HumanLight2026 · Date · History
HumanLight’s official organization identifies 23 December as the holiday and maintains current information about secular humanist celebration.
About HumanLight
HumanLight is a secular humanist holiday centered on December 23 and designed as a positive December-season celebration of human values such as reason, compassion and hope.
It was created by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network and first celebrated publicly in Verona, New Jersey, on December 23, 2001.
Why HumanLight matters
HumanLight is community-created rather than government-established. Its official materials emphasize that it is not owned or controlled by one person or organization and can be celebrated independently by groups, families and individuals.
The date was chosen to sit within the December holiday season while remaining distinct from the solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa and New Year celebrations.
History of HumanLight
The idea for a new December humanist holiday was discussed within the New Jersey Humanist Network from 1998.
The first public HumanLight celebration was held in Verona, New Jersey, on December 23, 2001.
The HumanLight Network was begun by the original founders to promote awareness and information, while the holiday itself remained open to decentralized celebration.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Members of the New Jersey Humanist Network
The official FAQ says HumanLight was founded by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network.
First documented observance
The official FAQ identifies the first public celebration as December 23, 2001 in Verona, New Jersey.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe HumanLight
Gather with friends or family around the values of reason, compassion and hope.
Use December 23, or a nearby practical date, for a secular community meal, discussion or service activity.
Describe HumanLight as a humanist community holiday rather than a government or UN observance.
HumanLight Facts
HumanLight day is December 23.
The first public celebration took place on December 23, 2001, in Verona, New Jersey.
The holiday was created by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network.
Official HumanLight material says the holiday is not owned or run by a single person or organization.
December 23 was selected to be within the December holiday season without coinciding with several other major dates.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
HumanLight (opens in a new tab)
HumanLight (opens in a new tab)
HumanLight — official site (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is HumanLight?
23 December annually The documented recurrence rule is: 23 December.
Does HumanLight fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is HumanLight an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Secular humanist holiday/community observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes HumanLight?
The documented basis is: HumanLight’s official organization identifies 23 December as the holiday and maintains current information about secular humanist celebration.. Supporting evidence includes HumanLight — official site. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is HumanLight international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Secular humanist holiday/community observance. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-07.
When is HumanLight?
HumanLight day is December 23, although community events may be held on a nearby weekend for practical reasons.
Who created HumanLight?
Official HumanLight material says it was founded by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network.
When was the first HumanLight celebration?
The first public celebration was held in Verona, New Jersey, on December 23, 2001.
Is HumanLight a government holiday?
No. It is a secular humanist community holiday and is deliberately decentralized.
Other observances on December 23
These observances are also listed on December 23, 2026.
National Farmers’ Day (Kisan Diwas)
ICAR states that Kisan Diwas is observed annually on 23 December and commemorates Chaudhary Charan Singh’s birth anniversary; Press Information Bureau likewise identifies National Farmers D…
National Farmers’ Day (Kisan Diwas)
Government of India material identifies National Farmers’ Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, on 23 December.