American Holidays!

New Years Eve

Times Square on New YearsAmericans watch the ball drop on TV. This giant glass

ball is located in Times Square in New York City.

Times Square on New Years

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day CardsIn school everyone gives each other small cards with

notes written on it. These are called ‘Valentines.’

Wedding ProposalsMany people propose on Valentine’s day. The man gets

on one knee, shows his girlfriend the ring and asks, “Will you marry me?”

Easter

Easter Egg Hunts

Easter Baskets

Earth Day in Washington DC

Mother’s DayOn Mother’s Day everyone does something nice for their

mother’s, such as buy them flowers or take them to a restaurant.

Father’s DayOn Father’s Day people buy their father’s a gift. However, this

holiday is not as popular as Mother’s Day.

Independence DayThis holiday celebrates the day the USA became

independent from Britain.

Fireworks on Independence DayEvery city in the USA has a fireworks show on Independence Day.

Many people also buy Fireworks to light at their house.

Fourth of July BarbecuesMost families on 4th of July cook food outside. This is called a barbecue. This is like Ukrainian Shashlyk only people usually

have barbecues at their house.

Halloween

Halloween PumpkinsEveryone carves a pumpkin on Halloween. These are called

‘Jack-o-Lanterns.’ They put them outside their door with a candle inside.

Halloween PranksLots of teenagers pull pranks on Halloween. Some common

pranks are throwing eggs at someone’s house (egging), throwing toilet paper over someone’s tree (Tping), or smashing someone’s

pumpkins.

Halloween CostumesNot all Halloween Costumes have to be scary. Many are clever or funny. You can dress up as a famous person, a character or even

an idea.

Halloween Costumes

Halloween Parties

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving DinnerThere are many traditional foods at Thanksgiving including

mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and turkey.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day ParadeThis is a traditional parade held every year on Thanksgiving in

New York City. It is shown on TV during the day and most American Families watch it before eating dinner.

American Christmas

Christmas Milk and CookiesAmerican children leave milk and cookies for Santa

Claus on Christmas Eve (the night before Christmas).

Smaller American Holidays

Groundhog Day (February 2nd)Groundhog Day takes place every year in Punxsutawney,

Pennsylvania. On Groundhog’s Day, everyone waits to see if the groundhog will come out of his house. If he does, that means that

winter will continue for longer.

Super Bowl SundaySuper Bowl Sunday is the Sunday when the championship

American Football game is held. More people watch TV on this day than any other day of the year. Most people have parties at their house to watch the football game. Commercials during this

game costs almost a million dollars for each one.

Mardi Gras/CarnivalMardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in French) is a celebration in the South. It is held before Ash Wednesday (when people give up something for lent). It is considered a day to do ‘whatever you want’. In the city of New Orleans, they have lots of parades and people travel

from all across America to visit for this holiday.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

April Fool’s Day (April 1)This holiday is dedicated to playing tricks on pranks on other people. You have to be careful on April Fool’s Day because

anything could happen.

Earth DayOn Earth Day people get together and do something that helps

the earth and nature.

Saint Patrick’s DayThis is a holiday that celebrates Ireland and Irish

Culture. You must wear green on this day. If you don’t, you will get pinched.

Saint Patrick’s Day ParadesMost big cities have a parade on this day. Chicago dies it’s river

green on Saint Patrick’s day.

Saint Patrick’s Day PartiesYou don’t need to be Irish to celebrate this holiday. St. Patrick’s

Day is one of the biggest drinking holidays in the USA.

Cinco De MayoThis is a holiday celebrated in the USA and Mexico. It celebrate Mexican Culture and Heritage. It is like St. Patrick’s Day. There

are parades all across the USA and you don’t need to be Mexican to celebrate.

HanukkahHannukah is a Jewish holiday that occurs in December. It is called the ‘Festival of Lights.’ It is an 8-day celebration where people in a

family give a new gift to each other each night. Also, on each night, another candle on a Menorah is lit.