Festivals and celebrations

1 Gantan-sai Shinto
The start of three days of celebrations to mark the new year. Includes visits to local Shinto shrines.

5 Birthday (Prakash Utsav) of Guru Gobind Singh Sikhism
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth Sikh Guru and the last one in human form. He founded the Khalsa, the Brotherhood of the Pure.

6 Epiphany Christianity
Celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) to the infant Jesus Christ.

7 Christmas Day Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on the 7 of January.

7 Christmas Day Rastafarianism
Rastafarians worldwide celebrate Christmas on this day to coincide with Christmas celebrations in Ethiopia.

26 Yuan Tan Taoism
Chinese New Year.

27 Holocaust Memorial Day Inter Faith
An international day of commemoration honouring all victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution, as well as those affected by more recent genocides.

2 Imbolc Paganism
Imbolc honours the goddess Brigid. Its name refers to the flow of ewes’ milk that heralds the return of spring.

9 Teng Chieh Taoism
The Lantern Festival, occurs on the night of the full moon and closes out the Chinese New Year observances.

15 Parinirvana Buddhism
Buddhist celebration to mark the final passing of the Buddha. Some Buddhists celebrate this event on 8 February.

16 Shrove Tuesday Christianity
The day of preparation for Lent, traditionally marked by eating pancakes.

17 Ash Wednesday Christianity
The first day of Lent. Many Christians receive a cross of ash on their foreheads in church services on this day as a symbol of mortality and penance.

1 Purim (The Festival of Lots) Judaism
Celebrates the time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved by the courage of Queen Esther from extermination by the tyrant Haman, who cast lots to decide on which day to execute the Jews.

1 St David’s Day Christianity
Commemorates the patron saint of Wales.

2 Bahá’í fast begins Bahá’í
Adult Bahá’ís fast from sunrise to sunset for nineteen days. It is an important time for prayer, reading and spiritual renewal.

3 Hanamatsuri Shinto
This flower festival celebrates the birthday of Shakyamuni, whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism.

17 St Patrick’s Day Christianity
Commemorates the patron saint of Ireland.

20 Spring Equinox Paganism
During this celebration of Spring, Pagans often depict their God and Goddess as the Green Man and Mother Earth. Egg races, egg hunts and egg painting are also traditional activities at this time.

21 Naw-Ruz Bahá’í
Marks the end of the nineteen-day fast and the beginning of the Bahá’í New Year, which coincides with the start of Spring. A time of great celebration for Bahá’ís as they look forward to the coming year.

21 Shubu-Sai Shinto
A day for visiting graves.

24 Rama Navami Hinduism
Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Rama as an avatar, meaning incarnation of God, at Ayodhya in India. Worshippers fast and listen to Ramayana, the story of Rama and Sita.

28 Palm Sunday Christianity
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, the seven days leading up to Easter. Palm leaves, formed into crosses, are sometimes given to people, commemorating how Jesus Christ was welcomed into Jerusalem a few days before his crucifixion.

29 Mahavira Jayanti Jainism
Marks the anniversary of the birth of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara (saviour), founder of the pathway to spiritual liberation.

1 Maundy Thursday Christianity
Christians remember this as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated the first Eucharist before he was betrayed by Judas. The world ‘maundy’ comes from the Latin verb to command (mandatum), and refers to Jesus’s command that we should love one another. In many countries, this day is known as Holy Thursday.

2 Good Friday Christianity
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is known as Good Friday because Christians believe that his self-sacrifice results in the offer of new life and hope on Easter Sunday.

4 Ch’ing Ming Taoism
The day for mourning the dead, a day for Chinese families to visit their ancestors’ graves.

4 Easter Sunday/Pascha Christianity
Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. People mark this day by giving Easter eggs to symbolize new life. The Easter season is celebrated for fifty days, until Pentecost. The term Pascha is used among Eastern Orthodox Christians.

6 Pesach (Passover) Judaism
Commemorates the liberation of the Children of Israel from Egypt, when they were led out of slavery by Moses. They left so quickly their bread did not have time to rise, so it is traditional to eat matzah (unleavened bread) for eight days.

11 Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Judaism
The anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, which serves as a day of remembrance for the six million Jews and many martyrs who perished in the Shoah (Holocaust) under the Nazis.

13 Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) Sikhism
Celebrates the founding of the Khalsa, the Brotherhood of the Pure by Guru Gobind Singh. After it has been washed, the Nishan Sahib (flag) is raised outside the Gurdwara again. The Nanakshahi calendar places this festival a day later.

21 First Day of Ridván Bahá’í
Start of a twelve-day festival celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of his mission as the Manifestation of God, bringer of divine revelation for this age. His declaration took place in the
Ridván Garden before he left Baghdad. Bahá’ís elect their local and national governing councils during this period.

