Holidays

While not an official holiday, National Siblings Day on April 10 has gained momentum on social media in recent years.

National Siblings Day is a celebration born of love — and grief

4:50pm April 10, 2024

by Maria Godoy

Claudia Evart, a woman who lost both her sister and her brother in separate accidents, created the day to honor the special relationships between siblings. It is on April 10 every year.

A sign greets visitors near Candy Cane Lane's entrance. About 300 homes in the Milwaukee-area neighborhood display decorations to benefit children's cancer research.

National

Milwaukee's 'Candy Cane Lane' shines bright through the holidays

7:49am December 23, 2023

by Eddie Morales

For nearly 40 years, residents of a neighborhood in a Milwaukee suburb have gone wild with their Christmas decorations. And it's a long-standing tradition to take a drive through "Candy Cane Lane."

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Skiers participate in last year's "Santa Sunday" event at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine.

Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats

9:43am December 08, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Here's how communities across the U.S. put their own spin on Christmas, Hanukkah and even Festivus celebrations — from Santas who ski and surf, to trees made of tumbleweed, sand and lobster traps.

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Scott Simon with his daughter, Elise, during the holidays.

Education

Opinion: School shows are a magical part of the holidays

8:39am November 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks about how much he enjoys watching school stage productions this time of year and why.

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Rory Szwed, left, and Kent Rowan watch the festivities while waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to make his prediction at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., early Thursday morning.

How Groundhog Day came to the U.S. — and why we still celebrate it 137 years later

8:23am February 02, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter ahead. Groundhogs may not have a great track record when it comes to weather forecasts, but experts say the tradition sheds light on our culture and environment.

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Fireworks explode next to the Arc de Triomphe with "2023" projected on the building, at the Avenue des Champs-Elysees during New Year celebrations in Paris.

World News

Countries across the world ring in the new year

9:48pm December 31, 2022

by Giulia Heyward

From Bangkok to Berlin, one time zone at a time celebrated the entry into 2023.

Shoppers walk the aisles of Walmart for Black Friday deals in Dunwoody, Georgia. Walmart opened at 6am on Black Friday for shoppers.

Inflation looms large as Black Friday shoppers head to the stores

10:54am November 25, 2022

by Emily Olson

More than 60% of shoppers say the economy is affecting their holiday plans. Many say they'll be more selective in their purchases, going for cheaper goods and less expensive stores.

Stu Haley's Grandma Monnette created a Thanksgiving side dish, dressing balls, to avoid using stuffing from inside the turkey.

Arts

When making Thanksgiving dressing, Grandma Monnette had one simple rule

11:24am November 20, 2022

by Wynne Davis

Rather than stuffing the turkey, Rebecca Monnette made dressing balls with a few simple ingredients that safely cook separate from the bird. Her grandson carries on the tradition.

Miriam Armendariz Piccolo shares her family recipe for Beef Picadillo.

Arts

Favorite family recipes and the stories that make them memorable

8:00am November 20, 2022

We all have that one dish that excites our palates and calls to mind special memories with Mom, Dad, Grandma or a favorite aunt who created delicious, comforting dishes.

Passengers at O'Hare International Airport, in Chicago, wait in line to be screened at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint in 2016.

National

Ahead of the holidays, the cost for TSA PreCheck is dropping

4:32pm November 05, 2022

by Giulia Heyward

The bulk of TSA PreCheck passengers spent less than five minutes at security checkpoints.