Most celebrated holidays around the world

Holidays have a way of bringing people closer, even when they’re thousands of miles apart. While traditions differ across cultures, many global holidays share common themes, including generosity, gratitude, hope, and connection.

For people living far from family and friends, holidays are also a time to support family members back home. Whether helping with a festive meal, contributing to gifts, or covering travel expenses, sending money internationally has become an important part of many holiday traditions around the world.

With Western Union, supporting family and friends across borders is simple, whether you’re sending funds online, through the mobile app, or directly to eligible bank accounts and mobile wallets.

Holidays that celebrate light and renewal

Across cultures, many international holiday traditions focus on hope, renewal, and the importance of coming together with those closest to you.

Christmas

Celebrated on December 25, Christmas is one of the world’s most widely celebrated holidays. Families exchange gifts, decorate their homes, share festive meals, and spend time with those who matter most.

For many people living abroad, Christmas is also an important time to support family members back home. Extra financial support can help everyone you care about preparing holiday meals, purchasing gifts for children, or traveling to see relatives.

If you’re planning to support your family this holiday season, it’s easy to begin a money transfer online.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Families light the menorah, exchange gifts, enjoy traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, and spend time together.

While traditions vary by family and community, Hanukkah emphasizes faith, resilience, and togetherness.

Diwali

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world. Families gather, exchange homemade sweets and gifts, decorate their homes with lights, and celebrate holiday traditions that often come with opportunities to give.

Many people also use Diwali as an opportunity to support relatives financially, making it an important time for families to stay in touch across borders.

Holidays that celebrate family and togetherness

Many of the most celebrated holidays in the world center on reconnecting with family and friends, sharing meals, and strengthening family bonds.

Lunar New Year

Celebrated across China and many parts of Asia, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar year. For many families, Lunar New Year is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with people crossing cities, borders, and time zones just to share a meal together, exchange red envelopes, and wish one another prosperity and good fortune.

For many households, the holiday is less about where they are and more about gathering with the people who matter most.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Communities gather for prayers, festive meals, charitable giving, and visits with family and friends.

Giving to those in need is an important part of the celebration, making financial support an especially meaningful holiday gift for many families.

Eid al-Adha

Observed approximately two months after Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice in obedience to God. Families gather for prayers, shared meals, and charitable giving, often extending support to neighbors and those in need.

For people living abroad, sending money home can help those who depend on you prepare for the celebration and participate in family traditions.

Holidays that celebrate new beginnings

Many holiday celebrations around the world mark the start of a new year or season, bringing families together to reflect, reconnect, and look ahead.

Songkran

Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration, Songkran, takes place each April. While it is known for its joyful water festivities, it is also a time for families to visit elders, participate in community traditions, and show respect to those who matter most.

The holiday reflects themes of renewal, gratitude, and family connection.

Nowruz

Celebrated for more than 3,000 years, Nowruz marks the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring. Observed across Iran, Central Asia, and neighboring regions, the holiday brings families together for shared meals, meaningful traditions, and celebrations centered on renewal and prosperity.

Like many world holidays, Nowruz highlights the importance of spending time with family and friends and welcoming new beginnings together.

A shared tradition: sending money home during the holidays

No matter which holiday is being celebrated, one tradition remains remarkably consistent around the world: supporting family.

According to the World Bank, global remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries have exceeded 650 USD billion annually. Many financial institutions report increased transfer activity around major religious and cultural holidays.

Families often send extra money to:

• Contribute to a child’s education
• Support family businesses
• Help relatives host celebrations
• Keep family traditions alive, even when they’re far apart

Whether you’re helping family and friends celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, or another special occasion, Western Union offers multiple ways to send money across more than 200 countries and territories.

Convenient ways to send holiday support

Holiday schedules can be busy, making convenience especially important.

Western Union offers flexible options that let you send money in the way that works best for you:

• Send online in minutes.
• Use the international money transfer app while you’re on the go.
• Send to eligible bank accounts.
• Choose cash pickup in many locations around the world.
• Use international mobile wallet transfers where available.

With multiple delivery options, it’s easier than ever to support everyone you care about wherever they celebrate.

Learn more about holiday traditions around the world

Interested in discovering more global holiday traditions and celebrations? Explore these additional Western Union resources:

• The Best Way to Send Money Internationally During the Holidays
• 10 Little-Known Holidays Around the World
• Holiday Gift-Giving Customs Around the World

These resources provide additional insights into holiday customs, family celebrations, and practical ways to stay in touch across distances.

Celebrate every holiday with Western Union

Every culture has its own traditions, but the desire to stay connected with family is universal. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas in Canada, Diwali in India, Lunar New Year in Vietnam, Eid in Indonesia, Hanukkah in Israel, Songkran in Thailand, or Nowruz across Central Asia and the Middle East, supporting those who depend on you can make every celebration even more meaningful.

Wherever and however your family celebrates, Western Union helps you stay part of the moment. Because when opportunity, tradition, and community come together, distance shouldn’t stand in the way.