Festivus has arrived. The aluminum poles are up. The Airing of Grievances is locked and loaded. And yes, the Feats of Strength are on deck. Entertainment Buzz can confirm that Festivus celebrations are happening today, December 23, from living rooms to comedy clubs, with real events popping in big cities and small towns. One Johnstown bookstore is even throwing a full Festivus gathering this afternoon, pole and all.
What is happening today
Festivus, the offbeat holiday made famous by Seinfeld, is being observed right now. Fans are leaning into its simple style, its sharp humor, and its perfect timing at the end of the year. It is a day that says, put away the tinsel, tell the truth, then wrestle your uncle for bragging rights.
This is the rare TV joke that escaped the screen and turned into an annual tradition. People are not just quoting lines. They are setting up the pole. They are inviting friends. They are hosting the rituals in real life.
How Festivus escaped the sitcom
Festivus started as a private family tradition created by writer Daniel O’Keefe. Seinfeld brought it to the world in 1997 with the episode The Strike, fathered on screen by Frank Costanza and his glorious outrage. The details were simple and sharp, which made them easy to copy. No decorations. No pressure. Just a shared release valve for holiday stress.
That is why it stuck. It mocked the season, but it also gave people a new way to be together. Over time, it moved from a punchline to a plan. Every December, you can feel it coming. Festivus returns, like clockwork, and the pole goes back up.
The rituals and why they stick
The core traditions still rule the day. They are strange, clear, and deeply funny.
- The aluminum pole, plain and unadorned, prized for its high strength to weight ratio.
- The Airing of Grievances, where you tell everyone how they disappointed you this year.
- The Feats of Strength, which usually ends in a friendly wrestle for family pride. 💪
Fans keep the script flexible. Some turn grievances into a roast at a bar. Some add charity, like donating coats before the Feats. Others slip in trivia or Seinfeld themed snacks. The point is to share a laugh and drop the pressure that builds in late December.
No pole, no problem. A mop handle, a curtain rod, or a rolled poster tube can stand in as the Festivus pole. Keep it bare.
Stars, fans, and the yearly comeback
Hollywood has never fully let go of Festivus. Cast members and comedy writers have nodded to it in interviews for years, pointing to how a small family in-joke became a lasting pop moment. You still hear Jerry Stiller’s voice in every grievance, and fans treat the day as a tribute to his legendary delivery.
Today, we are seeing themed comedy sets, TV rewatch parties, and bar nights built around the big three rituals. Entertainment Buzz has confirmed venues in Los Angeles and Chicago are hosting Airing of Grievances mic nights, with aluminum poles standing sentry by the stage. In Johnstown, that bookstore gathering is mixing readings with a friendly Feats of Strength finale. It is Festivus as community theater, and people are into it.
Keep grievances playful. Aim for funny, not cruel. The point is to clear the air, then share dessert.
How to take part before midnight
You can still jump in today. Here is the simplest playbook, tested and true. 🎉
- Raise the pole. Keep it bare. Place it somewhere everyone can see.
- Start the Airing of Grievances. Set a time limit, keep the jabs gentle.
- Move to the Feats of Strength. Pick safe, silly contests if wrestling is not your thing.
- Close with a toast to the absurd. That is the Festivus miracle.
If you want to go bigger, head to a local event. Independent bookstores, breweries, and comedy rooms are staging Festivus nights right now. Expect a mic, a pole, and a chance to speak your piece. Expect a lot of laughs. And expect everyone to leave lighter than they arrived.
Festivus matters because it undercuts the pressure of the season without pushing people apart. It is a holiday that invites anyone in. No gifts, no glitter, no fuss. Just honesty, humor, and a clean aluminum line cutting through the noise.
Conclusion
From Daniel O’Keefe’s living room to a global inside joke, Festivus earned its place on the calendar. It is the rare pop culture creation that became a real ritual, one that people choose again each year. Today, the pole is up, the grievances are aired, and the strength gets tested. That is the magic. That is the miracle. Happy Festivus, from our pole to yours.
