Religious Observances Calendar
The following calendar is taken from the Diversity Resources Interfaith Calendar. Jewish & Islamic holy days and observances begin at sundown.
January
Jan. 1, 2026
Interfaith USA: New Year’s Day
Roman Catholic: Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
A celebration of the holiness of Mary as the chosen bearer of Jesus.
Orthodox Christian: Feast of St. Basil & Holy Name of Jesus
Islam: Wiladat Imam Ali
The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Imam Ali ibn Aboutaleb. Some countries consider this day as Father’s Day.
Jan. 3, 2026
Buddhist: Mahayana New Year
Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.
Jan. 5, 2026
Sikh: Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab
Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs’ 10th master and teacher.
Jan. 6, 2026
Christian: Epiphany
Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.
Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)
End of the 12 days of Christmas; celebrates visit of the three kings to baby Jesus; especially important to Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics.
Jan. 7, 2026
Coptic Orthodox Christian: Christmas
Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
Jan. 14, 2026
Hindu: Pongal
A harvest festival thanking the Sun God for the agricultural abundance.
Sik-Hindu: Maghi
This Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India. The following morning Hindus enjoy this festival which involves ritual baths in rivers and ponds.
February
Feb. 1-2, 2026
Jewish: Tu BiShvat
An ecological "Arbor Day" or "Earth Day," marking the date for calculating the agricultural cycle of trees in Israel.
Feb. 2, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Imbolc*
Celebrates the beginning of spring and the goddess Brigid.
Christian: Candlemas
Commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.
Feb. 2-3, 2026
Islam: Laylat al-Bara'ah
Commonly known as the "Night of Forgiveness" or "Night of Salvation"
Feb. 15, 2026
Buddhist: Parinirvana
Marks the death of Buddha and his attainment of final Nirvana.
Hindu: Maha Shivaratri
A major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva.
Feb. 17, 2026
Chinese: Lunar New Year
Celebrated across East/Southeast Asia and worldwide, this 15-day festival symbolizes renewal, family reunion, and luck, ending with the Lantern Festival on March 3.
Feb. 18, 2026
Christian: Ash Wednesday
Marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
Feb. 19, 2026
Islamic: Ramadan begins*
A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.
March
March 4, 2026
Hindu: Holi
The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring. This is one of the most known Hinduism holy days.
March 3, 2026
Jewish: Purim
A holiday commemorating the deliverance of the Jews of ancient Persia from persecution.
March 4, 2026
Sikh: Hola Mohalla
A Sikh festival featuring martial arts, poetry, and community gatherings.
March 14, 2026
Holi
This is one of the most known Hindu holy days, and it celebrates the arrival of spring and new life. This lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Full Moon Day.
March 21, 2026
Baha’i: Naw-Ruz*
The Baha’i New Year, celebrated with joy and festivities.
March 21, 2026
Islamic: Eid al-Fitr*
Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with a feast and prayers. On one of the most important Islamic holy days.
March 26, 2026
Islam: Laylat al-Qadr
The "Night of Power," is the holiest night in Islam, commemorating when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
March 29, 2026
Christian: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds waving palm branches to honor him as the Messiah, marking the beginning of Holy Week.
March 31, 2026
Jain: Mahavir Jayanti
Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
April
April 2, 2026
Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Memorial of Jesus’ Death
Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
April 2, 2026
Christian: Maundy Thursday
The holy day commemorating the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted Holy Communion and washed his disciples' feet, giving a new commandment to "love one another" before his betrayal.
April 2-9, 2026
Jewish: Passover*
Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
April 3, 2026
Christian: Good Friday
The holy day that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
April 5, 2026
Christian: Easter
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April 14, 2026
Sikh, Hindu: Vaisakhi
Marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest.
May
May 1, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Beltane*
Celebrates the peak of spring and the coming of summer.
Buddhist: Vesak
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
May 5, 2026
Jewish: Lag BaOmer*
A festive day marking the end of a plague during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime.
May 21-23, 2026
Jewish: Shavuot
Celebrates the anniversary of God giving the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
May 24, 2026
Buddhist: Buddha’s Birthday
Celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
Christian: Passover
A major Christian feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, marking the birth of the Church.
May 27, 2026
Islamic: Eid-al-Adha*
Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
May 29, 2026
Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah*
Commemorates the passing of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
June
June 4, 2026
Islam: Eid al-Ghadeer
A Shia festival that celebrates the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, as the Prophet's successor.
June 4, 2026
Roman Catholic: Feast of Corpus Christi
Celebrates the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
June 16, 2026
Islamic: New Year*
Marks the new Islamic lunar calendar year.
June 21, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Litha*
Marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.
July
July 10,2026
Baha’i: Martyrdom of the Bab*
Commemorates the execution of the Baha’i co-founder.
July 23, 2026
Jewish: Tisha B’Av
The saddest day in the Jewish calendar, a day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
July 24, 2026
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Pioneer Day
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.
August
Aug. 1, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Lughnasadh*
Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
Aug. 9, 2025
Pagan and Wiccan: Lughnasadh*
Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
Aug. 15, 2026
Roman Catholic: Feast of the Assumption
Celebrates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
Aug. 25-30, 2026
Islam: Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad(p)/Islamic Unity Week
Honors the birth of the final prophet, focusing on his teachings of peace and compassion and coincides with Islamic Unity Week, promoting solidarity between Sunni and Shia traditions.
September
Sept. 11, 2026
Coptic Orthodox Christian: Nayrouz
Marks the start of the Coptic New Year.
Sept. 12-13, 2026
Jewish: Rosh Hashanah*
The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal.
Sept. 14, 2026
Hindu: Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh.
Sept. 21, 2026
Jewish: Yom Kippur*
The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance. This is one of the most important Jewish high holy days.
Sept. 23, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Mabon*
Celebrates the autumn equinox and the second harvest.
Sept. 25, 2026
Jewish: Sukkot
Weeklong celebration of the autumn harvest; commemorates the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert living in temporary shelters.
October
Oct. 11-20, 2026
Hindu: Durga Puja
Celebrates the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasur
Oct. 31, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Samhain*
Celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
November
Nov. 1, 2026
Christian: All Saints’ Day
Honors all saints, known and unknown.
Nov. 2, 2026
Christian: All Souls’ Day
Commemorates all the faithful departed.
Nov. 8, 2026
Hindu: Diwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
Nov. 10, 2026
Baha’i: Birthday of the Bab*
Celebrates the birth of the Baha’i co-founder.
Nov. 24, 2026
Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib
Honors the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru.
Nov. 29, 2026
Christian: Advent
Marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas.
December
Dec. 4, 2026
Eastern Orthodox Christian: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple.
Dec. 5-12, 2026
Jewish: Hanukkah*
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple.
Dec. 6, 2026
Christian: Saint Nicholas Day
Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
Dec. 8, 2026
Buddhist: Bodhi Day
Commemorates the enlightenment of Buddha.
Dec. 21, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan: Yule*
Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun.
Dec. 25, 2026
Christian: Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.