When planning events, you may wish to consider the list below of the major holy days for followers numerous faith traditions, including Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Pagan and Sikh. Also listed are many secular celebrations and observances.
* Holidays marked
with asterisk begin at sundown the day before.
January 2009
January 1
New Year's Day
Mary,
Mother of God (Catholic Christian)
Celebrates the solemnity of Mary, the mother of Jesus
Feast Day
of Saint Basil (Orthodox Christian)
A celebration of Saint Basil on the day of his death
Shogatsu
(Shinto)
Also called Gatan-sai; celebration of the new year
January 5
Twelfth
Night (Christian)
Marks the end of the Christmas season
Guru
Gobindh Singh Ji birthday (Sikh)
Honors the birth of the founder of Khalsa
January 6
Epiphany
(Christian)
Commemoration of the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus
Holy
Theophany (Orthodox Christian)
Celebration of Christmas
January 7
Christmas
Day (Rastafarian)
Celebrates the birth of Christ
Feast of
the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)
Commemorates the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus
January 12
Vivekananda's Birthday (Hindu)
Celebrates the birth of Hindu leader Swami Vivekananda
January 13
Maghi
(Sikh)
A festival to commemorate the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, the Forty
Liberated Ones, who laid down their lives warding off an attack by an imperial
army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh
January 14
Makara
Sankranti/Pongal (Hindu)
Harvest festival
January 18
World
Religion Day (Baha'i)*
Day dedicated to the unity and oneness of all world religions
January 19
Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
Observance of the birthday of the slain U.S. civil rights leader
January 26
Chinese
New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
Celebrating and honoring the New Year in Asian Countries
January 27
Mahayana
Buddhist New Year (Buddhist)
Celebration of the New Year
February 2009
February 1
Black
History Month begins
Commemorates the achievements of African Americans; ends February 28
February 2
Imbolc
(Pagan)
Celebrates the coming of spring and honors the Celtic goddess Brigit
Candlemas
(Catholic Christian)
Presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple
February 3
Setsubun
(Shinto)
A celebration the day before the beginning of the spring season
February 9
Tu B'shvat
(Jewish)*
Celebrates the ripening of the first fruits of the year and the coming of
spring
February 12
Lincoln's
Birthday
Commemorates the 16th U.S. President's birthday
February 14
Valentine's Day
February 15
Nirvana
Day (Buddhist)
Observes the death of Buddha
February 16
President's Day
Celebration of George Washington's birthday; honors all U.S. presidents
February 22
Transfiguration Sunday (Christian)
Celebration of the time when Jesus became "radiant" and began talking with
Moses and Elijah in front of his disciples
Meatfare
Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
Preparation for the resurrection of Christ; last day to eat meat before the
start of Orthodox Lent
February 24
Shrove
Tuesday (Christian)
Carnival day, also known as Fat Tuesday and Pancake Day, on the eve of Ash
Wednesday; marks the end of Epiphany
February 25
Ash
Wednesday (Christian)
The beginning of Lent, a time of reflection and preparation for Holy Week and
Easter
February 26
Maha
Shivaratri (Hindu)
A day of celebration honoring Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati
March 2009
March 1
Women's
History Month begins
Commemorates the achievements of women; ends March 31
Cheesefare
Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
Also called Forgiveness Sunday, a remembrance of the expulsion of Adam and
Eve from Paradise
March 2
First Day
of Ala' (Baha'i)
Also called the Nineteen Days of Fasting; month of fasting and meditation
between sunrise and sunset; ends March 20
Clean
Monday (Orthodox Christian)
Beginning of Great Lent
March 8
International Women's Day
March 9
Mawlid an
Nabi (Islamic)
Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam
Fast of
Esther (Jewish)
Commemorates the fast of Queen Esther in order to save the Jewish people of
ancient Persia
March 10
Purim
(Jewish)
Commemorates the rescue of the Jewish people in ancient Persia
March 11
Magha Puja
Day (Buddhist)
Commemorates the day Buddha recited the Fundamental Teaching to his disciples
Holi
(Hindu)
Spring festival
Hola
Mohalla (Sikh)
Commemorates valor and defense preparedness
March 17
St.
