Calendar of Annual Religious Special Days and Festivals

Guru Gobind Singh's Gurpurab/Prakesh (birthday)

Sikhism. The tenth Guru.

Christmas Day

Christianity (Orthodox, Rastafarian).
Historically developed from: Q4 Solstice (Yuletide)

Makar Sankranti / Lohri / Pongal

Hinduism. Dispute resolution and almsgiving. The eating of pancakes, rice sugar, halva and chapattis around a fire. Held on the 15th on Leap Years.

Shinran Memorial Day

Buddhism (Pure Land Buddhism). For the anniversary of the death of Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), who founded Buddhist Jodo Shin-shu (Shin Buddhism).

World Religion Day

Created by the Bahais to celebrate positive factors common to common religions.

International Day of Protest Against Hereditary Religion

A secularist campaign to highlight the injustice and unfairness of parents raising children up as religious, before they have had a chance to fairly compare religions and pick one in accordance with their own free will.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Judaism in the UK. Remembrance for those who suffered persecution and genocide under the Nazis.

Jashn-E Sadeh

Zoroastrianism in Iran. Mid-winter bonfire festival to celebrate the days lengthening.

Imbolc / Candlemas

Paganism. A Gaelic spring festival, held halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox.

Lailat Ul Isra Wa-l-miraj (Propher's Night Journey and Ascent)

Islam. On the 27th day of 7th month of Islamic calendar (Rajab).

First day of Lent / Ash Wednesday

Christianity (Western churches). The first day of lent, enacted as Ash Wednesday in Catholic and some Anglican churches.

St Valentine's Day

Parinirvana (Nirvana Day)

Buddhism. For the passing of Gautama Buddha. Observed by some on the 8th.

Yuan Xiao Jie / Teng Chieh / Lantern Festival

Chinese religion. The first full moon of the year, in the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

Lailat Ul Barah'ah (Night of Forgiveness)

Islam. On 15th day of month of Shaban The seeking of forgiveness and fixing of destiny for the next year. Prayers and maybe fasting, and visiting the graves of relatives. Maybe fireworks.

Hinamatsuri / Girl's Day

Shinto. Prayers for the Emperor and Empress to carry away illnesses affecting girls.

Fravardigan

Zoroastrianism. Occurs ten days before No Ruz. Festival and prayer day for guardian spirits of ancestors.

Ramadan

Islam. The 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The month in the Islamic Calendar when Mohammad received the first verses from the Qur'an.

Hola Mahalla (New Year)

Sikhism. Martial skills and poetry.

Higan (Autumn) and Shuubun No Hi / Haru-No-Higan

Shinto in Japan. On both the spring and autumn equinoxes. For the autumn equinox; given to harmony and balance. Shuubun No Hi is a 7-day period centered on the equinox, based on an older Buddhist week of celebration called Haru-No-Higan.
Historically developed from: Q3 Equinox (Autumnal)

Jamshedi Noruz

Zoroastrianism. On New Years' day, on the spring equinox. Celebrates victory of life and light over darkness. Clothes, gifts, prayers and dancing.

Q1 Equinox (Vernal)

Paganism. On March 20st or 21st, marking spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Dedicated to eostre, ancient anglo-saxon goddess of fertility.

Holy Week

Christianity (Western Churches). Marking the week of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Khordad Sal (Zarathustra's Birthday)

Zoroastrianism. The birthday of Prophet Zarathustra.

Easter Day

Christianity (Western churches). For the resurrection of Jesus.

Eid Ul Fitre (End of Fast Feast)

Islam. Ramadan ends on the sighting of the new moon. A feast.

Vaisakhi / Baisakhi

Sikhism. Marks the founding of the Order of Khalsa by Gobind Sing.

Guru Nanak Dev's Gurpurab/Prakesh (birthday)

Sikhism. Born in 1469 CE. The first guru.

Ridvan

Bahá'í Faith.

Zaratosht No Diso

Zoroastrianism. Date can vary due to balancing between the solar Hijri calendar of Iran and the Fasli calendar. The death of prophet Zoroaster.

Pesach (Passover)

Judaism. Marking the exodus from slavery in Egypt, with the Seder meal.

Beltane

Paganism.

Easter Day (Julian)

Christianity (Orthodox & Rastafarian). For the resurrection of Jesus.

Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Day)

Judaism. A day of remembrance for those countless many who suffered and died by the hands during the Nazi holocaust.

Chhota Ghallughara

Sikhism. Remembering the genocide of Sikhs in 1746.

Whit Sunday

Christianity (Western churches). 49th day after Easter.

Pentecost

Christianity (Western Churches). 50th day after Easter.

Vesakha Puja / Wesak / Buddha Day

Buddhism in Malaysia (Theravada). Buddhism's primary calendar event. For the birth, life and death of the Buddha (Mahayan Buddhists have separate days for these).

