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{{short description|Twelfth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars}}
{{short description|Twelfth month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{About|the month}}
{{About|the month}}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Calendar}}
{{Calendar}}


'''December''' is the twelfth and final month of the year in the [[Julian calendar|Julian]] and [[Gregorian calendar]]s. Its length is 31 days. [[File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry décembre.jpg|right|thumb|December, from the ''Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry'']]
'''December''' is the 12th and final month of the year in the [[Julian calendar|Julian]] and [[Gregorian calendar]]s. Its length is 31 days.  
[[File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry décembre.jpg|right|thumb|December, from the ''Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry'']]
[[File:12 December - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA.svg |thumb |In recent decades, the number of warm temperature records in December has outpaced cold temperature records over a growing portion of Earth's surface.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mean Monthly Temperature Records Across the Globe |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/202501/supplemental/page-3 |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) }} Link is an example for one month; for other months, change the "202501" in the preceding URL to '''yyyymm''', where '''yyyy''' is the four-digit year and '''mm''' is the two-digit month (01=January through 12=December)</ref>]]
[[File:1850- 12 December each year - Global average temperature changes.svg |thumb |Chart shows changes in global average temperature annually in December of each year<ref>.●{{nbsp}}Source for 1850- raw data: {{cite web |title=Global Land and Ocean Temperature Anomalies |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/noaa-global-surface-temperature/v6.1/access/timeseries/aravg.mon.land_ocean.90S.90N.v6.1.0.202602.asc |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326165000/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/noaa-global-surface-temperature/v6.1/access/timeseries/aravg.mon.land_ocean.90S.90N.v6.1.0.202602.asc |archive-date=26 March 2026 |url-status=live}}
<br>●{{nbsp}}Updated data is accessible through [https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/global/time-series/globe/land_ocean/tavg/1/0/1850-2026 Climate at a Glance Global Time Series / Globe / Global Time Series]. ''Choose parameters:'' Surface: Land and Ocean / Parameter: Average Temperature Anomaly / Time Scale: 1-Month / Month: All Months / Start Year: 1850 / End Year: 20__.
<br>●{{nbsp}}Technical note: data in chart is adjusted to reference period of 1850-1900 (representing pre-industrial era)</ref>]]


December's name derives from the Latin word ''decem'' (meaning [[10 (number)|ten]]) because it was originally the tenth month of the year in the [[Roman calendar#Legendary 10 month calendar|calendar of Romulus]] {{circa|750 BC}}, which began in March. The winter days following December were not included as part of any month. Later, the months of January and February were created out of the monthless period and added to the beginning of the calendar, but December retained its name.<ref name=Macrobius>[[Macrobius]], ''[[Saturnalia]]'', tr. Percival Vaughan Davies (New York: Columbia University Press, 1969), book I, chapters 12–13, pp. 89–95.</ref><ref>{{cite EB9 |wstitle= December |volume= VII |page=19 |short=1}}</ref>
December's name derives from the [[Latin]] word {{lang|la|decem}} (meaning [[10 (number)|10]]) because it was originally the 10th month of the year in the [[Roman calendar#Legendary 10 month calendar|calendar of Romulus]] {{circa|750 BC}}, which began in March. The winter days following December were not included as part of any month. Later, the months of January and February were created out of the monthless period and added to the beginning of the calendar, but December retained its name.<ref name=Macrobius>[[Macrobius]], ''[[Saturnalia]]'', tr. Percival Vaughan Davies (New York: Columbia University Press, 1969), book I, chapters 12–13, pp. 89–95.</ref><ref>{{cite EB9 |wstitle= December |volume= VII |page=19 |short=1}}</ref>


December is the first month of [[winter]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], and the first month of [[summer]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].
December is the first month of [[winter]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] and the first month of [[summer]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]].


