Festivus is the December 23 holiday made famous by Seinfeld: its sitcom rituals include an undecorated aluminum pole, dinner, an Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength. The show’s origin story is fictional, though. Writer Dan O’Keefe drew on a real family tradition started by his father in 1966—and that tradition had no pole.
What is Festivus?
Festivus is a comic, anti-commercial holiday centered on getting together and airing grievances. It became widely known through Seinfeld’s episode “The Strike,” in which Frank Costanza presents his version of the celebration as an alternative to the commercial pressures of Christmas. The episode first aired on December 18, 1997, and places Festivus on December 23.
Frank sums up the appeal with the line, “A Festivus for the rest of us.” The best-known observance is the one portrayed on television, but it grew from a real family custom with different origins and rituals.
When is Festivus?
The Seinfeld celebration takes place on December 23. That is the date most people mean when they ask when Festivus is. The original O’Keefe family observance did not have a fixed date, according to Dan O’Keefe’s account of his family’s tradition.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How did Festivus begin?
The real family tradition
Daniel O’Keefe began the family observance in 1966 to mark the anniversary of his first date with his wife. As the family grew, the celebration developed unusual, changing rituals, including recorded grievances and wrestling among siblings. It did not include an aluminum pole.
The sitcom’s fictional origin
In “The Strike,” Frank Costanza says he invented Festivus after getting into a fight with another shopper over a doll. He frames the holiday as a rejection of Christmas commercialism. That story belongs to Frank’s character; it is not the real history of the O’Keefe family tradition.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Writer Dan O’Keefe brought his family’s holiday into the show, while the pole and the familiar December 23 format belong to the sitcom version. Keeping those two origins distinct explains why Festivus has both a real family history and an intentionally absurd television mythology.
How do you celebrate the Seinfeld version of Festivus?
You can borrow the show’s rituals without treating every prop or activity as a requirement. The point is a playful gathering, not an exact reenactment.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Gather on December 23. This is the date used in the episode.
- Put up a plain pole, if you want one. Frank’s aluminum pole has no decorations; he says, “I find tinsel distracting.” The pole is a sitcom addition, not part of the original family tradition.
- Share a simple dinner. The episode’s no-frills meal includes meatloaf.
- Air grievances. Participants humorously tell one another how they have disappointed them over the past year. Frank introduces the ritual with: “I got a lot of problems with you people! And now, you’re gonna hear about it.” Keep it light and consensual so the joke does not turn into a genuine confrontation.
- Choose a safe Feat of Strength. The episode uses wrestling and ends when Frank is pinned. A real gathering can substitute a trivia round, rock-paper-scissors or another harmless game—or skip this ritual altogether. Wrestling is not obligatory.
- Declare a Festivus miracle. Add this playful, show-derived ritual if it suits your gathering.
How the family tradition and TV version differ
| Feature | O’Keefe family tradition | Seinfeld version |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Daniel O’Keefe began the observance in 1966 to mark the anniversary of his first date with his wife. | Frank’s fight with a shopper over a doll is the fictional origin story. |
| Date | No fixed date, according to Dan O’Keefe’s account. | December 23. |
| Practices | Reported customs include recorded grievances and sibling wrestling, along with changing family rites. | Dinner, an Airing of Grievances, Feats of Strength and a pole. |
| Pole | No pole. | A plain, undecorated aluminum pole. |
Why does Festivus still get attention?
The episode has become a recurring seasonal watch for some viewers. In a historical press release, Hulu Insights reported that December viewing of “The Strike” rose by over 150% year over year, and that views on December 23 were 17 times the episode’s average views on any other day in the six months before or after. Those figures cover June 1, 2015, through October 31, 2016; they are not current audience measurements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