Patrick's Day (Catholic Christian)
Honors the patron saint of Ireland
March 20
Ostara
(Pagan)
Observance of the vernal equinox; celebration of spring
March 21
Naw-Ruz
(Baha'i)*
Observance of the vernal equinox, symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal
March 25
Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian)
Honors the announcement of Mary's pregnancy with Jesus
April 2009
April 1
Asian
Pacific American Heritage Month begins
Month-long celebration of Asian and Pacific American culture and heritage;
ends April 30
April 3
Ramayana
begins (Hindu)
Celebrates the epic text the Ramayana
Ramanavami
(Hindu)
Celebration of Rama's birth
April 5
Palm
Sunday (Christian)
Marks the day Jesus entered Jerusalem
April 9
Maunday
Thursday (Christian)
Commemorates the Last Supper
Hanuman
Jayanti (Hindu)
Celebration honoring the birth of Khalsa
Pesach
(Jewish)*
Passover; commemorates the exodus of the people from ancient Egypt; ends
April 17
Theravadin
Buddhist New Year (Buddhist)
Three-day celebration honoring the New Year
April 10
Good
Friday (Christian)
Honors the day of Jesus' crucifixion
April 12
Easter
(Christian)
Celebrates the Resurrection of Christ
April 13
Vaisakhi
(Hindu)
Solar New Year
April 14
Baisakhi
(Sikh)
Celebration honoring the birth of Khalsa
April 17
Holy
Friday (Orthodox Christian)
Marks the day of Jesus' crucifixion
April 18
Holy
Saturday (Orthodox Christian)
Solemn vigil honoring Jesus’ death before his resurrection
April 19
Easter
(Orthodox Christian)
Celebrates the resurrection of Christ
April 21
First Day
of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Celebrates the Prophet Baha'u'llah; ends May 2
Yom
HaSho'ah (Jewish)*
Holocaust Remembrance Day
April 22
Earth Day
April 23
Administrative Professionals Day
April 30
St. James
the Great Day (Orthodox Christian)
Recognizes the martyrdom of the Apostle James the Great
May 2009
May 1
Beltane
(Pagan)
May Day; celebration of the beginning of summer
May 5
Cinco de
Maio (Latino)
Celebrates the Mexican victory over France
May 7
National
Day of Prayer (Interfaith)
A day designated in the United States in which all, regardless of faith, are
asked to come together in prayer
May 9
Buddha
Day—Visahka Puja (Buddhist)
Festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha
May 10
Mother's Day
May 12
Lag B'Omer
(Jewish)*
The 33rd day of counting the Omer, honors the end of an epidemic
May 16
Armed
Forces Day
Recognizes servicemen and women
May 21
Ascension
of Christ (Christian)
Departure of Jesus from Earth after the resurrection
May 23
Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
Recognition of Ali Muhammad's declaration that he is the anticipated "Coming
One" of all religions
May 25
Memorial
Day
Honors members of the Armed Services who were killed in war
May 29
Ascension
of Baha'u'llah (Bahai)
Commemorates the death of Baha'u'llah, the Promised One
Shavout
(Jewish)*
Celebration of Moses' descent from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments
May 31
Pentecost
(Christian and Orthodox Christian)
Observation of the day when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples as tongues
of fire and rushing wind
June 2009
June 11
Corpus
Christi (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of the Eucharist
June 14
Flag Day
All Saints
(Orthodox Christian)
Marks the close of the Easter season; honors the deaths of all martyrs
June 16
Guru Arjan
Dev Martyrdom (Sikh)
Time of remembrance for those who have suffered for their faith
June 19
New Church
Day (Swedenborgian Christian)
Annual commemoration of the vision document, "The True Religion" by Emanuel
Swedenborg
Sacred
Heart of Jesus (Catholic Christian)
Celebrates Christ's all-encompassing love for humanity
June 21
Father's Day
Litha-Midsummer
(Pagan)
Summer solstice; celebration of the sun and summer
First
Nations Day (Canadian Native People)
Traditionally sacred time marking the summer solstice and the coming of new
growth
June 28
Feast Day
of Saint Peter and Paul (Catholic Christian)
Remembrance of the suffering of the Apostles Peter and Paul
July 2009
July 4
Independence Day
July 7
Asalha
Puja Day (Buddhist)
Celebration honoring the day Buddha delivered his first sermon and the
Buddhist religion was formally established
July 9
Martyrdom
of the Bab (Baha'i)
Observation in honor of the execution of Baha'i founder Ali Muhammad
July 11
St.
Benedict Day (Catholic Christian)
Recognition of the father of the Benedictine Order, the first in Western
monastic tradition
July 19
Lailat al
Miraj (Islamic)
Festival honoring the night journey and ascent of the Prophet Muhammad
July 24
Pioneer
Day (Mormon Christian)
Observation of the arrival of the first settlers at Great Salt Lake
July 30
Tisha B'av
(Jewish)*
A day of mourning to commemorate the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish
people
August 2009
August 1
Lammas
(Catholic Christian)
First fruits celebration
Fast in
honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (Orthodox Christian)
14-day fasting period in preparation for the celebration of the Great Feast
of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Lughnasad
(Pagan)
Celebration of the first harvest
August 5
Raksha
Bandhan (Hindu)
Honors the loving ties between brothers and sisters
Lailat al
Bara'ah (Islamic)
Night of Forgiveness
August 6
Transfiguration of the Lord (Christian)
Commemorates the experience on Mount Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance
becomes different
August 14
Krishna
Jayanti (Hindu)
Celebrates the birth of the god Krishna
August 15
Assumption
of Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates the day Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken directly to heaven
August 22
Ramadan
begins (Islamic)
Commemoration of Muhammad's reception of the divine revelation recorded in
the Qur'an; the holiest period of the Islamic year, ends September 20
August 29
Beheading
of St. John the Baptist (Christian)
Remembrance of St. John's death
September 2009
September 1
Religious
year begins (Orthodox Christian)
The start of the Ecclesiastical year
September 7
Labor Day
September 8
Nativity
of Virgin Mary (Christian)
Celebrates the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus
September 11
Patriot
Day
Honors those who lost their lives in the U.S. terrorist attacks of 2001
September 13
Grandparent's Day
September
14
Elevation
of the Life-Giving Cross (Orthodox Christian)
Veneration of the cross
Holy Cross
Day (Christian)
Recognition of the cross on which Jesus was crucified
September 16
Lailat ul
Qadr (Islamic)
Night of destiny; first revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad
September 19
Rosh
Hashanah (Jewish)*
Celebration of the New Year
Navaratri
begins (Hindu)
Celebration honoring the goddess Durga; ends September 27
September 20
Eid al
Fitr (Islamic)*
Fast marking the close of Ramadan
September 22
Mabon
(Pagan)
Feast day celebrating the fall equinox
September 28
Yom Kippur
(Jewish)*
Day of Atonement; holiest day of the year
September 29
Saint
Michael and All Angels (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of angels as companions
October 2009
October 3
Sukkot
(Jewish)*
A pilgrimage and harvest festival; commemorates the exodus from Egypt
October 4
St.
