Holy Days Calendar

Date
2009
 Observance (Religion)
   
August
Sunday
August 2 
Lughnasadh  (Pagan/Wiccan)
Marks the mid-point between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox; the time of harvest and bounty.  It has been adapted in some Christian traditions as the grain harvest of Lamas.
Wednesday, August 5 Lailat al-Bara'ah (Islam)
The evening of this day is one of prayer for forgiveness in preparation for Ramadan.
Thursday, August 6
Feast of the Transfiguration (Christian)
Commemorates a day when the disciples of Jesus saw him transfigured by light and speaking with Moses and Elijah.
Friday,
August 14		 Sri Krishna Jayanti (Hindu)
Also known as Janmashtami, marks the birth of Krishna, sent to vanquish evil in the world.  It is a two-day celebration that includes much singing an dancing.
Saturday,
August 15
 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (Roman Catholic)
A public holiday in predominantly Catholic countries, marks the bodily assumption to heaven of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Monday, August 17
 Paryushana begins (Jain)
A ten-day observance of fasting and prayer, draws attention to the holy texts describing the ten characteristics of holiness to which Jain devotees aspire.  On the tenth day, Jains ask forgiveness for any wrongs committed.  This is the most important festival of the year for Jains.
Saturday, August 22
 Ramadan begins at sundown (Islam)
The holy month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown for thirty days, commemorating the giving of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammed.  Each day ends with a celebratory Iftar, or breaking-of-the-fast.
Sunday,
August 23		 Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
Marks the birth of Ganesh, Lord of power and wisdom.
   
September  
Tuesday, September 8
 Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic Christian)
A celebration of the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Monday, September 14 Holy Cross Day (Christian)
This day recalls the dedication, in the days of Constantine, of the shrine built over the site where the crucifixion of Jesus was believed to have taken place.  It is observed in the liturgical churches as a day of veneration of the cross.
Wednesday,
September 16		 Lailat-al-Qadr begins at sundown (Islam)
Commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Muhammed.  The night is spent in worship.
Saturday,
September 19		 Rosh Hashanah  (Jewish)
Rosh Hashanah is the name given to the new year in the Jewish calendar, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days of the year 5768.  Sweet foods are served, symbolizing the hope for a sweet year ahead.  Some Jews observe one day away from work, others two.
Saturday,
September 19		 First day of Navaratri Dashara  (Hindu)
The nine-night festival of the Goddess in the form of universal mother, honoring Durga, wife of Shiva, and seeking her blessings.  It incorporates Saraswati Puja, dedicated to the goddess of learning.  It closes with Vijaya Dasami, a special puja (offering or act of worship), celebrating the victory of good over evil.
Sunday, September 20 Second day of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
Sunday, September 20 Eid al Fitr (Islam)
Also known as Seker Bayram or Ramazan Bayram, marks the end of Ramadan.
Tuesday, September 22 Mabon (Pagan/Wiccan)
The celebration of the harvest at the time of the autumn equinox, the moment when night and day are equal in length.
Sunday, September 27 Beginning of Banned Books Week (Atheist/Secular)
Banned Books Week is an eight-day celebration of the democratic freedom to express opinions, including those that may be deemed unpopular or unorthodox by others.
Sunday, September 27 Last day of Navaritri (Hindu)
Monday, September 28 Yom Kippur begins (Jewish)
The Jewish day of atonement, a solemn day dedicated to fasting and prayer.
Monday, September 28 Dasera (Hindu)
A holiday marking the end of Navaratri, the nine day celebration in honor of the Goddess, Durga.
Tuesday, September 29 St. Michael and All Angels (Christian)
Commonly known as Michaelmas, is a celebration of all those understood to be messengers of God, visible and invisible.
   
