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Day of the Dead is one of the most important Guatemalan holidays. Throughout many Latin American countries, el Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd. However, the Day of the Dead traditions in Guatemala is unique and very different from the Día de Muertos traditions in Mexico. In Guatemala, celebrations mostly happen on November 1st, Día de Todos Los Santos (All Saints' Day).

Traditions for celebrating the Day of the Dead in Guatemalan include visiting loved ones that have passed, decorating altars, and eating fiambre. Small towns commemorate this important day with festivals and even horse races. One of the most important traditions on All Saints Day in Guatemala is the Guatemalan giant kite festival, where townspeople create spectacular giant kites measuring up to 15 ft.

All Saints Day in Guatemala

On November 1 st, Guatemala celebrates All Saints' Day (Día de Todos Los Santos). You might know it as the Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos. The Day of the Dead in Guatemala traditions is a joyful celebration full of life and color. It is when Guatemalans honor their loved ones through food, ancestral rituals, and unique cultural events.

I remember going to the graveyard with my Abuela to visit family members that passed away. She used to tell me stories and legends about Día de Los Muertos. Chapines believe that the souls of the departed returned to check up on their families and spend time with them. Grandma taught me that it was not a scary day at all. Instead, it is a celebration of life and love, surrounded by fantastic food and traditions.

What is Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos in Spanish) takes place on November 1st and 2nd. It is rooted in ancient indigenous traditions practiced throughout Central America. Today, it combines elements of Mayan or Aztec cultures and aspects of the catholic religion. Known in Guatemala as All Saints Day, Day of the Dead is a three-day festivity. It is truly a time for celebrating life, not being sad or scared. Starting on October 31 st, families prepare to mourn the deceased, getting flowers and food ready for the next day.

All Saints Day is dedicated to remembering the dead on the first day of November. On November 1st and November 2nd, All Souls Day (Dia de Los Fieles Difuntos), people bring offerings like flowers and food to the graves. It is customary to gather with family and enjoy delicious Guatemalan foods like fiambre. In addition, some people will serenade their family members with mariachis or play marimba as a way to commemorate the memory of their deceased loved ones.

History Of the Day of The Dead in Guatemala

Every culture has its way of paying respect to the dead. Across Mesoamerica, the whole month of November was dedicated to the souls, holding festivals in Hispanic and pre-Hispanic times. Mayans created rituals to contemplate death because there was a belief that there was another life after death.

Blending Mayan and Spanish Religious Beliefs

Día de Todos Los Santos is a festive occasion rooted in tradition in Guatemala. Historians believe it was initially a Mayan celebration of death and their ancestors. In Mayan culture, you will find symbols about the worship of death. This is because they believed the cosmic order depended on the balance between life and death.

With the arrival of the Spanish, the festivity also embodied Christian elements. It occurs on November 1 st, corresponding to the Christian day of All Saints or Día de Todos Los Santos. Although you might associate Mexico with the Day of the Dead, many Latin American countries celebrate Día De Los Muertos with their unique rituals.

Celebrating the Elements

Guatemalans honor the four elements in many traditions for the Day of the Dead. Therefore, these four elements are usually present at these celebrations. For example, families build beautiful altars at home or the grave of their loved ones.

Fire, Water, Earth, and Air

Burning candles at the cemetery or as part of their ofrendas (offerings) on their altars stand for fire. It is a way to help guide the dead among the land of the living. Likewise, marigolds and Papel Picado represent wind, and you also use them to decorate graves and in kite festivals.

Traditional Guatemalan dishes and drinks represent water and earth. Many believe that delicious aromas can invoke spirits. Families entice them with food offerings to join them at the table for remembrance. So, it is common to see families gathering around the graves with food baskets and kids running around with kites. And beautifully decorated gravestones to honor the dead are a sight you shouldn't skip!

How Do They Celebrate the Day of The Dead in Guatemala?

There are so many traditions attached to this spirit-filled celebration. From enjoying traditional Guatemalan food to watching gigantic kites flying in the air, All Saints' Day is a memorable holiday. So, if you plan a trip to Guatemala, mark your calendar for November! Be part of the special holidays and colorful festivals; I promise it will be an experience of a lifetime!