Francis Day (Catholic Christian)
Recognition of the saint's service to people and appreciation of the natural
world
October 10
Semini
Atzeret (Jewish)*
The Eighth Day of Assembly, culminates the celebration of renewal and
thanksgiving
October 11
Simchat
Torah (Jewish)*
Rejoicing of the Law
October 12
Columbus Day
Commemorates the
discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus
October 16
National Boss' Day
October 17
Diwali
(Hindu, Sikh)
Festival of lights; lunar new year
October 20
Birth of
the Bab (Baha'i)
Celebrates the birth of Baha'I founder Mirza Ali-Muhammad
Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth (Sikh)
Remembrance of the installation of the holy books as Guru Granth Sahib
October 24
United
Nation's Day
Commemorates the creation of the United Nation's charter and its peacekeeping
efforts
October 25
Mother-In-Law Day
Reformation Day (Protestant Christian)
Commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his "Ninety-five Theses" on the door
of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany
October 28
Milvian
Bridge Day (Christian)
Day of solemn reflection on the relationship of the spiritual community and
the powers of civil government
October 31
All
Hallows Eve (Catholic Christian)
Celebration before the feast of All Saints when the spirit and living world
become more intertwined
Samhain
(Pagan)
Pagan New Year; festival honoring the dead
November 2008
November 1
All
Saints' Day (Christian)
Celebrates all the saints
November 2
All Souls'
Day (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates the faithful departed
Birthday
of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (Sikh)
Celebration of the First Nanak; the founder of Sikhism
November 3
Election Day
November 11
Veteran's
Day
Commemorates the signing of the Armistice ending World War I; honors all who
have served in American wars
November 12
Birth of
Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
Celebrates the birth of the Baha'i messiah
November 15
Nativity
Fast begins (Orthodox Christian)
Marks the beginning of the 40-day vegetarian fast in preparation for the
Feast of the Nativity; ends December 24
November 22
Christ the
King (Christian)
Celebration of the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities
November 24
Martyrdom
of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikh)
Commemorates the execution of Tegh Bahadur
November 26
Thanksgiving Day
Day of the
Covenant (Baha'i)
Celebration of the covenant given in the last will and testament of
Baha'u'llah
November 28
Ascension
of Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i)
Celebrates the rising of the spirit of Abdul-Baha to the heavenly dwelling
November 29
Advent
begins (Christian)
Time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus; continues every Sunday
until December 24
December 2009
December 7
Pearl
Harbor Remembrance Day
Honors soldiers and citizens who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor
attack
December 8
Bodhi Day
(Buddhism)
Celebrates the date when Prince Gautama sat under the Bodhi tree, vowing to
remain there until he attained supreme enlightenment
Immaculate
Conception of Mary (Catholic Christian)
Honors the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin
all of her life
December 12
Hanukkah
begins (Jewish) *
Festival of lights and rededication; continues through December 19
December 18
Al-Hijra
(Islam)
The first day of the Muslim year; commemorates the migration of Muhammad and
his followers from Mecca to Medina
December 21
Yule
(Pagan)
Winter Solstice; celebration of the rebirth of the sun
December 24
Christmas
Eve (Christian)
A celebration the night before the commemoration of the birth of Jesus
December 25
Christmas
(Christian)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus
Feast of
the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus
December 26
Kwanzaa
begins (African American)
Seven day celebration of family, heritage and harvest, ends January 1
Saint
Stephen's Day (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates Saint Stephens the first Christian martyr
December 27
Holy
Family (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of the family of Jesus
December 28
Holy
Innocents (Anglican Christian)
Commemorates the slaughter of male infants in Bethlehem during Herod the
Great's attempt to kill the infant Jesus
December 31
New Year's Eve
Helpful Links