Christmas may be over but the holidays have just begun…
What is WINTERSPEL? Winter = the most miserable time of the year. Spel = the Swedish word for “games.” In short, Winterspel is a series of midwinter holidays and celebrations intended to keep the dreary, cold weather blues away. Say sayonara to seasonal depression this year and keep your spirits soaring by participating in these lighthearted, sometimes weird, always fun holidays.
Celebrating just a few holidays each month leading up to the first day of spring will keep us trudging along until we see that proverbial break in the clouds again. Participate at your own leisure, and show us your Winterspel pride on social media using #Winterspel.
• A detailed guide to the Winterspel 2025 Holidays •
January 6th – start of CARNIVAL
The beginning of Carnival starts with Three Kings Day on January 6th. Also known as Epiphany or El Dia de los Reyes, this holiday is widely celebrated across Latin America and Europe, especially Spain, as the 12th day of Christmas (Twelfth Night) commemorating the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. Chances are if you find the Spanish speakers in your town, you’ll find a Three Kings Day celebration, and the traditions are as rich and varied as each culture that is represented.
A great way to begin your season of Winterspel is to start your own Carnival traditions: redecorate your Christmas tree in gold, purple and green; host a mask decorating party; pour yourself a sazerac and throw on some New Orleans-inspired tunes; most importantly, start planning your Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) parade!
Buda Mendes / Getty
January 8th – ARGYLE DAY
We have Clan Campbell of Scotland to thank for the origins of the argyle pattern. Hailing from Argyll, an historic county in western Scotland, the Argyle design is said to date back to the 17th century. It was popularized by Pringle of Scotland and the Duke of Windsor after the first world war and has become such a staple pattern as to garner its own holiday.
So find your best argyle socks, proudly don your argyle scarf or sweater (or both), and see who can come up with the best argyle-clad ensemble. Use #ArgyleDay and #Winterspel to commemorate your participation on social media.
January 16th – APPRECIATE A DRAGON DAY
The dragon, one of the most beloved mythical creatures in all of human lore, now has its very own day of recognition — and well deserved. Whether Viserion or Dragonite, Falkor or Trogdor, celebrate your favorite dragon with style. Watch a dragon movie; draw or paint your favorite dragon; start a new dragon-themed book; learn dragon origami with the fam; you may even choose to go as far as wearing a dragon costume — who would stop you?
Show off your dragon spirit on social media with #AppreciateADragonDay and #Winterspel.
Origami Dragons by origami artist Jo Nakashima
January 25th — BURNS NIGHT
January 25th is the official day to celebrate the life and work of Scotland’s beloved national poet, Robert Burns. The first Burns Night celebration is believed to have begun when, shortly after his death, a group of Burns’ friends gathered on his birthday to celebrate and remember his legacy, a tradition that has carried on for generations.
To start, once everyone has been welcomed, the Selkirk Grace is said. Then, along with neeps and tatties, the haggis is served (traditionally “piped in” with bagpipes and fanfare), and the Burn’s poem Address to a Haggis is performed. (Note: If you’re new to Burns-era language, no one will begrudge you a YouTube poem reading instead — you won’t want to miss the full Scottish effect.) Enjoy Burns poetry throughout the meal, give a heartfelt toast to the Lassies with your scrumptious single malt Scotch of choice, and end with everyone rising to sing Auld Lang Syne, the Robert Burns poem that inspired the iconic song.
The folks at Scotland.org have created an incredible e-guide for more details on hosting or attending your own Burns Night. And here is an excellent vegetarian haggis recipe in case the idea of eating actual sheep’s guts disgusts you as much as it does me.
February 1st – BLACK HISTORY MONTH
There is so much to celebrate during Black History Month, and unlimited ways to do so at your own pace. While we know that black history is American history and deserves to be championed all year round, we can intentionally use this opportunity during the month of February to support black-owned businesses, visit the black-owned restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or seek out shows and performances by local black artists. Check your local museums, libraries, or universities for special in-person or online events or lectures. And if you’re really ready to put your money where your mouth is, donate to orgs that support anti-racism, equality, and racial justice causes like the ACLU and the NAACP.
Grab a friend, dive in, and don’t forget to share your experiences with others!
February 12th – CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL
The Lantern Festival, or Yuanxiao Jie, officially marks the end of the Chinese new year. A tradition dating back more than 2,000 years, it is now one of the most popular festivals in China and is a celebration for good fortune and prosperity for one’s family in the new year.
Lanterns may come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Tradition dictates that you decorate your lantern with riddles designed to stump the reader. Should someone guess the answer a small gift may be given as a reward. Another important tradition is eating tangyuan, a glutinous rice ball often boiled and typically stuffed with sweet filling.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with public Chinese New Year celebrations, check your local listings for dragon or lion dances and other lantern festivities (hello Zoolumination in Nashville!!!) — you won’t want to miss it.
February 20th – HOODIE-HOO DAY
Perhaps the simplest of Winterspel holidays, Hoodie-Hoo Day was created in the early 1980s by Pennsylvania native Thomas Roy. Roy is somewhat infamous for creating and popularizing weird holidays, like Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day (July 27th) and Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day (August 8th).
So, how does one properly observe Hoodie-Hoo Day? According to the folks at holidayscalendar.com:
“The main custom of this odd holiday is to go out on February 20th at noon, raise your hands over your head and yell, “Hoodie Hoo!!” for all the world to hear.”
Sounds like a perfectly reasonable, effective, and not insane way to scare away the winter to me!
Photo by Mike Donahey
March 4th – MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday)
The end of Carnival season is marked by Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, and ushers in the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Now is your chance to eat that king cake you’ve been dreaming of, grab your krewe, and go see that brass band you’ve heard so much about.
Stuck at home on Fat Tuesday? Lift your spirits by checking out this New Orleans-inspired Spotify playlist. If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that it is physically impossible to be mad while listening to the sweet, sweet tunes of a proper New Orleans brass band.
March 13th – GOOD SAMARITAN DAY
What better way to break up the bleak winter blues than by setting aside a day specifically devoted to perpetuating kindness and selflessness?
Inspired by the tragic murder of Kitty Genovese, who many believe might have been saved with the intervention of a Good Samaritan neighbor, this holiday invites us all to remember to look out for one another in whatever way we are able.
Need an excuse to perform a random (or totally deliberate!) act of kindness? Today is your day. Want to recognize someone in your life who has been kind? Don’t delay any longer — make your appreciation known.f
March 17th – ST. PATRICK’S DAY
St. Patrick’s Day needs little explanation as observed in the US of A. If you find the right spot, it’s a loud, proud, unapologetically Irish drinking holiday of wildly epic proportions. Drink a green beer, or perhaps you prefer a Guiness; eat some shepherd’s pie or choose the Irish stew; stay in, or go out — the choice is up to you.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, there’s one thing that is NOT optional: you must wear green. End of story.
March 20th – SPRING EQUINOX
This is it, folks! The light at the end of the tunnel has become the sunshine we’ve been dreaming of. Spring is finally here, our collective Hoodie-Hoo-ing was successful, and winter is properly behind us. While we may have some cold days still ahead, we’re officially on the downhill slope and can look forward to sliding right into the beautiful spring weather we’ve all been waiting for.
See you again for Winterspel 2024!
© Hannah Westphall 2024 • All Rights Reserved
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