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.
December 2007
December 2
Advent
begins (Christian)
Time of
preparation for observing the birth of Jesus; Continues every Sunday until
December 24
December 5
Hanukkah begins (Jewish)*
Festival of lights
and rededication; Continues through December 13
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
Virgin
of Guadalupe Feast Day (Latino)
Honors the
legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531
December 16
Posadas
Navidenas begins (Hispanic Christian)
A series of
pre-Christmas festivities; Ends December 25
December 18
Waqf al
Arafa (Islamic)
Islamic observance
day during Hajj when the pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy
December 20
Eid
ul-Adha (Islamic)
Four-day festival
of sacrifice occurring on the last day of the Hajj
December 22
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)
even day
celebration of family, heritage and harvest; Ends January 1
Saint
Stephen’s Day (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates Saint
Stephen, the first Christian martyr
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 30
Holy
Family (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of the
family of Jesus
December 31
New Year’s Eve
January 2008
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
Three
Kings Day—Dia de los Santos Reyes (Latino)
Celebrates the
arrival of the three wise men to the Nativity of Jesus
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 10
First
of Muharram (Islamic)*
The first day of
the Muslim year; commemorates the migration of Muhammad and his followers from
Mecca to Medina
January 12
Vivekananda's Birthday (Hindu)
Celebrates the
birth of Hindu leader Swami Vivekananda
January 13
Maghi (Sikh)January 14
Makara
Sankranti/Pongal (Hindu)
Harvest festival
January 19
Ashura
(Islamic)
Fast day
recognizing the creation, Noah's departure from the ark, and the saving of Moses
from the pharaoh
January 20
World
Religion Day (Baha'i)*
Day dedicated to
the unity and oneness of all world religions
January 21
Martin
Luther King Jr. Day
Observance of the
birthday of the slain U.S. civil rights leader
January 22
Mahayana Buddhist New Year (Buddhist)
Celebration of the
New Year
Tu
B'shvat (Jewish)*
Celebrates the
ripening of the first fruits of the year and the coming of spring
February 2008
February 1
Black
History Month begins
Commemorates the
achievements of African Americans; ends February 28
Imbolc
(Pagan)
Celebrates the
coming of spring and honors the Celtic goddess Brigit
February 2
Candlemas (Catholic Christian)
Presentation of
the infant Jesus in the temple
February 3
Transfiguration Sunday (Christian)
Celebration of the
time when Jesus became "radiant" and began talking with Moses and Elijah in
front of his disciples
Setsubun (Shinto)
A celebration the
day before the beginning of the spring season
February 4
Anniversary of the Constitution (Latino)
Commemorates
Mexico's Constitution
February 5
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 6
Ash
Wednesday (Christian)
The beginning of
Lent, a time of reflection and preparation for Holy Week and Easter
February 7
Chinese
New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
Celebrating and
honoring the New Year in Asian Countries
February 11
Vasant
Panchami (Hindu)
Festival dedicated
to the goddess Saraswati
February 12
Lincoln's Birthday
Commemorates the
16th President on his birthday
February 14
Valentine's Day
February 15
Nirvana
Day (Buddhist)
Observes the death
of Buddha
February 18
President's Day
Celebration of
George Washington's birthday; honors all U.S. presidents
February 24
Flag
Day (Latino)
Honors the Mexican
flag
February 26
First
Day of Ala' (Baha'i)
Also called the
Nineteen Days of Fasting; month of fasting and meditation between sunrise and
sunset; ends March 16
March 2008
March 1
Women's
History Month begins
Commemorates the
achievements of women; ends March 31
March 2
Meatfare Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
Preparation for
the resurrection of Christ; last day to eat meat before the start of Orthodox
Lent
March 6
Maha
Shivaratri (Hindu)
A day of
celebration honoring Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati
March 8
International Women's Day
March 9
Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
Also called
Forgiveness Sunday, a remembrance of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
March 10
Clean
Monday (Orthodox Christian)
Beginning of Great
Lent
March 16
Palm
Sunday (Christian)
Marks the day
Jesus entered Jerusalem
March 17
St.
