Religious Festivals

Important dates in religious calendars across multiple religions

DateReligious FestivalDetailsFaith
06-Jan Feast of the Epiphany The day that commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles for Christians. It is celebrated on January 6th as it marks 12 days after Christmas when the three kings arrived in Bethlehem. Christian
06-07 Jan Coptic Orthodox Christmas The date that Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’s birth in the Julian calendar.  Coptic Orthodox Christian
14-Jan Orthodox New Year The “Old New Year” celebrates the start of the Julian calendar.  Orthodox Christian
17-JanGuru Gobind Singh’s BirthdayThe date used to celebrate the tenth Sikh Guru and spiritual master. Sikhism
18 Jan – 25 JanWeek of Prayer for Christian UnityChristians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians Christian
21 JanWorld Religion DayA Day in the Baha’i faith that celebrates common themes for faiths across the world. Baha’i
27-JanHolocaust Memorial DayA day for remembrance for all people who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War – and to make sure it never happens again. Jewish
30-Jan SadehA mid winter bonfire festival to signify that days are getting longer. The litany to fire, the Atash Niyayeesh, is recited, and Iranian legends are told of King Hoshang (who discovered the art of making fire). Piping hot stew, dancing and merry making feature.  Zoroastrianism
February: 
02-Feb ImbolcThe halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan calendars. This day celebrates fire, light, and the return of life.  Pagan/Wiccan
02-Feb CandlemasA holiday in the Christian church that blesses the candle supply for that year. Christian
06-07 Feb Lailat al MirajA Muslim holiday commemorating Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven. Muslim
09-Feb NirvanaMarks the anniversary of Nirvana (final release) or liberation of Mahavira’s soul, the twenty fourth and last Jain Tirthankara of present cosmic age. Jainism
14-FebAsh WednesdayThe day in the Christian Church that marks the start of Lent, the 40 days of prayer and fasting in preparation for the feast of Easter.  Christian
14-28 FebLentA period of forty days fasting and self-discipline (not counting Sundays) that leads up to Easter. Traditionally Christians give up something during this time to mark the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Many Christians feel it is a time for study groups, prayer and Bible reading. Christian
15-Feb ParinirvanaAlso known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, this date marks Buddha’s death and attainment of final Nirvana.  Buddhism
24-Feb Tu BishvatThe “New Year of Trees” in the Jewish faith. Jewish
26-29 FebFestival of Ayyam-i-HaA multiple-day festival in the Baha’i faith that prioritizes gift-giving, hospitality, charity, and preparation for fasting ahead of the New Year. Baha’i
March: 
08-MarMaha ShiravatriA Hindu festival called “Shiva’s night” which honours this significant deity. Hindu
08-MarThe Night of Forgiveness/ Lailat-Ul-Bara’ahMuslims seek forgiveness for their sins, and many hold the belief that on this night person’s destiny for the year is fixed by Allah. The night is spent in prayer and asking for God’s guidance.     Muslim
11-Mar – 10-Apr RamadanThe holy month of fasting, introspection, and prayer celebrated by Muslims. Muslim
17-Mar – 18-Mar HoliA Hindu festival of colours that welcomes spring and a new harvest in India. Hinduism
19-MarFeast Day of St. JosephThe day that commemorates the husband of Jesus’s mother Mary and father on Earth.  Christian
20-Mar Ostara The celebration of the spring equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. Pagan/Wiccan
20-Mar Naw RuzThe New Year for the Baha’i faith, marking the end of the Baha’i fast. Baha’i
21-Mar Naw RuzThe Zoroastrian New Year that is celebrated at the spring equinox. Zoroastrianism
24/03/2024 Purim The Feast of Lots in the Jewish faith that honours the survival of ancient Persian Jews who were marked for death. Jewish
27-Mar – 28-MarHola Mohalla The 3-day Sikh festival honoring valor, skill, and defence preparedness. Sikhism
31-Mar EasterThe most important day in the Christian faith when they celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christian
April: 
07-AprFeast of the Divine MercyA feast day on the second Sunday of Easter when Christians seek Christ’s forgiveness and grace. Christian
08-AprThe AnnunciationThe day in the Christian religion when the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary would become the mother of Jesus. Christian
10-AprEid al-FitrAn Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. As it ends fasting, its primary event is a big meal.Muslim
13-Apr VaisakhiAn ancient festival for Hindus that simultaneously celebrates that Solar New Year and spring harvest. Hinduism
21-AprMahavir Jayanti A Jain holiday celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Jainism
23-Apr – 30-Apr PassoverA 7-day holiday in the Jewish faith that honors the freeing of the Israeli slaves. Jewish
May: 
01-May BeltaneA fire festival celebrated by the Pagan and Wiccan religions that celebrate summer and the fertility of the upcoming year. Pagan/Wiccan
09-MayFeast of the AscensionA Christian holiday that marks the 40th day following Easter when Jesus ascended into Heaven. Christian
15-MayBirthday of BuddhaThe day that Buddhists celebrate the Buddha’s birthday.  Buddhism
23-May VesakThe most important Theravada Buddhist festival that signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Buddhism
23-MayDeclaration of the BabThe day that marks the prediction of the Bab as the Messenger of God in the Baha’i faith. Baha’i
June: 
04-Jun Trinity SundayA day in the Christian faith that celebrates the three personifications of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Christian
06-JunFeast of the AscensionA day celebrated in Coptic Orthodox Christianity that marks Jesus’s ascension into heaven. Coptic Orthodox Christian
09-JunRace Unity DayA day that promotes racial harmony and understanding in the Baha’i faith Baha’i
12-Jun ShavuotA Jewish holiday that combines a grain harvest and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Jewish
12-JunAll Saints DayThe day in Eastern Orthodox Christianity that designates the end of the Easter season.Eastern Orthodox Christian
