holiday season

American  

[hol-i-dey see-zuhn] / ˈhɒl ɪˌdeɪ ˈsi zən /

noun

1. a period of days or weeks in which two or more annual observances occur, especially in the United States, where it most often refers to the approximately 5–6 weeks from Thanksgiving in November to New Year’s Day in January.

   The kids will be singing Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa songs for the holiday season.

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Usage

What is the holiday season? The holiday season is the period that starts on Thanksgiving and continues until New Year’s Day. It includes the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. The holiday season is sometimes called the holidays. These terms are typically used to refer collectively to all of the holidays that occur during this time, regardless of whether the person using the term celebrates them or not. In contrast, the terms Christmas season and Christmastime specifically refer to the period leading up to Christmas. People often wish each other a happy holiday season by saying happy holidays. Example: I start feeling all warm and fuzzy as soon as the holiday season begins.

Etymology

Origin of holiday season

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

"When the holiday season starts in June and July and people face the same problem, they will say: 'Look, somebody sued a tour operator over this. I'll do the same'," he said.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

Some entries in Center Theatre Group’s upcoming season are scheduled intuitively, like the Mischief Comedy team’s “Christmas Carol Goes Wrong,” running in the thick of the holiday season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Shares had risen 40% over the last 12 months but had dropped 17% since Dec. 2, when the company issued a disappointing forecast for the holiday season.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Macy’s M -0.99%decrease; red down pointing triangle wrapped up the holiday season on a strong note, posting an unexpected rise in same-store sales in the fourth quarter as its Bloomingdale’s brand propels its turnaround.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

If she can’t find enough employees for September, she’ll be in deep doo-doo when the holiday season hits.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson