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
07-Jan Coptic Orthodox Christmas The date that Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’s birth in the Julian calendar.  Coptic Orthodox Christian
10-Jan Bodhi Day This day celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment; it is celebrated by Mahãyãna Buddhists.  Buddhism
13-Jan Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday The date used to celebrate the tenth Sikh Guru and spiritual master. Sikhism
14-Jan Orthodox New Year The “Old New Year” celebrates the start of the Julian calendar.  Orthodox Christian
15-Jan World Religion Day A day in the Baha’i faith that celebrates common themes for faiths across the world Baha’i
18 Jan – 25 Jan Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians Christian
27-Jan Holocaust Memorial Day A 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
February
02-Feb Imbolc The 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 Candlemas A holiday in the Christian church that blesses the candle supply for that year. Christian
15-Feb Parinirvana Also known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, this date marks Buddha’s death and attainment of final Nirvana.  Buddhism
17-Feb Tu Bishvat The “New Year of Trees” in the Jewish faith. Jewish
18-Feb Maha Shiravatri A Hindu festival called “Shiva’s night” which honours this significant deity. Hindu
18-Feb Lailat al Miraj A Muslim holiday commemorating Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven. Muslim
22-Feb Ash Wednesday The 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
25-Feb Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha A 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
06-Mar – 07-Mar Purim The Feast of Lots in the Jewish faith that honours the survival of ancient Persian Jews who were marked for death. Jewish
08-Mar The Night of Forgiveness/ Lailat-Ul-Bara’ah Muslims 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
08-Mar – 10-Mar Hola Mohalla The 3-day Sikh festival honoring valor, skill, and defence preparedness. Sikhism
17-Mar – 18-Mar Holi A Hindu festival of colours that welcomes spring and a new harvest in India. Hinduism
19-Mar Feast Day of St. Joseph The day that commemorates the husband of Jesus’s mother Mary and father on Earth.  Christian
21-Mar Ostara The celebration of the spring equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. Pagan/Wiccan
21-Mar Naw Ruz The Zoroastrian New Year that is celebrated at the spring equinox. Zoroastrianism
21-Mar Naw Ruz The New Year for the Baha’i faith, marking the end of the Baha’i fast. Baha’i
25-Mar The Annunciation The day in the Christian religion when the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary would become the mother of Jesus. Christian
22-Mar – 21-Apr Ramadan The holy month of fasting, introspection, and prayer celebrated by Muslims. Muslim
April
04-Apr Mahavir Jayanti A Jain holiday celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Jainism
05-Apr – 13-Apr Passover A 7-day holiday in the Jewish faith that honors the freeing of the Israeli slaves. Jewish
09-Apr Easter The most important day in the Christian faith when they celebrate the resurrection of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christian
13-Apr Vaisakhi An ancient festival for Hindus that simultaneously celebrates that Solar New Year and spring harvest. Hinduism
16-Apr Feast of the Divine Mercy A feast day on the second Sunday of Easter when Christians seek Christ’s forgiveness and grace. Christian
21-Apr Eid al-Fitr An Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. As it ends fasting, its primary event is a big meal. Muslim
May
01-May Beltane A fire festival celebrated by the Pagan and Wiccan religions that celebrate summer and the fertility of the upcoming year. Pagan/Wiccan
05-May Vesak The most important Theravada Buddhist festival that signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Buddhism
05-May Birthday of Buddha The day that Buddhists celebrate the Buddha’s birthday.  Buddhism
18-May Feast of the Ascension A Christian holiday that marks the 40th day following Easter when Jesus ascended into Heaven. Christian
26-May Declaration of the Bab The day that marks the prediction of the Bab as the Messenger of God in the Baha’i faith. Baha’i
26-May Shavuot A Jewish holiday that combines a grain harvest and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Jewish
June
02-Jun Feast of the Ascension A day celebrated in Coptic Orthodox Christianity that marks Jesus’s ascension into heaven. Coptic Orthodox Christian
04-Jun Trinity Sunday A day in the Christian faith that celebrates the three personifications of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Christian
