The New Childrens Encyclopedia

O

Where Mexico

O

When November 1 and 2

O

What happens People build altars in their

homes, covered with photos and possessions

of their dead relatives to guide the loved

ones home.

O

What it’s celebrating Relatives who have

died, but still live on in the memory. People

believe that on the Day of the Dead it is easier

for souls of the departed to visit the living.

O

Where Austria, Germany, Alsace (France),
and parts of Switzerland.
O

When The day before Ash Wednesday—
the last Tuesday before Lent.
O

What happens Families gather together for
a feast and many areas have processions to
welcome in the springtime. Honored members
of a town dress up as the carnival prince and
peasant. Everyone else dresses up in anything
from clown costumes to witches or even fruit!
O


What it’s celebrating It’s a time of
celebration before the self-denial of Lent. It
also goes back to pre-Christian times, when it
was a way to drive out the evil spirits of winter
and encourage spring and good crops.

O

Where North America, Europe, Australasia,

and by Christians around the world.

O

When December 25

O

What happens Families get together to

go to church, give each other presents, and to

eat traditional foods such as roast

turkey and panettone.

O

What it’s

celebrating

The birth of

Jesus Christ.

O

Where US, Canada,

and across Europe.

O

When October 31

O

What happens Children go “trick or

treating,” often dressed up as witches or

skeletons. People carve faces in pumpkins

and light candles in them.

O

What it’s celebrating Halloween was

based on pagan customs when Celtic people

lit bonfires before winter, but it has come to

mean the evening before the Christian festival

of All Saints Day.

O

Where Quebec City, Canada

O

When Last weekend of January until

mid February.

O

What happens It’s the largest winter

carnival in the world. People get together to

enjoy night parades, concerts, dogsled rides,

and snow sculpture competitions.

O

What it’s celebrating It’s a rowdy

get-together to eat, drink, and have fun before

Lent begins.

O

Where United States
O

When 4th Thursday of November
O

What happens Families gather together
for a feast and traditionally eat turkey,
stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
O

What it’s celebrating Thanksgiving Day
is a holiday in the US. People celebrate the
successful harvest early European settlers of
the country experienced in 1621. The settlers
were taught by Native-American Indians to
share of the natural abundance of the Earth by
caring for crops, hunting, and fishing.

 FIRST THANKSGIVING The Indians
joining in the feast of the New England Pilgrims.

CULTURE

FASNACHT (CARNIVAL) DAY OF THE DEAD WINTER CARNIVAL QUEBEC

THANKSGIVING CHRISTMAS HALLOWEEN

Panettone

(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.