Holidays Around the World Journal Prompts for Students: (Part 2/2)— When students are soaked in media messages and ideas from a particular culture, it can be difficult for them to understand the experiences (and challenges) faced by people in other societies. That’s when…

The wonderfully fun and engaging experience of exploring world holidays comes into play.
You see…
Though students might strive for cultural understanding and empathy, they may struggle to accept alternate viewpoints and lifestyles. But, there is a delightfully simple tool to help: Journaling. Yes!
Yeppers…
Journal writing is a wonderfully simple tool to help students develop cultural understanding. Indeed guided prompts encourage students to expand their ideas and to consider the experiences of others.
Plus…
The writing process breaks down barriers at an individual level and allows each student to explore new thoughts on the page. Regular journal writing normalizes this practice and makes it easier for students to start thinking in broader terms.
And to do just that you are invited to use our wonderful list of holidays around the world prompts for students.
With these journal prompts, students will explore holidays from around the world and go on a cultural holiday adventure.
So get to it and take a look now. Above all enjoy!
25 Holidays Around the World Journal Prompts for Kids
- Do you know of any other religious practices or observances that are similar to Ramadan?
- Which parts of Ramadan would be the most challenging for you to observe?
- After a month of fasting and increased prayer, what would you learn? Do you think you would feel more in touch with your spiritual beliefs?
- Around the world, countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom celebrate Boxing Day on December 26th. The holiday’s traditions include offering money to people in need and those who offer service to others. Why is such a holiday important?
- Have you ever heard of Boxing Day? Does your family celebrate by giving gifts to people who help you, such as gardeners, postal workers, cleaning people, etc.?
- What is the most important part of the spirit of Boxing Day?
- What can you do to remember people who are less fortunate and people who help you on Boxing Day?
- Mardi Gras and other Carnival celebrations are popular around the world. Have you ever joined in a Mardi Gras party?
- What does Mardi Gras celebrate?
- Traditionally, Mardi Gras is a celebration of “Fat Tuesday,” where people eat fat-filled foods on the day before Lent begins. Why is a celebration of happiness and indulgence important?
- How have Mardi Gras celebrations evolved over time?
- In Japan, Coming of Age Day is celebrated in early January to mark the transition of those who have reached adulthood (or, people who have turned 20 in the past year). People reflect on their new responsibilities and their increased rights. Do we have any similar celebrations in America?
- How would an American Coming of Age Day help people make the transition into adulthood?
- Japan also celebrates Children’s Day on May 5th. This holiday celebrates each child’s individual personality and happiness. What would it be like to have this type of holiday in America?
- How would you like to be honored on Children’s Day?
- Do people sometimes neglect children’s personalities or thoughts as individuals? How does this make you feel?
- In Japan, Golden Week includes a number of holidays and many people take their vacation time at the same time. What would it be like for businesses and stores to shut down because everyone was taking off at the same time?
- How can a week-long celebration create unity in a culture?
- In India, Republic Day celebrates the country’s constitution and escape from colonial rule. How is this similar to the American celebration of the Fourth of July?
- How have other countries been impacted by colonization over the years?
- Why are celebrations that honor independence from colonization so important?
- Why do so many countries have holidays that celebrate independence and the country as a whole?
- How do holidays bring cultures together?
- Why is it important to learn about holidays from around the world?
- How does an understanding of other holidays help you to connect with other people?
I hope you enjoyed these holidays around the world prompts for kids and student writers.
25 MORE World Holiday Prompts for Kids
See this!
Yes, you can discover 25 MORE wonderful World Holiday prompts for kids. Take a look at this list of you need even more awesome world holiday prompts and ideas for your writers.
And now check out this…
Sweet List of MORE Holiday Writing Ideas for Students
- Hanukkah Writing Ideas for Kids
- Cinco de Mayo Facts and Writing Prompts
- Diwali Story and Writing Prompts
If you enjoyed these fun Holidays around the World Writing Prompts,
please share them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and/or Pinterest.
I appreciate it!

Sincerely,
Jill
journalbuddies.com
creator and curator
Oh and now…
You are invited to check out the list of holidays from around the world that you can use in your classrooms and/or incorporate into your lesson plans.
See this Super List of World Holidays by Month
October
- Diwali: This Hindu festival of lights is celebrated in mid-October to mid-November. It is a time for Hindus to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to light lamps to dispel darkness.
- Halloween: This holiday is celebrated on October 31st in many countries around the world. It is a time for people to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating.
- Day of the Dead: This Mexican holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time for Mexicans to remember their deceased loved ones.
November
- Thanksgiving: This American holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a time for Americans to give thanks for their blessings.
- Hanukkah: This Jewish holiday is celebrated in late November or early December. It is a time for Jews to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
- Día de Muertos (November 1st-2nd): Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a unique holiday in Mexico that honors and celebrates the deceased. It is a time for families to visit cemeteries and build ofrendas (altars) for their loved ones, decorated with photos, flowers, and food.
- Guy Fawkes Night (England): This British holiday is celebrated on November 5th. It is a time for Britons to remember the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
December
- Hanukkah is a Jewish eight-day festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Seleucid Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. It is celebrated annually in late November or December according to the Hebrew calendar. The holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights because it is marked by the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum
- The longest night of the year, also known as the Winter Solstice, occurs on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. This is because the Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees, which means that the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days in the summer and shorter days in the winter.
