The
Christmas season, or
festive season, (also called the
holiday season or simply
the holidays, mainly in the U.S. and Canada), is an annually recurring period recognized in many
Western and Western-influenced countries that is generally considered to run from late November to early January, defined as incorporating at least
Christmas, and usually
New Year, and sometimes various other
holidays and festivals. It incorporates a period of shopping which comprises a
peak season for the retail sector (the "Christmas (or holiday) shopping season"), and a period of sales at the end of the season (the "January sales").
Christmas window displays and
Christmas tree lighting ceremonies when trees decorated with ornaments and light bulbs are illuminated, are traditions in many areas.