Multifaith Calendar

July 23-24: Tisha B’Av—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). Tisha B’Av is a Jewish day of mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. The holiday is observed through fasting and reflection. 

• August 1: Lammas/Lughnasadh (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid). This is a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season. One of the eight major Pagan sabbats, it is often celebrated by sharing foods made from the first fruits and grains of the harvest. 
• August 28: Raksha Bandhan (Hindu/Asian Indian). This is a festival that celebrates the bond between siblings through the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) and family gatherings. Occasionally, it is also used to create a sibling-like relationship between two unrelated individuals.

• September 3-4: Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu). This festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, one of Hinduism’s most revered deities. Observances often include prayer, singing devotional songs (bhajans), fasting, and nighttime worship. 
• September 11-13: Rosh Hashanah—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the Days of Awe leading to Yom Kippur. Observances often include synagogue services, prayer, festive meals, and reflection. 
• September 20-21: Yom Kippur—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, is a day of atonement, fasting, prayer, and reflection. Many Jews fast from sunset to nightfall and may light a Yahrzeit memorial candle on the eve of the holiday. 
• September 25-October 2: Sukkot—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Sukkot is a harvest festival that commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. Common observances include gathering with family, sharing festive meals, and participating in prayer services. 

• October 2–4: Shemini Atzeret—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Shemini Atzeret is marked by prayer, remembrance, and reflection. Observances include memorial services for the deceased and prayers for rain in Israel. 
• October 3–4: Simchat Torah—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). Holiday with significant work restriction, Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. Celebrations often include dancing and singing as Torah scrolls are carried in procession around the synagogue. 
• October 11–19: Navaratri (Hindu). Navaratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Observances often include worship of Durga (mother goddess), Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity), and Saraswati (goddess of learning and the arts), as well as prayer, fasting, feasting, music, dancing, and family gatherings. 
• October 31–November 1: Samhain (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid). Samhain is one of the four Greater Sabbats and is considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. It is a time to honor ancestors, loved ones, and members of the community who have passed away. 

• November 6: Diwali (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Parsi). Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is widely celebrated across South Asia and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The five-day festival is marked by prayer, family gatherings, fireworks, sweets, exchange of gifts, and the lighting of oil lamps (diyas) to welcome the goddess Lakshmi and invite prosperity into the home. 
• November 10–11: Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baha’i). Birth of Bahá’u’lláh commemorates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. This holy day celebrates spiritual renewal and is observed through prayer, reflection, and community gatherings. 

• December 4–12: Hannukkah or Chanukah—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorates the struggle for religious freedom and the rededication of the Second Temple. Over eight nights, families light the menorah, adding one candle each evening. Celebrations often include prayers, songs, festive foods, and gift-giving. 
• December 24–25: Christmas—Begins at Sundown (Christian/Roman Catholic, Protestant, some Orthodox). Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by many Christians around the world, common traditions include church services, gift-giving, decorating Christmas trees, and gathering with family and friends. In the United States, Christmas Day (December 25) is a federal holiday. (Note: Christmas is on January 7, 2027, for Eastern Orthodox Christians who follow the traditional Julian calendar.)
• December 26, 2006–January 1, 2027: Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African celebration centered on the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba): Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Families and communities observe the holiday through reflection, cultural activities, and gatherings. 

• January 1, 2027: Gantan-sai (Shinto).  This is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion, celebrating renewal and new beginnings. Observances often include prayers for health and prosperity, visits to shrines, and gatherings with family and friends. 
• January 6:  Epiphany/Twelfth Night/Three Kings Day (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Epiphany commemorates the revelation of Jesus Christ and the visit of the magi—traditionally known as the three wise men, or kings—to Bethlehem. Epiphany also marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. Observances often include prayer, festive meals, gift-giving, and gatherings with family and friends. 
• January 6: Theophany (Christian/Orthodox). Theophany is an Eastern Orthodox Christian feast commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity. This celebration features the “Great Blessing of Water,” where clergy bless both holy water in church fonts and local outdoor bodies of water. (Note: Orthodox Christians following the traditional Julian calendar celebrate Theophany on January 19.)
• January 6–7: Christmas/Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ (Christian/Orthodox). Orthodox Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ according to the traditional Julian calendar used by several Eastern Orthodox churches. Celebrations begin with Christmas Eve services on January 6, followed by festive meals, carol singing, and family gatherings on January 7.
• January 22-23: Tu BiShvat (Jewish). “New Year for Trees” where Jewish communities celebrate nature, trees, and humanity’s connection to the land.

