ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿

Mawlid an Nabi is a day celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic faith. It begins at sundown on Aug. 25 and ends at sundown on Aug. 26.

Janmashtami is a major Hindu holiday that celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, a beloved Hindu god, part of whose story is told in Bhagavad Gita. It is marked by fasting, prayer, and celebratory events. It is celebrated on Sept. 4.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Paryushana is a major Jain festival season of either eight or ten days, depending on the specific sect of Jainism (Swetmbara or Digambara). Paryushana means “abiding” or “coming together” and is a season of study, reflection, meditation, and fasting from some foods. Observances may involve an annual ritual of forgiveness. This year, it begins on Sept. 8 and ends on Sept. 15.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish new year, is traditionally celebrated with attending synagogue, personal reflection, and eating apples dipped in honey to evoke a sweet new year. This major holiday begins at sundown on Sept.11 and ends at sundown on Sept. 13. Work is restricted through this entire holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, focuses on repenting for one's personal sins and is the most important holiday of their faith for many Jewish people. Jewish people traditionally observe Yom Kippur with fasting, attending synagogue, resting, and atonement. It begins at sundown on Sept. 20 and ends at sundown on Sept. 21. Work is restricted through this entire holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Sometimes called the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot is a seven-day Jewish holiday of thanks for the fall harvest which involves building and spending time in a sukkah. It begins on the evening of Friday, Sept. 25 and ends the evening of Friday, Oct. 2. Work is restricted on the first two days (evening of Sept. 25 through the evening of Sept. 27) and the last two days (evening of Sept. 30 through the evening of Oct. 2).

Tag(s): WORK

Immediately following the seven-day Jewish festival of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret features a prayer for rain and involves festive meals, which may happen in the sukkah. It begins at sundown on Oct. 2 and ends at sundown on Oct. 4. Work is restricted for this entire holiday.

Tag(s): WORK

On Simchat Torah, Jews celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as a pillar on which to build life. It involves festive meals, beginning at sundown on Oct. 3 and ending at sundown on Oct. 4. Work is restricted for this entire holiday.

Tag(s): WORK

Sharad Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the Hindu god Durga and her nine forms. Following the abundance of the harvest season, themes of this extended holiday are inner grounding and spiritual discipline.Some participants may fast from particular foods and attend gatherings that include prayers, dances, rituals and feasts; some may focus on the first day of the festival.

Dussehra (Hindu) – Dussehra is a major Hindu festival that marks the end of Sharad Navratri and celebrates the victory of good over evil. Celebrations may include celebrations with music and dance, fireworks or bonfires, and gatherings in temples and homes.

Tag(s): MAJOR

All Saints’ Day is honored by many Western Christians, in gratitude for saints who have gone before. The Catholic tradition focuses on canonized saints; Protestant traditions honor a broader definition of sainthood. It is celebrated on Nov. 1.

Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday associated with All Saints’ Day, celebrated by praying for and remembering departed friends and family members. Nov. 1 and 2 are the days of the traditional holiday, though celebrations sometimes begin on the evening of Oct. 31.

In Hinduism, Diwali is the festival of lights, which typically lasts five days and symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. This major holiday is celebrated with lights, prayer, feasts, and gatherings. In Jainism, practitioners celebrate the last teaching of Mahavira in 527 BCE by meditating on his teachings and offering penance, which may include fasting.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Also known as “The Celebration of Freedom,” Bandi Chorr Divas commemorates the 1619 release of Sikh Guru Sri Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 imprisoned kings from Gwalior Fort. Sikh communities celebrate this major holiday with hymns and prayers, lights or fireworks, visiting a gurdwara, and spending time with family.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira’s attainment of moksha (liberation). It is celebrated with prayer, reflection, reciting hymns, and renewing spiritual intentions.

Some Agnostics and Atheists celebrate Carl Sagan’s birthday by honoring his teachings, as a Professor of Astronomy and Space Science, the Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. It is celebrated on Nov. 9.

Occurring annually on Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

This Sikh holiday commemorates the birth of the founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated on Nov. 24 by reading scripture at a gurdwara, singing hymns, spiritual reflection, and a langar, which is a Sikh meal for the community.

On the Day of the Covenant, Baha’is remember the appointment of Abdu’l-Baha as the center of Baha’u’llah’s covenant. They celebrate the unity of their faith and the basic unity of all faiths. It is celebrated on Nov. 25.

This day begins the traditional season of fasting from certain foods for Eastern Orthodox Christians, in preparation for the Nativity of Christ. The season ends on Dec. 24 in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity on Dec. 25.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Channukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century A.D. It is often celebrated with the lighting of menorah candles, as well as traditional foods, games, and gifts. This holiday begins at sundown on Dec. 4 and ends at sundown on Dec. 12.

This Sikh holiday honors the 1675 martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who defended religious freedom and human dignity. It is celebrated on Dec. 14 by reading scripture at a gurdwara, singing hymns, spiritual reflection, and a langar, which is a Sikh meal for the community.