Visit A Cemetery During Dia De Todos Los Santos

One of the most popular traditions of the Day of the Dead in Guatemala is to go to a graveyard. Families visit loved ones starting on October 31st when tombs and mausoleums are cleaned and painted. Then, on November 1st and 2nd, people wear their best clothes and head out. They spend the day decorating the tombs with flowers and candles.

You can see living relatives celebrating the dead, offering the deceased favorite foods and drinks. Some even play marimba to avoid angering the dead. It is a truly stunning sight, full of color, music, and families enjoying picnics by the tombstones.

The Guatemala Kite Festival

In Santiago and Sumpángo Sacatepéquez, the giant kite festival is one of the most important festivals in Guatemala and one of the best-known Day of the Dead celebrations. The Giant Kite Festival takes place on November 1st, All Saints Day, attracting thousands of visitors worldwide. They long to be part of a unique and beautiful way to celebrate the dearly departed. These barriletes (Spanish for kites) serve as a symbolic connection to the dead and help guide the returning spirits to their loved ones.

Although people do kite flying for fun, what sets this Guatemalan festival apart is the size of the kites. Local communities spend all year building these art pieces with a spectacular display of colors and designs. Some kites are 40 feet or over, handmade out of tissue paper and bamboo.

The Meaning Behind the Guatemalan Giant Kites

Launching kites to fill the air has a deeper meaning than simply coloring the sky. They are a means to communicate between the living and the dead. Once the Day of the Dead celebrations in Guatemala is over, locals burn the beautiful kites. This way, the souls of the deceased can return to their peaceful rest until next year.

You will find hundreds of vendors offering all sorts of street foods and handmade crafts. You can even buy a smaller kite to fly at the festival and honor a loved one. This wonderful Guatemalan tradition of commemorating the dead is one you must add to your bucket list!

Where to See the Giant Kite Festival of Guatemala

The giant kites festival takes place on November 1st and is celebrated mainly in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez. However, some other towns have also started celebrating this tradition.

The Kite festival is held at Sumpango, in the Departmento (state) de Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. To get there, take the Carretera Interamericana/Pan-American Highway/CA-1 till the 45.2 km mark.

La Carrera de Cintas, A Drunken Guatemalan Horse Race

One of the most unusual activities during All Saints' Day in Guatemala is the Carrera de Caballos (or Carrera o corrida de Cintas) in Todos Santos Cuchumatán. This small Mam Mayan town hosts a Day of the Dead festival that ends in a horse race called Skach Koyl, or "Race of Souls."

Most historians believe that this ancient tradition goes back to the 1500s. However, residents of the area say it began when 13 Mayan riders rode for miles to a nearby town to arrive on November 1 st for the funeral of a holy man. After the colonization, the race survived as a symbol of indigenous strength against the Spanish conquerors.

A Horse Race Full Of Tradition

This traditional race takes place on the dirt road from the town to the cemetery. The riders prepare days in advance for the ceremonial festivities. All-male jockeys spend October 31 st deprived of sleep and drinking themselves into an alcohol-induced stupor. The following morning, on November 1st, Dia de Todos Los Santos, the riders wear colorful traditional outfits with feathers and unique jackets trimmed with embroidered collars and cuffs.

Then the inebriated jockeys stagger to their horses to compete in a 100-meter race that lasts most of the day, and whoever is still standing wins. But, according to tradition, they must race for four consecutive years, or bad luck will come to them. And in the last year, they have to eat an entire chicken to signify the end of their obligation.

A Day of the Dead Horse Race Worth Watching

Spectators crowd against the wooden railings, neither cheering nor clapping out of respect. As the festival continues, families pay their respects to loved ones, surrounded by marimba music and beautiful garlands. And, of course, you'll find street vendors selling delicious Guatemalan food and crafts. So, if you are in the area, get your camera ready, as this rite of passage race is like no one you have ever seen!
How to get there?
Todos los Santos Cuchumatán is located in Departamento de Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It's a little over 300 km (187 miles) via Carretera Interamericana/Pan-American Highway CA-1. It's about a 7hr drive, so it is best if you arrive a day before and stay over in Huehuetenango's Capital city. From there, it is about a 45 min drive to the unique race town.

