Top 15 Holidays Around the World You Need to Experience at Least Once
Holidays are not date stamps—holidays are triumphs of joy, tradition, and humanity. All people, all cultures, celebrate life, give thanks to God for blessings, and rejoice in their manner.
Some holidays reduce the cities to a standstill with millions streaming through the streets. There are those who go by and don't notice, on the dinner plate, where wishes are made and prayer is said. And with our world so scattered, with loved ones spread across continents so wide and so broad, wishing sweet online was never so required—or accessible.
So take out your virtual passport and join us as we tour 15 of the world's most universally observed holidays. For each, we'll provide you with lots of information, holiday greeting suggestions, and the added reminder that Sendwishonline.com allows you to send them off today to virtually anyone worldwide.
1. New Year's Eve & New Year's Day
When: December 31 – January 1
Where: All over, from wild city centers to towns in the country
New Year's celebrations are the do-over dream. Times Square in New York is the place to be spotted, with a stunning ball drop and fireworks lighting up the nighttime sky. Sydney Harbor is aglow with dazzling pyrotechnics. Families throw midnight parties, and friends make resolutions—hopes all the same.
Wishes & Messages
"Here's to 365 new chances—Happy New Year!"
"Perhaps next year will see you closer to your desires and further from your troubles."
"Wishing you a healthy, bright, and cheerful new coming year."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Make a group New Year's eCard where everyone participating can add his or her message—perfect for co-workers, friend network, or stateside family.
2. Christmas
When: December 25
Where: USA, Europe, and around the world
Christmas is a season, not a holiday. From drawing out suburban snow home rooflines with lights to drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace, it's the holiday that binds religious ceremonies into warm, communal functions of giving and love. To others in America, though, it's a season for family reunions with time, delivering real messages, and watching old favorites such as It's a Wonderful Life.
Wishes & Messages
"May your Christmas be merry and bright, with love, laughter, and goodwill."
"Wishing you peace at home and joy in the season."
"Merry Christmas—have a merry and bright day!"
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Add photos of your lit-up tree and beaming faces on a custom Easter card and send today to loved ones everywhere.
3. Easter
When: March or April (dates vary year to year)
Where: Seen by millions of Christians worldwide
Easter is the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a holiday with both happy and sorrowful traditions. Easter mornings are marked with church sermons, children hunt for pastel eggs, and houses are filled with a pleasant smell of the delectable aroma of hot cross buns fresh from the oven.
Wishes & Messages:
"May this Easter fill your heart with joy and hope and lasting happiness."
"Happy and blessed Easter wishes to you with love and light all around you."
"Happiest Easter—life's sweetest blessings."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send a pastel flower eCard with Easter greetings to friends and relatives.
4. Thanksgiving
When: Fourth Thursday of November (USA)
Where: Mainly the USA, with variations in Canada and other nations
Thanksgiving is the moment when one gathers to count blessings. From Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, to quiet family luncheons, it's all thank, giving, and—above all—pumpkin pie.
Wishes & Messages
"Thanks for being super duper wonderful friends—Happy Thanksgiving!"
"Wishing a cornucopia of blessings this holiday season."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Have a group card where people sign something they are thankful for. It's a wonderful keepsake.
5. Valentine's Day
When: February 14
Where: Everywhere in the world, mostly in the USA, Europe, and Asia
Valentine's Day is not only about couples—it's about anyone who wants to celebrate love in all possible ways. From heart-shaped foods to lovingly written cards, it's a day to make other people feel like special individuals.
Wishes & Messages:
"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO MY SWEETHEART!"
"You make my heart miss a beat every day."
"To love that will last for eternity!"
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send love in photo eCards to loved ones, family, or friends—because love must go far and wide.
6. Halloween
When: October 31
Where: USA, Canada, UK, and many more across the world now
Halloween scary thrill at its best—trick-or-treating, haunted houses, pumpkin carving, and partying in disguise. Streets in the USA are carnival-like scenes of ghosts, witches, and candy-fueled laughter.
Wishes & Messages
"Wishing you a frightfully fun Halloween!"
"Nibble, sip, and be frightening!"
"Wish your Halloween spooky!"
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send Halloween e-cards with fresh, new ideas to friends of all ages.
7. Diwali
When: October or November
Where: India and Indian communities worldwide
The Festival of Lights is a vibrant celebration of hope, good fortune, and coming home to loved ones. Streetlights glowing, fireworks lighting up the night sky, and the aroma of tasty sweets in the oven.
