What is "festivus"

Festivus is both a parody and a secular holiday celebrated on December 23 that serves as an alternative to participating in the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season. It has been described as "the perfect secular theme for an all-inclusive December gathering".

Originally a family tradition of scriptwriter Dan O'Keefe, who worked on the American sitcom Seinfeld, Festivus entered popular culture after it was made the focus of the 1997 episode "The Strike". The holiday's celebration, as it was shown on Seinfeld, includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength", and the labeling of easily explainable events as "Festivus miracles".

The episode refers to it as "a Festivus for the rest of us", referencing its non-commercial aspect. It has also been described both as a " parody holiday festival" and as a form of playful consumer resistance.

Festivus is a secular holiday occurring on December 23

Festivus may also refer to:

• The Strike (Seinfeld), an episode of Seinfeld in which the holiday of Festivus is introduced
• The Festivus, a shell periodical
• Festivus film festival, a January film festival in Denver
• Festivus Maximus, Super Bowl XXXV