* Saturnalia, the Roman solstice, celebrated from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23, and according to Wikipedia, "The customary greeting for the occasion is a "io, Saturnalia!" — io (pronounced "yo") being a Latin interjection related to "ho" (as in "Ho, praise to Saturn")."
* Pancha Ganapati, celebrating Ganesh, from Dec. 21 to Dec. 25
<http://www.beliefnet.com/story/59/story_5965_1.html>
A Hindu Answer to the December Dilemma The five-day festival of Pancha Ganapati provides a meaningful alternative to Christmas.
"Daddy, why don't we have Christmas?" That question was heard in so many Hindu homes we visited that, some years ago in cooperation with scholars and elders, an alternative for Christmas was conceived. It's interesting that in 1966 the Afro-American community created Kwanzaa, a social, Black-identity, earth-based festival celebrated each year from December 26 to January 1. Our own Pancha Ganapati is a festival to the five-faced elephant God. It is five days of gift-giving and festivities within the home, especially for the children. There is no need for a tree (eco-advocates appreciate this), nor wreaths, nor a Santa. Lord Ganesha does it all in five days of merriment and mirth. [...]
And you do know how inclusive Hinduism is! (at least traditionally).
*Zarthost No Deeso (Dec. 26)
Zarthost No DeesoZarthost No Deeso is an occasion of mourning observed by the Zoroastrians (Parsis). Zarthost No Deeso falls place on June, ( Khorshed roz, Dae mah 11th day, 10th month) of the Zoroastrian calendar.
Legends Zarthost No Deeso is observed since it is commonly acknowledged that the prophet Zoroaster, founder of Zoroastrianism passed away in a temple when he was praying. It is marked as a solemn occasion. According to another version, Zarathushtra in his 77th year was killed in a fire-temple by the Turanian army. It is also said that on this day, Zarathushtra ascended for the skies.Other sources belive that Zarathushtra died in his sleep or was killed by a murderer.
-- Andy