Saturnalia

Type: Event

As of November 2026, Saturnalia has been mentioned in one podcast episode on Stuff You Should Know (Dec 2025). Saturnalia is presented as a Roman mid-to-late December festival where holly was used, and as a major influence on later Christmas traditions.

Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December in the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities until 19 December. By the 1st century BC, the celebration had been extended until 23 December, for a total of seven days of festivities. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturn