As golden autumn hues paint the landscapes, this time of year is not only a transition between seasons, but also a month bursting with celebrations worldwide. Around the globe, October and November are bursting with festivities, each rooted in unique histories and cultural practices. Create a vibrant tapestry of global fall festivities with your students using Britannica Education’s engaging resources, and provide a unique lens to explore diverse cultures, traditions, and stories.

By incorporating these celebrations into our educational environments, we can open doors to understanding, empathy, and respect for different cultures. Through interactive activities and engaging lesson plans, perfect for classrooms and libraries, embrace these fall festivities as an interactive, memorable way to promote cultural diversity, foster interdisciplinary learning, and create globally aware students.

Five Featured Fall Festivities

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

This five-day festival marks the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calendar. Diwali has special meaning for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During the celebration, families light up their homes with oil lamps, burst fireworks, host delicious feasts, and exchange gifts.

Oktoberfest: Bavaria’s Grand Celebration

Originally a royal wedding celebration in 1810 Munich, Oktoberfest has since become the world’s largest beer festival. People gather in beer tents to enjoy Bavarian music, food, and, of course, beer.

Halloween

Halloween is a fusion of ancient Celtic traditions and Christian holidays, originating in autumn festivals, customs, and superstitions throughout the ages. Today’s modern festivities are commonly known for costumes, trick-or-treating, jack-o’-lanterns, and spooky-themed parties. Halloween is followed by All Saints (All Hallows’) Day and All Souls’ Day in Western Christian churches.

Guy Fawkes Day

Originating in the early 17th Century, Guy Fawkes Day commemorates the Gunpowder Plot, where zealous Roman Catholics, including Guy Fawkes, plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament due to persecution under King James I. Authorities foiled the plan, and the perpetrators, including Guy Fawkes, faced execution for treason. In response, Parliament established a national day of thanksgiving. Today, people celebrate the holiday on November 5 with bonfires, fireworks, and, in some instances, burning effigies of “Guy” to symbolize the explosives that never detonated.

Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, provides an opportunity for people to accept and deal with death. Families gather to remember loved ones who have passed away. The festival began hundreds of years ago among native peoples, who believed spirits of their dead relatives visit each year. While modern-day observances vary by region, many families build altars called ofrendas and adorn grave sites with marigolds, candles, and favorite foods of their deceased loved ones.

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More Global Celebrations

Hogbetsotso Festival, Ghana

Celebrated annually on the first Saturday of November in Anloga, the heart of the Anlo state, this festival marks the exodus of the Anlo people from the oppressive rule in Notsie, present-day Togo. The name translates to “the festival of exodus,” commemorating their escape by walking backward to mislead pursuers. The festival is characterized by peace-making ceremonies, purification of ceremonial stools, and a grand durbar where chiefs, dressed in vibrant regalia, receive homage. Traditional dances, especially the Agbadza, are performed with enthusiasm, symbolizing joy, unity, and gratitude to their ancestors.

Thanksgiving, Canada

Celebrated on the second Monday of October, Canadian Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and family gatherings. Unlike its American counterpart, it occurs a month and a half earlier, aligning with the beauty of early October and the harvest season. The holiday’s origins trace back to both harvest festivals and early explorers like Martin Frobisher giving thanks for safe voyages. Today, it’s a more laid-back affair, with families coming together for a turkey dinner, possibly on the weekend, and enjoying the mild weather with outdoor activities.

Shichi-go-san (Japanese: “Seven-Five-Three”), Japan

Celebrated annually on November 15, this significant festival sees parents taking their three and seven-year-old girls, and five-year-old boys to Shintō shrines. They offer thanks for reaching these milestones and seek future blessings. Traditionally, festivities included samurai class boys donning a hakama, seven-year-old girls wearing the formal obi, and three-year-old girls showcasing a unique hair arrangement, all for the first time.

Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival), China

Celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, this festival honors ancestors and the elderly. Traditionally, families climb mountains, admire chrysanthemums, and indulge in Chongyang cake. The chrysanthemum symbolizes the festival, with many partaking in chrysanthemum tea and wine rituals. The event intertwines nature, respect for elders, and rich cultural traditions.

Loy Krathong, Thailand

In the fall, Thailand comes alive with the vibrant festivities of Loy Krathong. Celebrated during the full moon in November, this ancient festival honors the water spirits. The highlight of the celebration is the launching of small floats crafted from banana leaves, beautifully decorated with flowers, candles, incense, and coins.

Spark Creativity With These Activities:

• Interactive Map or Timeline Highlight: Introduce an interactive map or timeline feature showcasing the various fall festivities around the world. Encourage students to explore the map and learn more about each celebration’s unique customs and traditions.
  
• Student Projects and Presentations: Assign each student a fall festival to research and present to the class. Encourage creativity by incorporating visuals, videos, and personal anecdotes from people who celebrate these festivals.
  
• Cultural Exchange Program: Connect with schools or organizations in different countries to establish a cultural exchange program where students can communicate with their peers abroad, share information about their traditions, and learn about others’ festivities.

Join us on this cultural exploration journey and celebrate the interconnectedness of our world with Britannica School’s robust resource database, filled with valuable resources to help you seamlessly integrate these festive celebrations into your classrooms.

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