23 St George’s Day Christianity
Commemorating the patron saint of England.

29 First Day of Ridván Bahá’í
The day when Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined him at the Najibiyyih Garden, Baghdad (Garden of Ridvan).

2 Beltane Paganism
This festival – a celebration of fertility – marks the height of Spring. The pagan goddess appears as the May Queen and Flora. God manifests himself as the May King and Jack in the Green. The symbolic maypole represents their unity.

2 Twelfth Day of Ridván Bahá’í
The close of the greatest festival of the Bahá’í year.

13 Ascension Day Christianity
Marks Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven after he rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.

23 Declaration of The Báb Bahá’í
Celebrates The Báb’s declaration of his mission as the messenger of God. The Báb, a title for Mirza Ali Muhammad, prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh and was co-founder of the Bahá’í faith.

23 Pentecost or Whitsun Christianity
Pentecost marks the appearance of the Holy Spirit. It is sometimes known as Whitsun, which means White Sunday and recalls how people prepared for baptism by dressing in white.

27 Wesak/Vaisakha Pooja (Buddha Day) Buddhism
Perhaps the most important festival in the Buddhist year, which focuses mainly on celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment. This day is known as Wesak in Sri Lankan Buddhism and Vaisakha Pooja in Theravada Buddhism.

28 Duan Wu Taoism
The Dragon Boat race festival.

29 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í
Solemn commemoration of the ascension of the Bahá’í faith’s founder. Meetings are held in the small hours of the morning.

16 Martyrdom (Shaheedi Divas) of Guru Arjan Dev Sikhism
Commemorates the fifth Sikh Guru and first Sikh martyr. Guru Arjan is remembered with particular devotion among Sikhs, who honour him as the King of Martyrs (Shaheedan de Sirtaj).

21 Midsummer’s Day Paganism
A celebration of the sun’s power on the longest day of the year. At dawn, hundreds of worshippers gather at ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

29 Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks) Judaism
Celebrates the giving of the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the first harvest, and the ripening of the first fruits. It is customary to stay up throughout the first night of Shavuot to study the Torah.

29 St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day Christianity
Observed by Roman Catholics, Anglican and Lutheran Churches. One of the oldest Saints' days.

5 Ascension (Gurughadi Divas) of Guru Granth Sahib Sikhism
The Granth Sahib is the most revered of all Sikh scriptures and it is worshiped as the faith’s living word. It was given Guruship on this day in 1708.

9 Martyrdom of The Báb Bahá’í
Commemorates The Báb’s execution in 1850, after which his teachings continued to spread.

23 Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie I Rastafarianism
A holy day of commemoration for Rastafarians.

26 Dharma Day Buddhism
Commemorates Buddha’s first teaching to the five ascetics in the Deer Park near Benares, India.

1 Lughnasadh Paganism
This celebration (pronouced loo’nass’ah) marks the first day of the harvest, which continues until the next Pagan festival, Samhain in October. The land and symbols associated with reaping corn play a big part in the day.

5 Raksha Bandhan Hinduism
Hindu sisters tie a special thread called Rakhi around their brother’s wrists to protect them from evil.

2 Janmashtami Hinduism
Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna, believed to have shown himself in human form 5,000 years ago. Worshippers offer poojas (prayers) and sing bhajans (religious songs).

4 Paryushana Jainism
Start of an eight-day festival of fasting, contemplation on Jain teachings and devotional rituals.

12 Ramadan Islam
Starts the most significant month of the year for Muslims. It is a time for greater devotion to Allah, inner reflection, religious observance and selfcontrol. It also marks a period when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. The precise start date may vary and it is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.

15 The Blessed Virgin Mary Christianity
Christians celebrate the life and dedication of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Catholics traditionally celebrate this day as the Assumption of Mary, believing that at the end of her life on Earth, she entered heaven in body and soul.

19 No-Ruz Zoroastrianism (Based on the Shehnshai New Year)
Originated by the famous Persian monarch, King Jamshid, No-Ruz is New Year’s Day for Zoroastrians and marks the Spring Equinox. People celebrate the day by wearing new clothes, exchanging presents and holding social gatherings.

24 Khordad Sal Zoroastrianism (Fasli)
In the Shahenshai calendar, this is the Prophet Zarathushtra’s birthday, which Zoroastrians celebrate symbolically.

24 Raksha Bandhan Hinduism
Hindu sisters tie a special thread called Rakhi around their brother’s wrists to protect them from evil.

9 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Judaism
Celebrates the creation of the world. Families gather for festive meals, attend synagogue and listen to the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn),which marks the start of ten days of repentance, ending on Yom Kippur.

