Past Holidays

Past Holidays

Explore guidance and materials for previous holiday celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic below.


For information on celebrating current and upcoming holidays safely, see our Holiday Celebrations guidance.




Halloween

October 31, 2020

With COVID-19 still lurking in our community, door-to-door trick-or-treating on Halloween is considered high risk for children, adults, and those who hand out the treats. However, there are ways to make it safer and still have fun - including these ideas for low risk activities to enjoy!

Read Harris County Public Health's release regarding proper Halloween and COVID-19 safety measures you and your loved ones can make!

If you may have COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, it is recommended to not participate in in-person Halloween festivities - including handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.


Download Guidance:
Halloween COVID-19 Guidance

Ideas for Low Risk Activities

Do you need ideas for ways to celebrate Halloween that are low risk? Discover activities below for safe alternatives to normal trick-or-treating and more.

  • Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
  • Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
  • Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
  • Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
  • Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
  • Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
  • Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

Find more suggestions on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Activities to Avoid

It is recommended to avoid activities that include crowds, the inability to practice social distancing, and close contact with people who are not in your household or social bubble. Avoiding these higher risk activities can help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

  • Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
  • Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
  • Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
  • Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

For more information about Halloween activities that are moderate or high risk for potential exposure to COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.




Download Halloween Social Media Toolkit

We want all of our residents to celebrate Halloween as safely and responsibly as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to educate and share awareness regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to utilize and share our social media images through your own social media platforms. 


Halloween 2020 Social Media Toolkit

 

Halloween Social Media Toolkit

Download social media graphics for the "Halloween, It's Just A Mask" campaign.
Updated: 10/23/20, 9:00 AM CST

Download Toolkit




Día de los Muertos

October 31, 2020 - November 2, 2020

Many traditional activities during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) can put you at a higher risk for exposure to COVID-19. There are safer alternatives you may consider adding to your celebrations, including those low risk activities below!

If you may have COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, it is recommended to not participate in in-person festivities.

#AskHCPH - How to protect yourself from COVID 19 during Día de los Muertos


#AskHCPH - ¿Cómo puede protegerse del COVID 19 durante el Día de los Muertos



Download Guidance:
Día de los Muertos COVID-19 Guidance


Ideas for Low Risk Activities

These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives:

  • Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others
  • Playing music in your home that your deceased loved ones enjoyed
  • Making and decorating masks or making an altar for the deceased
  • Setting out pillows and blankets in your home for the deceased
  • Joining a virtual get-together celebration

Find more suggestions on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Activities to Avoid

It is recommended to avoid activities that include crowds, the inability to practice social distancing, and close contact with people who are not in your household or social bubble. Avoiding these higher risk activities can help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

  • Attending large indoor celebrations with singing or chanting
  • Participating in crowded indoor gatherings or events
  • Having a large dinner party with people from different households coming from different geographic locations
  • Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors

For more information about activities that are moderate or high risk for potential exposure to COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.




Download Día de los Muertos Social Media Toolkit

We want all of our residents to celebrate Día de los Muertos as safely and responsibly as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to educate and share awareness regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to utilize and share our social media images through your own social media platforms. 


Day of the Dead 2020 Social Media Toolkit

Día de los Muertos Social Media Toolkit

Download social media graphics for Día de los Muertos.
Updated: 11/2/20, 9:00 AM CST

English Spanish




Thanksgiving and Black Friday

November 26, 2020 / November 26 - 30

Holidays like Thanksgiving are a time when families and friends gather to share in traditions like cooking meals, giving gifts, hanging decorations, and more. Because of the pandemic, these holidays will look much different than they have in years past. Discover suggestions below for how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19.

Black Friday and COVID-19
Thanksgiving Travel-Safe Checklist
Testing and the Holidays



Download Thanksgiving Social Media Toolkit

We want all of our residents to celebrate Thanksgiving as safely and responsibly as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to educate and share awareness regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to utilize and share our social media images through your own social media platforms. 


Thanksgiving 2020 Social Media Toolkit

Thanksgiving Social Media Toolkit

Download social media graphics for Thanksgiving.
Updated: 11/16/20, 12 PM CST

English Spanish




Hanukkah

December 10 - December 18

Holidays like Hanukkah are a time when families and friends gather to share in traditions like cooking meals, giving gifts, and more. Because of the pandemic, these holidays will look much different than they have in years past. Discover suggestions below for how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19.

Hanukkah During COVID-19



Download Hanukkah Social Media Toolkit

We want all of our residents to celebrate Hanukkah as safely and responsibly as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to educate and share awareness regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to utilize and share our social media images through your own social media platforms. 


Hanukkah 2020 Social Media Toolkit

Hanukkah Social Media Toolkit

Download social media graphics for the Hanukkah holiday.
Updated: 12/11/20, 2 PM CST

English Spanish




Christmas

December 25

Holidays like Christmas are a time when families and friends gather to share in traditions like cooking meals, giving gifts, and more. Because of the pandemic, these holidays will look much different than they have in years past. Discover suggestions below for how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19.

Celebrating Christmas During COVID-19



Download Christmas Social Media Toolkit

We want all of our residents to celebrate as safely and responsibly as possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to educate and share awareness regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to utilize and share our social media images through your own social media platforms. 


Christmas 2020 Social Media Toolkit

Christmas Social Media Toolkit

Download social media graphics for the Christmas holiday.
Updated: 11/16/20, 12 PM CST

English Spanish