October  
Saturday, October 3
 Sukkot  (Jewish)
Sukkot is the week-long Jewish Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, during which meals are eaten out of doors in a sukkah (tent), in remembrance of the years spent by the people of Israel in the wilderness.  The first two and last two days are times to refrain from work.
Sunday, October 4 Second day of Sukkot (Jewish)
Sunday, October 4
 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Catholic Christian)
St. Francis of Assisi is honored for his connection to nature, and his feast day is often celebrated as a time of giving thanks for animals.
Monday, October 5
 Indigenous Peoples' Day (Interfaith)
Celebrates the survival and traditions of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
Saturday, October 10
 Shemini Atzeret  (Jewish)
The eighth and last day of Sukkot (see September).
Sunday, October 11 Simchat Torah (Jewish)
The day of rejoicing in the Law.  Along with Shemini Atzeret, these two observances conclude the feast of Sukkot, and mark the ending of the year's cycle of readings from the Torah, and the beginning of the new cycle.
Saturday, October 17 Diwali (Hindu)
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, marking the end of the Hindu year.  It is the first of five days of celebration, known as Deepavali.  It is marked by fireworks and festivity.
Saturday, October 17 Mahavira Nirvana (Jain)
The day on which the prophet Mahavira attained Nirvana, on the first day of Diwali, the beginning of the new year.
Saturday, October 17 Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh)
Marks the return of the Sixth Guru after his release from prison on the first day of Diwali.
Tuesday, October 20
 Birth of Bab (Baha'i)
Commemorates the birth of the forerunner to the prophet and founder of the Baha'i faith.
Tuesday, October 20
 Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh)
Marks the passing of the role of guru to the Sikh Scriptures, by the tenth and last guru, Gobind Singh Ji.
Wednesday, October 28
 Birth of Confucius (Confucian)
Observed in all religions emanating from China.
Saturday, October 31 Reformation Day (Protestant Christian)
A celebration of the Reformation, particularly by Lutherans and other reformed church communities.
Saturday, October 31 Samhain (Pagan/Wiccan)
The observance of the mid-point between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, the moment of descent into the depths of winter.  It is the time when souls who have died are bid farewell, and when the veil between physical and spiritual worlds is at its thinnest. It passed into Christian tradition as All Hallows Eve (Halloween).
   
November
Sunday, November 1
 All Saints Day (Christian)
All Saints Day is observed by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants, and celebrates the lives of the saints (individuals honored for their holiness).
Monday, November 2
 All Souls Day (Christian)
Marked in Mexico as the Dia de los Muertos, is a day of remembering and interceding for those who have died.
Monday, November 2 Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (Sikh)
Marks the birth of the First Guru and founder of the Sikh faith in 1469 C.E.
Thursday, November 12
 Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
Marks the birth of the founder of the Baha'i faith.
Tuesday,
November 24
 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikh)
Defender of Sikhism, Hinduism, and of religious liberty, was executed by the Moghul Emperor in India in 1675 C.E.
Wednesday, November 25
Hajj (Islam)
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca is considered to be one of the five pillars of Islam.  Millions of Muslim pilgrims make the journey each year, making it the largest pilgrimage in the world.
Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day (Interfaith, USA)
Thursday, November 26 Waqf al-Arafa (Muslim)
The day during the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) when pilgrims pray for forgiveness and mercy.
Thursday, November 26 Day of Covenant (Baha'i)
The day when Baha'is celebrate 'Abdu'l-Baha as the exemplar of Baha'u'llah's Covenant.
Friday, November 27
Eid al-Adha  (Muslim)
The three day Eid al-Adha commemorates Abraham and his offering of his son, Ishmael, in obedience to Allah.  It is observed as a time of the distribution of meat to the poor.
Saturday,
November 28
 Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i)
Marks the ascension to heaven of the son of Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i faith.
Sunday, November 29
 First Sunday of Advent (Christian)
The season of preparation for the coming of Christ, also the beginning of the Christian liturgical year.  Advent candles are lit in progression each week until the celebration of Christmas begins.
   
December
Sunday, December 6 St. Nicholas Day (Christian)
A children's festival celebrated throughout Europe, commemorating the life of St. Nicholas, particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.
Tuesday,
December 8
 Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic Christian)
Celebrates the conception of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Tuesday,
December 8
 Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
The celebration of the day when Prince Gautama vowed to remain under the bodhi tree until he attained enlightenment.
Saturday,
December 12
 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Roman Catholic)
Celebrates Mary as the patron saint of Mexico, honoring her appearance near Mexico City in 1531, C.E.
Saturday, December 12
 Hanukkah  (Jewish)
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah lasts for eight days, and commemorates the victory of Judah the Maccabee, and the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C.E.  Jews light successive candles on the menorah on each of the eight days.
Friday, December 18 Al-Hijra (Muslim)
The Muslim new year, timed to mark the arrival of Muhammed and his first followers in Medina in 622 C.E.
Monday, December 21
 Yule (Pagan/Wiccan)
Commemorates the rebirth of the sun after the longest night of winter, and also the wintertime birth of God in the form of a King.
Wednesday,
December 23
 HumanLight (Atheist/Humanist/Freethought)
A celebration of the humanist vision for a future in which all people learn to co-exist peacefully and with goodwill toward one another.
Thursday,
December 24
 Christmas Eve (Western Christian)
The eve of Christmas Day
Friday,
December 25
 Christmas Day (Western Christian)
 Observed on December 25 in the West, on January 6 by Armenian Christians, and on January 25 by Orthodox Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  The feast of Christmas lasts for twelve days, from the eve of Christmas Day to the eve of the Epiphany.
Saturday,
December 26
 First day of Kwanzaa (African American/Interfaith)
A week-long celebration of African American life and culture.
Saturday, December 26
 Zarathosht Diso (Zoroastrian)
Marks the death of the prophet Zarathustra.
Sunday, December 27 Ashura (Islam)
Remembers tests endured by prophets and righteous leaders, including Noah and Moses; and the martrydom of Imam Hussein, grandson of Muhammed