Patrick's Day (Catholic Christian)
Honors the patron
saint of Ireland
March 20
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
Maunday
Thursday (Christian)
Commemorates the
Last Supper
Ostara
(Pagan)
Observance of the
vernal equinox; celebration of spring
March 21
Magha
Puja Day (Buddhist)
Commemorates the
day Buddha recited the Fundamental Teaching to his disciples
Good
Friday (Christian)
Honors the day of
Jesus' crucifixion
Benito
Juarez' Birthday (Latino)
Honors the famous
Mexican president and national hero
Naw-Ruz
(Baha'i)*
Observance of the
vernal equinox, symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal
Purim
(Jewish)
Commemorates the
rescue of the Jewish people in ancient Persia
March 22
Holi
(Hindu)
Spring festival
Lord's
Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness Christian)
Primary annual
celebration
Hola
Mohalla (Sikh)
Commemorates valor
and defense preparedness
March 23
Easter
(Christian)
Celebrates the
Resurrection of Christ
March 25
Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian)
Honors the
announcement of Mary's pregnancy with Jesus
March 30
Birthday of Caesar Chavez (Latino)
Honors Hispanic
leader who fought for the fair treatment of migrant farm workers and founded the
United Farm Workers of America
April 2008
April 1
Asian
Pacific American Heritage Month begins
Month-long
celebration of Asian and Pacific American culture and heritage; ends April 30
April 6
Ramayana begins (ends April 14) (Hindu)
Celebrates the
epic text the Ramayana
April 13
Baisakhi (Sikh)
Celebration
honoring the birth of Khalsa
April 14
Ramanavami (Hindu)
Celebration of
Rama's birth
Vaisakhi (Hindu)
Solar New Year
April 20
Hanuman
Jayanti (Hindu)
Celebration
honoring the birth of Khalsa
Administrative Professionals Day
Pesach
(Jewish)*
Passover;
commemorates the exodus of the people from ancient Egypt; ends April 27
Theravadin Buddhist New Year (Buddhist)
Three-day
celebration honoring the New Year
Palm
Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
Commemorates the
day Jesus entered Jerusalem
April 21
First
Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Celebrates the
Prophet Baha'u'llah; ends May 2
April 22
Earth
Day
April 25
Holy
Friday (Orthodox Christian)
Marks the day of
Jesus' crucifixion
April 26
Holy
Saturday (Orthodox Christian)
Solemn vigil honoring Jesus’ death before his resurrection
April 27
Easter
(Orthodox Christian)
Celebrates the resurrection of Christ
April 30
St.
James the Great Day (Orthodox Christian)
Recognizes the
martyrdom of the Apostle James the Great
May 2008
May 1
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
Ascension of Christ (Christian)
Departure of Jesus
from Earth after the resurrection
Beltane
(Pagan)
May Day;
celebration of the beginning of summer
May 2
Yom
HaSho'ah (Jewish)*
Holocaust
Remembrance Day
May 5
Cinco
de Maio (Latino)
Celebrates the
Mexican victory over France
May 11
Mother's Day
Pentecost (Christian and Orthodox Christian)
Observation of the
day when the Holy Spirit came to the disciples as tongues of fire and rushing
wind
May 17
Armed
Forces Day
Recognizes
servicemen and women
May 20
Buddha
Day—Visahka Puja (Buddhist)
Festival
celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha
May 23
Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
Recognition of Ali
Muhammad's declaration that he is the anticipated "Coming One" of all religions
Lag
B'Omer (Jewish)*
The 33rd day of
counting the Omer, honors the end of an epidemic
May 26
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
June 2008
June 9
Shavout
(Jewish)*
Celebration of
Moses' descent from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments
June 14
Flag
Day
June 15
Corpus
Christi (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of the
Eucharist
Father's Day
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
Juneteenth (African American)
The oldest
celebration of the ending of slavery in America
June 20
Litha-Midsummer (Pagan)
Summer solstice;
celebration of the sun and summer
June 21
First
Nations Day (Canadian Native People)
Traditionally
sacred time marking the summer solstice and the coming of new growth
June 22
All
Saints (Orthodox Christian)
Marks the close of
the Easter season; honors the deaths of all martyrs
June 23
Sacred
Heart of Jesus (Catholic Christian)
Celebrates
Christ's all-encompassing love for humanity
June 29
Feast
Day of Saint Peter and Paul (Catholic Christian)
Remembrance of the
suffering of the Apostles Peter and Paul
July 2008
July 4
Independence Day
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 13
Obon-Ulambana (Buddhist)
The gates of Hell
are opened on this day; ghosts may visit the world for 15 days
July 18
Asalha
Puja Day (Buddhist)
Celebration
honoring the day Buddha delivered his first sermon and the Buddhist religion was
formally established
Guru
Purnima (Hindu)
Venerates gurus
July 24
Pioneer
Day (Mormon Christian)
Observation of the
arrival of the first settlers at Great Salt Lake
July 31
Lailat
al Miraj (Islamic)
Festival honoring
the night journey and ascent of the Prophet Muhammad
August 2007
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
August 2
Lughnasad (Pagan)
Celebration of the
first harvest
August 6
Transfiguration of the Lord (Christian)
Commemorates the
experience on Mount Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance becomes different
August 10
Tisha
B'av (Jewish)*
A day of mourning
to commemorate the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people
August 15
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates the
day Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken directly to heaven
August 16
Raksha
Bandhan (Hindu)
Honors the loving
ties between brothers and sisters
August 18
Lailat
al Bara'ah (Islamic)
Night of
Forgiveness
August 24
Krishna
Jayanti (Hindu)
Celebrates the
birth of the god Krishna
August 29
Beheading of St. John the Baptist (Christian)
Remembrance of St.
