Did you know that aside from being the month when many people celebrate Christmas, December is also host to a large number of other holidays? Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American heritage, is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday commemorated through the lighting of lights on the menorah and other rituals. In 2007 Hanukkah began on December 4th. Eid al-Adha, a four day long Muslim religious festival, this year was celebrated beginning December 19th.

In Canada the official celebration of the ending of the old year and the beginning of the New Year occurs on December 31st, but many cultures around the world follow different calendars and so celebrate the New Year at many other times. Followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church will celebrate the New Year on January 14th, 2008. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will be celebrated beginning September 29th, 2008. Followers of Islam will celebrate the beginnings of two New Years in 2008. The first will be celebrated January 10th, 2008 while a second will be celebrated on December 29th, 2008. The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, falls on February 7th, 2008 and signifies the beginning of the year of the Rat!

The world is full of many wondrous celebrations and cultures which can be explored at the Pickering Public Library! Come on in and see what else you can celebrate today!

Submitted by Alex MacCutchan, Children's Service Staff Member