• February 1–2: Imbolc/Candelmas (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid). Imbolc is a festival that celebrates the coming of spring and new beginnings. Also known as the Feast of Lights or Oimelc, it is a time for renewal, dedication, and setting intentions for the year ahead.
• February 3: Setsubun-sai (Shinto). Known as the “bean-throwing festival,” Setsubun-sai marks the beginning of spring. Participants scatter roasted beans to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits for the new season.
• February 6–20: Lunar New Year (Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist). Lunar New Year (Year of the Goat, 2027) is one of the most important traditional holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. Marking the start of the lunar new year, celebrations often include family reunions, festive meals, gift-giving, and the exchange of red envelopes (hongbao) for good luck and prosperity.
• February 8–March 9; February 8–9, Beginning of Ramadan (Islamic). Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the holiest periods in Islam. Muslims who are able typically fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink while devoting increased attention to prayer, Qur’an reading, charity, and spiritual reflection.
• February 10: Magha Puja Day (Buddhist, Hindu). Magha Puja Day commemorates an important event in the life of the Buddha, when a gathering of his disciples assembled to hear his teachings. Observances often include prayer, meditation, and acts of reflection. Magha Purnima typically falls on a full moon night in the lunar calendar.
• February 10: Ash Wednesday (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of repentance, prayer, and fasting leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special services, receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of human mortality, and abstain from eating meat.
• February 20: Musleh-e-Maud Day (Islamic). An Ahmadiyya Muslim observance commemorating the prophecy concerning the birth of the Musleh-e-Maud (“Promised Reformer”), interpreted by Ahmadis as referring to Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, the second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The day is marked by gatherings that reflect on his life, achievements, and service to Islam.
• February 25–March 1: Laylat al-Qadr / Nights of Power (Islamic). One of the most sacred nights of Ramadan, commemorating the night Muslims believe the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims commonly devote these nights to prayer, Qur’an recitation, reflection, and seeking God’s forgiveness and blessings. The exact night is traditionally uncertain and is especially associated with the last ten nights of Ramadan.

• March 9–10: Eid al-Fitr—Begins at Sundown (Islamic). The festival marking the end of Ramadan, Islam’s month of fasting. Muslims gather for a special Eid prayer, give thanks to God, share meals and greetings, and celebrate with family and community. Giving charity before the Eid prayer (Zakat al-Fitr) is an important practice. The date may vary by one day according to local moon sighting.
• March 15–April 23: Great Lent (Christian/Orthodox). Great Lent is the 40-day period of prayer and fasting that prepares Orthodox Christians for Pascha (Easter). It begins with Clean Monday (March 15), which symbolizes spiritual purification. The observance starts Sunday evening with a church service focused on mutual forgiveness, so that Christians can enter Great Lent with a clean conscience.
• Mar. 20: Naw-Rúz—Begins at Sundown (Baha’i, Parsi/Zoroastrian Indian). Naw-Rúz, the Baha’i New Year, and the Parsee new year, marks the beginning of the Baha’i calendar and celebrates the arrival of spring and renewal. Originating from the Persian New Year tradition, it is observed by Baha’is and the Parsees as a holy day filled with prayers, gatherings, festive meals, music, and celebration with family and friends.
• Mar. 21: Ostara/Alban Eilir/Spring Equinox (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid). This is a celebration of balance, renewal, and rebirth. Also known as Eostre, this holiday marks the beginning of spring and is associated with fertility, growth, and new life. Traditions may include lighting fires to honor the return of light and the divine masculine and feminine, as well as decorating or coloring eggs as symbols of fertility and renewal.
• Mar. 21: Palm Sunday (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by laying palm branches along his path. Observed by many Christians, the day is marked by prayer, worship services, and the distribution of palm leaves. This day signals the beginning of Holy Week, leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. (Note: Eastern Orthodox Christians, following the traditional Julian calendar, observe Palm Sunday on April 25.)
• Mar. 22–23: Holi (Hindu, Asian Indian). Also known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is a celebration that marks the arrival of spring and commemorates the triumph of good over evil. Originally rooted in Hindu traditions, it symbolizes renewal, joy, freedom, and the transition from winter to spring. Celebrations often include throwing colored powders and colored water at each other, gathering around bonfires, and sharing food and festivities with family and friends.
• Mar. 22–24: Purim—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). Purim commemorates the Jewish people’s deliverance from persecution in ancient Persia through the courage of Queen Esther. Many Jews celebrate by dressing in costumes, attending festive gatherings, and reading the Book of Esther. Some Jews fast the day before. 
• March 25: Maundy Thursday (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles on the Thursday before Easter. Observed by many Christian denominations, the day is marked by prayer, Communion (Eucharist), shared meals, and, in some traditions, foot-washing ceremonies that symbolize humility and service.
• March 26: Good Friday (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Friday before Easter. Many Christians observe the day with prayer, worship, fasting, and reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice. (Note: Eastern Orthodox Christians observe Good Friday on April 30, and Easter on May 2.)
• March 28: Easter (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant). Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important holy days in Christianity. For many Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians, it is a time of worship, renewal, and hope. Traditions often include family gatherings, festive meals, and activities such as decorating eggs and sharing Easter baskets.