16-JunFeast of Corpus ChristiThe feast day that commemorates the real presence of Jesus’s body in the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church. Christian
16-JunMartyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev SahibA day observed by Sikhs to commemorate an individual who laid down his life for their people. Sikhism
17-Jun Eid al-AdhaA Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslim
19-JunThe End of HajjThe name for the annual pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca required for all Muslims at least once. Muslim
20-Jun LithaA Pagan and Wiccan festival that begins on the summer solstice and celebrates midsummer. Pagan/Wiccan
21-JunWorld Humanist DayThis Humanist holiday is celebrated annually around the world on the June solstice. Humanist
24-JunFeast of the Sacred Heart A feast day in the Roman Catholic Church that celebrates Jesus’s physical heart as a representation of his love for all humanity. Christian
29-JunFeast of Saints Peter and Paul The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul or Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is a litergical feats in honour of the martydom in Rome of the apostles of Saint Peter and Paul. The celebration is of ancient Christian origin, the date selected being the anniversary of either their death or the translation of their relics. Christian
July: 
08-JulMartyrdom of the Bab The day of the execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith. Baha’i
07-JulIslamic New Year 1444This day commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE, this led to the formation of the Muslim community in this region Muslim
23-JulBirthday of Haile Selassie A holiday in Rastafarianism that celebrates Emperor Haile Selassie, an individual believed to be the incarnation of God. Rastafarianism
24-Jul Pioneer Day A Utah state holiday that celebrates the settling of the Mormon pioneers in the Great Salt Lake area where they established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mormonism
August: 
01-Aug LughnasadhA festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the beginning of harvest season. Pagan/Wiccan
06-AugThe Transfiguration of the LordFor many Christians, this is the event that confirms the Divine Nature of Jesus. His clothes became dazzling white and a voice said ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!’ Christian
13-Aug Tisha B’AvA Jewish holiday that remembers the destruction of the Jewish temple, once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem. Jewish
15-AugFeast of the AssumptionA holy day that commemorates the Virgin Mary being assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Christian
25-AugArbaeenA day of observance for Muslims that concludes the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura. Muslim
September: 
11-SepCoptic New YearAlso known as Nayrouz, this is a feast day that commemorates both martyrs and confessors in the Coptic Orthodox Christian ChurchCoptic Orthodox Christian
12-Sep – 19-Sep ParyushanaA Jain festival about forgiveness that is the faith’s most important religious observance. Jainism
16-Sep MawlidAn Islamic holiday celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim
23-Sep MabonThis day marks the autumnal equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. Pagan/Wiccan
29-Sep – 14-Oct Pitru PakshaA time when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. Hinduism
30-Sep SukkotA day in the Jewish faith that remembers when the Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land. Jewish
October: 
2-Oct – 10-OctRosh HashanahThe Jewish New Year beginning at sundown that encourages reflection. Jewish
03-Oct NavaratriA Hindu festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga. Hinduism
11-Oct Yom KippurA Jewish day of atonement to reflect on sins and seek forgiveness from God. Jewish
16-OctBirthday of the BabA day honoring the birthday of God’s messenger in the Baha’i faith Baha’i
17-OctBirthday of Baha’u’llahA day honoring the birthday of the prophet-founding of the Baha’i faith Baha’i
24-Oct DussehraThe tenth and final day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navratras. Hinduism
31-OctAll Hallows EveAll Hallows’ Eve falls on 31st October each year, and is the day before All Hallows’ Day, also known as All Saints’ Day in the Christian calendar.  Christian
31-Oct DiwaliA 5-day festival of light that combines several different festivals in honor of gods, goddesses, harvests, new year’s, etc. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Hinduism/Sikhism/Jainism
November: 
01-Nov SamhainA festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the end of the harvest season. Pagan/Wiccan
01-Nov All Saints DayThis day honours the saints who have attained heaven in the Christian faith.  Christian
02-Nov All Souls’ DayAlso known as the Day of the Dead or Día de Los Muertos, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed. Christian
02-NovAnniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie Rastafarianism
10-Nov Remembrance SundayThe Sunday nearest to Armistice Day (11/11), devoted to remembering the dead of the two World wars and subsequent wars.
15-NovBirthday of Guru Nanak JiA day honoring the birth of the founder of Sikhism. Sikhism
27-NovJain New YearA holiday always following Diwali; Jains celebrate their new year on the first day after the month of Kartika. Jainism
30-NovFeast of St. AndrewA day honouring the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Barbados, and Romania in the Roman Catholic Church. Andrew was the brother of St Peter and in the Anglican community he is associated with Missionary activity. Christian
December: 
08-DecFeast of the Immaculate ConceptionA feast day celebrated by Roman Catholics that celebrate Mary’s conception without original sin. Christian
08-Dec Bodhi DayThis day celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment; it is celebrated by Mahãyãna Buddhists.  Buddhism
21-Dec YuleA Pagan and Wiccan holiday that begins at sundown at the winter solstice. Pagan/Wiccan
25-Dec ChristmasThe holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christian
26-DecThe Feast of St. StephenAlso called Boxing Day, this day commemorates the life of a saint known for his service to the poor who became the first Christian martyr. Christian
26-Dec to 2-Jan HanukkahThe 8-day celebration of the “Festival of Lights” that honours the victory of Jews over Syrian Greeks.  Jewish