11-Jun Race Unity Day A day that promotes racial harmony and understanding in the Baha’i faith Baha’i
12-Jun All Saints Day The day in Eastern Orthodox Christianity that designates the end of the Easter season. Eastern Orthodox Christian
16-Jun Feast of Corpus Christi The feast day that commemorates the real presence of Jesus’s body in the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church. Christian
16-Jun Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib A day observed by Sikhs to commemorate an individual who laid down his life for their people. Sikhism
18-Jun – 29-Jun Eid al-Adha A Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. Muslim
24-Jun Litha A Pagan and Wiccan festival that begins on the summer solstice and celebrates midsummer. Pagan/Wiccan
24-Jun Feast 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
26-Jun – 01-Jul The Hajj The name for the annual pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca required for all Muslims at least once. Muslim
July: 
09-Jul Martyrdom of the Bab The day of the execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith. Baha’i
22-Jul Islamic New Year 1444 This 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-Jul Birthday 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
27-Jul Tisha B’Av A Jewish holiday that remembers the destruction of the Jewish temple, once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem. Jewish
August
01-Aug Lughnasadh A festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the beginning of harvest season. Pagan/Wiccan
06-Aug The Transfiguration of the Lord For 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
15-Aug Feast of the Assumption A holy day that commemorates the Virgin Mary being assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Christian
29-Aug Hijiri Also known as Islamic New Year, this is the start of the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins when the crescent moon is sighted Muslim
September
11-Sep Coptic New Year Also known as Nayrouz, this is a feast day that commemorates both martyrs and confessors in the Coptic Orthodox Christian Church Coptic Orthodox Christian
12-Sep – 19-Sep Paryushana A Jain festival about forgiveness that is the faith’s most important religious observance. Jainism
15-Sep – 17-Sep Rosh Hashanah The Jewish New Year beginning at sundown that encourages reflection. Jewish
17-Sep Arbaeen A day of observance for Muslims that concludes the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura. Muslim
23-Sep Mabon This day marks the autumnal equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. Pagan/Wiccan
25-Sep Yom Kippur A Jewish day of atonement to reflect on sins and seek forgiveness from God. Jewish
27-Sep Mawlid An Islamic holiday celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim
29-Sep – 14-Oct Pitru Paksha A time when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. Hinduism
30-Sep Sukkot A day in the Jewish faith that remembers when the Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land. Jewish
October
15-Oct Navaratri A Hindu festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga. Hinduism
16-Oct Birthday of the Bab A day honoring the birthday of God’s messenger in the Baha’i faith Baha’i
17-Oct Birthday of Baha’u’llah A day honoring the birthday of the prophet-founding of the Baha’i faith Baha’i
24-Oct Dussehra The tenth and final day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navratras. Hinduism
November
01-Nov Samhain A festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the end of the harvest season. Pagan/Wiccan
01-Nov All Saints Day This day honours the saints who have attained heaven in the Christian faith.  Christian
01-Nov All Souls’ Day Also 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-Nov Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie Rastafarianism
12-Nov Diwali A 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
26-Nov Birthday of Guru Nanak Ji A day honoring the birth of the founder of Sikhism. Sikhism
27-Nov Jain New Year A holiday always following Diwali; Jains celebrate their new year on the first day after the month of Kartika. Jainism
30-Nov Feast of St. Andrew A day honoring 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-Dec Feast of the Immaculate Conception A feast day celebrated by Roman Catholics that celebrate Mary’s conception without original sin. Christian
07-Dec – 15-Dec Hanukkah The 8-day celebration of the “Festival of Lights” that honours the victory of Jews over Syrian Greeks.  Jewish
21-Dec Yule A Pagan and Wiccan holiday that begins at sundown at the winter solstice. Pagan/Wiccan
25-Dec Christmas The holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christian
26-Dec The Feast of St. Stephen Also 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