Holiday Food Around the World: What People Cook for Festivals · National Dish Recipes

Holiday Food Around the World: What People Cook for Festivals

Almost every celebration comes with its own food. Here you will find eleven festivals from around the world, from Chinese New Year to Hanukkah, with the dishes that traditionally belong to them and recipes from our collection to cook at home. The festivals are listed in calendar order, and while one is on, its best-known dishes also appear at the top of our home page.

Late January to mid-February

Chinese New Year

What people eat for Chinese New Year and why: jiaozi, a whole steamed fish, nian gao and tangyuan, with recipes you can cook at …

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Moves through the year (Islamic calendar)

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: dates, harira, lentil soup and qatayef for breaking the fast, ma’amoul for the feast. Recipes from …

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Around 20–21 March

Nowruz

Nowruz, the Persian New Year at the start of spring: the Haft-Sin table, sabzi polo with fish, kuku sabzi, ash reshteh and samanu, …

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February or March

Holi

What people eat for Holi in India: malpua, puran poli, dahi vada and gujiya. Customs, dates and recipes for your own festive meal …

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17 March

St Patrick's Day

What people eat on St Patrick’s Day: bacon and cabbage, Irish stew, colcannon and soda bread. Customs, background and recipes to …

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Late June

Midsummer

What people eat at Midsummer in Sweden: pickled herring, new potatoes with dill, gravlax and strawberry cake. Customs, dates and …

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Late September to early October

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest at home: pork knuckle, pretzels, obatzter and white sausages. What people eat at the Munich Wiesn and which recipes …

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1–2 November

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead in Mexico: pan de muerto, mole, tamales and calabaza en tacha for altar and the family table. Festive dishes with …

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October or November

Diwali

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights: ladoo, kaju katli, gulab jamun and savoury snacks. Which sweets are given as gifts, with …

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Fourth Thursday in November

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in the US and Canada: turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie. Recipes and a menu …

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Late November to late December

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and food fried in oil belongs to it: latkes with apple sauce, sufganiyot, sfenj and …

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