Heritage news
Holy daysAssociation of Indo Americans Hosts Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 in PleasantonWeddingsA love story across continents ends in a packed Vietnamese village weddingCarnivalCelebrate Native American Day in Tulsa with concert, parade and moreWeddingsAlmost two thirds of Brighton would opt for a ‘phone-free’ weddingWeddingsTill death do us part: Halloween puts a spooky spin on Las Vegas weddingsTableFrom the royal table to street food, Cambodian chefs reviving Khmer culinary heritageCarnivalMiami Carnival brings Caribbean pageantry, cultural celebration to Central Broward ParkFestivals50 years of the Red River Revel: How a one-time celebration became a Shreveport traditionHoly daysBallston Quarter Diwali Celebration: Date, Activities And DetailsSeasonsHarvest festivalHoly daysAssociation of Indo Americans Hosts Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka 2026 in PleasantonWeddingsA love story across continents ends in a packed Vietnamese village weddingCarnivalCelebrate Native American Day in Tulsa with concert, parade and moreWeddingsAlmost two thirds of Brighton would opt for a ‘phone-free’ weddingWeddingsTill death do us part: Halloween puts a spooky spin on Las Vegas weddingsTableFrom the royal table to street food, Cambodian chefs reviving Khmer culinary heritageCarnivalMiami Carnival brings Caribbean pageantry, cultural celebration to Central Broward ParkFestivals50 years of the Red River Revel: How a one-time celebration became a Shreveport traditionHoly daysBallston Quarter Diwali Celebration: Date, Activities And DetailsSeasonsHarvest festival
EveryParampara

Advent calendar

A calendar with a door or a sweet for each day from 1 December to Christmas.

A pattern drawn for this page, not a picture of Advent calendar.

Also: adventskalender

An advent calendar counts down the days from 1 December to Christmas Eve, with a small door to open each day, behind which is a picture, a verse, a chocolate or a small gift. It began in 19th-century Germany, as Protestant families marked the days with chalk lines or by lighting candles, and the first printed ones appeared in the early 1900s. Today there are calendars of toys, tea, cheese and beauty products, and many families make their own with little bags. An advent wreath, with four candles for the Sundays, is the church counterpart. The custom builds the sense of waiting and anticipation.

Region: Europe

See also

First-footingWassailMistletoe

Find traditions that mention Advent calendar

The weekly EveryParampara

Every week: one tradition from somewhere new, what is being celebrated around the world this week, and one idea explained.