decorate a tree with mittens that are later given to individuals in need. The practice appears in newspapers as early as 1949, when communities collected winter items for children in Europe, and it became more widely known through Candace Christiansen’s children’s book The Mitten Tree. Schools, libraries, and community centers often use the day to gather new or handmade mittens, gloves, and scarves during the winter season.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada 🇨🇦) is observed on December 6 and commemorates the 1989 École Polytechnique tragedy in Montreal, where 14 women were killed and others injured in an act of gender-based violence. Established by the Parliament of Canada in 1991, the day invites reflection on the causes and impacts of violence against women. It is also associated with the White Ribbon Campaign, a movement launched in 1991 that encourages men and boys to speak out against gender-based violence.

National Gazpacho Day highlights the cold tomato-based soup from Andalusia, Spain. Gazpacho traditionally features tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, olive oil, and vinegar and is usually eaten in hot weather. The December 6 observance draws attention to its cultural origins and should not be confused with Gazpacho Soup Day on November 25, which stems from a reference in the British series Red Dwarf.

National Microwave Oven Day marks the discovery of microwave heating by Percy Spencer in 1945 while he was working with radar equipment at Raytheon. Spencer’s observation that microwaves could heat food led to Raytheon’s 1947 release of the first commercial microwave oven, a machine that was large, heavy, and used mainly in restaurants and hospitals. Smaller home models became common in the 1970s, making microwave cooking a routine part of kitchen life.

National Microwave Oven Day

National Miner’s Day honors the work and sacrifices of miners and marks the anniversary of the 1907 Monongah mining disaster in West Virginia, where 362 miners lost their lives in what remains the worst industrial accident in U.S. history. Congress established the observance in 2009 to recognize the role miners play in supplying essential materials for energy production, construction, and manufacturing.

National Pawnbrokers Day (sometimes called Gift Day) recognizes a very old form of lending that began in ancient China, Greece, and Rome. The date matches Saint Nicholas Day because he is considered the patron saint of pawnbrokers. In this type of lending, a person leaves an item as collateral and receives a short-term loan. If they repay the loan, the item is returned; if not, the shop may sell it. Some pawnbrokers also use the day to support local charities.

National Play Outside Day* (First Saturday of every month) was founded in 2011 to encourage children and adults to spend time outdoors. The observance promotes regular outdoor activity as a simple way to support physical health, reduce screen time, and help families build consistent habits of active play.

National Play Outside Day

National Rhubarb Vodka Day* (First Saturday of December) was introduced in 2013 by Maple River Distillery to celebrate rhubarb-infused vodka. The beverage first appeared in the U.S. market in 2010 and is known for its pink color and sweet-tart flavor. The observance encourages people to learn about the infusion process and explore how rhubarb vodka can be used in cocktails.

🍹 See also the complete list of alcohol-related national days we’ve put together all in one place.

Put On Your Own Shoes Day encourages children to practice putting on and tying their own shoes, supporting early independence and fine motor skills. The day is sometimes understood more broadly as a reminder for people of any age to manage easy tasks on their own. Its origin is unknown, but its message focuses on developing practical self-reliance.

Saint Nicholas Day honors Saint Nicholas, a third-century bishop known for his generosity and assistance to people in need. His life and reputation later inspired the figure of Santa Claus. In many cultures, children receive small gifts or treats in his memory.

SKYWARN Recognition Day* (First Saturday of December) honors the volunteer amateur radio operators who assist the National Weather Service by supplying real-time weather observations during severe storms. Created in 1999 by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League, the observance recognizes how these trained volunteers report conditions such as tornado sightings, wind speeds, and flooding, helping meteorologists issue accurate warnings and protect communities. In a typical year, operators set up radio stations at NWS offices and exchange call signs and weather information with other amateurs around the world.

⚠️ For 2025, the National Weather Service has cancelled the national SKYWARN Recognition Day event due to limited time and resources for planning. Local amateur radio groups or individual NWS offices may still hold informal activities, and the national program is expected to return in 2026 as the NWS and ARRL work together to revise and strengthen the event.

Tree Dressing Day* (First Weekend in December, UK 🇬🇧) was introduced in 1990 by the UK organization Common Ground. The observance builds on older customs that honor the relationship between people and trees, and communities mark the weekend by decorating local trees with ribbons, lanterns, or handmade ornaments to highlight their cultural and ecological importance.

World Pear Day* (First Saturday of December) was established in 2016 by the Pear Bureau Northwest (USA Pears) to mark the start of peak pear season and the beginning of National Pear Month. Pears have been cultivated since around 5,000 B.C., and more than 3,000 varieties are grown worldwide today. In the United States, most commercially sold pears come from Washington and Oregon, making the day an opportunity to learn about pear production and explore different varieties during their freshest period.