Other Day of the Dead Traditions in Guatemala

Although the giant kite festival and the Carrera de Cintas are the most well knows traditions, other Guatemalan towns and regions celebrate All Saints Day or Dia de Los Muertos in different ways. Likewise, day of the Dead celebrations in Guatemala differ significantly from region to region and town. Some lesser-known Guatemalan traditions for Day of the dead include a procession carrying human skulls, putting hallowed pumpkins with a candle inside on the tombs of loved ones, and sleeping in the cemetery next to loved ones on October 31st.

The "Santa Calavera" human skull procession in San José, Petén

In San José Petén, the Santa Calavera procession takes place on November 1st. In this procession, three human skulls are carried to people's houses, where they receive them with flowers and candles made of black wax. The procession starts in the church with a mass, and the skulls are believed to be holy and can grant miracles to those who pray to them. The heads are then returned to the church.

This tradition is based on worshiping the souls and dates back to pre-Hispanic times since, in Petén, the conquest occurred until the beginning of the 18th century. The human skulls are believed to be the ones of prominent Xamanes (shamans) or Mayan Priests of the Itzá community.

The carved squash skulls of Salcajá, Quetzaltenango

In the town of Salcajá, in Quetzaltenango, illuminated carved pumpkins resembling skulls called luminaries are made to adorn the cemetery. In Salcajá, November 1st is celebrated by cutting chilacayotes and squashes. The villagers empty them, place a candle inside, and then walk to the cemetery and place them on the graves of the deceased. At 6 pm on November 1st, the residents carry the pumpkins throughout the streets of the town and knock on the doors of the houses saying: "Una candelita para las ánimas benditas" ("A small candle for the blessed souls.")

At the night's end, they lit the candles they gathered in the middle of the cemetery to raise a prayer for the loved ones who departed. This tradition is not related to the Halloween pumpkin tradition, but the designs on the chayotes and squashes used now seem to have been influenced by Halloween designs.

Los Emponchados of Santiago Sacatepéquez

In Santiago Sacatepéquez, the "emponchados" custom is practiced. People go to the cemetery on the night of October 31st, sleep next to the graves of loved ones, and wake up there on November 1st. Then people will eat and "share a meal" with loved ones that have passed away. The belief is that from midnight on October 31st evil spirits arrive to disturb the deceased, which is why relatives come to protect the grave of their loved ones.

Guatemalan Food Traditions for Day of The Dead

To appreciate Guatemalan culture, you must understand that traditions and food go hand in hand. One of the most popular traditions of Day of the Dead revolves around traditional Guatemalan recipes. My family, like most Guatemalans, got together to feast on the most delicious dishes. Here is the most famous Guatemalan Day of the Dead food you must try:

Families prepare this Guatemalan dish once a year, especially for the Día de Los Muertos. It is a traditional Guatemalan food with loads of veggies, cold cuts, cheeses, and a delicious caldillo. It is an elegant cold salad like you have never tasted before. Since it is a challenging recipe (it may include over 50 ingredients), you must start prepping a few days in advance.

There are various kinds of fiambre: white, red, and divorciado (where you serve all the ingredients separately, and each person picks what they want). Each family has its recipe for fiambre, passed on from generation to generation. Learn more about the origins of this traditional Guatemalan food on Fiambre for El Día de Los Muertos.

Ayote en miel (or ayote en dulce) is a traditional Guatemalan dessert for Día de Todos Los Santos celebrations. It is a popular dish in many Central American countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It is a simple yet delicious dessert made with squash, cooked in a sweet syrup of panela (unrefined cane sugar) and spices.

How to prepare ayote varies very little from one region to the next. For example, the El Salvador recipe starts from a light syrup made from panela and spices, like the Honduran recipe. In Guatemala, people (like me) add ginger to give the syrup a slightly spicy taste. Others like to put a fig leaf or even a little orange zest.

You can get sweet bread all year round in Guatemala. But in the days leading up to the Día de Los Muertos, you can get this special Pan de Muertos. The loaf is a family-size sweet bread, usually a bit dry, perfect for slicing and sharing with family. It goes great with a hot cup of chocolate or café de olla. It is oh-so-good!

You can also place this sweet roll as an ofrenda on the altars. It has decorations that resemble the bones of the dead. And they also represent the tears shed for loved ones that have passed away. The round ornament on the top represents a skull, and its shape stands for the circle of life.

