Overview
- Festivus falls on Dec. 23 and originated with Seinfeld’s 1997 episode “The Strike.”
- Writer Dan O’Keefe brought the idea to the show from a family holiday his father devised around 1966 to sidestep religious observance and consumerism.
- Core elements include displaying a plain aluminum pole, conducting an Airing of Grievances at dinner, and finishing with the Feats of Strength.
- The show’s dinner has been identified in HD as meatloaf served on lettuce, though real celebrations vary widely in what’s served.
- Seasonal explainers are refreshed ahead of the date as fans revisit the episode on Netflix or CTV, note public displays like Wisconsin’s Festivus pole, and buy themed kits.