27 January Holidays From Around the World in 2025

You have many questions about the January holidays. Are there any celebrations in January? What international holidays are celebrated in January? Yes and yes! There are religious and cultural holidays around the world in the month of January. 

Discover holidays around the world by month and take note of the exciting holidays to acknowledge and celebrate in January. Read on and find something new to celebrate. 

 Jump to Section

• Daily Holidays in January
• Weekly Holidays in January
• Month-Long January Holidays

Daily Holidays in January

1. New Year’s Day (Worldwide)

January 1 – Across the globe, New Year’s Day is a January holiday that marks a time for fresh starts, celebrations and new resolutions. What are the real January holidays? NYD is perhaps the most ‘real’ holiday in January and many people have the day off work. Different cultures honor the day uniquely, from grand fireworks displays to intimate family gatherings. Many also believe the day sets the tone for luck, health and prosperity in the coming year.

2. Epiphany (Christian Countries)

January 6 – Known as Three Kings’ Day in Spain, Latin America and beyond, Epiphany celebrates the Magi’s visit to the newborn Jesus. Festivities vary but often include parades, small gift exchanges and sharing “King’s Cake,” a pastry with a hidden token inside, bringing luck to the finder. For those hosting Christmas, it’s a great idea to celebrate Epiphany, too. 

3. Orthodox Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Countries)

January 7 – Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on this day, following the Julian calendar. In places like Russia and Serbia, this January holiday includes special church services, festive meals and traditional customs like blessing homes, symbolizing peace and togetherness, often celebrated with family and community gatherings.

4. Lohri (India)

January 13 – Celebrated primarily in Punjab, Lohri marks the end of winter with bonfires, folk songs and dances like the vibrant Bhangra. Communities gather to throw sesame seeds and sweets into the fire, symbolizing a farewell to winter and the welcoming of warmer, longer days ahead.

5. Makar Sankranti (India, Nepal)

January 14 – According to Britannica, this Hindu festival celebrates “the entrance of the sun into the astrological sign of Makara (corresponding to Capricorn)”, symbolizing the return of longer days. People enjoy kite flying, bathe in holy rivers for blessings and indulge in sweets made of sesame and jaggery, celebrating a fresh start for health, happiness and prosperity.

6. Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) (Japan)

January 15 – Japan celebrates its youth turning 20 with ceremonies recognizing their new adulthood. Dressed in traditional attire, these young adults participate in formal events, enjoy family celebrations and partake in special prayers for a prosperous future in a respected Japanese tradition.

7. Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day (USA)

January 17 – This light-hearted observance permits people to let go of ambitious New Year’s resolutions. It encourages realistic goal-setting and a focus on positive changes that are easier to maintain, promoting a healthier, more sustainable approach to self-improvement.

8. Burns Night (Scotland)

January 25 – Scots honor poet Robert Burns with Burns Night, gathering for a traditional supper featuring haggis, whisky and poetry recitals of Burns’ work. Festivities include toasts, music and Highland dancing, reflecting pride in Scottish culture and the rich literary legacy of Robert Burns.

9. Australia Day (Australia)

January 26 – Australia Day celebrates national pride and heritage. Communities across the country participate in fireworks, parades and cultural events that reflect Australia’s history and achievements. Ceremonies honor diverse heritage and gatherings bring people together in a collective spirit of unity and reflection.

Weekly Holidays in January

10. Hōkūleʻa Homecoming Week (Hawaii, USA)

Varies in January – The Hōkūleʻa voyaging canoe returns home, celebrated with cultural events honoring Hawaiian traditions and history. Festivities include canoe rides, storytelling about Polynesian navigation and performances celebrating environmental stewardship and indigenous heritage, inspiring communities to preserve Hawaiian cultural legacies.

11. New Year’s Week (Worldwide)

January 1–7 – The New Year’s Week January holiday offers extended celebrations globally, with fireworks, family gatherings and cultural traditions. In many cultures, this week sets the tone for the year and people celebrate with feasts, parties and ceremonies that invoke luck, health and success for the year ahead.

12. Orthodox Christmas Week (Eastern Orthodox Countries)

January 7–13 – Orthodox Christians in Russia, Serbia and Ukraine celebrate a full week of Christmas festivities. Traditions for this January holiday include church services, gatherings and meals, where people come together to honor religious traditions with family, creating a warm, reflective celebration of the Christmas season.

