Kids > Holidays > Winter Festivals

Winter Festivals

Books

retold by Caitlin Matthews: While the bear sleeps : winter tales and traditions

A young girl travels through time with a bear as her guide in this glowing anthology of winter customs. She discovers the origins of winter tales and traditions from the first snowfall to the return of spring.
by Ellen Jackson: The winter solstice

Presents facts and folklore about the shortest day of the year, a day that has been filled with magic since ancient times.

Websites

Yuletide Lads: http://notendur.centrum.is/sjbokband/joh.html/yulelads00.html

Meet the 13 lads of Yule in a poem. Watch out for these tricksters.
Yule: http://www.isholf.is/gardarj/yule4.htm

Celebrate Yule, a popular holiday season in Iceland. Find songs, traditional stories and legends.
Santa Lucia: http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/holidays/nora.html

December 13th the oldest girl brings breakfast to her parents wearing a crown of lights.
Santa Lucia: http://www.scandinavica.com/culture/tradition/lucia.htm

History and legends about Santa Lucia.
Winter Solstice: http://www.familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,1156,1-4205,00.html

Winter fun and activities! Discover ancient myths. Take a solistice quiz.
St. Nicholas: http://www.billanookps.vic.edu.au/German/saint_nicholas.htm

On December 6th St. Nicholas fills your shoes with candy if you've been good. Learn how German and Austrian children celebrate this holiday.
St. Nicholas: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=553

See drawings of St. Nicholas by kids around the world. History, traditions, stories and activities to celebrate.
Three Kings Day: http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/us/threekings.aspx

This popular holiday is celebrated January 6th. Children receive gifts from the three kings.
Boxing Day: http://homepages.tesco.net/~derek.berger/holidays/boxingday.html

Celebrated December 26 by giving to charities and the needy.
La Befana: http://scuole.provincia.ps.it/dd.pesaro1/Lavori%20Netd@ys/epiphany.htm

La Befana is the Christmas witch in Italy. She visits children the evening of January 5th. Marking the beginning of Epiphany on January 6th.
La Befana: http://www.zuzu.org/italy.html

Silvia tells her Befana story.