More Traditional Guatemalan Recipes Perfect for All Saints' Day

Pepián De Pollo: This Guatemalan chicken stew is rich in flavors and full of roasted spices. You can make Pepián with chicken, beef, or pork. Then, stew it in a tomato-based sauce with roasted seeds and peppers for the perfect comfort food.

Tamales Colorados: Made with corn masa and a chicken or pork filling, this Guatemalan food is based on my grandmother's recipe. I created the best recipe for Guatemalan tamales with some personal tweaks. It includes easy step-by-step instructions so you can make them at home!

Molletes: A traditional Guatemalan dessert perfect for All Saints Day festivities. Unlike Mexican molletes, Guatemalan molletes are similar to stuffed French toast. It is a sweet bread loaded with custard and soaked in a delicious syrup made with panela (raw sugar) and rum.

Jocotes en Miel: A traditional Guatemalan dessert typical for the Day of the Dead celebrations. You cook these juicy jocotes (hog plums) in a bubbling sweet syrup and heavenly spices.

Torrejas: Similar to French toast, torrejas are sweet bread or brioche soaked in a milk or egg mixture before frying in oil. Then, you usually bathe them in a sweet syrup made from boiling water and spices.

Other Guatemalan Traditions You'll Love

Not only in Guatemala but across Latin America (and many countries worldwide), there are celebrations and traditions of the Day of the Dead or All Saints' Day. Culturally speaking, honoring the dead and celebrating their life is part of our history, food, and customs. Since I live in the US, our traditions are a blend of the old with the new. So here are a few traditions you should learn if you are traveling to Guatemala and honoring your Latino roots!

On September 15th, Guatemala celebrates its independence from Spain in 1821. In the United States, it marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. For example, we honor our Latino roots through food and making fun crafts with the kids. What's more, it is the best time to show how proud we are of our culture that has much passion, warmth, and the best grub!

This strange tradition involves burning the devil (usually a piñata), in a bonfire on December 7th. Meanwhile, most people ignite fireworks, sometimes throwing them into the bonfire. Along with the devil, people usually burn rubbish, paper, and other old things. They believed the devil could lurk in places full of old and unwanted items.

Holy Week is a holiday taken quite seriously in Guatemala. Massive wood floats bearing statues of Christ make their way through the streets. As a Guatemalan tradition, families cover the passways with intricate carpets. Besides, we get to eat delicious Guatemalan food made for the occasion.

Are you wondering what Christmas is like in Guatemala? Let me tell you that it is full of holiday traditions and delicious food. From las posadas navideñas to mouthwatering tamales, Guatemalan holidays are full of tradition. The holiday season is truly a magical time of year!

Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes Magos) is a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th. It commemorates the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to the newborn Jesus. From leaving your shoes out to enjoying Rosca de Reyes, I love sharing this day with my kids.

I hope that these beautiful Day of the Dead traditions brings you closer to a loved one that has passed. Share stories with your family about your ancestors by hosting a Día de Todos Los Santos. Cook fantastic Guatemalan food or have a kite-making and flying competition with your kids! Make All Saints Day not a sad celebration but a way of honoring the dead. Ultimately, all these Guatemalan traditions will help you embrace the Day of The Dead holiday with your kids as a family.

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Day of the Dead is one of the most important Guatemalan holidays. Throughout many Latin American countries, el Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and November 2nd. However, the Day of the Dead traditions in Guatemala is unique and very different from the Día de Muertos traditions in Mexico.

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On the morning of May 5, 1862, 6,000 French troops stormed the Mexican city of Puebla to bring it under French rule. The Mexican soldiers were outnumbered, but they fiercely fought back. By early evening, the French had retreated.

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It’s OK to get a little messy while celebrating this holiday in India.

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Lights blink on in homes as night falls on a community. The scent of food begins to waft into the evening air. It smells extra delicious to the people in the homes, who haven't eaten all day. They're observing Ramadan, a sacred month in the religion of Islam. And the darkened sky is a signal that it's time to feast!

Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, which marks important holidays and events for Muslims (people who practice Islam). During Ramadan people fast, or refrain from eating and drinking, while it's light outside. Once the sun sets, families meet for big meals that may include stew, rice, dates, lentils, and more. People also have a morning meal before the sun rises.