13. Carnaval de Negros y Blancos (Colombia)

January 2–7 – Held in Pasto, Colombia, this UNESCO-recognized festival promotes unity, diversity and equality. Celebrants paint their faces, dress in elaborate costumes and participate in vibrant parades. The “Day of Blacks” and “Day of Whites” celebrate racial harmony with dance, music and color-filled celebrations.

14. Taiwan Lantern Festival Preparation (Taiwan)

Mid-January – Preparation for Taiwan’s famous Lantern Festival begins in January with workshops and exhibitions where lanterns are crafted and displayed. Streets are transformed with colorful lights, symbolizing prosperity and luck, creating an atmosphere of artistry and excitement leading up to the main festival in February.

15. Lohri-Makar Sankranti Celebration (India)

January 13–17 – Marking the harvest season, this festival brings communities together in North India. People celebrate Lohri with bonfires and music, while Makar Sankranti involves kite-flying and traditional feasts, creating a lively atmosphere that welcomes warmth and abundance for the year ahead.

16. Ati-Atihan Festival (Philippines)

Third week of January – This vibrant January holiday festival honors Santo Niño (Holy Child) and is known as the “Mother of All Festivals” in the Philippines. Locals in Kalibo dress in indigenous costumes, dance in the streets and hold religious processions, blending faith with cultural festivities.

17. Sundance Film Festival (USA)

Third week of January – Sundance, held in Park City, Utah, is a celebrated film festival showcasing independent films. The 10-day event attracts filmmakers, celebrities and film lovers worldwide with screenings, discussions and panels celebrating the art of filmmaking and cutting-edge storytelling.

18. Up Helly Aa Preparation (Shetland Islands, UK)

January – Throughout January, Shetland Islands prepare for Up Helly Aa, a Viking fire festival. The community comes together to build Viking ships, create costumes and rehearse for the torch-lit procession, a beloved tradition celebrating Shetland’s Norse heritage and resilience.

Month-Long January Holidays

19. Veganuary (Worldwide)

People worldwide commit to a vegan lifestyle in January, promoting plant-based eating and animal welfare. With challenges, recipes and resources, Veganuary raises awareness about environmental sustainability, ethics and health benefits, helping people explore alternatives to animal-based products.

20. Dry January (Worldwide)

Originating in the UK, Dry January encourages people to abstain from alcohol, inspiring healthier habits and renewed awareness about alcohol consumption. The campaign promotes mental and physical well-being, encouraging participants to reset and adopt healthier attitudes toward alcohol throughout the year.

21. Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu) (Japan)

Japan celebrates this January holiday with family gatherings, shrine visits and traditional meals. Observed through January, Shōgatsu rituals honor ancestors, ensuring blessings for the coming year. Families enjoy mochi, play games and follow customs that bring good fortune, peace and prosperity.

22. National Hot Tea Month (USA)

January is dedicated to tea appreciation in the United States, with tastings, tea ceremonies and community events. Tea shops and enthusiasts celebrate the diversity of teas and their benefits, exploring new flavors and fostering a sense of warmth, relaxation and cultural connection.

23. Festival of St. Basil (Greece)

This Greek Orthodox celebration honors Saint Basil who “was born in the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia” with charity and community events in January. People bake and share "Vasilopita" (St. Basil's cake), hoping for prosperity in the new year and participating in acts of charity, symbolizing St. Basil's care for the poor.

24. Tamil Thai Pongal Month (Sri Lanka and India)

Pongal is a Tamil harvest festival extending through January, expressing gratitude for nature’s bounty. Celebrants of this January holiday make offerings to the sun god and enjoy community events with traditional foods, music and kolam art, fostering appreciation for agricultural blessings and community unity.

25. Gantan-sai Observances (Japan)

Throughout January, Japanese Shinto shrines hold Gantan-sai rituals, where people pray for blessings and good fortune. Purification rites and offerings are common, symbolizing renewal and connection with nature, fostering a deep sense of gratitude for life’s daily blessings.

26. Oshogatsu Traditions (Japan)

Japan celebrates this January holiday, Oshogatsu, beyond New Year’s Day, with January filled with cultural traditions, including special foods, games and social gatherings. Rituals and customs aim to bring joy, luck and prosperity, highlighting the importance of family, culture and community in Japanese life.

27. Carnival Season Kickoff (Brazil, Spain and Caribbean)

In January, the excitement of Carnival season begins with pre-festival events and preparations. Parades, dances and music fill communities, setting the stage for the main Carnival celebrations in February, creating an atmosphere of joy, unity and cultural pride.

There are plenty of January holidays to look forward to but you can't forget about the upcoming February holidays! Still, these religious, international and national holidays in January are worth looking forward to.

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