Some national celebrations in the USA differ from those in your home country. Below are some of the major holidays you will get to celebrate.

 January
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with parties, fireworks and turning on the TV to watch the countdown to midnight, as broadcast to watch the ball drop from Times Square in New York.

The third Monday in January is Martin Luther King Day, which commemorates the life of the famous leader of the American Civil Rights Movement.

 February
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. It is common to send Valentine cards to those you love.

On the third Monday in February American's also celebrate President's Day, held in honour of George Washington, the first president of the USA.

 March
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by Americans of Irish origin on March 17. New York, Chicago and Boston are where you will see the biggest parties, with people dressed in green from head to toe, celebrating their love for the Emerald Isle.

 April
April Fool’s Day is celebrated on April 1. It is tradition to play small “tricks” on friends and family.

At Easter time schools begin a week long vacation known as Spring Break.

 May
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May. This was originally a day to commemorate all soldiers who died in the American Civil war, but has since become an official holiday in memory of all soldiers who died in battle.

 June
Schools out as summer vacation begins!

 July
Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 in memory of the signing of “The Declaration of Independence” from Britain on the 4th of July, 1776. It is celebrated throughout the country with parades, fireworks, picnics and barbeques!

 August
This is a big month for 'cookouts' or barbecues and family vacation. Towards the end of the month your host kids will start getting ready to go back to school.

 September
Labor Day is the first Monday in September. This public holiday is a long weekend and a great day to celebrate with your American host family. This is a day dedicated to the American worker.

 October
Columbus Day is in memory of Columbus discovering America on October 12, 1492. The largest celebration takes place in New York where a huge parade is held.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31. The original name is “All Hallows Eve”. Halloween is celebrated with “trick-or-treating”, where children dress up in spooky costumes and go to neighbour’s houses asking for treats (candy). Imagine carving pumpkin lanterns with your host family and trick-or-treating with your host children....

 November
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the last Thursday of November and dates back to the first pilgrims, who wished to give thanks for a successful harvest. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather together to enjoy a large feast, which traditionally consists of turkey, cranberries and pumpkin pie.

 December
Both Chanukah (a Jewish holiday) and Christmas are celebrated. There is one or two weeks of holiday from school between Christmas and New Year. This could be your chance to experience a white Christmas and roast chestnuts on an open fire.