User Guides Subject Guides > General & Reference Holidays and Festivals

This is a guide to selected sources of information on Holidays and Festivals available in the URI Libraries. To find additional information, conduct a Subject search in the HELIN Catalog using subject headings such as, ANNIVERSARIES, FASTS AND FEASTS, FESTIVALS, FOLKLORE, HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL DAYS, and UNITED STATES -- SOCIAL CUSTOMS.

These subjects can be made more specific by adding designations such as the name of a country or a type of book such “Bibliographies” or “Dictionaries” to the main subject (e.g. HOLIDAYS -- CALENDARS; FESTIVALS -- UNITED STATES).  The following titles show the types of materials available:

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General works | Online resources

General works

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URI Ref GT4803 .C48

Chase's Calendar of Events. Annual. Keep Latest Only.

Includes holidays, events, and special days, weeks, and months.  Types of entries include astronomical phenomena, religious observances, national and international observances, civic holidays, and Presidential proclamations.

 

URI Ref GT4803 .D6 2004

Christianson, Stephen G. The International Book of Days.  2004.

In depth accounts of world historical events.  Included are appendices of a charter of the United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the North Atlantic Treaty.

 

URI Ref GT4803 .A2 E63 2006

Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days, edited by Len Travers. 2006. 2 v.

Essays from various scholars in the fields of American history, folklore, politics, and popular culture, "trace the origins and development of some of most significant, civic, and religious observances in America today.  In addition to the officially recognized, federally mandated holidays, currently observed, we have chosen to include ceremonial and festive occasions from the nation's past, as well as new holidays emerging from contemporary American life."  Includes an index and bibliographic references.

URI Ref GT4803 .F65 1987

The Folklore of American Holidays, edited by Hennig Cohen and Tristram Potter Coffin. 1987.

A compendium of more than 400 beliefs, legends, superstitions, proverbs, riddles, poems, songs, dances, games, plays, pageants, fairs, foods, and processions associated with over 100 American calendar customs and festivals.

URI Ref GT3930 .F65 1999

The Folklore of World Holidays, edited by Robert H. Griffin and Ann H. Shurgin. 2nd ed. 1999.

Through multiple generations, includes celebrations from countless first person accounts. Topics cover holy days that mark the passing of seasons, days to honor the living or dead, etc. Includes subject index.

 

URI Ref GT3925 .T48 2005

Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary: Detailing Nearly 2500 Observances From All 50 States and More Than 100 Nations, edited by Helene Henderson. 3rd ed. 2005.

“A compendious reference guide to popular, ethnic, religious, national, and ancient holidays, festivals, celebrations, commemorations, Holy Days, feasts, and fasts, including contact information and Web sites.  Supplemented by special sections on calendar systems, Admission Days and facts about states and territories, Presidents of the United States, Tourism information sources, and web sites on holidays...”  Includes special subject index and general index.

URI Ref GT4803 .R35 2003

Rajtar, Steve. United States Holidays and Observances: By Date, Jurisdiction, and Subject, Fully Indexed.  2003.

Notes observances with variable and fixed dates. Includes all 50 states and the US Territories of Puerto Rico. Indices by name and subject.

URI Ref GT3925 .R69 2005

Roy, Christian. Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia.  2005.  2 v.

The author “explores the major feasts of all world religions, as well as high points of the sacred calendars of ancient civilizations and representative samples of the seasonal rites and celebrations of lesser known local cultures...Readers are guided through fascinating webs of interconnections across time and around the globe, connections that reveal common themes and related instances of festive behavior.”  More than 150 A-Z entries. Includes an Appendix which features comparative tables and calendars of the festivals.

 

URI Ref GT3930 .T48 2003

Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs. 3rd ed. 2003.

“A Guide to the legend and Lore behind traditions, rituals, foods, games, animals and other symbols and activities associated with holidays and holy days....“ Arranged alphabetically by occasion. Includes index.

URI Ref GT3930 .T73 2000

Trawicky, Bernard. Anniversaries and Holidays. 5th ed. 2000.

Most important holidays, events, and anniversaries in the U.S. and the world. Part one presents the information in chronological order. Part two presents calendar information. Part three is a list of resources, an annotated bibliography of books and Web sites pertaining to holidays and a list of the primary sources used to compile the information in a book.

URI Ref GT3930 .W38 1995

Weaver, Robert S. International Holidays; 204 Countries From 1994 Through 2015, With Tabular Appendices of Religious Holidays, 1900-2100.  1995.

Includes algorithmic holidays (Asian, Christian, Orthodox, etc.), tables of holidays honored by country.

General

 

http://www.holidays.net

Holidays on the Net.

Searchable multimedia site. Includes links to other sources.

http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Holidays_and_Observances/

Yahoo.com: Holidays and Observances.

Offers categories such as: by country and region, by month, and religion.  Also includes alphabetical site listings.

Christmas

http://www.christmas.com/worldview

Worldview Christmas.

Describes how Christmas is celebrated in nearly 400 countries. Includes how to say, "Merry Christmas," in different languages, history of Santa Claus, recipe file, lyrics to popular Christmas carols.

Cinco de Mayo

http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm

History of Cinco de Mayo.

Links for other Cinco de Mayo Web sites.

 

http://www.mexonline.com/cinco.htm

Mexonline.com.

Good site to find general information on Cinco de Mayo Web and other cultural events in Mexico.

http://latino.sscnet.ucla.edu/demo/cinco.html

The World Fact Book.

Provides a brief history of Cinco de Mayo.

The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

http://www.fridgedoor.info/fall-celebrations/dia-de-los-muertos.php

The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

Description of the history of festival, traditions, etc.

 

http://www.mexonline.com/dayofthedead.htm

Mexonline.com.

Good site to find general information on The Day of the Dead and other cultural events in Mexico.

For assistance
If you need further assistance, please stop by the Reference Desk or call (401) 874-2653.

M. Keefe and C. Whitney,  1/06.