Wishes & Messages
"May your Diwali glow with the light of lamps lighting up this evening."
"May you have riches, good health, and unlimited joy."
"May love, light, and laughter be rejoiced during Diwali."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send shining Diwali eCards and wishes worldwide.
8. Hanukkah
When: November or December
Where: Jewish communities around the globe
Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration, remembrance, and celebration of light. A new candle is lit every night on the menorah, reminding one of hope and perseverance.
Wishes & Messages:
"Warmest wishes for a happy Hanukkah."
"Eight happy and blessed days to you."
"Best wishes to all with Hanukkah Gelt."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Celebrate Chinese New Year with personalized greetings for each night.
9. Chinese New Year
When: January or February
Where: USA, Massachusetts, New York City
Fireworks, American flags, and patriotic parades hail a new day. Relatives march in from near and far to come home, and it's the world's largest migration annually.
Wishes & Messages
"HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR—may fortune and joy be yours."
"Gong Xi Fa Cai!"
"To health and happiness next year."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Make a red-and-gold colored eCard to suit the celebratory atmosphere.
10. Independence Day (USA)
When: July 4
Where: USA
Fireworks, parades, and barbecues—Independence Day is a stunning sensory delight of freedom. Families emerge from their houses for picnics and look up at the fiery sky that glows with the colors of red, white, and blue.
Wishes & Messages
"Proud to be an American—Happy 4th of July!"
"Wishing you freedom, joy, and celebration today."
"Let freedom ring!"
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Create a patriotic design card to send Independence Day greetings to friends and loved ones.
11. Mardi Gras
When: February or March
Where: New Orleans, USA, and worldwide Carnival festivities
Mardi Gras is colorful, sparkly, and unapologetically festive. It's about parades, beads, jazz, and a feeling of pure party in the streets of New Orleans.
Wishes & Messages:
"Let the good times roll—Happy Mardi Gras!"
"Wishing you a colorful, music-filled celebration."
"Dance, laugh, and live to the fullest this Mardi Gras."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send party-themed cards to party-loving friends.
12. Eid al-Fitr
When: End of Ramadan (dates vary)
Where: Muslim communities all over the world
Day of piety, kith and kin, and indulgence. It begins with prayer in the morning and extends to collective feasts, charity deeds, and wish-fulfillment.
Wishes & Messages
"Eid Mubarak! May happiness and peace fill your home."
"Wishing you blessings today."
"Happiest Eid to you and your family."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send elegantly worded Eid greeting cards to impart blessings.
13. Holi
When: March
Where: India, Nepal, Indian diaspora globally
Festival of Colors heralds spring with bursts of colored powder, grins, and song. Unbridled joy, chaos at its best.
Wishes & Messages:
"May your life be colored in the brightest hues—Happy Holi!"
"Wishing you a rainbow season of love and togetherness."
"Happy Holi to you and your near and dear ones."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Color-splattered eCards for as party-like a bash as the virtual one.
14. Bastille Day
When: July 14
Where: France and French colonies
Bastille Day is celebrated in honor of the French Revolution with parades, fireworks, and street festivals. Paris's Champs-Élysées is decorated with flags and cheers.
Wishes & Messages:
"Vive la France! Happy Bastille Day!"
"Wishing you liberty, unity, and delight."
"Happy freedom and history day."
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Create a blue, red, and white colored card to send to French friends.
15. St. Patrick's Day
When: March 17
Where: Ireland, the USA, and Irish communities all over the world
Green clothes, shamrocks, and noisy parades—St. St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebrations and heritage, too. Rivers are completely dyed green in locations like Chicago in the USA.
Wishes & Messages
"May your day be filled with Irish luck and happiness."
"Rainbows, laughter, and smiles: sending these to you."
"Happy St. Patrick's Day!"
Sendwishonline.com Tip: Send a luck-speckled card brimming with shamrocks and well-wishes in between.
Last Thoughts
From the New Year's Eve party bash to the light of Hanukkah candles, these 15 holidays remind us that human connection is the language that everyone can use. And since technology has arrived, to celebrate being together doesn't always mean being close.
With Sendwishonline.com, it's just a matter of minutes to create your free holiday eCards—photos, group messaging, even electronic signatures. Wherever your friends and loved ones are in the world, your greetings will arrive in an instant, making each holiday shine.
Celebrate everywhere. Share nearby. Send love always.