2010


January
Friday,
January 1		 Gantan-sai - New Year's  (Shinto)
A new year's festival observed with prayers for inner renewal.
Tuesday,
January 5		 Twelfth Night (Christian)
Also called Epiphany Eve, celebrates the coming of Epiphany, which marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas.
Tuesday,
January 5
 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Sikh)
Marks the birth in 1666 C.E. of the Tenth Guru (the final master) of the Sikh faith.
Wednesday,
January 6
 Epiphany (Christian)
The twelth night of Christmas, marking the visit of the sages to the Christ child.  This date is observed as the birth of Christ in the Armenian tradition.
Wednesday, January 6 Theophany (Orthodox Christian)
The Eastern Orthodox celebration of Christmas.
Wednesday,
January 6		 Nativity of Christ (Armenian Christian)
Armenian Orthodox celebration of Christmas
Thursday, January 7 Nativity of Christ (Orthodox Christian)
Eastern Orthodox celebration of Christmas
Thursday,
January 14
 Maghi (Sikh)
Marks the remembrance of the battle in which 40 Sikhs died for Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Sunday,
Jauary 17		 World Religions Day (Baha'i)
A day to call attention to the harmony of the various religions' spiritual principles and to emphasize that religion is the motivating force for world unity.
Monday, January 18 Beginning of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian)
A week when Christians pray that past divisions and shisms be healed and forgiven.
 Wednesday, January 20
 Vasant Panchami (Hindu)
A celebration dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning.
Saturday, January 30 Mahayana - New Year (Buddhist)
New Year's celebration for Mahayana Buddhists from around the world.
Saturday, January 30
 Tu B'Shevat (Jewish)
A celebration of the coming of spring; a day of environmental awareness, often marked by the planting of trees.
   
February
Tuesday
February 2
 Candlemas (Christian)
The feast of the presentation of Christ to the aged Simeon, who proclaimed him a light to the world.  This day is celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians as the Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple.
Wednesday, February 3 Setsubun Sai (Shinto)
A Japanese festival of good luck celebrated with a bean throwing ceremony.
Friday, February 12 Darwin Day (Atheist/Secular)
The anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species is an international celebration of scientific discovery as a human achievement and as a pointer to the essential unity and equality of all human life.
Friday, February 12
 Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
The festival of Shiva, celebrated as the one whose cosmic dance creates and re-creates the universe.
Sunday, February 14 Chinese New Year (Taoist/Buddhist/Confucian)
Observed as a festival day by Buddhists, Taoists, and all religions of China.
Monday, February 15 Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
Marks the anniversary of the death of the Buddha.
Tuesday, February 16
 Mardi Gras (Christian)
Also known as Shrove Tuesday, preparation for the beginning of Lent, marked in some places by feasting and carnival activities.
Wednesday, February 17
 Ash Wednesday (Christian)
The first day of Lent, the season of 40 days (excluding Sundays) of prayer and self-examination leading to Holy Week.  Ashes are placed on the heads of the faithful as a sign of penitence.
Friday, February 26
 Mawlid an Nabi (Islam)
Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammed in about 570 C.E.
   
