Overview

December is the twelfth and last month of the civil year in the modern Gregorian calendar. It contains 31 days and immediately follows November while preceding January. In many languages and cultures December is associated with year-end activity, seasonal observances and a concentration of public and religious holidays.

Name and historical background

The English name derives from the Latin word decem, meaning "ten", because in older Roman systems it was the tenth month. When January and February were added to the calendar the month moved to the twelfth position but kept its name. Ancient Roman festivals such as Saturnalia were held in the solar period now covered by December; over centuries the month accumulated additional civic, religious and agricultural associations.

Astronomy and climate

December includes the December solstice, occurring around December 21–22, which marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Night-sky events commonly visible in December include the Geminid meteor shower and, in some years, bright planetary groupings. In temperate climates, December is winter in the north and summer in the south, with weather-related traditions and work rhythms shaped accordingly.

Observances and public holidays

Many communities observe end-of-year festivals and commemorations. Notable examples include:

  • Christmas (widely observed on December 25 by many Christian denominations and celebrated culturally in many societies)
  • Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish festival whose dates shift in relation to the Gregorian calendar but often fall in December
  • Kwanzaa, observed from December 26 to January 1 in the United States
  • New Year's Eve on December 31, the secular celebration that precedes the new calendar year

In addition to these, many countries have national holidays or seasonal closures in December; the month is frequently a peak period for travel, commerce and cultural programming. The category of holidays in December is diverse and global.

Symbols, astrology and trivia

Traditional birth symbols for December include the Narcissus flower and the turquoise gemstone, though modern lists sometimes add alternatives such as tanzanite or zircon. Astrologically, December spans the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn. A calendar curiosity: December always begins on the same weekday as September and ends on the same weekday as April, a consequence of the fixed length of the intervening months.

Because December sits at the transition between years and seasons it plays a prominent role in cultural memory, planning and ritual. For historical study, cultural practice and practical scheduling, understanding December's place in both civil and astronomical cycles helps explain its widespread significance.