Saturnalia was the ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn that is often linked to later winter festive traditions, although it was not New Year’s Eve.
The festival originally took place on December 17 and was later extended over several days. It included public celebrations, private banquets, gift-giving, and the temporary relaxation of some social conventions.
Saturnalia is frequently mentioned in discussions of December holidays because its timing and festive customs influenced the cultural atmosphere of the Roman winter season. However, it should not be confused with the Roman New Year itself, which was connected with the calendar and the beginning of January.
The festival’s name comes from Saturn, an important Roman agricultural deity. Ancient sources describe the use of candles, small gifts, and a mock “king” known as the Lord of Misrule in some later interpretations. Modern claims that Saturnalia directly created every New Year custom are broader than the surviving evidence supports.