How to Respectfully Celebrate Cultural Holidays in the Office

With the rise of the globalised workforce, workplaces are more culturally diverse than ever – and that’s definitely something to celebrate. Whether you’re in a department of five or fifty, your colleagues are likely to come from a melting pot of cultural backgrounds, with traditions and holidays that you might not share or even know about.

It’s actually incredibly exciting. The office no longer feels like a sad beige box and the same old birthday cake. It’s becoming a more vibrant, layered space where people bring in different foods, customs, and stories.

But things can sometimes get tricky when it comes to celebrating cultural holidays in the office. You want to be appreciative, without accidentally turning someone’s culture into a theme party. You have to make sure that you’re being genuinely inclusive, not tokenistic. Sticking the perfect balance can be a bit of an art, but it’s certainly worth it. Where do you even start? 

Whether you’re a manager looking to improve team culture or just someone who wants to be more thoughtful, here are 5 ways to respectfully (and genuinely) celebrate cultural holidays at work, without the awkwardness.

Start with Something Simple — Like Posters

 One of the simplest and most powerful ways to recognise a cultural holiday is to make it visible. If one of your team members celebrates holidays such as Onam, for example, you could create Onam posters that explain what the festival is about – bright visuals, simple explanations and maybe a few lines about what it represents. It doesn’t have to be high-budget or overly fancy. The idea is to bring the celebration into the shared space in a way that’s warm, informative, and respectful.

If you’re in an office that has a common area or noticeboard, sticking a poster up in the run-up to the festival is a nice touch. It opens doors not only for casual curiosity (‘Oh I didn’t realize that’s what Onam was’), but can also make others proud of sharing their culture without having to be the center of attention. Similarly if you work on a remote team, a digital poster posted to your office chat or group can do the trick. 

These little touches often mean more than you realise. They show you’re paying attention, and that matters.

Let People Choose Their Level of Involvement

Here’s the golden rule: just because someone celebrates a festival, doesn’t mean they want to turn it into a workplace event. Some are all-in and eager to share — others would rather keep things low-key and personal. Don’t automatically assume that someone wants to host an event, bring food or give a presentation simply because they recognise a holiday. 

Instead, check in. A simple “How do you feel about celebrating [festival] as a group?” goes a long way. If they’re willing, let them take the lead on how they’d like to mark the occasion. If they’re not, that’s fine too. Celebrating diversity and inclusion shouldn’t come with pressure. What you’re trying to create is a culture of invitation, not obligation.

Be Curious, Not Clueless

It’s absolutely fine if you don’t have in-depth knowledge about every single cultural festival. No one expects you to. But if you’re really interested in learning, approach with questions. For example, refrain from blurring out, “What’s that holiday for, anyway?” mid-meeting. Instead, consider something more intentional, such as, “I would like to know more about how you celebrate. Would you be open to sharing someday?” People can always say no, of course, but generally, if you ask nicely, they will be grateful for the interest.

Take some time to do your own learning too, especially if you’re in a management position. There are plenty of websites, articles and videos online to learn from. If you’re helping to organise something, knowing the basics can help avoid major blunders. For example, don’t schedule “team drinks” for someone observing Ramadan. These kinds of oversights happen when we skip the step of understanding. So if there’s a cultural celebration on the calendar, treat it as you would any other important team event: with a bit of background, intention, and preparation.

Food Is a Bridge, Not a Requirement

Let’s be honest: food plays a massive role when it comes to cultural bonding in the workplace. A colleague comes in with homemade laddoos or biryani, and suddenly everyone’s gathered round, sharing stories and asking for recipes. It’s a wonderful way of connecting, and it often opens the door to discussions that just wouldn’t otherwise take place.

That said, don’t make food a requirement. Don’t pressure anyone to bring food in, or to explain every item on their plate. Not everyone has the time, the money and, frankly, the inclination to prepare a cultural smorgasbord, and nor should they. If someone genuinely wants to prepare something, that’s amazing. But they shouldn’t feel obligated to. You can just as easily honour a festival with conversation, storytelling, or even by sharing a memory. Food is the icing on the cake, not the entire cake. 

Keep Things Flexible and Inclusive

One-size-fits-all doesn’t work when it comes to culture. The way one person celebrates Diwali might be totally different from another’s experience. The dates might vary. The customs might differ. And sometimes, not everyone wants to celebrate, even if it’s something they grew up doing. That’s why flexibility is key.

There’s nothing worse than mandatory or performative cultural days. Instead of one giant, overplanned celebration, consider a few opt-in low-key moments throughout the year. This can be as simple as a rotating culture calendar, monthly highlight, or simply allowing people to take personal time off for their own religious or cultural events without hassle. When you create a space that lets people choose how they want to show up, everyone feels more comfortable — and that’s the kind of workplace culture that really sticks.

Final Word

Observing cultural holidays in the office isn’t a matter of just ticking off boxes. It’s about building a workplace where people feel genuinely seen and valued. And even though it may sound overwhelming at first, small actions really do add up. Whether that’s designing posters, asking the right questions, or simply giving someone the space to opt out — it all counts.

So start where you are, be thoughtful in the way you show up, and remember: celebrating culture doesn’t need to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, the quietest gestures speak the loudest.