Known as Yalda Night or Chelleh Night, this Iranian or Zoroastrian festival marks the winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year. Participants celebrate by uniting with friends and family to eat, drink, and read poetry. It is celebrated on Dec. 21.

Yule is the Wiccan and Neo-pagan celebration of the winter solstice, celebrating the sun’s rebirth. It is celebrated on Dec. 21.

Many Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on this day, which is known as Christmas Day or the Feast of the Nativity. It is celebrated on Dec. 25, with some commemorations beginning on the evening of Dec. 24. Though technically work is not prohibited, the cultural expectation in the United States is that no work should be required on this major holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Newton’s Day honors Sir Isaac Newton’s birthday, when some Agnostics and Atheists celebrate how science and reason are gifts to humanity. It is celebrated on Dec. 25.

An African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community, and culture, Kwanzaa is a secular observance with some religious participation. Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates one of the Nguzo Saba, or the seven life principle in the language, Kiswahili. They are honored with candle-lighting each day of the season: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Symbols include crops. Kwanzaa ends on Jan. 1.

Watch Night or Freedom’s Eve is celebrated in many African American or Black Christian Churches. It celebrates and commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation (enacted Jan. 1, 1863) which freed American slaves during the American Civil War. Watch night worship services are now annual New Year’s Eve traditions, recalling faith, freedom, strength, and community. It is celebrated on the evening of Dec. 31.

This constellation of holidays commemorates the visit of the three magi to worship Jesus Christ. The details of how this holy day is honored vary among Christian traditions and cultures, but may include special worship services, baptisms, house blessings, gift-giving, and feasts.

Some Eastern Orthodox Christians (like Slavic Orthodox) who follow the Julian calendar commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Jan. 7, which is known Christmas Day or the Feast of the Nativity. Though technically work is not prohibited, the cultural expectation in the United States is that no work should be required on this major holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Today, the Sikh community celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Gurpurab, the tenth Sikh Guru, who played a key role in shaping Sikh identity. The festival honors his wisdom, military leadership and courage by reading scripture at a gurdwara, singing hymns and preparing a langar, which is a Sikh meal for the broader community.

Some Eastern Orthodox Christians (like Slavic Orthodox) who follow the Julian calendar commemorate the visit of the three magi to worship Jesus Christ on this day. Celebrations may include special worship services, baptisms, house blessings, gift-giving, and feasts.

Imbolc is a pagan sabbat that honors a spirit of renewal and new beginnings. It is also honored by some Christians in the British Isles, who know the day as St. Brigid’s Day. There are various ways of observing the day, including lighting of candles or bonfires, visiting a well, gathering with family or friends, and/or making a St. Brigid’s cross out of fresh green reeds.

The Lunar New Year summarizes a collection of important East Asian holidays, in which families gather to clean and decorate homes, honor their ancestors and elders, and prepare special foods. Communities celebrate with fireworks, lion or dragon dances, and festivals. In China, the new year begins a 15-day festival that culminates with the Lantern Festival, which this year will be on Feb. 21. Though work is not prohibited, participants are encouraged to rest from work for celebrations.

Ramadan is one of the most important Muslim holiday seasons, commemorating the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohamed. To focus on faith through fasting and prayer, many Muslims fast from both food and drink between sunrise and sunset, honor halal food guidelines when they break the fast with the Iftar meal, and spend more time reading the Qur’an and praying, either alone or at a mosque. Depending on the moon sighting, Ramadan is expected to end at sundown on March 8 or 9.

Tag(s): FASTING

 On International Darwin Day, people who are atheist or agnostic celebrate the birthday of Charles Darwin by creatively honoring or cultivating virtues like intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking and hunger for truth. It is celebrated on Feb. 12.

On Maha Shivaratri the “Great Night of Shiva,” Hindus celebrate Lord Shiva as they remember the night of his wedding to consort Parvarti. On the preceding day, participants might fast and keep a prayer vigil at night. The day of the festival is honored with worship services, feasts, fairs, and giving gifts to gurus.

The evening of March 9 or 10 likely marks the end of Eid al-Fitr, though the date is subject to the sight of the moon and is clarified closer to the time. On Eid al-Fitr, Muslims gather to celebrate this major festival of breaking the Ramadan fast by praying to Allah, sharing presents and feasting with friends and relatives. Work is restricted.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Eastern Orthodox Christians begin observing 7 weeks of Great Lent on March 16, in preparation for the Holy Feast of Pascha that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection on May 2. Great Lent is observed with fasting and prayer.

On March 19, some Christians like Roman Catholics honor the faithfulness of St. Joseph with special worship services.

On March 20, Ostara celebrates the Spring Equinox. It is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess, Eostre. Ostara rituals and gatherings focus on fertility, rebirth and renewal. It is celebrated on March 20.

Rooted in Zoroastrianism, Naw Rúz is the New Year celebration for Bahá'ís and Iranians, including a feast with traditional and symbolic foods and giving gifts. It begins at sundown on March 20 and ends at sundown on March 21. For some, Naw Rúz marks the end of 19 days of fasting. 

