Many ancient cultures have the tradition of celebrating days/nights in alignment with specific celestial events.
In Persia Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh is a Persian festival celebrated on the "longest and darkest night of the year," celebrated, in the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice.
I find the symbology very similar to that of Christmas:
Fig. 1. Christmas decorations
Fig 2-3. Yalda table (eating pomegranate which is autumnal fruit is a must for Persians )
There are similarities between different cultures celebrating this time. Holidays celebrated on the winter solstice are (alphabetically):
Alban Arthan (Welsh)
Blue Christmas (holiday) (Western Christian)
Brumalia (Ancient Rome)
Dongzhi Festival (East Asia)
Korochun (Slavic)
Sanghamitta Day (Theravada Buddhism)
Shalako (Zuni)
Yaldā (Iran/Persian territories)
Yule in the Northern Hemisphere (Neopagan)
Ziemassvētki (ancient Latvia)
Other related festivals
Saturnalia (Ancient Rome): Celebrated shortly before winter solstice
Saint Lucy's Day (Christian): Used to coincide with the winter solstice day
Christmas: Takes place shortly after winter solstice, absorbed tradition from winter solstice celebration. Speculated to originate from solstice date, see Christmas#Solstice date and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti
Cold Food Festival (Korea, Greater China): 105 days after winter solstice
