Return of the Sun Festival

Two things are instilled in the minds of all the people of the world.  First is the enslavement by the K'Thonum.  The second is the horrible days of The Great Darkening where crops failed around the world for almost ten years .  What better way to remember both than to celebrate and reenact them at the same time.  Most cultures of the world have some kind of Return of the Sun celebration around the time of the winter solstice.
In the Western Kingdoms the festival begins one week before the Winter Solstice with fasting, abstinence and minimalist lifestyle.  It is a common tradition and superstition that the more minimalist one is during this time, the more profitable your next year will be.  Common foods during this time include dried fish and meats, unleavened breads.  In Thuringia it is tradition for families to save their candle stubs over the course of a year so that they can use them for this week.  Many families also keep old clothes that are threadbare to wear during this time.
The fasting is finally broken on the night of winter solstice with fireworks, bonfires, cheering, drinking and midnight feasts.  In many countries it includes the tradition of role reversal the next day, the men will cook and serve food and drink and nobles can be found mucking out stables.
For the next week the feasting will continue and gifts will be exchanged.  It is common for younger men to try and slip their romantic interests little gifts through out the week when she isn't aware, like flowers in her favorite chair, or perfumed soaps in her home wrapped with pretty hair ribbons.  It is not unknown for parents to encourage good matches by either looking the other way or actively helping them plant the mystery items.
While the holiday may not play directly into religion, celebrations extend into the temples and churches as well.  Often liturgies are dreary and black before the soltice and bright and hopeful after, with emphasis on singing.