In [[Ancient Rome]], as one of the four [[Agonalia]], this day in honour of [[Sol Indiges]] was held on December 11, as was [[Septimontium]]. [[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#dies natalis|Dies natalis]] (birthday) was held at the temple of [[Terra (mythology)|Tellus]] on December 13, [[Consualia]] was held on December 15, [[Saturnalia]] was held December 17–23, [[Opiconsivia]] was held on December 19, [[Divalia]] was held on December 21, [[Larentalia]] was held on December 23, and the dies natalis of [[Sol Invictus]] was held on December 25. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.
In [[Ancient Rome]], as one of the four [[Agonalia]], this day in honor of [[Sol Indiges]] was held on December 11, as was [[Septimontium]]. [[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#dies natalis|Dies natalis]] (birthday) was held at the temple of [[Terra (mythology)|Tellus]] on December 13, [[Consualia]] was held on December 15, [[Saturnalia]] was held December 17–23, [[Opiconsivia]] was held on December 19, [[Divalia]] was held on December 21, [[Larentalia]] was held on December 23, and the dies natalis of [[Sol Invictus]] was held on December 25. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.


The [[Anglo-Saxons]] referred to December–January as [[Ġēolamonaþ]] (modern English: "[[Yule]] month"). The [[French Republican Calendar]] contained December within the months of [[Frimaire]] and [[Nivôse]].
The [[Anglo-Saxons]] referred to December–January as [[Ġēolamonaþ]] (modern English: "[[Yule]] month"). The [[French Republican Calendar]] contained December within the months of [[Frimaire]] and [[Nivôse]].


== Astronomy ==
== Astronomy ==
[[File:Hans Bol - Adriaen Collaert - Emblemata evangelica - Erfgoedfonds Koning Boudewijnstichting - Fonds du Patrimoine Fondation Roi Baudouin - 12.jpg|thumb|Month December depicted in Hans Bol's and Adriaen Collart's ''Emblematica Evangelica.'']]
[[File:Hans Bol - Adriaen Collaert - Emblemata evangelica - Erfgoedfonds Koning Boudewijnstichting - Fonds du Patrimoine Fondation Roi Baudouin - 12.jpg|thumb|The month of December depicted in Hans Bol's and Adriaen Collart's ''Emblematica Evangelica'']]
December contains the [[winter solstice]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the [[summer solstice]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], the day with the most daylight hours (excluding polar regions in both cases, which consistently have [[Polar night|none]] or [[Midnight sun|24 hours]], respectively, near the solstice). December in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to [[June]] in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the astronomical [[winter]] is traditionally 21 December or the date of the solstice.
December contains the [[winter solstice]] in the [[Northern Hemisphere]], the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the [[summer solstice]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], the day with the most daylight hours (excluding polar regions in both cases, which consistently have [[Polar night|none]] or [[Midnight sun|24 hours]], respectively, near the solstice). December in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to [[June]] in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the astronomical [[winter]] is traditionally 21 December or the date of the solstice.


Meteor showers occurring in December are the [[Andromedids]] (September 25 – December 6, peaking around November 9), the [[Canis-Minorids]] (December 4 – December 15, peaking around December 10–11), the [[Coma Berenicids]] (December 12 to December 23, peaking around December 16), the [[Delta Cancrids]] (December 14 to February 14, the main shower from January 1 to January 24, peaking on January 17), the [[Geminids]] (December 13–14), the [[Monocerotids]] (December 7 to December 20, peaking on December 9. This shower can also start in November), the [[Phoenicids]] (November 29 to December 9, with a peak occurring around 5/6 December), the [[Quadrantids]] (typically a January shower but can also start in December), the [[Sigma Hydrids]] (December 4–15), and the [[Ursids]] (December 17-to December 25/26, peaking around December 22).
Meteor showers occurring in December are the [[Andromedids]] (September 24 – December 6, peaking around November 9), the [[Canis-Minorids]] (December 4 – December 15, peaking around December 10–11), the [[Coma Berenicids]] (December 12 to December 23, peaking around December 16), the [[Delta Cancrids]] (December 14 to February 14, the main shower from January 1 to January 24, peaking on January 17), the [[Geminids]] (December 13–14), the [[Monocerotids]] (December 7 to December 20, peaking on December 9. This shower can also start in November), the [[Phoenicids]] (November 29 to December 9, with a peak occurring around 5/6 December), the [[Quadrantids]] (typically a January shower but can also start in December), the [[Sigma Hydrids]] (December 4–15), and the [[Ursids]] (December 17-to December 25/26, peaking around December 22).