10 Eid-al-Fitr Islam
People mark the end of Ramadan with an additional morning congregational prayer in the mosque. People of all ages celebrate the rest of the day visiting friends and relatives, and also make charitable donations. The precise date may vary and it is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.

11 Ethiopian New Year’s Day Rastafarianism
Rastafarians celebrate the New Year.

11 Samvatsari Jainism
A day when Jains ask for forgiveness from all, especially those they have harmed physically or emotionally, and forgive all those who have harmed them. Also the start of Dasa Laxani parva, a ten-day contemplation on the nature of the soul.

18 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Judaism
The holiest day of the Jewish calendar, marked by a 25-hour fast and solemn prayer to repent for the previous year’s sins.

23 Autumn Equinox Paganism
For many Pagans, this is a time to reflect on the passing seasons as the balance of the year shifts from summer to winter.

21 International Day of Peace Inter Faith
Inaugurated by the United Nations, this day is observed by communities from all faiths and backgrounds worldwide. It is frequently marked by collective moments of silence, and also includes peace marches, vigils and festivals.

23 Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles) Judaism
Commemorates the autumn harvest and the wandering of the Jews in the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt. During these eight days, it is traditional to eat and sleep in sukkahs (makeshift shelters).

1 Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Law) Judaism
Celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah (Five Books of Moses). A joyous festival when the Torah scrolls are taken from the Aron HaKodesh (Holy Ark) and danced around the synagogue seven times.

8 Durga Pooja/Navaratri/Dassehra Hinduism
A celebration lasting five days. The Goddess Durga is the Hindus’ most important female deity. She is worshipped in a colourful and dramatic festival celebrating Rama winning the freedom of his beloved wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

20 Birthday of The Báb Bahá’í
Celebrates the birthday of The Báb, co-founder of the Bahá’í faith, who was born in 1819 in Shiraz, Persia.

31 Samhain Paganism
Literally meaning ‘summer’s end’, this festival is a celebration of endings and transformation. Popularly known as Halloween, it is also for many Pagans a celebration of New Year.

2 Anniversary Haile Selassie’s coronation Rastafarianism
On this day, Rastafarians celebrate the crowning of Haile Selassie I, the Emperor of Ethiopia, who is believed to be the Messiah.

5 Bandi Chhor Divas Sikhism
Sikhs celebrate the sixth Guru’s arrival at Amritsar on Diwali, following his release from Fort Gwallior. He also secured the release of 52 Hindu rajas from the same prison, after which he was called Bandi Chhor. This day also marks the martyrdom of Bhai Bani Singh.

5 Diwali and New Year Hinduism Jainism Sikhism
Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Its main focus is Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Sikhs also celebrate this day (as Bhandi Chhor Divas because the sixth Guru reached Amritsar on Diwali after his release from prison. Among Jains, this day is celebrated as the anniversary of Lord Mahavira’s death.

12 Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í
Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, one of the twin founding figures of the Bahá’í faith, who was born in 1817 in Tehran, Persia.

14 Hajj Islam
The fifth pillar of Islam is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Makkah during 8-13 of Dhul-hijjah, the month of Hajj. It is the largest gathering of Muslims anywhere in the world.

15 Shichi-Go-San Shinto
Girls of seven and three and boys of five dress up in new clothes and visit a Shinto shrine to pray for their future well-being.

17 Eid-ul-Adha Islam
Marks the sacrifice made by Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). People celebrate this festival with an Eid prayer on the morning of the first day, and share meat with their relatives and the poor.

21 Birthday of Guru Nanak Sikhism
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion.

24 Martyrdom (Shaheedi Divas) of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sikhism
Commemorates the martyrdom of the ninth Guru in 1675. Sikhs revere Guru Tegh Bahadur as someone who gave up his life so that others could practice whichever faith they chose.

28 Advent Christianity
Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, this is the season of preparation for Jesus Christ’s birthday, which is celebrated on Christmas Day.

30 St Andrew’s Day Christianity
Commemorates the patron saint of Scotland.

2 Chanukah (Festival of Lights) Judaism
Celebrates the rededication of Jerusalem’s Second Temple and the miracle of its menorah (nine-stem candelabrum),which was kept alight for eight days with one day’s oil. The lighting of the menorah on each night of the festival commemorates this miracle.

7 Al-Hijra Islam
The first day of the Muslim New Year (1427). It marks the journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace upon him) from Makkah to Madinah.

16 Ashura Islam
Muslims mark the tenth day of Muharram as the day Allah saved Moses from the Pharaoh, and they fast to show their gratitude to God.

21 Midwinter/Yule Paganism
This celebration of light takes place on the shortest day of the year. Followers gather in a show of faith that the sun’s warmth will return. Among other rituals, Druids cut mistletoe from oak trees and distribute it as a blessing.

25 Christmas Day Christianity
Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is widely celebrated by the exchanging of gifts.