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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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1966</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Festivus</div><div class='timeline-text'>Festivus was originally created by author Daniel O'Keefe as a family custom, named after a Latin word that means "excellent."</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1982</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Festivus in Print</div><div class='timeline-text'>Daniel O'Keefe's son, Dan O'Keefe, first used Festivus in his script for the TV show "Greatest Pageant Ever Staged."</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Seinfeld's Festivus</div><div class='timeline-text'>The holiday gained popularity after it was depicted on an episode of "Seinfeld," where it was celebrated by the characters.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Festivus! The Book"</div><div class='timeline-text'>"Festivus! The Book" by Mark Nelson was published, providing a guide to celebrating the holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Fun with Festivus</div><div class='timeline-text'>As the holiday gained a cult following, various Festivus-themed events started being organized around the world. </div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Festivus Pole Controversy</div><div class='timeline-text'>A public display of a Festivus pole at the Wisconsin State Capitol sparked national attention and debate over public holiday displays.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Decorate the Festivus Pole</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Festivus just isn't complete without a Festivus pole. Decorate it with bows, ribbons, and tinsel for a festive look.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Perform the Airing of Grievances</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an Feats of Strength Contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get physical with your Festivus celebration! Challenge your guests to arm wrestling or any other fun strength activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Prepare a Festivus Feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Prepare all of your favorite dishes to celebrate Festivus. Think traditional holiday favorites like turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play some games</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a great reason to get together with friends and family</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a fun way to express holiday frustrations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates nonconformity and originality</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>No specific date for Festivus until 1997</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before the holiday was highlighted in Seinfeld, the original O'Keefe family tradition did not have a fixed date and could be celebrated at any time of the year when needed.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Festivus Miracle - Coincidence turned tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>Perceived coincidences during the holiday are referred to as “Festivus miracles”. This funny spin on the concept of holiday miracles is now a common phrase in Festivus celebrations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Festivus Pole - A Symbol of Simplicity</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Festivus pole, an essential symbol of the holiday, is a stark contrast to flashy holiday decorations. Its simple, unadorned nature represents the celebration's opposition to commercialism associated with the holiday season.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Festivus - A Multi-Cultural Phenomenon</h3><p class='facts-content'>Inspired by Seinfeld’s portrayal, Festivus is celebrated by fans worldwide, making it a truly multi-cultural phenomenon. It's not limited to any particular culture or religious group, promoting inclusivity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Festivities beyond the home - Festivus in public spaces</h3><p class='facts-content'>Festivus celebrations aren’t confined to just homes. Public displays and events centred around this alternative holiday, like the annual "Festivus For The Rest Of Us" charity event, testify to its popularity outside the domestic sphere.</p></div></div>
Festivus is celebrated on December 23 every year. In 2024 Festivus will occur on a Monday.
2023
Dec 23
Saturday
2024
Dec 23
Monday
2025
Dec 23
Tuesday
2026
Dec 23
Wednesday
2027
Dec 23
Thursday
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