For the hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world who observe Ramadan, the month is a time to focus on their faith and also perform generous acts. People raise money and donate supplies to help others in need. And many fast to remind themselves about those in the world who don't have enough to eat.

After the last day of Ramadan, a three-day festival is held. Families and friends gather together to celebrate. They sometimes decorate homes with lights and exchange gifts. As for food, people eat all sorts of things including candies and pastries-and during this time, fasting is not allowed.

(Learn about Ramadan at National Geographic.)

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Learn about this sacred month in the religion of Islam.

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It's Christmas Eve and there's an unexpected knock at the door. If you're in the United States, it may be a gaggle of carolers who have come to serenade you. If you're in Argentina, it might be neighbors arriving to exchange gifts and light fireworks. If you're in Newfoundland in Canada, it could be friends disguised in costumes who perform comedy sketches until you can guess who they are.

Christmas, an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated in unique ways in different countries, even those with few Christians. Celebrations of Christmas are commonplace around the world: India is less than three percent Christian, but Christmas is a national holiday. Only one percent of Japan's population is Christian, but Santa impersonators and holiday music still fill department stores.

Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments.

In every country, food takes center stage. In Ukraine, ambitious feasters enjoy a 12-course meal. In Japan, it's common for families to visit the American fast-food chain KFC for dinner. In Poland, carp featured during dinner are often kept in the family bathtub for days before it's eaten. Afterwards, it's common for the fish scales to be kept for good luck.

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Learn about the winter holiday celebrated on December 25.

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The Jewish festival of lights, called Hanukkah, is celebrated around the world today. But the inspiration for the holiday dates back thousands of years in what is today the country of Israel.

In 175 B.C., King Antiochus, whose ancient kingdom included Judea (located in present-day Israel), made it against the law for people who lived there to practice their religion, called Judaism. Instead, he wanted Jews to worship Greek gods. When they refused, he ordered his troops to destroy the Temple of Jerusalem, an important place of worship for Jews. He replaced the Jewish symbols with an altar dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods.

The Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, rebelled against King Antiochus. Many historians believe that they battled for about three years to become an independent region so they could practice their religion. Finally, around 164 B.C., the Maccabees, as they were called, defeated King Antiochus and his troops.

When the Maccabees returned to their ransacked temple, they found only one jar of oil-just enough to light the temple's candles for one day. But according to the Talmud (one of Judaism's holy texts), the oil miraculously burned for eight days-enough time for the victorious Maccabees to find more oil for their sacred candles.

Restoring the temple and driving out King Antiochus didn't end the conflict. His followers continued to battle with the Jews for more than 22 years. Finally, in the year 142, the warring groups signed a peace treaty, and the Jews formed their own independent region.

How it's celebrated today

Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. (It's also called the Jewish calendar and is used to track religious dates.) Because this calendar follows the lunar (or moon) cycle, the holiday begins on a different date each year on the calendar you use the most, which is based on the sun cycles. Usually, Hanukkah starts in late November to mid-December.

In 2023, Hanukkah starts the evening of December 7 and ends on December 15.

To celebrate the ancient miracle of the oil burning a candle for eight nights, Jews celebrating Hanukkah light a candleholder called a menorah for eight nights. The menorah holds nine candles-one for each night plus a candle called the shamash used to light the other candles.

On the first night, one candle is added to the menorah and lit. On the second night, another candle is added and lit. The adding and lighting of candles continues for eight nights. During these moments, people recite special blessings and prayers, sing songs, and exchange gifts to celebrate the miracle in the temple more than 2,000 years ago.

Hanukkah foods and fun

Traditional Hanukkah foods include deep-fried jelly donuts called sufganiyot and potato pancakes called latkes. Both dishes are fried and represent the long-lasting lamp oil.

After they've feasted on rich foods, families gather to take turns spinning a top called a dreidel. Players can win chocolate gelt, or coins, if the top lands the right way.

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Lasting eight days, the joyous Jewish holiday celebrates a miracle from more than 2,000 years ago.

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On the fourth Thursday of November, people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, a national holiday honoring the early settlers and Native Americans who came together to have a historic harvest feast.

