Vacation is a term used in English-speaking North America to describe a lengthy time away from work or school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip away from home, such as a trip to the beach that lasts several days or longer. In the rest of the English-speaking world the word holiday is used (e.g. “I'm going on holiday to Malta next week”). Americans, especially those of recent British or European descent, may also use the word “holiday.” “Annual Leave” is another expression used in Commonwealth countries. Canadians often use the terms vacation and holiday interchangeably when referring to a trip away from home or time off work. In Australia, the term can refer to a vacation or a public holiday. Consecutive holidays are a string of holidays taken together without working days in between. They tend to be considered a good chance to take short trips. In late 1990s, the Japanese government passed a law that increased the likelihood of consecutive holidays by moving holidays from fixed days to a relative position in a month, such as the second Monday.

Several holidays are linked to faiths and religions. Christian holidays are defined as part of the liturgical year. The Catholic feast day or ‘name day' is celebrated in each place's patron saint's day, according to the Calendar of saints. In Islam, the largest holidays are Eid and Ramadan. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs observe several holidays, one of the largest being Diwali (Festival of Light). Japanese holidays contain references to several different faiths and beliefs. Celtic, Norse, and Neopagan holidays follow the order of the Wheel of the Year. Some are closely linked to Swedish festivities. The Bahá'í Faith observes holidays as defined by the Bahá'í calendar. Jews have two holiday seasons: the Spring Feasts of Pesach (Passover), Chag Ha-Matzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread), and Shavuot (Weeks, called Pentacost in Greek); and the Fall Feasts of Yom Teruah (Day of Blessing, also called Rosh HaShannah), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Tabernacles).

The winter months in the Northern Hemisphere see the observance of many holidays considered a season, often accompanied by festivals and feasts and are often known as family holidays. The winter holiday season is known as a period of time surrounding Christmas that was formed in order to embrace all cultural and religious celebration rather than only Christian celebrations. Usually, this period begins near the start of November and ends with New Year's Day on January 1. The holiday season is usually commercially referred to with a broad interpretation, avoiding the reference of specific holidays like Hanukkah or Christmas. Traditional “holiday season” festivities are usually associated with winter, including snowflakes and wintry songs. In some Christian countries, the end of the festive season is considered to be after the feast of Epiphany, although this is only within the Christian creed. Winter holiday greetings are traditionally a part of the winter holiday season.

Many sovereign nations and territories observe holidays based on events of significance to their history. For example is Australia they have Australia Day. Secular holidays Several secular holidays are observed, both internationally, and across multi-country regions, often in conjunction with organizations such as the United Nations.
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The winter months in the Northern Hemisphere see the observance of many holidays considered a season, often accompanied by festivals and feasts and are often known as family holidays.