Celebrate winter holidays with St. Jude
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats children from all 50 states and from around the world. That means our patient families and supporters are from many cultures and celebrate winter holidays in different ways.
This holiday season, get to know St. Jude families as they share their traditions.
Oct. 29 – NOV. 3, 2024
Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. It’s a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. Those who celebrate decorate and illuminate the inside and outside of their homes with lights, perform dances, light fireworks and partake in family meals. It’s observed every year in late October or November.
How St. Jude patients and supporters celebrate Diwali
St. Jude patient Aditya and his sister wear colorful outfits for Diwali.
Aditya's diagnosis of AML came just weeks after they had celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in 2023.
As the family approached Diwali in 2024, Aditya’s health was much improved, but they’ll keep the celebrations light. In the past they would gather for prayers to the Hindu god Ganesha to remove all obstacles in their path. This year, they will do the same, but also look to St. Jude for help.
St. Jude has given us hope in a really difficult time. The doctors, the nurses, they’re continuously working to make sure Aditya has everything he needs. It’s a blessing to have St. Jude.
— Bhargav, St. Jude patient Aditya's father
For 14-year-old Arsh, who is a St. Jude supporter, Diwali is a tapestry of memories and traditions woven with care.
Diwali makes me feel excited and gives me a feeling of gathering. We enjoy decorating the house, family visits, dressing up in traditional attire, laughter and love, along with the sense of giving to the needy people.
— St. Jude supporter Arsh Pal
St. Jude supporter Arsh (left) and his family celebrate Diwali.
NOV. 28, 2024
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in several countries. Its roots often tie back to giving thanks for the year’s harvest. Though it may not be called the same name worldwide, many countries have a traditional holiday celebrating a bountiful harvest. The event takes place on the fourth Thursday in November in the U.S., but the timing for other countries can differ. In the U.S., many people celebrate Thanksgiving by sharing a meal with family or friends (called Friendsgiving), attending city parades and watching popular sporting events.
How St. Jude patients celebrate Thanksgiving
St. Jude patient Beckett celebrates his No More Chemo party in 2023.
Beckett celebrated the end of eight months of treatment with a No More Chemo party, a tradition at St. Jude, on Nov. 21, 2023 — just two days before Thanksgiving.
We don’t take anything for granted.
— Brett, St. Jude patient Becket's father
While Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday, some international families who have spent time at St. Jude have embraced the spirit of gratitude it embodies. These families celebrate a ‘Day of Thanks’ in their native countries.
The fact that it coincides with Emilio's birthday, we are going to celebrate it. And since we have so much to be grateful for, we will surely continue to do so.
— Alex, St. Jude patient Emilio's father
St. Jude patient Emilio with his family
Background artwork by St. Jude patient Ellen
DEC. 16 – 24
Las Posadas is a celebration held in several Latin American countries that reminds families of the journey of Virgin Mary and Joseph of Nazareth to Bethlehem for the birth of baby Jesus. Families go from home to home with the figures of the Virgin Mary and Joseph, reliving the pilgrimage by singing songs. They pray and share special snacks such as "tortas" (bread with sausage), "atoles" (traditional beverages made of corn or masa) of various flavors, salads and traditionally, a "piñata" with candy is set up for the children.
How St. Jude supporters celebrate Las Posadas
Chef Jesús Díaz, an award-winning Latin American Chef, known as "Chef Yisus," visited St. Jude and met two Hispanic families whose children are patients and talked about year-end traditions.
I believe that we Latinos consider the kitchen as the main focus of the house.
— St. Jude supporter Chef Jesús Díaz
Background artwork by St. Jude survivor Adrienne
DEC. 25, 2024 - JAN. 2, 2025
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the 8-day Jewish Festival of Lights celebrating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Following their defeat of the Seleucid (Syrian-Greek) rule over the Holy Land, Judah and the Maccabees sought to light the Holy Temple’s Menorah, an 8-branched candelabra.
Upon doing so, they found there was only enough oil to light the Menorah for one day. Miraculously, the small bit of oil lasted for eight days. To commemorate this miracle, the annual festival Hanukkah was created. Hanukkah is celebrated with nightly menorah lighting, prayers, games and songs and traditional Jewish foods, such as potato latkes and challah bread.