NATIVE AMERICANS

Long before settlers came to the East Coast of the United States, the area was inhabited by many Native American tribes. The area surrounding the site of the first Thanksgiving, now known as southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island, had been the home of the Wampanoag people for over 12,000 years, and had been visited by other European settlers before the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620. The native people knew the land well and had fished, hunted, and harvested for thousands of generations.

THE SETTLERS

The people who comprised the Plymouth Colony were a group of English Protestants called Puritans who wanted to break away from the Church of England. These "separatists" initially moved to Holland. But after 12 years of financial problems, they received funding from English merchants to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620 to settle in a "New World." Carrying 101 men, women, and children, the Mayflower traveled the ocean for 66 days and was supposed to land where New York City is now located. But windy conditions forced the group to cut their trip short and settle at what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

SETTLING AND EXPLORING

As the Puritans prepared for winter, they gathered anything they could find, including Wampanoag supplies.

One day, Samoset, a leader of the Abenaki people, and Tisquantum (better known as Squanto) visited the settlers. Squanto was a Wampanoag who had experience with other settlers and knew English. Squanto helped the settlers grow corn and use fish to fertilize their fields. After several meetings, a formal agreement was made between the settlers and the native people, and in March 1621, they joined together to protect each other from other tribes.

THE CELEBRATION

One day that fall, four settlers were sent to hunt for food for a harvest celebration. The Wampanoag heard gunshots and alerted their leader, Massasoit, who thought the English might be preparing for war. Massasoit visited the English settlement with 90 of his men to see if the war rumor was true.

Soon after their visit, the Native Americans realized that the English were only hunting for the harvest celebration. Massasoit sent some of his own men to hunt deer for the feast and for three days, the English and native men, women, and children ate together. The meal consisted of deer, corn, shellfish, and roasted meat, different from today's traditional Thanksgiving feast. They played ball games, sang, and danced.

Although prayers and thanks were probably offered at the 1621 harvest gathering, the first recorded religious Thanksgiving Day in Plymouth happened two years later in 1623. On this occasion, the colonists gave thanks to God for rain after a two-month drought.

THE MYTHS

Puritans are often thought of having silver buckles on their shoes and wearing somber, black clothing. Their attire was actually bright and cheerful (with no shoe buckles!). The Native Americans actualy didn't wear woven blankets on their shoulders and large, feathered headdresses, even though some artworks portray this. And though today we might refer to the Puritans as "Pilgrims," the Englishmen didn't call themselves that.

NATIVE AMERICANS AND THANKSGIVING

The peace between the Native Americans and settlers lasted for only a generation. The Wampanoag people do not share in the popular reverence for the traditional New England Thanksgiving. For them, the holiday is a reminder of betrayal and bloodshed. Since 1970, many native people have gathered at the statue of Massasoit in Plymouth, Massachusetts, each Thanksgiving Day to remember their ancestors and the strength of the Wampanoag.

MODERN THANKSGIVING

In the 19th century, the modern Thanksgiving holiday started to take shape. In 1846, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of a magazine called Godey's Lady's Book, campaigned for an annual national thanksgiving holiday. But it wasn't until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared two national Thanksgivings; one in August to commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War, and the other in November to give thanks for "general blessings." It's the second one that we celebrate today.
Learn more about the holiday at National Geographic.

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Native Americans and early settlers gave thanks together with this historic feast.

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Each year Americans in the United States celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. Most families follow traditions begun on the first Thanksgiving, but many have their own traditions that they follow each year. Here are some of the common traditions associated with Turkey Day.

TRAVEL

Most years, one of the best things about Thanksgiving is spending time with family. Many people live far from family members and travel long distances by car, train, or plane to be with their loved ones. Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest travel days of the year!

THE TURKEY PARDON

Each year at Thanksgiving, the president of the United States receives a gift of two live turkeys. At a White House ceremony, the president traditionally "pardons" the National Thanksgiving Turkeys so they can live on a farm.

THE FEAST

Traditional foods are a large part of Thanksgiving celebrations. Many families include the entire family in the food preparation. Traditional foods include turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Many people serve pie for dessert at the end of the meal. Popular pie flavors are pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, and apple.

