Discover lesser-known fall holidays around the world, from Diwali to Chuseok. Explore unique traditions and celebrations!
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, autumn brings a slew of holidays that many might not be familiar with. While Halloween and Thanksgiving are well-known, several lesser-known celebrations enrich the fall season with unique traditions and cultural significance. Here’s a glimpse into some fall holidays you might not have heard about:
1. Diwali (Festival of Lights)
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated by millions around the world. Typically falling between October and November, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families light oil lamps, set off fireworks, and share sweets and gifts. Homes are decorated with rangoli (intricate designs made from colored powders), and special prayers and rituals are performed.
2. Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival)
Chuseok, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is a harvest festival celebrated in South Korea around late September or early October. It’s a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and share a feast of traditional foods such as songpyeon (rice cakes) and jeon (savory pancakes). The holiday includes rituals like visiting ancestral graves and performing ceremonial dances.
3. Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated in China, Vietnam, and other East Asian countries, falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in September or October. It’s a time for family reunions and moon gazing. Mooncakes, filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste, are a traditional treat. Lantern parades and dragon dances are common, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
4. All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day
Observed on November 1st and 2nd, respectively, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are Christian holidays dedicated to remembering saints and departed loved ones. In many countries, people visit cemeteries to clean graves, leave flowers, and light candles. In Mexico, these days coincide with the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a colorful and lively celebration that honors deceased ancestors with altars, food, and festivities.
5. Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night)
Bonfire Night, celebrated in the United Kingdom on November 5th, commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which Guy Fawkes and his conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The night is marked by bonfires, fireworks, and the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes. It’s a time for community gatherings, feasting on toffee apples, and enjoying the spectacle of fireworks lighting up the night sky.
6. Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox around September 21st-24th, is a pagan holiday that marks the balance of light and dark. It’s a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and a celebration of nature’s abundance. Modern pagans and Wiccans observe Mabon with rituals, feasting on seasonal foods, and reflecting on the changing seasons and the cycle of life.
7. Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Sukkot is a Jewish festival that usually occurs in late September to early October, lasting seven days. It commemorates the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. Families build sukkahs (temporary huts) to eat and sometimes sleep in, symbolizing the fragile dwellings of their ancestors. The holiday is marked by special prayers, festive meals, and the waving of the lulav (a bundle of palm, myrtle, and willow branches) and etrog (a citrus fruit).
8. Oktoberfest
Originating in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, traditionally held from late September to the first weekend in October. It began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Today, it’s a global phenomenon, with festivities featuring beer, traditional Bavarian foods like pretzels and sausages, music, and folk dances. Many cities worldwide host their own versions of Oktoberfest.
9. St. Martin’s Day
St. Martin’s Day, celebrated on November 11th in various European countries, honors St. Martin of Tours. The holiday is associated with feasting on goose, as legend has it that St. Martin hid in a goose pen to avoid becoming a bishop. Children often participate in lantern processions and sing songs, while communities enjoy bonfires and fairs.
10. Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
Although often associated with winter, Hanukkah sometimes begins in late fall, as it is based on the Hebrew calendar. This eight-day Jewish festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Each night, families light a candle on the menorah, say prayers, and enjoy foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Games with the dreidel and gift-giving are also common traditions.
Interested in experiencing these holidays firsthand? At Placement International, we offer programs that allow you to explore the world and immerse yourself in diverse cultural experiences. Apply for our programs and start your international journey today!