John's death
September 2007
September 1
Religious year begins (Orthodox Christian)
The start of the
Ecclesiastical year
Labor
Day
September 2
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 29
September 3
Ganesha
Chaturthi (Hindu)
Celebration for
the feast of the god Ganesha
September 7
Grandparent's 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 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 15
Hispanic Heritage Month begins
Month-long
celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage, ends October 15
September 22
Mabon
(Pagan)
Feast day
celebrating the fall equinox
September 26
Jummatul Wida (Islamic)
Celebrates the
last Friday of Ramadan
September 27
Lailat
ul Qadr (Islamic)
Night of destiny;
first revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad
September 29
Saint
Michael and All Angels (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of
angels as companions
September 30
Rosh
Hashanah (Jewish)*
Celebration of the
New Year
Navaratri begins (Hindu)
Celebration
honoring three goddesses; ends October 8
October 2008
October 1
Eid al
Fitr (Islamic)*
Fast marking the
close of Ramadan
October 4
St.
Francis Day (Catholic Christian)
Recognition of the
saint's service to people and appreciation of the natural world
October 9
Yom
Kippur (Jewish)*
Day of Atonement;
holiest day of the year
Dasera
(Hindu)
Represents the day
of enlightenment when all desires are destroyed and the knowledge of the self
has dawned in the individual; honors the goddess Durga
October 13
Columbus Day
Commemorates the
discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus
October 14
Sukkot
(Jewish)*
A pilgrimage and
harvest festival; commemorates the exodus from Egypt
October 15
Day of
the Race (Latino)
Celebrates
Columbus' arrival to the Americas and the historical origins of the Mexican race
October 16
National Boss' Day
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 21
Semini
Atzeret (Jewish)*
The Eighth Day of
Assembly, culminates the celebration of renewal and thanksgiving
October 22
Simchat
Torah (Jewish)*
Rejoicing of the
Law
October 24
United
Nation's Day
Commemorates the
creation of the United Nation's charter and its peacekeeping efforts
October 26
Mother-In-Law Day
October 27
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
Diwali
(Hindu, Sikh)
Festival of lights; lunar new year
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
National American Indian Heritage Month begins
Month-long
celebration of American Indian culture and heritage; ends November 30
November 2
All
Souls' Day (Catholic Christian)
Commemorates the
faithful departed
Day of
the Dead (Latino)
Honors Mexico's
dead
November 4
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 13
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (Sikh)
Celebration
of the First Nanak; the founder of Sikhism
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 20
Revolution Anniversary (Latino)
Celebrates the
Mexican Revolution of 1910
November 23
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
Day of
the Covenant (Baha'i)
Celebration of the
covenant given in the last will and testament of Baha'u'llah
November 27
Thanksgiving
November 28
Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i)
Celebrates the
rising of the spirit of Abdul-Baha to the heavenly dwelling
November 30
Advent
begins (Christian)
Time of
preparation for observing the birth of Jesus; continues every Sunday until
December 24
December 2008
December 7
Pearl
Harbor Remembrance
Day
Honors soldiers
and citizens who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack
Waqf al
Araga (Islamic)
Islamic observance
day during Hajj when the pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy
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 9
Eid
ul-Adha (Islamic)
Four day festival
of sacrifice occurring on the last day of the Hajj
December 12
Virgin
of Guadalupe Feast Day (Latino)
Honors the
legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531
December 16
Posadas
Navidenas begins (Latino)
A series of
pre-Christmas festivities; ends December 25
December 21
Hanukkah begins (Jewish) *
Festival of lights
and rededication; continues through December 27
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 28
Holy
Innocents (Anglican Christian)
Commemorates the
slaughter of male infants in Bethlehem during Herod the Great's attempt to kill
the infant Jesus
Holy
Family (Catholic Christian)
Celebration of the
family of Jesus
December 29
Al-Hijra
The first day of
the Muslim year; commemorates the migration of Muhammad and his followers from
Mecca to Medina
December 31
New Year's Eve
Helpful Links