National Pupusa Day
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Origins of Pupusa. The pupusa originates in El Salvador during the Pipil cultural period, used as an essential food in Salvadoran diet
History
Origins of Pupusa. The pupusa originates in El Salvador during the Pipil cultural period, used as an essential food in Salvadoran diet
How It's Celebrated
National Pupusa Day is observed by recognizing the importance of the day, learning about its background and significance, and sharing awareness with others through conversation and social media. Many people take time to reflect on the meaning of the observance and participate in relevant activities or community events.
Other Years
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Christmas in New Caledonia is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. Christmas Day and the Christmas season are a busy time of year in New Caledonia. This is one of the main tourist seasons on the island with many from Australia, New Zealand, and France coming here while the kids are out of school. About half in New Caledonia are Catholic and often go to mass all night on the day before Christmas. They seek to welcome Christmas morning while joyfully remembering the day that Christ was born. Many Protestants and Evangelicals in New Caledonia go to church on Christmas Day or the Sunday nearest to Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Saviour. The capital city of Noumea is lit up like a Christmas tree for the holidays each year. The city centre is the brightest spot, including Coconut Palm Square, the capital complex, and the Noumea Museum. Both palm trees and buildings are decked out with multi-coloured lights for the occasion.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Saint Stephen’s Day (the day after Christmas) are all significant days in Finland. Many Finns will take off 24 December through 1 January to spend time with family. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. The biggest day of the season in Finland, is not Christmas Day but Christmas Eve. By early afternoon on Christmas Eve, most shops and other businesses will shut down, and public transport will even be hard to find. Sometime during the evening, the Biblical Christmas Story, from Luke’s Gospel, will likely be read. The youngest child who knows how to read normally is assigned the role. After dinner, “Joulupukki,” the Finnish version of Old Saint Nick, arrives and gives presents. The name “Joulupukki” is literally rendered “Christmas Goat.” This is because a goat used to frighten people and demand they hand over their presents in earlier Finnish Christmas tradition, but then Joulupukki had a change of heart and started giving out presents instead. He never lost his original name, however. On Christmas Day, most people just relax at home and recover from the previous night’s business. Others, however, get up early, attend Christmas morning church services, and rest at home later. On 26 December, Saint Stephen’s Day, people visit relatives, maybe even some who live far away or whom they have not seen for some time. It is also common to go ice skating or skiing on Saint Stephen’s Day.
Christmas Holiday
Christmas in Samoa is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. Samoa is a predominantly Christian nation and one of the few in the world that calls itself a Christian Nation in its own constitution. Unsurprisingly, then, Christmas Day is a major holiday in this South Pacific island country. Attending church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve is traditional in Samoa. There are a wide range of denominations present, including Congregationalist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Charismatic, and others. But all of them celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners. At church, at home, or on the street, you will likely be told to have a “fiafia” Christmas, the Samoan word for “merry”. You may see some people dancing for Christmas too. Traditional dances like the “siva” and “sasa” are a part of the “fa’asamoa”, meaning the Samoan way of life. Christmas is deemed the perfect time to combine Christianity with a Samoan traditional culture that is over 3,000 years old.
Easter Saturday
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