Several holidays are observed in Centralia...some more conventional than others.

List

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• February 14 - Valentine's Day
• March 15 - Vernal Equinox (observed)
• May 1 - May Day
• June 20 - Summer Solstice (observed)
• August 10 - PrincessAlice's Birthday
• September 23 - Autumnal Equinox (observed)
• October 31 - Halloween
• Fourth Thursday of November - National Novembing Day
• December 25 - Christmas / Winter Solstice (observed)
• December 26 - Boxing Day
• December 31 - New Year's Eve

Observations and celebrations

Solstices and Equinoxes

The equinoxes and the solstices are celebrated with small festivals held around Centralia. While the true dates of the equinox and solstice change from year to year, the holidays commemorating them have been given fixed dates, for reasons Princess Alice refuses to explain.

Princess Alice's Birthday

The highest of all Centralian holidays, PrincessAlice's birthday is celebrated each year on August 10th. How the Princess has a "birthday" on an Earth calendar when she is not from Earth and does not remember when she was "born" is anybody's guess. We think she might have just made it up. Princess Alice's Birthday is the climax of the RoyalSummerFestival, which is held each year from July 30 to August 10, and is usually commemorated by the Princess herself making a public appearance at the festival.

National Novembing Day

A holiday created to celebrate the month of November. It is not clear why this holiday needs to exist, but we're giving thanks that it does! Get it? No? Because it's the Centralia equivalent of--oh, you did get it? You confuse me sometimes. Anyways, National Novembing Day is often commemorated by large family feasts, as well as a big parade in downtown QueenCity sponsored by Caroline's, Centralia's largest department store chain. It's all a little cynical and consumerist, but at least you can get a 4K TV real cheap at XS-Mart the next day...if you're willing to face the crowds. 😖

Christmas

The second biggest holiday in Centralia, and one of Princess Alice's favorites. As is the case in many countries, Christmas is marked by the arrival of SantaClaus the night of December 24 to distribute gifts to the populace. Following PrincessMeredith's, uh, "diplomatic crisis" with Santa Claus many years ago, it has become tradition for the reigning princess, as well as representatives from the CentraliaGuardForces, to meet with Santa each year ahead of his visit to review logistics and develop an approved route plan. Princess Alice, however, mainly uses these meetings as an excuse to ask for more toys.