• April 14: Vaisakhi (Sikh, Hindu Indian). Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year and commemorates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, a pivotal event in Sikh history. It also marks the traditional harvest season in Punjab. Celebrations often include prayers, processions, music, singing, and the recitation of Sikh scriptures and hymns. Several cultures on the Indian subcontinent, including Indian Hindus and Bangladeshi Muslims, celebrate this as New Year’s Day on the lunar calendar. 
• April 18: 11 Nissan / Education and Sharing Day (Jewish). This day marks the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, a renowned Jewish leader and advocate for education. In recognition of the Rebbe’s lifelong commitment to education, the U.S. Congress established Education Day, U.S.A., in 1978, with subsequent U.S. Presidents annually recognizing the day. The observance highlights the Rebbe’s teaching that education should not only impart knowledge, but also foster character, moral and ethical values, and responsibility toward others.
• April 21–29: Passover (Pesach)—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Passover commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and is one of Judaism’s major pilgrimage festivals. Many Jews observe the holiday with family gatherings, ritual meals called Seders, readings from the Haggadah, and special prayers. Some also light a Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the final night of Passover. This holiday also involves significant dietary restrictions above and beyond those that are traditionally adhered to the rest of the year.
• April 24–25: Lazarus Saturday & Palm Sunday (Christian/Orthodox). In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, these two feast days mark the transition from Great Lent into Holy Week. Lazarus Saturday commemorates Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead, while Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ subsequent triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Both days are observed with worship services and the traditional blessing of palm or willow branches.
• April 25: Holy Friday (Christian/Orthodox). This solemn day commemorates the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. Observant Orthodox Christians practice strict fasting and attend afternoon and evening services featuring the symbolic burial procession of Christ.

• May 1: Beltane (Pagan,Wiccan, Druid). Beltane is a fire festival that celebrates the arrival of summer and the fertility and abundance of the coming year. Traditions often include bonfires, music, dancing, and other celebrations of growth and renewal. 
• May 2: Vesak (Buddha Day) (Buddhist). Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Observances often include prayer, meditation, and acts of generosity and compassion, all of which are believed to have taken place on the same day of the year.
• May 2: Pascha/Easter (Christian/Orthodox). Known as the “Feast of Feasts,” Pascha celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the conclusion of Great Lent. Celebrations traditionally begin with a vibrant, midnight candlelight service on Saturday and continue throughout Sunday with festive community banquets.
• May 3-4: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). Yom HaShoah honors the six million Jews and other victims of the Holocaust. Observances may include memorial services, lighting candles, reciting the Kaddish, and remembering those who were lost. 
• May 16-17: Eid al-Adha—Begins at Sundown (Islamic). The “Festival of Sacrifice,” celebrated during the annual Hajj pilgrimage and commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God. Muslims attend a special Eid prayer, gather with family and community, and traditionally share an animal sacrifice with family, friends, and people in need. The festival begins on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah and the date may vary by one day according to local moon sighting.
• May 29: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’í). Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh commemorates the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, on May 29, 1892. It is observed as a solemn holy day marked by prayer, reflection, and remembrance. 

• June 6: Islamic New Year/1 Muharram 1449. The beginning of the Islamic lunar year. Muharram is one of Islam’s four sacred months. The New Year is generally a quiet occasion focused on reflection and remembrance rather than celebration, although customs vary among Muslim communities.
• June 10–12: Shavuot—Begins at Sundown (Jewish). A holiday with significant work restriction, Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Observances often include prayer, Torah study, and readings from scripture. Some also light a Yahrzeit memorial candle on the second night. 
• June 15: Ashura (Islamic). A major Shi’a Muslim commemoration marking the beginning of a traditional 40-day mourning period for the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala, which concludes next month on July 25 (Arba’een). Millions of Shi’a Muslims participate in remembrance ceremonies and pilgrimage, particularly the large pilgrimage to Karbala in Iraq. The observance emphasizes sacrifice, justice, faith, and devotion.
• June 21: Litha/Midsomer/Alban Hefin/Summer Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid). The Summer Solstice celebrates the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. In Pagan and Wiccan traditions, it honors the power of the sun, fertility, and abundance. Observances may include bonfires, watching the sunrise, and celebrations of growth, renewal, and the natural world.