December Season & Vibe
- Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere
- Festive lights and holiday decorations
- Cozy evenings and warm drinks
- Year-end celebrations and reflection
LET IT SNOW • SEASON OF JOY
December 2011
Twinkling lights, festive traditions, winter magic and memories to end the year.
December is the 12th and final month of the year and has 31 days. From the December solstice around December 21 to Christmas on December 25 and New Year’s Eve on December 31, December is filled with celebrations, seasonal traditions and year-end reflections. Explore its birthstones, zodiac signs, winter skies and special days.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Dates with a count have published stories or scheduled previews.
From the calendar
Explore December
What Is Special About December? Season, Zodiac, Birthstones & More
December Zodiac Signs
Sagittarius
Dec 1–21
Adventure · Optimism
Capricorn
Dec 22–31
Ambition · Discipline
December Birthstones
Turquoise · Tanzanite · Blue Zircon
Blue and blue-violet gems associated with protection, wisdom and good fortune in traditional symbolism.
December Birth Flowers
Narcissus
Hope · Renewal
Holly
Joy · Protection
Seasonal descriptions mainly reflect the Northern Hemisphere. Zodiac dates are conventional Western ranges; transitions vary by year and time zone. Birth symbols describe cultural traditions.
December’s Major Events
December Solstice
Around December 21 — shortest daylight period in the north.
Christmas
December 25 — a major Christian holiday and family celebration.
New Year’s Eve
December 31 — celebrate the year’s final night.
Every date has a story
December 3 — National Days & Stories
No stories in this selection yet.
New articles appear here according to their publication or scheduled date.
Browse all months →Why Is It Called December? History of Month 12
The meaning behind the name
December comes from the Latin decem, meaning “ten.” It was the tenth month in the early Roman calendar, which began in March. January and February were later placed before it, making December the 12th month.
Weather and seasons
December marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the start of summer.
December Fast Facts
31 days
December 2011 begins Thursday and ends Saturday.
Month 12
The final month of the Gregorian calendar.
Cold Moon
Check local moonrise and phase times for December.
3 birthstones
Turquoise, tanzanite and zircon are associated with December.
December Skies & Nature
Winter Wonderland
- Snowy scenery in colder regions
- Frosty mornings and long nights
- Scarves, blankets and warm drinks
Cold Moon
Check local moonrise and phase times for December.
- Traditional December full-Moon name
- Look for the Moon on a clear night
Festive Treats
- Gingerbread and cinnamon cookies
- Hot chocolate and spiced drinks
- Holiday baking and sweet treats
Geminid Meteor Shower
- Peak around December 13–14
- One of the year’s best-known meteor showers
- Dark skies help with viewing
National Days & Holidays in December 2011
Selected recurring observances. These are calendar dates, not a complete list of public holidays or official days off. Local rules and traditions differ.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Saturday, December 3
ObservanceAwareness Months in December
Selected campaigns; many originated in the United States and may be observed at different times elsewhere.
- AIDS Awareness Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
- Safe Toys and Gifts Month
- Seasonal Depression Awareness
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (US)
Calendar sources & editorial notes
Recurring dates are separate from the published and scheduled stories above. Movable Gregorian holidays are calculated for the selected year. Exact Moon phases, equinoxes, solstices and lunar-calendar festivals should be checked with local authorities before making plans.