Some families choose to serve vegetarian Thanksgiving dinners instead of a stuffed turkey. They might eat vegetarian turkey, which can be made out of tofu. Others eat squash, salads, or other fruit and vegetable dishes.

THE WISHBONE

Some families include breaking the turkey's wishbone as part of their celebration. The wishbone is found attached to the breast meat in the turkey's chest. After the meat has been removed and the wishbone has had a chance to become dry and brittle, two people each take one end of the bone, make a wish, and pull. Whoever ends up with the larger part of the bone gets their wish!

TV

Many families watch the New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which includes marching bands, floats, songs and performances from Broadway musicals, and giant helium-filled balloons! People like to watch football games-maybe your family likes to play one outside!

HELPING OTHERS

Thanksgiving is a great time to help out people who might not be as lucky as you. Some people volunteer to serve food at homeless shelters; others donate to shelters or participate in canned food drives.

AFTER THE MEAL

The food is eaten, the dishes are washed ... now it's time to relax. Some families take bike rides, go on walks, or take naps. Others play board or card games together.

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People all over the United States celebrate this day in many different ways. See how folks make this holiday special.

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JOSEPH: Hi BTN, my name is Joseph.
AFSA: And I'm Afsa.
FAISAL: I'm Faisal.
KHADIJA: And I'm Khadija.
AFSA: Today we're going to be teaching you about Ramadan and Eid.
JOSEPH: Ramadan is a special time in the Islamic calendar.
AFSA: Islam is the world's second-largest religion with 1.8 billion followers around the globe. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims.
KHADIJA: There are five pillars of Islam, which are rules Muslims follow. They are trusting and understanding the Shahadah, or the Declaration of Faith.
JOSEPH: Prayer five times a day.
AFSA: Giving money to charity.
FAISAL: Participating in Hajj at least once in your lifetime which is a pilgrimage to a place called Mecca.
KHADIJA: And fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
FAISAL: Ramadan is a month in Islam where people from all around the world fast for a whole month.
AFSA: Of course having no food or water for a whole month is impossible.
JOSEPH: Actually we have a meal before dawn, it is called Suhoor so we can get ready to fast.
FAISAL: And then after a long day of fasting we share an evening meal called the 'Iftar'.
AFSA: When I first started it was very hard but then a couple days after it got really easy because I obviously got more patient and I got stronger.
FAISAL: The hardest bit about Ramadan is when people eat in front of your face like your siblings and you feel tempted to eat with them, like that delicious food that your parents cook for your siblings and you just have to stay strong.
JOSEPH: But it's meant to be challenging and it's a really important month for Muslim community.
AFSA: Of course, not everyone has to fast, people who are sick, pregnant, elderly or young don't have to take part.
FAISAL: During Ramadan it's important for us to focus on stuff like praying reading our religious book called the Quran and also helping those in need.
KHADIJA: When the month wraps up, we celebrate with a big party called Eid.
JOSEPH: The best part about Eid is enjoying the rewards for all of the hard work during Ramadan.
AFSA: We go and pray in the morning, and after that we eat some food and talk about how it was and yeah, just have fun.
FAISAL: And of course there are plenty of sweets.
AFSA: My favourite thing about Eid is receiving gifts and giving them back to the little kids.
FAISAL: The thing that I really like about Eid is when you meet your relatives and friends that you didn't meet in a long time because they live far away.
KHADIJA: It's not just for Muslims either. There are big celebrations all around the world and everyone is invited.
FAISAL: Thanks for letting us teach you about our religion.
JOSEPH: Back to you Amelia.
Bye.

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JOSEPH: Hi BTN, my name is Joseph.AFSA: And I'm Afsa.FAISAL: I'm Faisal.KHADIJA: And I'm Khadija.AFSA: Today we're going to be teaching you about Ramadan and Eid.JOSEPH: Ramadan is a special time in the Islamic calendar.AFSA: Islam is the world's second-largest religion with 1.8 billion followers around the globe.

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My name’s Kevin and my question is, Why do we have Christmas traditions?

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NICOLE: Hi BTN, I'm Nicole and today we're going to talk to you about Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar.
DANIEL: Judaism is one of the world's main religions, one of the three main in the world, it was created 5000 years ago, that's what Jewish people believe.

We have a religious book called the Torah or the Bible, and many celebrations and important dates throughout the year like Yom Kippur.

