In the blink of an eye, 2024 is coming to an end – the weather is getting colder, and Christmas is just around the corner. But winter isn't just about snowflakes and hot cocoa; it's also a time to celebrate the cultural diversity that makes our campus so vibrant. Beyond Christmas, many other meaningful celebrations take place throughout the winter season. We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the wonderful traditions that reflect the diverse experiences of our student community.
2024-2025 Celebration Dates
Hanukkah
Dates: December 25, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Hanukkah is a celebration of light and resilience for Jewish communities. Families light the menorah, recite prayers, sing special songs, and enjoy traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). It’s also a time for exchanging gifts, playing dreidel, and reflecting on the miracles of the season.
Kwanzaa
Dates: December 26, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that honours African heritage, culture, and community, observed annually from 26th December to 1st January. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa focuses on seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba, which include unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), and collective work and responsibility (Ujima). Families light the kinara, engage in storytelling, enjoy communal feasts called Karamu, and reflect on values that strengthen bonds within the community. In 2025, Kwanzaa will continue to serve as a meaningful celebration of culture and connection for the African diaspora.
Winter Solstice
Date: December 21, 2024
The Winter Solstice, occurring around 21st December in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It has been celebrated for centuries in various cultures as a time of renewal and reflection. Traditional festivities often honour the return of longer days, with rituals involving light, such as candles or bonfires, symbolising hope and warmth. Many modern celebrations draw inspiration from ancient customs, making the Winter Solstice a meaningful time to connect with nature and welcome the gradual return of the sun.
Bodhi Day
Date: December 8, 2024
Bodhi Day, observed on 8th December, commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and honouring the path to spiritual awakening. Many Buddhists mark the occasion by lighting candles or lanterns, meditating, and decorating with images of the Bodhi tree or lotus flowers. Bodhi Day serves as a reminder of wisdom, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace.
Hogmanay
Dates: December 31, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Hogmanay, celebrated on 31st December, is Scotland's traditional New Year's Eve celebration. The name comes from an old French word for New Year's gifts. Key customs include "first-footing," where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings luck, often with gifts like coal or whiskey. The festivities feature fireworks, street parties, and singing "Auld Lang Syne." In Edinburgh, there's a torchlight procession, and people gather to celebrate Scottish culture and welcome the new yea
Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year)
Date: January 29th 2025
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a vibrant celebration marking the start of the lunar calendar. It is the most significant traditional holiday in Chinese and many Easy Asian cultures. Each year is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animals, 2025 marking the Year of the Snake. This festive time is filled with traditions like family reunions, giving red envelopes, lion dances, and setting off fireworks to bring luck and happiness.
Eid al-Fitr
Date: Approximately March 30, 2025
Eid al-Fitr in 2025 begins on the evening of Sunday, 30th March, and ends on the evening of Tuesday, 1st April, depending on the sighting of the moon. Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," is a joyous celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, lasting one to three days depending on local traditions. Families gather for special prayers, enjoy festive meals, give gifts, and share charity (zakat) with those in need. Eid al-Fitr is a time of gratitude, forgiveness, and strengthening bonds with loved ones and the community.
Here at The SU, we recognise the importance of acknowledging that the winter season brings a variety of celebrations beyond Christmas, reflecting the diversity within our student community. From Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to Bodhi Day and the Winter Solstice, these holidays offer unique opportunities to learn about and celebrate the different cultural traditions that shape the student experiences. By embracing and highlighting the diversity of different winter traditions, we create space for everyone to feel seen and valued, strengthening the sense of belonging for all students.