Saturnalia for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, December 17th. There are until the next observance.

Saturnalia, which takes place from December 17 to 23, is an ancient Roman festival and holiday commemorating the agricultural deity Saturn. It was the most widely celebrated festival on the ancient Roman calendar, and it evolved from previous farming-related ceremonies of midwinter and the winter solstice. It was the liveliest festival of the year, with noises of mirth and preparation everywhere. Even if you were new to the area, it would be difficult not to notice the Saturnalia celebrations, since the people took it extremely seriously. Normal social dynamics came to a standstill during this period. Feasting, giving, singing, dancing, games, gambling, decorations, and role-reversals were common pastimes, so companies, schools, courts, and other types of employment would close on this day so that everyone could join in on the festivities; it was the greatest of days. “Io saturnalia” is the season’s greeting, so if you hear it, know that there is excitement in the air and that it is in celebration of the deity Saturn.

📆 When is Saturnalia?

This year, Saturnalia is on December 17th. It is the 3rd Saturday in December; in 2023, it is on Sunday.

Countdown to Saturnalia

Did you know: During Saturnalia, presents included live pigs and pork sausage.

You can also explore all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about December 17, 2022.

📜 History of Saturnalia

Saturnalia was celebrated not just at home but also in the temple of Saturn in Rome. The temple was built in the fourth century to replace an ancient temple. A young pig would be publicly sacrificed on the first day of the Saturnalia celebrations. The woolen bindings placed around the feet of the cult statue of Saturn were also released during the celebrations to symbolize the god’s emancipation. Numerous archaeological sites from the Roman coastal province of Constantine, which is today in Algeria, show that the Saturn statue was present there until the early third century.

The aturnalicius princeps, or “leader of Saturnalia,” was chosen from among the slaves in wealthy Roman homes. This individual was known as the pretend king and was in charge of planning mischief and merrymaking during the celebrations. In contrast to the regular organized method of Roman living, he was seen as the lord of chaos; he was also in charge of presenting gifts to the Roman home gods involved with domestic life (penates). Other typical holiday rituals, such as concealing money or other tiny things in cakes, may be traced back to previous Saturnalia practices, when they were used to select the pretend king.

Many of today’s traditional midwinter festivals are rooted in Saturnalia. The majority of Christmas traditions, including the time of year they are observed, may be traced back to Saturnalia. Theologians concluded that Jesus was most likely born in the spring since the Bible does not provide a date for his birth celebration. The Roman conquests in Britain and the rest of Europe, beginning in the second century B.C. and concluding in the fourth century A.D., repressed the ancient seasonal festivals conducted by the Celts and other people. During this period, the Church agreed on December 25 as the date for Christmas, combining it with Saturnalia and other midwinter rituals. During this time, both pagans and Christians lived together, which may have been an attempt by the pagans to accept Christianity as Rome’s official religion.

☑️ Saturnalia facts

Io Saturnalia
During the festival time, the Romans greeted each other with (pronounced “EEyo-sa-tur-NAH-ee-uh”).

Slaves enjoyed luxury
Saturnalia was also an occasion to celebrate freedom and demolish hierarchies; slaves may have enjoyed luxury alongside their lords at this time.

Saturnalia began as a farmer’s festival
This was done to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to mark the end of fall planting.

Things to do on Saturnalia

Wear the colors of the day
Green and gold are the colors. Wearing these hues conveys that you are ready for the season.

Try out symbols
Make treats shaped like the sun, moon, stars, herd animals, and fertility symbols. During Saturnalia, for example, you can cut your cookies into these shapes before baking.

Do some decoration
Greenery may be used to decorate doors, windows, and staircases. Although garlands or wreaths are preferable, golden cutouts of the sun or golden pinecones, almonds, or acorns can also be used.

📅 Saturnalia Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 December 17 Sunday
2024 December 17 Tuesday
2025 December 17 Wednesday
2026 December 17 Thursday
2027 December 17 Friday

See all December holidays, including Special Interest and other Cultural holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Saturnalia. So be sure to check back soon.