TAL: It means Day of Atonement, when we seek forgiveness from God for our sins.

So the first Yom Kippur was when the Israelites left Egypt. Their leader Moses went up a big mountain and asked God for the Commandments. He wrote the Commandments on stone tablets and gave them to Moses.

SHANI: And then he came back down the mountain and saw that the Jews were praising a different God which made him really angry and he broke the Commandments. Then he went back up the mountain and God forgave them and gave them a second set of tablets. The day God forgave them was the first Yom Kippur.

NICOLE: Every year after that, Jewish people took part in Yom Kippur and reconnected with God.
TAL: Before Yom Kippur begins, we eat two big meals to get ready.

NICOLE: You ask for honey cake so you can have a start of the new year to be very, very sweet so then you can have a sweet year.

JACKSON: During Yom Kippur, we ask God to forgive us for things we've done wrong. If we've wronged our friends, we need to ask them for forgiveness before we ask God for forgiveness.

We spend close to 26 hours fasting, which means no food and no drink.

NICOLE: You can't have anything that you pleasure so you can't wear leather things and you can't get showered and have makeup on.
We also don't turn electricity on or off. Yep, no phones, no TV, or laptops. So the hardest thing for me is when you see another person eat.

TAL: Many Jewish people go to the Synagogue and pray a lot during Yom Kippur.

NICOLE: When night falls, a special trumpet made from a ram's horn called the Shofar is sounded which marks the end of Yom Kippur.

SHANI: The shofar symbolises the closing of the sky at the end of Yom Kippur when Yom Kippur is over and we can finish fasting.

JACKSON: Then, everyone sings and dances, and knows that God has blessed them with a good year.

NICOLE: We break our fast with a big dinner. My favourite thing about Yom Kippur is eating at the end.

SHANI: My favourite thing about Yom Kippur is hanging out with my friends and how we all fast and just talk about how hard it is to fast.

JACKSON: Thanks for letting us teach you about Yom Kippur.

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NICOLE: Hi BTN, I'm Nicole and today we're going to talk to you about Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar. DANIEL: Judaism is one of the world's main religions, one of the three main in the world, it was created 5000 years ago, that's what Jewish people believe.

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We asked a group of kids to tell us more about Holi festival and why it’s important to them.

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We ask some Aussie kids what Diwali is all about and what it means to them.

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This week you might notice a lot of people getting ready to celebrate the new year. But I know what you're probably thinking, that was almost 2 months ago. Well this Friday marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. And more than 1 and a half billion people around the world will mark the occasion with parades, performances, food and fireworks.

But why is it held now? Well it's all got to do with the phases of the Moon. You see Chinese New Year follows a different calendar to the one used in Australia. It's called the Lunar calendar which follows the moon. New Year is held on the second new moon after the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere. And each year it actually falls on a different date in January or February. This year it's the 16th of Feb. The date also marks the beginning of the Spring harvest the best time for farmers to prepare for the growing season.

Each Lunar New Year in China is named after one of 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. According to legend when the gods decided to create this system, 12 animals argued about who should go first. So, the gods held a race to decide which animal would be first and the rat won. Each year the animal changes in the order they finished that race. This year will be called the Year of the Dog. And the Chinese zodiac suggests that if you're born into the year of a certain animal you take on its characteristics. For example, rats are seen as cunning, a tiger is seen as brave and a dog is seen as being lucky.

A lot of the traditions that take place during Chinese New Year, like hanging red lanterns and setting off fireworks, are believed to come from an ancient story about a beast called Nian. Every year at the end of winter, Nian would apparently emerge from the mountains and terrorise people. Until one year when an old man came up with a plan to scare off Nian. The villagers hung out red lanterns and banners, banged on drums and set off fireworks. It was believed that the loud noises and the colour red would scare Nian away.

Today these types of celebrations have continued and not just for one night a year. It's actually celebrated over 15 days with dragon dancing, giving money to kids in red pockets and plenty of dumplings to eat. For these guys it's just the start of two weeks' worth of fun welcoming the Chinese New Year with a BANG!

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This week you might notice a lot of people getting ready to celebrate the new year. But I know what you're probably thinking, that was almost 2 months ago. Well this Friday marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year.