On March 22, Hindus celebrate Holi, which is known as the Festival of Colors, Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love. This major holiday marks the arrival of spring, the divine love of Radha Krishna, and the victory of good over evil with a celebration of color and maybe attendance at their temple. ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ usually has its own celebration of Holi on April 18, the Sunday of Carnival weekend.

Tag(s): MAJOR

On March 25, some Christians, including Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, honor the Annunciation, or the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she was pregnant with Jesus. These feasts are observed with special worship services.

The Thursday before Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, the washing of feet, and the beginning of Triduum (or the three days). The day is honored with special worship services.

Western Christians (Catholics and Protestants) celebrate Easter Sunday and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Many Christians celebrate Easter with special church services and music. This year, Western Christians celebrate  on March 28. Though technically work is not prohibited, the cultural expectation in the United States is that no work is required on this major holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Occurring annually on March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate the lives, strength, and contributions of transgender and non-binary people.

Theravada Buddhists celebrate the new year with traditions that focus on water, understanding that it cleanses the negativity of the previous year. It’s also a time for giving to charity as a way of growing in enlightenment.

Vaisakhi marks the birth of the Sikh faith and Khalsa, which occurred during the traditional harvest festival in Punjab. Celebrations of this major festival day may include visits to gurdwaras, special decorations, and singing hymns. For Hindus, this festival is also called Lohri, Pongal, Sankranthi, Gudi Padwa and Varsh Pratipada. Celebrations of this festival day may include visits to gurdwaras, special decorations, and singing hymns.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. To honor this day, Hindus clean and decorate their houses with fruits and flowers. They put an image of Rama as a baby in a cradle, and at midday, they remove the cover of the cradle and feed a special food (called Prasad) to him. This year, it is celebrated on April 15.

The Jain Community celebrates Mahavir Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Mahavir, who taught non-violence, peace, and harmony. Jains honor this day with special decorations depicting Lord Mahavir, charitable acts, and prayers in Jain temples. This year, it is celebrated on April 19.

This evening begins the 12-day Baha’i festival of Ridván, which translates from Arabic to mean “paradise.” Baha’is observe the first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days of the festival with community gatherings and are encouraged to rest from work. The festival ends at sundown on May 2.

This evening starts the first day of Passover (or Pesach, in Hebrew), which is celebrated in remembrance of the Israelites being freed from slavery in ancient Egypt. Beginning at sundown, rituals include telling the story, fasting from leavened bread, and participating in family seder meals. Many Jews keep kosher food restrictions during this festival that lasts through April 29. Work is restricted on the first two (April 21 sundown to April 23 sundown) and last two days (April 27 sundown to April 29 sundown) of Passover.

Tag(s): WORK

For Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Friday before Holy Pascha commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Observances of this major holiday may include prayer, fasting, confession, and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs (often red) in preparation for Holy Pascha. Holy Friday is celebrated on April 30.

Tag(s): MAJOR

Beltane, which means “bright fire” in Gaelic, is celebrated on May 1 and represents the beginning of summer in early Celtic traditions. Current Wiccan and Pagan traditions honor Beltane by holding ceremonies that honor fertility, creativity, and rebirth, and fires are lit.

Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on Holy Pascha, the date for which is usually different from Western Christian traditions.Holy Pascha is celebrated on Sunday, May 2, with a special and long church service, music, and festive meals. Though technically work is not prohibited, the cultural expectation in the United States is that no work should be required on this major holiday.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

Yom HaShoah is the “Day of (remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism,” which is honored in Israel and around the world. Some Jewish synagogues hold commemorative services or community programs that feature presentations from or about survivors. It begins at sundown on May 3 and ends at sundown on May 4.

Some Christians, including Roman Catholics, honor the ascension of Jesus into heaven with special worship services.

Yawm Arafah is a Islamic day when participants are encouraged to fast from both food and drink from sunrise to sunset and pray for God’s mercy. These practices are in preparation for the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which begins at sundown on May 16. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is the largest of the main Islamic holidays, honoring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience. While some cultures celebrate a longer duration, the international holiday begins on the evening of May 16 and ends at sundown on May 17. Work is restricted on Eid al-Adha.

Tag(s): MAJOR / FASTING / WORK

Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is the largest of the main Islamic holidays, honoring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of obedience. While some cultures celebrate a shorter duration, the holiday begins on the evening of May 16 and at the latest ends at sunset on May 17. Work is restricted on Eid al-Adha.

Tag(s): MAJOR / WORK

On this day, Baha’is celebrate the day that Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, received a revelation. Followers are encouraged to rest from work. It begins at sundown on May 23 and ends at sundown on May 24.

Also called Shaheedi Diwas, the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji honors the death of the fifth Sikh Guru in 1606, as he sought to defend religious freedom against forced conversions. It is celebrated on June 19 by reading scripture at a gurdwara, singing hymns, spiritual reflection, and a langar, which is a Sikh meal for the community.