Zaratosht No Diso

Zoroastrianism. Date can vary due to balancing between the solar Hijri calendar of Iran and the Fasli calendar. The death of prophet Zoroaster.

Bab Declaration Day

Bahá'í Faith. The herald of the Baha'u'llah.

The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'í Faith. The death of Baha'u'llah.

Duan Wujie / Tuan Yang Chieh (Dragon Boat Festival)

Chinese religion.

Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)

Judaism. Occurs seven weeks after Pesach. Early harvest festival. For the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Ascension Day

Christianity (Orthodox churches). 40th day after Easter.

The Hajj

Islam. The pilgrimage to Makka

Yaum Arafah (Day of Arafat)

Islam. For the final revelation to Muhammad.

Eid Ul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

Islam. For Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.

Q2 Solstice (Litha)

Paganism. The Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year) in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice in the Southern.

World Humanist Day

Humanism. A celebration of the positive values of Humanism.

Eid Ul Ghadir

Islam (Shi'a). A festival for the date that Muhammad appointed his cousin-and-son-in-law, Ali, to be his successor. However, the muslim community instead voted-in Abu Bakr, causing an enduring rift in Islam (i.e., Sunni and Shi'a).

Maidyoshahem (of Hordad)

Zoroastrianism. The third day (Jishan-e-Tiragan) is the most important. The seasonal festival of Hordad, the Holy Immortal, who created water and represents health and completeness. Possibly originally a midsummer festival, but inaccurate calendars has meant the date has strayed.

Fravardigan

Zoroastrianism. Occurs ten days before No Ruz. Festival and prayer day for guardian spirits of ancestors.

No Ruz / Navroze

Zoroastrianism. New Years' day on the Shenshai Calendar.

Ashura

Islam (Sunni). A minor feast.

Khordad Sal (Zarathustra's Birthday)

Zoroastrianism. The birthday of Prophet Zarathustra.

Haile Selassie's Birthday

Rastafarian. Nyahbinghi (drumming), hymns and prayers.

Lammas / Lughnasdh

Wicca. A harvest festival and reflection on the mysteries of nature.

Fravardigan

Zoroastrianism. Occurs ten days before No Ruz. Festival and prayer day for guardian spirits of ancestors.

Transfiguration of Jesus

Christianity. Jesus clothes became dazzling white and his face changed, and he talks to spirits of Moses and Elijah.

Qixi Jie / Ch'I Hou Chieh (Herd Boy and Weaving Maid Festival)

Chinese religion. On the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.

Tisha B'Av

Judaism.

No Ruz

Zoroastrianism.

Zong Qui Jie / Chung Ch'Iu (Festival of Hungry Ghosts)

Buddhism in China. Spirits are given paper objects to aid those without descendants, to find Nirvana.

Raksha Bandhan (Tying Protection)

Hinduism in India (North India). Girls and married women don an amulet on their brothers' right wrists, to protect them.

Khordad Sal (Zarathustra's Birthday)

Zoroastrianism. The birthday of Prophet Zarathustra.

Janmashtami / Krishna Jayanti

Hinduism. The birthday of Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu. Fasting, or fruit and milk.

Paryushana / Paryushan Parva

Jainism (Svetambara Jainism). 8 days of purification and fasting, then confession and forgiveness, ending with Samvatsari.

Granth Sahib Prakesh

Sikhism. The annual date recollecting the very first time the Granth Sahib opening ceremony occurred, at the Golden Temple (Amritsar) in 1604.

Samvatsari (Forgiveness Day)

Jainism (Svetambara Jainism). A Festival of Forgiveness for one's own selfish actions (including unknowningly).

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hinduism. For the birthday of Ganesh (aka Ganupati), the god of luck and rebirth.

Daslakshana / Das Lakshan Parva

Jainism (Digambara Jainism). Celebraation of the 10 cardinal values (dharmas) - forgiveness, humility, straight forwardness, contentment, truth, sensual restraint, austerity, charity, non-possessiveness, and celibacy.

Zhong Qiu Jie / Chung Ch'Iu (Rabbit in the Moon festival)

Chinese religion. A mid-autumn festival - the moon's birthday; famed for its consumption of moon cake.

Kshamavani (Forgiveness Day)

Jainism (Digambara Jainism). A Festival of Forgiveness for one's own selfish actions (including unknowningly).

Angad Dev becomes the 2nd guru

Sikhism.

Higan (Spring) and Shuubun No Hi / Haru-No-Higan

Shinto in Japan. On both the spring and autumn equinoxes. About harmony and balance & visiting graves of relatives. Shuubun No Hi is a 7-day period centered on the equinox, based on an older Buddhist week of celebration called Haru-No-Higan.
Historically developed from: Q1 Equinox (Vernal)

Jashn-E Mehergan / Mihr Jashan

Zoroastrianism. Dedicated to Meher, or Mithra, symbols of the sun, and of justice.

