december

December is the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar. It contains 31 days and marks the transition from late autumn to winter in the temperate northern hemisphere, while in the southern hemisphere it signifies late spring moving toward summer. The name comes from the Latin decem, meaning ten, a holdover from the early Roman calendar when December was the tenth month.

December's placement follows the reforms that established the current calendar, which did not alter the month’s name. The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs during December, typically on December 21 or 22, resulting in the shortest day of the year there. In the Southern Hemisphere, December includes the summer solstice, around December 21 or 22, the longest day of the year there.

Cultural and religious observances associated with December include Advent, a season in many Christian traditions leading up to Christmas Day on December 25. Public holidays vary by country, but Christmas Day is widely recognized, and Boxing Day is observed in several nations on December 26. Other widely observed dates include Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) and New Year’s Eve (December 31). Hanukkah, a Jewish festival, falls in December on some years, while Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 in parts of North America.

Economic and social activity often peaks in December due to holidays and year-end business practices. Weather in December is diverse: cold and snowy in much of the north, warm or mild in many tropical regions. The month is also a time for various regional festivals, seasonal markets, and cultural traditions around the world.