Yule is a winter festival celebrated in Northern Europe since ancient times. In pre-Christian times, Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian and Germanic pagans celebrated Yule in late December or early January on a date determined by a lunar calendar. With the coming of Christianity and the adoption of the Julian calendar, Yule was placed on December 25 in order to correspond with the Christian celebrations later known in English as Christmas. Thus, the terms "Yule" and "Christmas" are often used interchangeablycitation needed], especially in Christmas carols. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden the term jul is the most common way to refer to the celebration, including among Christians. In Finland, it is called joulu, in Estonia jõulud, and in Iceland and the Faroe Islands jól.
Yule is an important festival for Wiccans, Neopagans and various secular groups who observe the holiday at the winter solstice (December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere). Yulefest, for example, is held by many Australians on a weekend in late June.