From sacred traditions to modern festivities, holidays beginning with the letter "S" span cultures, religions, and historical moments. Whether you're learning English or exploring global celebrations, this guide illuminates key events with rich details.

Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17)

Originating in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day honors the patron saint of Ireland. Celebrated globally, it features parades, green attire, and symbols like shamrocks. Cities like Chicago dye rivers emerald, while pubs serve Guinness and Irish stew. The holiday blends religious reverence with cultural pride.

Sukkot (September/October)

A Jewish harvest festival, Sukkot lasts seven days. Families build temporary huts (sukkahs) adorned with fruits and foliage, commemorating the Israelites' wilderness journey. Meals eaten inside symbolize gratitude and impermanence. The lulav and etrog—plants waved in rituals—represent unity.

Songkran (April 13–15)

Thailand’s New Year, Songkran, is famed for water fights symbolizing purification. Temples host Buddha statue bathing, while families reunite to offer respect to elders. Traditional foods like khao chae (rice in iced jasmine water) cool the summer heat.

Shavuot (May/June)

Marking the Torah’s revelation, Shavuot is a Jewish holiday with all-night study sessions and dairy feasts. Dishes like cheesecake and blintzes reflect the "land of milk and honey." Synagogues decorate with flowers, echoing Mount Sinai’s blooming at the Torah’s gift.

Samhain (October 31–November 1)

An ancient Celtic festival, Samhain inspired Halloween. It signified the year’s end, when spirits crossed into our world. Bonfires and costumes warded off ghosts. Today, pagans still honor ancestors with altars and divination rituals during this "thin time" between worlds.

Sinterklaas (December 5)

A Dutch pre-Christmas tradition, Sinterklaas involves a bishop-like figure delivering gifts via steamboat from Spain. Children leave shoes out for chocolates, while "Zwarte Piet" helpers spark debates over cultural representation. The feast blends folklore, treats, and familial warmth.

Summer Solstice (June 20–22)

The year’s longest day is celebrated worldwide. Stonehenge crowds watch sunrise align with ancient stones, while Sweden’s Midsummer poles host folk dances. In Alaska, midnight baseball games highlight endless daylight. The solstice symbolizes renewal, fertility, and solar power across cultures.

Simchat Torah (September/October)

This Jewish holiday concludes the annual Torah reading cycle. Synagogues parade scrolls in seven joyous laps (hakafot), often with singing and dancing. Children wave flags, and communities emphasize Torah study’s unending nature—immediately restarting Genesis after finishing Deuteronomy.

St. Lucia Day (December 13)

A Swedish festival of light, St. Lucia Day features girls in white gowns with candlelit wreaths, delivering saffron buns (lussekatter). The ritual honors Saint Lucia, who brought food to persecuted Christians. Schools and towns host processions, blending Christian and Nordic winter traditions.

Seollal (January/February)

Korea’s Lunar New Year, Seollal, spans three days of ancestral rites (charye), feasts, and games. Tteokguk (rice cake soup) signifies aging, while hanbok-clad families play yut nori (stick-throwing board games). Bowes to elders (sebae) reinforce respect and familial bonds.

Saturnalia (December 17–23)

Ancient Rome’s raucous winter festival honored Saturn, god of agriculture. Masters served slaves, gambling was permitted, and homes glittered with greenery. Gifts like candles (symbolizing light’s return) and sigillaria (clay dolls) previewed modern Christmas customs.

St. David’s Day (March 1)

Wales’ national day celebrates St. David, a 6th-century monk. Locals wear daffodils or leeks—national emblems—and enjoy cawl (lamb stew) and Welsh cakes. Eisteddfods (poetry-music competitions) highlight Celtic culture, with schoolchildren performing in traditional dress.

Setsubun (February 3)

Japan’s bean-throwing festival drives away evil spirits. Families toss roasted soybeans shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Demons out! Luck in!"). Eating age-matching beans ensures health. Temples host celebrity-led events, blending Shinto rituals with pop culture.

St. Nicholas Day (December 6)

In Germany and Eastern Europe, St. Nicholas fills boots with sweets for good children, while "Krampus" punishes misbehavers. Oranges and chocolate coins nod to the saint’s legendary charity. The day quietly influences Santa Claus lore without commercial hype.

Soyal (December 21)

The Hopi people’s winter solstice ceremony welcomes the sun’s return. Kachina dancers distribute blessings, while elders recount creation stories. Prayer sticks (pahos) are planted, and homes are purified—a profound connection to earth and sky.

St. George’s Day (April 23)

England’s patron saint is honored with red roses, flag displays, and readings of "Jerusalem." Though less prominent than other national days, pubs host themed events, and Morris dancers perform. The legend of George slaying the dragon remains a cultural touchstone.

Semana Santa (March/April)

Spain and Latin America’s Holy Week dazzles with processions. Hooded penitents carry ornate floats (pasos) depicting Christ and Mary. In Seville, saetas (flamenco-style hymns) echo through streets, blending solemnity and spectacle in a visceral Easter tradition.

Sakura Matsuri (March–April)

Japan’s cherry blossom festivals celebrate fleeting beauty. Hanami (flower-viewing) picnics blanket parks under pink canopies. Night illuminations (yozakura) add magic, while regional treats like sakura mochi (pink rice cakes) embody spring’s ephemeral joy.

St. Andrew’s Day (November 30)

Scotland’s national day features ceilidh dances, haggis feasts, and saltire flag displays. Myths link St. Andrew to the diagonal cross on Scotland’s flag. Communities host storytelling and whisky tastings, celebrating Gaelic heritage amid winter’s onset.

Summer Bank Holiday (August, UK)

The UK’s late-summer public holiday sparks beach trips, festivals, and family barbecues. Notting Hill Carnival’s Caribbean parade—Europe’s largest street fest—bursts with soca music and glittering costumes, a vibrant close to the season.

Holidays starting with "S" showcase humanity’s creativity—whether honoring saints, seasons, or ancestral spirits. Each tradition, from Sukkot’s sukkahs to Songkran’s water fights, offers a window into values, history, and shared joy. Exploring these celebrations deepens language skills and cultural fluency, one vibrant festival at a time.