How St. Jude patients celebrate Hanukkah
Each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit on the menorah until all eight glow, with the ninth candle — the “shamash” — used to light the others. When Griffin was in treatment at St. Jude, an unexpected kindness brought light to his Hanukkah family tradition just when they’d given up hope.
All our fears and worries just became hope.
— Jen, St. Jude patient Griffin's mom
St. Jude patient Griffin (center) with his brother and sister, when he was in treatment at St. Jude.
Background artwork by St. Jude patients
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DEC. 21
The winter solstice marks the shortest day (and longest night) of the year and the official beginning of winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is celebrated on Dec. 21, the mark of the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Around the world, winter solstice is celebrated across a multitude of cultures with festivals, food, music and dancing.
Background artwork by St. Jude patient Sydney
DEC. 24 & 25
Christmas is a religious and cultural holiday observed by billions of people all over the world. Those who celebrate usually decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights and decorations around their house, tell stories of Santa Claus and participate in gift giving and meals with family and friends. Christians, including Protestant and Catholic denominations, partake in honoring the birth of Jesus Christ and may attend church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
How St. Jude patients celebrate Christmas
St. Jude patient Elani and her mother
Patient Elani's family drive out at night to look at Christmas lights. They have a big family gathering on Christmas Eve, and that night everyone opens just one gift.
We’re all over the place. But we all come home. And that’s what makes it really special, everybody being together.
— Darnita, St. Jude patient Elani's mother
Background artwork by St. Jude patients
DEC. 26 - JAN. 1
Established in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration of African American culture that takes place each year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Kwanzaa is inspired by the beginning of the harvest season in Africa. Families throughout the United States and around the world celebrate with symbolic table-setting, shared feasts, nightly lighting of black, red and green candles and reflections on the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
How St. Jude supporters celebrate Kwanzaa
At the close of each year, lifelong St. Jude supporter Kathryn Smith and her daughter, Quinn, pause to peacefully celebrate just being Black. These days, the holiday season begins at Halloween and ends on New Year’s Day for Kathryn and her family, with hustle and bustle from end to end. But for Kathryn, Kwanzaa moves them away from that rush and into a place of peace.
It’s not about gifts. It’s not about big festivities. It’s really just a way to connect with people. To celebrate something as a collective community.
— St. Jude supporter Kathryn Smith
St. Jude supporter Kathryn Smith (left) with her daughter, Quinn
Background artwork by St. Jude patient Cameron
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DEC. 31 & JAN. 1
Many countries celebrate Jan. 1 as a national holiday for the New Year, which is based on the Gregorian calendar. Usually, celebrations take place on the night before — New Year’s Eve. There are many ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve, including staying at home with loved ones, feasting, attending parties and toasting at midnight. Cities around the world display fireworks. For some, a New Year’s Day tradition is to eat black-eyed peas for luck and prosperity in the coming year.
How St. Jude patients celebrate New Year's
St. Jude patient Lizzie
No matter what the tradition, for these families, whose children are patients of St. Jude, there is an added element of happiness and appreciation for another year, especially after enduring serious illnesses.
The parties have lion dances, lots of music and food. They are often held at Asian markets, but sometimes also in temples.
Mary, St. Jude patient Lizzie's mom
Background artwork by St. Jude patient Cyra
JAN. 6
Three Kings Day, also called Epiphany, is celebrated by Christians around the world. It is honored as the manifestation of God as Jesus Christ. Celebrations and customs vary widely between countries and may differ depending on their region. Common and popular festivities include singing, having your house blessed, chalking your front door, eating Three Kings cake, winter swimming and attending church services.
Every year, on the night of Jan. 5, St. Jude patient Valentina's parents, María Antonieta and Javier, transform their home into a haven of anticipation for the overnight visit of the Three Kings.
The centerpiece of the celebration is the Rosca de Reyes, a traditional sweet bread adorned with colorful candied fruits. Hidden within the cake is a small plastic baby Jesus, a symbol of the holiday.
The Rosca de Reyes signifies the adoration of the Three Wise Men for baby Jesus.
María Antonieta, St. Jude patient Valentina's mom
Background artwork by St. Jude survivor Tayde
Let us know your own holiday traditions, and explore how other St. Jude supporters celebrate.
St. Jude patient Madeline with her dad
Get to know St. Jude
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Celebrating Christmas in the Hospital
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Seasonal holidays
Celebrate global holidays and observances throughout the year with St. Jude. Discover ways to participate.