Holidays (English Vocabulary)

ESL Vocabulary for Holidays

The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 15 words from the "holidays" category: Mastering holiday-related vocabulary is useful for participating in cultural celebrations and understanding their significance.

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Example Sentences

New Year's Eve

Easy Examples

• New Year's Eve is the last day of the year, celebrated on December 31st.
• People gather to count down the seconds until the new year begins.
• Fireworks are a common tradition on New Year's Eve.

Harder Examples

• On New Year's Eve, people gather to celebrate with fireworks and countdowns.
• New Year's Eve parties are filled with music, dancing, and joyous festivities.
• They made resolutions for self-improvement as they welcomed New Year's Eve.

Saint Patrick's Day

Easy Examples

• Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday celebrated on March 17th.
• People wear green and often enjoy parades and Irish food.
• The shamrock is a symbol of Saint Patrick's Day.

Harder Examples

• Saint Patrick's Day parades feature vibrant green attire and shamrock decorations.
• People wear green on Saint Patrick's Day to avoid getting pinched.
• He prepared traditional Irish dishes to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.

Thanksgiving

Easy Examples

• Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
• Families come together for a special meal, often featuring turkey.
• People give thanks for their blessings on Thanksgiving.

Harder Examples

• Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and express gratitude.
• The centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast is often a roasted turkey.
• They volunteered at a local shelter to serve meals on Thanksgiving.

Valentine's Day

Easy Examples

• Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and affection, observed on February 14th.
• People exchange cards, flowers, and gifts with loved ones.
• Red hearts are a symbol of Valentine's Day.

Harder Examples

• Valentine's Day is a day to express love and affection to partners and loved ones.
• Couples often exchange flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt cards on Valentine's Day.
• She received a surprise Valentine's Day gift from a secret admirer.

April Fool's Day

Easy Examples

• April Fool's Day is a day for playing light-hearted pranks on April 1st.
• People try to fool their friends with jokes and tricks.
• It's all in good fun on April Fool's Day.

Harder Examples

• April Fool's Day is a time for harmless and humorous tricks on friends and family.
• People need to be on guard for potential pranks and hoaxes on April Fool's Day.
• He decided to play a lighthearted prank on his coworkers on April Fool's Day.

Bonfire Night

Easy Examples

• Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is celebrated on November 5th.
• People light bonfires and enjoy fireworks to mark the day.
• The holiday commemorates the foiling of a plot to blow up Parliament.

Harder Examples

• Bonfire Night is marked by large bonfires, fireworks displays, and sparklers.
• Effigies of Guy Fawkes are often burned on Bonfire Night.
• They wrapped up warm to enjoy the festivities of Bonfire Night.

Christmas

Easy Examples

• Christmas is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25th.
• People exchange gifts and decorate Christmas trees.
• Santa Claus is a beloved figure associated with Christmas.

Harder Examples

• Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts with loved ones.
• Families decorate Christmas trees and homes with lights and ornaments.
• She baked delicious Christmas cookies to share with neighbors.

Easter

Easy Examples

• Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Families often have Easter egg hunts and share meals.
• Easter eggs are a symbol of new life and rebirth.

Harder Examples

• Easter eggs are hidden for children to find in Easter egg hunts.
• Many people attend sunrise services to mark the religious significance of Easter.
• He painted colorful Easter eggs with intricate designs.

Eid

Easy Examples

• Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting.
• Families gather for special prayers and feasts to celebrate Eid.
• Eid is a time of generosity and giving to those in need.

Harder Examples

• Eid is a time for Muslims to come together and celebrate with prayers and meals.
• Families exchange gifts and give to the less fortunate during Eid.
• They dressed in their finest clothes to attend the Eid prayer at the mosque.

Father's Day

Easy Examples

• Father's Day is a day to honor and appreciate fathers, celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
• Children often give gifts and spend time with their dads.
• It's a day to show love and gratitude to fathers.

Harder Examples

• Father's Day is a time to show appreciation and love for fathers.
• Children often create handmade cards and gifts for Father's Day.
• He planned a special Father's Day barbecue for his dad.

Fourth of July

Easy Examples

• The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is celebrated on July 4th.
• Americans celebrate their country's independence with fireworks and parades.
• The U.S. flag is a prominent symbol on this day.

Harder Examples

• Fourth of July parades showcase patriotic pride with flags and decorations.
• Fireworks displays light up the night sky on the Fourth of July.
• They attended a barbecue and watched the local fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

Halloween

Easy Examples

• Halloween is a holiday observed on October 31st, known for costumes and spooky fun.
• People dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, and decorate their homes.
• Jack-o'-lanterns and ghosts are common Halloween decorations.

Harder Examples

• Children go trick-or-treating to collect candy from neighbors on Halloween.
• Haunted houses and scary costumes are popular on Halloween night.
• She carved a spooky jack-o'-lantern for her front porch on Halloween.

Hanukkah

Easy Examples

• Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday.
• Families light a menorah and exchange gifts for eight nights.
• The holiday commemorates the miracle of the menorah.

Harder Examples

• Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah candles each night.
• Families enjoy traditional foods like latkes and play dreidel games.
• They exchanged gifts and sang Hanukkah songs during the holiday.

Kwanzaa

Easy Examples

• Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
• Families light candles on a kinara and focus on principles like unity and creativity.
• Kwanzaa is a time to celebrate African heritage and culture.

Harder Examples

• Kwanzaa involves lighting the kinara, a candleholder with seven candles.
• Families exchange handmade gifts and reflect on African heritage during Kwanzaa.
• He organized a community Kwanzaa celebration to promote unity.

Mother's Day

Easy Examples

• Mother's Day is a day to honor and appreciate mothers, celebrated on the second Sunday in May.
• Children often give cards and gifts to their moms.
• It's a day to show love and gratitude to mothers.

Harder Examples

• Mother's Day is a time to express love and gratitude to mothers.
• Children often create heartfelt cards and gifts for Mother's Day.
• She hosted a special brunch to celebrate her mother on Mother's Day.