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Festivus

Celebrate the holiday season with Festivus - an unconventional alternative to traditional festivities! Get ready for the airing of grievances and feats of strength!

Wednesday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 23

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYUnique

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate Festivus on Dec. 23rd! This quirky holiday was created in 1997 by Dan O'Keefe and popularized by the television show Seinfeld. It's a secular holiday that has become an annual tradition for many people as a way of celebrating the joys and laughter of family gatherings around this time of year without all the commercialism surrounding Christmas or other holidays. Whether you're looking for some unique traditions, hilarious activities or just want to have a good laugh with loved ones, Festivus is sure to put everyone in the festive spirit!

TIMELINE

Festivus Timeline

Birth of Festivus

Festivus was originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe as a family custom, named after a Latin word that means "excellent."

Festivus in Print

Daniel O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, first used Festivus in his script for the TV show "Greatest Pageant Ever Staged."

Seinfeld's Festivus

The holiday gained popularity after it was depicted on an episode of "Seinfeld," where it was celebrated by the characters.

"Festivus! The Book"

"Festivus! The Book" by Mark Nelson was published, providing a guide to celebrating the holiday.

Fun with Festivus

As the holiday gained a cult following, various Festivus-themed events started being organized around the world.

Festivus Pole Controversy

A public display of a Festivus pole at the Wisconsin State Capitol sparked national attention and debate over public holiday displays.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Festivus

Decorate the Festivus Pole

Festivus just isn't complete without a Festivus pole. Decorate it with bows, ribbons, and tinsel for a festive look.

PERFORM

Perform the Airing of Grievances

What's Festivus without airing out your grievances? Take some time to share your frustrations with family and friends in an open and honest manner.

HOST

Host an Feats of Strength Contest

Get physical with your Festivus celebration! Challenge your guests to arm wrestling or any other fun strength activities.

PREPARE

Prepare a Festivus Feast

Prepare all of your favorite dishes to celebrate Festivus. Think traditional holiday favorites like turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more!

PLAY

Play some games

Break out the board games and have everyone join in on the fun! Games like charades or Pictionary are great ice breakers and can get everyone into the festive spirit.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Festivus

It celebrates nonconformity and originality

For many, Festivus serves as an antidote to the generic Christmas hoopla that we are all too familiar with. With its zany traditions and out-of-the box decorations, Festivus allows us to create our own unique holiday celebration and express ourselves in ways that you just can't do during Christmas or any other time of the year!

It's a great reason to get together with friends and family

Festivus is the perfect excuse to invite friends and family over for a night of laughs. It gives everyone an opportunity to gather around the Festivus pole, share stories, and enjoy some good old-fashioned holiday cheer.

It's a fun way to express holiday frustrations

One of the most popular aspects of Festivus is the airing of grievances, where participants take turns saying what really gets them down during the holidays. It can be cathartic and even a bit humorous when expressed in a lighthearted manner!