March
Monday,
March 1
 Holi (Hindu)
A spring festival celebrating color and joy.
Tuesday,
March 2		 First day of Ala' (Baha'i)
Month of Ala' is a month of fasting and meditation for Baha'is, with no food consumed between the rising of the sun and it's setting.  Months in the Baha'i calendar last for nineteen days so this is sometimes referred to as the Nineteen Days of Fasting.
Saturday, March 20
 Ostara (Pagan/Wiccan)
The festival of the spring equinox, the return of light and celebration of the reawakening of seeds in the belly of the earth.
Sunday,
March 21		 Naw Ruz (Persian New Year)
The Persian new year, celebrated as a festival by people of all faiths of Iranian origin.
Wednesday,
March 24		 Ramanavami (Hindu)
The last day of a week of celebration marking the birth of Rama, hero of the epic poem, Ramayana.
Sunday,
March 28		 Palm Sunday (Christian)
Also known as Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of the Christian Holy Week, leading to Easter.  On this day, Jesus entered Jerusalem and was acclaimed as a king.
Sunday,
March 28		 Khordad Sal (Zoroastrian)
The birthday of the prophet Zarathustra.
Monday,
March 29		 Mahavir Jayanti (Jain)
Marks the birth of Mahavira, founder of the Jain religion, in 540 B.C.E.
Tuesday,
March 30		 Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu)
A celebration commemorating the birth of Hanuman who is revered by Hindus for his strength and devotion.
Tuesday,
March 30		 Passover  (Jewish)
Also known as Pesach, is the eight-day feast commemorating the exodus of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.  The first two and last two days of the festival are observed as holidays from work.
Tuesday,
March 30		 Magha Puja Day (Buddhist)
A time when Southeast Asian Buddhists commemorate the Buddhist sangha (monastic community).
Wednesday, March 31 Second day of Passover (Jewish)
   
April
Friday,
April 3
Sunday,
April 5
Monday,
April 6
 Founding of the Church (Latter-day Saint)
The commemoration of the founding by Joseph Smith in 1830 C.E. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tuesday,
April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday,
April 9		 First day of Passover (Jewish)
Thursday,
April 9		 Holy Thursday (Christian)
Also known as Maundy Thursday, marks Christ's Last Supper, upon which the Eucharist (mass, communion) is based.
Friday,
April 10		 Second day of Passover (Jewish)
Friday,
April 10		 Good Friday (Christian)
Good (Holy) Friday is the day on which the death of Christ is remembered.
Saturday,
April 11		 Holy Saturday (Christian)
A day of vigil culminating in the feast of the resurrection.
Sunday,
April 12		 Easter Sunday (Christian)
The feast of the resurrection of Christ, the most important feast of the church.  Christians commonly gather to celebrate at sunrise.  In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is always timed to follow Passover.
Tuesday,
April 14		 Baisakhi (Sikh)
The harvest festival of North India, the beginning of the solar year.  For Sikhs, it represents the founding of the Khalsa, a Sikh brotherhood.
Tuesday,
April 14		 Seventh day of Passover begins at sundown (Jewish)
Wednesday, April 15 Seventh day of Passover (Jewish)
Thursday,
April 16		 Eighth day of Passover (Jewish)
Friday,
April 17		 Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)
Sunday,
April 19		 Easter/Pascha (Orthodox Christian)
Monday,
April 20		 Yom HaShoah begins at sundown (Jewish)
The remembrance of the Holocaust.
Tuesday,
April 21		 Yom HaShoah (Jewish)
Tuesday,
April 21
 First day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
A twelve-day festival commemorating the declaration of Baha'u'llah in 1863 C.E. that he was God's messenger.  Work ceases on the first, ninth, and twelfth days.
Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day (Interfaith)
A day of reflection and activities focusing on the need for a healthy, sustainable environment.
Wednesday, April 29
 Ninth day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
   
May
Friday,
May 1
 Beltane (Pagan/Wiccan)
The mid-point between the spring equinox and summer solstice, a celebration of the earth's fertility.
Saturday,
May 2		 Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Saturday,
May 9		 Visakha Puja (Buddhist)
Also known as Wesak, marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.  It is the most important day of the calendar for Buddhists.
Thursday,
May 21
 Ascension of Christ (Christian)
The feast of the Ascension of Christ marks the raising of Christ to heaven on the 40th day after Easter.
Saturday,
May 23		 Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i)
Commemorates the declaration in 1844 by Ali Muhammed, forerunner to the founder of the Baha'i faith, that he was the anticipated "coming one."
Thursday,
May 28		 Shavuot begins at sundown (Jewish)
The giving of the Torah (law) to the Jewish people is commemorated.
Friday,
May 29		 First day of Shavuot (Jewish)
Friday,
May 29		 Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)
The commemoration of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah marks the ascension into heaven of the founder of the Baha'i faith.
Saturday,
May 30		 Second day of Shavuot (Jewish)
Sunday,
May 31

Pentecost (Christian)
The 50th day after Easter, and the day upon which the Spirit of God descended upon the first Christians with the appearance of wind and fire.