“Holidays around the world” is one of the most popular classroom themes of the year, and it works just as well at home. Here are free books and reading ideas for the big winter celebrations, in calendar order. Dates are for the 2026–27 season.
November: Diwali, the festival of lights
Diwali falls on 8 November 2026. Read The Diwali Competition and see Diwali stories for kids for more, including folk tales from India.
December: Hanukkah, St. Lucia and Las Posadas
- Hanukkah begins at sundown on 4 December 2026. Start with Eight Little Lights and see the best Hanukkah books.
- St. Lucia Day (13 December) in Sweden: Christmas in Sweden, or A Festival of Light.
- Las Posadas (16–24 December) in Mexico: nine nights recalling Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.
Grab the free reading log đź“š
A clean, print-ready log to track books, minutes, and little wins — plus the occasional reading tip. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Christmas around the world
- Norway: ’Round the Yule-Log: Christmas in Norway and Arne and the Christmas Star.
- Russia: Little Paulina: Christmas in Russia. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate on 7 January.
- Papua New Guinea: Christmas in PNG.
- Older readers: the Pagine Original Why Is Christmas on December 25? (Grade 4).
Kwanzaa, New Year and Lunar New Year
- Kwanzaa (26 December–1 January) celebrates African American culture and seven principles. See Kwanzaa for kids and the Kwanzaa page.
- New Year’s Day around the world: see New Year stories.
- Lunar New Year falls on 6 February 2027.
Make it a classroom passport
Give each child a “passport” page and stamp it for every holiday story read. Free winter reading trackers work well, and the winter break reading challenge keeps the reading going over the holidays.
Explore free holiday books from around the world in Pagine.