== Astrology ==
== Astrology ==
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== Observances ==
== Observances ==
[[File:Eaton Centre Christmas Tree.JPG|alt=A Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25 every year.|thumb|A [[Christmas tree]] at the [[Toronto Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]] in [[Toronto]].]]
[[File:Eaton Centre Christmas Tree.JPG|alt=A Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25 every year.|thumb|A [[Christmas tree]] at the [[Toronto Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]] in [[Toronto]]]]
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance.''
''This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance.''


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** [[Republic Day (Central African Republic)]]
** [[Republic Day (Central African Republic)]]
** [[Restoration of Independence Day (Portugal)]]
** [[Restoration of Independence Day (Portugal)]]
** [[Rosa Parks Day]] ([[Ohio]] and [[Oregon]], [[United States]])
** [[Rosa Parks Day]] ([[Ohio]] and [[Oregon]], United States)
** [[Self-governance Day]] ([[Iceland]])
** [[Self-governance Day]] ([[Iceland]])
** [[Teachers' Day]] ([[Panama]])
** [[Teachers' Day]] ([[Panama]])
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** [[Discovery Day#Hispaniola|Discovery Day]] ([[Haiti]] and [[Dominican Republic]])
** [[Discovery Day#Hispaniola|Discovery Day]] ([[Haiti]] and [[Dominican Republic]])
** [[International Volunteer Day|International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development]]
** [[International Volunteer Day|International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development]]
** [[Klozum]] ([[Schiermonnikoog]], [[Netherlands]])
** [[Klozum]] ([[Schiermonnikoog]], Netherlands)
** [[Saint Nicholas|Saint Nicholas Eve]] ([[Belgium]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Slovakia]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]] and the [[United Kingdom|UK]])
** [[Saint Nicholas|Saint Nicholas Eve]] ([[Belgium]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Slovakia]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Hungary]], [[Romania]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]] and the [[United Kingdom|UK]])
*** [[Krampusnacht]] ([[Austria]])
*** [[Krampusnacht]] ([[Austria]])
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** [[Saint Nicholas Day]] ([[Western Christianity]])
** [[Saint Nicholas Day]] ([[Western Christianity]])
* [[December 7]]
* [[December 7]]
** [[Ambrose|Saint Ambrose Day]]
** [[Armed Forces Flag Day]] ([[India]])
** [[Armed Forces Flag Day]] ([[India]])
** [[Eve of the Immaculate Conception]] ([[Western Christianity]]) and related observances:
** [[Eve of the Immaculate Conception]] ([[Western Christianity]]) and related observances:
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** [[List of food days#Brazil|National Muffin Day]] (Brazil)
** [[List of food days#Brazil|National Muffin Day]] (Brazil)
* [[December 19]]
* [[December 19]]
** [[Liberation Day|Goa Liberation Day]] ([[Goa]], [[India]])
** [[Liberation Day|Goa Liberation Day]] ([[Goa]], India)
** [[Public holidays in Anguilla|National Heroes and Heroines Day]] ([[Anguilla]])
** [[Public holidays in Anguilla|National Heroes and Heroines Day]] ([[Anguilla]])
* [[December 20]]
* [[December 20]]
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** [[Unity Day (Zimbabwe)]]
** [[Unity Day (Zimbabwe)]]
* [[December 23]]
* [[December 23]]
** [[The Emperor's Birthday]], a national holiday in Japan
** [[The Emperor's Birthday]] (Japan, [[Heisei era]])
** [[Festivus]]
** [[Festivus]]
** [[HumanLight]] ([[Humanism]])
** [[HumanLight]] ([[Humanism]])

Latest revision as of 03:12, 11 April 2026

This article is about the month. For other uses, see December (disambiguation).

Template:Calendar/month/link on

December is the 12th and final month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days.

File:Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry décembre.jpg
December, from the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
File:12 December - Percent of global area at temperature records - Global warming - NOAA.svg
In recent decades, the number of warm temperature records in December has outpaced cold temperature records over a growing portion of Earth's surface.[1]
File:1850- 12 December each year - Global average temperature changes.svg
Chart shows changes in global average temperature annually in December of each year[2]

December's name derives from the Latin word decem (meaning 10) because it was originally the 10th month of the year in the calendar of Romulus c. 750 BC, which began in March. The winter days following December were not included as part of any month. Later, the months of January and February were created out of the monthless period and added to the beginning of the calendar, but December retained its name.[3][4]

December is the first month of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first month of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

In Ancient Rome, as one of the four Agonalia, this day in honor of Sol Indiges was held on December 11, as was Septimontium. Dies natalis (birthday) was held at the temple of Tellus on December 13, Consualia was held on December 15, Saturnalia was held December 17–23, Opiconsivia was held on December 19, Divalia was held on December 21, Larentalia was held on December 23, and the dies natalis of Sol Invictus was held on December 25. These dates do not correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar.

