Celebrations and festivals

Têt Trung-Thu - Vietnamese Harvest Festival
This page has information about the Têt-Trung-Thu or Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, a day for a family holiday and celebrations. Includes links to information about festivals in other cultures.

Aainaa - Reflections through Indian Weddings
Do the activities in this interactive and learn about Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim wedding ceremonies as experienced by people living in New Zealand.

The History of Easter
Read about the history behind all of the different Easter traditions.
Easter - Chocolate Easter Eggs
Find out about the history of chocolate Easter eggs and the fun games that can be played.
Easter feasts and fun
Do these Easter activities.

A Multicultural Thanksgiving: Pongal - January 13-15
Read about Pongal, a popular harvest festival of South India. Has links to books and additional information.

Diwali
Diwali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. The festival of light takes place in the latter half of the last month of the Hindu year. This website from the BBC has images and information about the festival.

History of Hanukkah
Hanukkah started in 168BC when the Greeks seized the Jewish holy Temple in Jerusalem. Find out how the Jews reclaimed the temple and how since then Jews have celebrated Hanukkah.

Celebrations and Commemorations
Look at events that ours and other cultures celebrate.

Children's Day - March 4 2012
Find out about Children's Day in New Zealand, and some activities you can do to celebrate the day.

Matariki - Māori New Year - Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
This section of the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand website is about Matariki, and can be viewed in te reo Māori or English.
Matariki Interactive
Learn about the appearance of Matariki in our skies. This interactive can be viewed in both English and te reo Māori.
Matariki
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is an important festival that reflects New Zealand's bi-cultural heritage.

Halloween in New Zealand
Halloween recipes
Halloween around the World
Find out about the ancient origins and modern tradition of Halloween, and links to related information.
Make your own Jack o Lantern with ideas from these patterns.
Jack o Lanterns
Halloween – Jack o LanternsHolidays - Celebrations from Around the World
Search this site for Halloween, and All Saints Day 1 November.

Guy Fawkes Day in New Zealand
Read about Guy Fawkes Day in New Zealand, and what it's all about.The Gunpowder Plot
Find out the story behind Guy Fawkes Day.

Parihaka International Peace Festival
Read about the annual Parihaka International Peace Festival and the settlement of Parihaka.

Christmas and New Year Celebrations around the World
Tipani, Wiki and Ed have put up their Christmas decorations already! Ed has made a wreath for the door and decorated it with shells and driftwood from the beach. Tipani made an Advent calendar and opens a new window every day. Wiki has put up a Christmas tree with decorations she made herself. Do you put decorations up at your house for Christmas?
Kiwi Christmas
What does Christmas mean for New Zealanders. Look at pictures and a video about our attitude to Christmas, and a Christmas cards slideshow.
Christmas Traditions in France and in Canada
Find out about Christmas traditions in Canada and France.

Chinese New Year
Check out this Chinese New Year Calendar.
Lunar New Year in Taiwan
Find out about the twelve animals that represent each year in the twelve-year cycle.

Valentine's DayRead about the history and relevance of St Valentine’s Day.