So, that’s it. We have reached the final month of 2019, and we could not be more excited. December, the 12th month of a year like every time is going to be all about Christmas and New Year’s Eve. From bidding goodbye to 2019 to being all geared up to welcome New Year 2020, this month is all about spreading joy, happiness and positivity. While Christmas and New Year celebrations remain the highlight of December, there are other small festivals, fasts mostly related to Hindus, international days, birth and death anniversaries. Let us look at the December 2019 calendar in detail for the one last time this year.

December 1, the first day of the month is quite important both for those who follow the Hindu Panchang as well as a big health-related day. Vivah Panchami is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar and a desired Hindu wedding day. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama and Sita got married on Vivah Panchami, making it perfect day for an alliance. December 1 also marks World AIDS Day. It is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and remembering those who have died of the disease. The day ensures to remove prejudices held against those who are living with HIV / AIDS.

As we mentioned above, there are not many festivals and fasts in this month but monthly Hindu fasts that is observed. They are Masik Shivaratri, Masik Durgashatami, Sankashti Chaturthi and Pradosh Vrat. There are other significant fasts like Champa Shashthi, Mokshada Ekadashi, Guruvayur Ekadashi and Saphala Ekadashi that will see Hindu devotees observe fast. There’s a period called Kharmas or Malmas, beginning from December 13 till January 14, not considered auspicious for any important event.

Speaking of international days, there are plenty such as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, UAE National Day, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, World Soil Day, International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, International Civil Aviation Day, International Human Solidarity Day and more. As for important national days in India, there is National Navy Day, National Mathematics Day, Mahaparinirvan Diwas (observed to honour Dr BR Ambedkar’s death anniversary) and more. Let’s take a look at all the important December days at a glance.

December 2019 Festivals, Events and Holiday Calendar

Sr. No. Date Day Fasts/Festivals/ National/International Days
1. December 1 Sunday Vivah Panchami, Naga Panchami* Telugu, World AIDS Day,
2. December 2 Monday Skanda Sashti, Subrahmanya Sashti, Champa Shashthi, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, UAE National Day
3. December 3 Tuesday Masik Durgashtami, International Day of Persons with Disabilities
4. December 4 Wednesday
5. December 5 Thursday World Soil Day, International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
6. December 6 Friday  Mahaparinirvan Diwas
7. December 7 Saturday International Civil Aviation Day
8. December 8 Sunday Mokshada Ekadashi, Gita Jayanti, Matsya Dwadashi, Guruvayur Ekadashi
9. December 9 Monday Pradosh Vrat, Hanuman Jayanti* Kannada, International Anti-Corruption Day
10. December 10 Tuesday Karthigai Deepam, Human Rights Day
11. December 11 Wednesday Margashirsha Purnima Vrat, Anvadhan, Dattatreya Jayanti, Rohini Vrat, International Mountain Day
12. December 12 Thursday Margashirsha Purnima, Ishti, Annapurna Jayanti, Bhairavi Jayanti
13. December 13 Friday Pausha Begins* North
14. December 14 Saturday Monkey Day
15. December 15 Sunday Akhuratha Sankashti Chaturthi
16. December 16 Monday Dhanu Sankranti, Victory day of Bangladesh
17. December 17 Tuesday
18. December 18 Wednesday International Migrants Day
19. December 19 Thursday Kalashtami
20. December 20 Friday International Human Solidarity Day
21. December 21 Saturday
22. December 22 Sunday Saphala Ekadashi, Shortest Day of Year, National Mathematics Day (India)
23. December 23 Monday Pradosh Vrat, Festivus
24. December 24 Tuesday Masik Shivaratri
25. December 25 Wednesday Merry Christmas, Darsha Amavasya, Anvadhan
26. December 26 Thursday Pausha Amavasya, Ishti, Surya Grahan* Valayakara, Hanuman Jayanti* Tamil
27. December 27 Friday Chandra Darshan, Mandala Pooja
28. December 28 Saturday
29. December 29 Sunday
30. December 30 Monday Vinayaka Chaturthi
31. December 31 Tuesday New Year’s Eve, Skanda Sashti

Once again, the month belongs to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. People have already planned their holidays to ring in Merry Christmas and New Year 2020. This is the time of the year when one feels a mix of nervousness, a bit of sadness and a lot of excitement. Do make sure to bookmark this page and get all the information on holiday and festival updates. Do visit this section as we will also return with the monthly calendar of January 2020. Yes folks, see you in New Year and for now Happy December!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2019 09:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).