Festivus, celebrated annually on December 23rd, offers a unique alternative to traditional winter holidays. Perhaps you feel disconnected from the usual Christmas or Hanukkah festivities, or maybe you simply seek a different kind of celebration. If so, Festivus, the holiday for “the rest of us,” might be the perfect fit.
Originating from the iconic 90s sitcom *Seinfeld*, Festivus first appeared in the episode “The Strike,” which aired on December 18, 1997. In the show, George Costanza’s family celebrates Festivus as a departure from Christmas, establishing December 23rd as its date. While the show cemented this date, celebrations have spread throughout December since the episode aired.
The holiday itself was inspired by *Seinfeld* writer Dan O’Keefe’s father, who created a similar real-life celebration. This included key elements like the Airing of Grievances and a wrestling match, though one tradition—nailing a clock in a bag to the wall—didn’t make it into the episode.
Central to Festivus are the Airing of Grievances, providing an opportunity for family and friends to express their disappointments from the past year, and the Feats of Strength, a wrestling match where the head of the household must be pinned beneath the Festivus pole. A Festivus dinner precedes the wrestling match. While the show initially left the specific dinner menu ambiguous (spaghetti or meatloaf were debated), high-definition releases have revealed it to be meatloaf on a bed of lettuce. However, varied dishes, including those featured throughout *Seinfeld* (such as poppyseed bagels or black and white cookies), are frequently enjoyed by modern celebrants, reflecting the show’s influence.
Festivus has gained significant popularity over the years, serving as both a nostalgic tribute to *Seinfeld* and a humorous critique of commercialized holiday traditions. While precise numbers remain elusive, its growing appeal is undeniable.