Notes from Stormie:
*Personal Opinion: Because calendar dates represent "time," a concept not always easily understood by preschoolers, I prefer presenting world holidays, festivals, and celebrations in conjunction with other themes -- omitting dates altogether.  For example, I might introduce the Japanese celebration "Girl's Day" in conjunction with the letter G or with the theme of "Home and Family" rather than on the day it actually occurs (March 3rd).  If this is a method you would like to use also, let me suggest that you review all the celebrations below, making notes as you go as to when you might like to introduce them.  
*I have tried to explain each celebration on a preschooler level of understanding.  I provide more information for some celebrations than others simply because those are the ones I'm most familiar with in my own life.  Information for all the others has come from encyclopedias, government factbooks/websites, and copyright-free materials unless otherwise stated.  If you celebrate any of these holidays and find that I have presented misinformation, please let me know.      
*Before doing world celebration activities, introduce the country, show where it's located on the classroom globe, and provide books and pictures that portray the culture (preferably as it relates to children and things that can be understood and/or appreciated by them).  During Group Time discussions, embrace both commonalites and differences.

If you have ideas to share, please e-mail them to me at: stormie@preschoolbystormie.com
This is one section of my website where I could sure use some help as the research is very time-consuming.