- Christmas Eve/Christmas: This Christian holiday is celebrated on December 25th. It is a time for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ while others await the arrival of Santa Claus
- Kwanzaa:Kwanza This African-American holiday is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It is a time for African-Americans to celebrate their heritage and culture.
- Boxing Day: This holiday is celebrated on December 26th in many countries around the world. It is a time for people to exchange gifts and spend time with family and friends.
- New Year’s Eve Jan 31st (ends at midnight when the New Year begins!)
January
- New Year’s Day: This holiday is celebrated on January 1st. It is a time for people to celebrate the beginning of a new year.
- Epiphany: This Christian holiday is celebrated on January 6th. It is a time for Christians to remember the baptism of Jesus Christ.
- Lohri: This Sikh holiday is celebrated in mid-January. It is a time for Sikhs to celebrate the harvest and the beginning of a new year.
February
- February 1st-2nd: Imbolc (Pagan) – Marks the beginning of spring, symbolizing new beginnings, fertility, and creativity.
- February 2nd: Groundhog Day (North America) – People observe groundhogs to predict the weather; if they see their shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter.
- February 14th: Saint Valentine’s Day – A global celebration of love and romance, marked by exchanging cards, flowers, and chocolates.
- February 18th: Maha Shivaratri (Hindu) – A Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva, celebrated through fasting, meditation, and devotional practices.
- Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China and is celebrated by many other Asian countries. It marks the beginning of the new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The festival is celebrated for 15 days, from the first day of the new month to the 15th day, which is the Lantern Festival.
March
- March 8th: International Women’s Day – Celebrates women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality and women’s rights.
- March 17th: Saint Patrick’s Day (Ireland) – Commemorates the life of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, with parades, music, and festivities.
- March 20th-26th: International Day of Happiness – Celebrates the importance of happiness and well-being, promoting acts of kindness and positivity.
- March 20th-26th: Norooz (Persian New Year) – Celebrates the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature, marked by festivities, family gatherings, and traditional foods.
- Easter is a movable feast, meaning that it does not occur on the same day each year. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means that Easter can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25
April
- April 1st: April Fool’s Day – A day of pranks and lighthearted jokes, celebrated across many cultures with playful deceptions.
- April 22nd: Earth Day – Celebrates the planet Earth and promotes environmental consciousness and sustainability efforts.
- April 23rd: World Book Day – Encourages reading and literacy, promoting books as a source of knowledge and imagination.
- April 25th: ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand) – Commemorates the sacrifices of soldiers and veterans in wars and conflicts.
- April 29th: International Day of Dance – Celebrates the art of dance and its ability to connect people across cultures.
- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The start and end of Ramadan shifts each year.
May
- May 1st: International Workers’ Day – Celebrates the achievements and contributions of workers worldwide, promoting labor rights and social justice.
- May 2nd-8th: World Laughter Day – Celebrates the power of laughter and its positive impact on physical and mental well-being.
- May 4th: Star Wars Day – Celebrates the iconic Star Wars franchise, with fans expressing their love for the saga through various activities.
- May 9th: Europe Day – Celebrates peace and unity in Europe, commemorating the historic Schuman Declaration that laid the foundation for the European Union.
- May 12th: International Nurses Day – Honors the contributions of nurses worldwide, recognizing their dedication and compassion in healthcare.
June
- June 5th: World Environment Day – Raises awareness about environmental issues and encourages action to protect the planet.
- June 8th: World Ocean Day – Celebrates the wonders of the ocean and promotes sustainable ocean management practices.
- June 20th-26th: International Yoga Day – Promotes the practice of yoga, its physical and mental benefits, and its ability to connect individuals to their inner selves.
- June 21st: International Music Day – Celebrates the power of music and its ability to transcend borders and unite people.
- June 23rd: International Olympic Day – Celebrates the Olympic ideals of friendship, excellence, and respect, promoting sports and physical activity.
July
- July 1st: International Day of Cooperatives – Recognizes the contributions of cooperatives to sustainable development and economic empowerment.
- July 11th: World Population Day – Raises awareness about population growth and its implications for sustainable development.
- July 15th: World Youth Skills Day – Emphasizes the importance of equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful future.
- July 18th: Nelson Mandela International Day – Honors the legacy of Nelson Mandela and promotes his values of peace, justice, and human rights.
- July 20th: World Chess Day – Celebrates the intellectual and strategic game of chess, promoting its educational and recreational value.
August
- August 9th: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (UN)
- August 19th: World Humanitarian Day (UN)
September
- September 1st: Labor Day (United States, Canada)
- September 11th: National Remembrance Day (United States)
- September 15th: Hispanic Heritage Month (United States)
- September 16th: Mexican Independence Day
- September 22nd: Native American Day (United States)
- September 23rd: Autumnal Equinox
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of the many holidays that are celebrated around the world during these months. There are many other holidays that are important to different cultures and religions.
A Few Key Questions about World Holidays
- Why is it important to understand the historical context of holidays?
- What role do holidays play in preserving cultural heritage?
- How do holidays contribute to a sense of national identity?
- What impact can holidays have on tourism and the economy?
- What are some unique and lesser-known holidays celebrated around the world?
- What are some ways that holidays are celebrated differently across cultures?
Lastly, check out this resource of Ideas for Teaching Holidays Around the World.