The Anglo-Saxons referred to December–January as Ġēolamonaþ (modern English: "Yule month"). The French Republican Calendar contained December within the months of Frimaire and Nivôse.

Astronomy

File:Hans Bol - Adriaen Collaert - Emblemata evangelica - Erfgoedfonds Koning Boudewijnstichting - Fonds du Patrimoine Fondation Roi Baudouin - 12.jpg
The month of December depicted in Hans Bol's and Adriaen Collart's Emblematica Evangelica

December contains the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the fewest daylight hours, and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the day with the most daylight hours (excluding polar regions in both cases, which consistently have none or 24 hours, respectively, near the solstice). December in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to June in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa. In the Northern hemisphere, the beginning of the astronomical winter is traditionally 21 December or the date of the solstice.

Meteor showers occurring in December are the Andromedids (September 24 – December 6, peaking around November 9), the Canis-Minorids (December 4 – December 15, peaking around December 10–11), the Coma Berenicids (December 12 to December 23, peaking around December 16), the Delta Cancrids (December 14 to February 14, the main shower from January 1 to January 24, peaking on January 17), the Geminids (December 13–14), the Monocerotids (December 7 to December 20, peaking on December 9. This shower can also start in November), the Phoenicids (November 29 to December 9, with a peak occurring around 5/6 December), the Quadrantids (typically a January shower but can also start in December), the Sigma Hydrids (December 4–15), and the Ursids (December 17-to December 25/26, peaking around December 22).

Astrology

The zodiac signs for the month of December are Sagittarius (until December 21) and Capricorn (December 22 onward).[5][6]

Symbols

Yellow narcissus flower
Yellow narcissus flower

December's birth flower is the narcissus. Its birthstones are turquoise, zircon and tanzanite.

A slab of turquoise
A slab of turquoise
Zircons
Zircons
Rough and polished tanzanite
Rough and polished tanzanite

Observances

A Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25 every year.
A Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre in Toronto

This list does not necessarily imply either official status or general observance.

Non-Gregorian

(All Baháʼí, Islamic, and Jewish observances begin at the sundown prior to the date listed, and end at sundown of the date in question unless otherwise noted.)

Month-long

Movable

Tuesday immediately following fourth Thursday of November

First Friday

First Sunday

Second Monday

December 15, unless the date falls on a Sunday, then December 16

Winter Solstice

December 22, unless that date is a Sunday, in which case the 23rd

December 26, unless that day is a Sunday, in which case the 27th

Fixed

File:Weihnachtsmarktindresden.jpg
A Christmas market in Dresden

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mean Monthly Temperature Records Across the Globe". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Link is an example for one month; for other months, change the "202501" in the preceding URL to yyyymm, where yyyy is the four-digit year and mm is the two-digit month (01=January through 12=December)
  2. ↑ .● Source for 1850- raw data: "Global Land and Ocean Temperature Anomalies". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Archived from the original on 26 March 2026.
    ● Updated data is accessible through Climate at a Glance Global Time Series / Globe / Global Time Series. Choose parameters: Surface: Land and Ocean / Parameter: Average Temperature Anomaly / Time Scale: 1-Month / Month: All Months / Start Year: 1850 / End Year: 20__.
    ● Technical note: data in chart is adjusted to reference period of 1850-1900 (representing pre-industrial era)
  3. ↑ Macrobius, Saturnalia, tr. Percival Vaughan Davies (New York: Columbia University Press, 1969), book I, chapters 12–13, pp. 89–95.
  4. ↑ Template:Cite EB9
  5. ↑ The Earth passes the junction of the signs at 10:02 UT/GMT December 21, 2020, and will pass it again at 15:59 UT/GMT December 21, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Astrology Calendar", yourzodiacsign. Signs in UT/GMT for 1950–2030.

Template:Months

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