Q3 Equinox (Autumnal)

Paganism (119). Often on September 22nd or 23rd, marking autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Days and Nights are equal in length, with nights now getting longer. Celebration of old age.

Confucius' Birthday

Confucianism.

Gandhi Jayanti

Hinduism. For the birthday of Mahatma Gandi who bears much responsibility for creating India.

Navaratri / Durga Puja / Vijaya Dashamipuja

Hinduism. Navaratri means '9 nights' and is for Rama's victory of Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka, followed by Vijaya Dashami celebration. In many places, goddess Durga is worshipped on the 8th day.

Rosh Hashannah

Judaism. New Years' day. For self-examination and memory of Abraham attempting to sacrifice his son.

Chong Yang Jie

Chinese religion. For climbing hills and high places, flying kites, and visiting family graves.

Yom Kippur

Judaism. Follows from 10 days of repentance; the most important Jewish date in a year.

Kathina

Buddhism (Theravada). Occurs on first day of the waning moon of the eleventh month. People give donations to monks, especially new clothes / robes; and for giving money ('alms') to the poor.

Sokkot

Judaism. Similar in style to the sabbath, but lasting a week instead of just Saturday.

The Granth Sahib Holy Book Becomes the 11th and Final Guru

Sikhism. The holy scriptures themselves became the final Guru in 1708 and the line of human Gurus ended.

Birth of the Bab (until 2014)

Bahá'í Faith. This was observed on the 20th of Oct each year until 2014, after which it was changed to the 8th new moon after each Bahai new year. The prophet who foretold the arrival of Baha'u'llah (another prophet).

Maidyoshahem (of Hordad)

Zoroastrianism. The third day (Jishan-e-Tiragan) is the most important. The seasonal festival of Hordad, the Holy Immortal, who created water and represents health and completeness. Possibly originally a midsummer festival, but inaccurate calendars has meant the date has strayed.

Shemini Atzeret

Judaism. Seasonal date that marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel marked by candles, festive meals and celebration. The annual reading of the Torah restarts.

Simchat Torah

Judaism. Outside of Israel, occurs a day later. The Torah reading moves from the end of Deuteronomy to the beginning of Genesis.

Divali / Diwali

Hinduism. A seasonal harvest festival and the festival of light. In some Indian states, it starts a day later.

Halloween

The secular celebration of the ancient pagan festival of Samhain.

Samhain

Paganism. For the coming of winter. The turning of the natural cycles continues; this commemorates death and remembers those who are dead.

Divali / Diwali (Mahavira Nirvana - Jainism)

Jainism. A seasonal harvest festival and the festival of light.

Divali / Diwali

Hinduism. A seasonal harvest festival and the festival of light. In some Indian states, it starts a day later.

All Saints' Day

Christianity. For all the Saints that don't have their own day.

Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie I

Rastafarian. Although this occurred in Ethiopia, Rastafarians all over the world celebrate it.

Birth of the Baha'u'llah (since 2015)

Bahá'í Faith. Before 2015, the date was observed in accordance with the Islamic calendar date. The founder of Baha'i.

Guru Nanak Dev's Gurpurab/Prakesh (birthday)

Sikhism. Born in 1469 CE. The first guru.

Maidyoshahem (of Hordad)

Zoroastrianism. The third day (Jishan-e-Tiragan) is the most important. The seasonal festival of Hordad, the Holy Immortal, who created water and represents health and completeness. Possibly originally a midsummer festival, but inaccurate calendars has meant the date has strayed.

Gobind Singh becomes the 10th guru

Sikhism.

Day of the Covenant

Bahá'í Faith. For the appointment of ?Abdu'l-Bahá as the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant.

Bodhi Day

Buddhism (Mahayana). Represents the day that Guatama Buddha attained enlightenment.

Advent Sunday

Christianity (Western churches). Four Sundays before Christmas. Candles are lit each Sunday for the end of the period of the sun's weakness.
Historically developed from: Q4 Solstice (Yuletide)

Q4 Solstice (Yuletide)

Paganism. The Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year) in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice in the Southern. Twelve days long, for the twelve zodiacs.

Zaratosht No Diso

Zoroastrianism. Date can vary due to balancing between the solar Hijri calendar of Iran and the Fasli calendar. The death of prophet Zoroaster.

Nativity / Christmas Day

Christianity. Previously celebrated in spring, the birth of Jesus was moved in the 4th century to merge it with popular pagan celebrations on the 25th.

Christmas Day

(Western churches). Multicultural celebration with pagan roots, endowed with Christian stories, but mostly observed in a secular and commercialist manner.
Historically developed from: Q4 Solstice (Yuletide)

Hanukah

Judaism. For the day the Maccabee army defeated a Syrian Greek army.