ReligionCompare

Religious Holidays Calendar, 2026 and 2027

Major religious holidays and observances across 10 traditions. Every date is checked against a named calendar authority, linked on each entry. Filter by tradition, browse by month, or subscribe so the dates appear in your own calendar.

Jewish, Islamic and Bahá’í days begin at sunset, so those holidays start on the evening before the date shown. In many communities, Islamic dates depend on sighting the thin crescent moon that appears just after the new moon, so they can differ by a day or so.

Updated September 30, 2026: correctionReport a problem with this page
Jump to the full calendar

Add these dates to your calendar

Subscribe once and your calendar app keeps the dates up to date, including next year's when they are added. Choose every tradition or just one.

Google CalendarApple Calendar

Feed address: https://www.religioncompare.com/calendar/all.ics

Step by step for Google, Apple and Outlook

Google Calendar (in a web browser on a computer): open Google Calendar and, on the left next to "Other calendars", click "Add other calendars", then "From URL". Paste the feed address and click "Add calendar". The calendar then shows on the left under "Other calendars". You can't subscribe from the Google Calendar app for Android, iPhone or iPad.

Apple Calendar (Mac): click the Apple Calendar button (the address is filled in for you) and click Subscribe, or in Calendar choose File, then "New Calendar Subscription", paste the feed address and click Subscribe. Then set Location to iCloud if you want the calendar on all your devices set up with iCloud, choose how often to update it from the Auto-refresh menu, and click OK.

iPhone or iPad: tap the Apple Calendar button, or open the Calendar app, tap Calendars, tap Add Calendar, then Add Subscription Calendar. Paste the feed address and tap Find (on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 the button is Subscribe).

Outlook.com: in Calendar select "Add calendar", then "Subscribe from web", paste the feed address and select Import. With a work or school account in Outlook on the web, the last button is "Import and Save". Microsoft says updates to a subscribed calendar can sometimes take more than 24 hours to appear.

Holiday calendar

110 observances shown

Ōshōgatsu (New Year)

Shinto

Japan's most important holiday. Shinto shrines welcome millions of visitors for hatsumōde (first shrine visit).

New Year is customarily observed January 1 to 3, 2026, and celebrations sometimes last the whole week. Only January 1 is a national public holiday.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

Sikhism

Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and founder of the Khalsa.

This date follows the original 2003 Nanakshahi calendar. The SGPC in Amritsar uses a lunar date, which skips 2026: December 27, 2025, then January 15, 2027.

Epiphany

Christianity

Commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus and, in some traditions, the baptism of Jesus.

In the US, the Catholic Church moves it to Sunday, January 4, 2026. Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar keep Theophany on January 19, 2026.

Orthodox Christmas

Christianity

Christmas as kept by Orthodox churches that follow the Julian calendar, which currently places the feast on January 7 in the everyday (Gregorian) calendar.

Russian, Serbian, Georgian and other Julian-calendar churches keep January 7, starting with services on the evening of January 6. Greek, Romanian and most other Orthodox churches keep December 25.

Lohri

Sikhism

Punjabi winter harvest festival celebrated with bonfires, singing, and dancing.

The main celebration is a bonfire on the night of January 13, 2026, the eve of Maghi on January 14, 2026.

Makar Sankranti / Pongal

Hinduism

Harvest festival marking the sun's transit into Capricorn. Celebrated with bonfires, sweets, and kite flying.

Isra and Mi'raj

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascension to heaven.

Some countries marked it a day later, on January 17, 2026.

Setsubun

Shinto

Bean-throwing festival marking the beginning of spring. Rituals ward off evil spirits.

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism

The "Great Night of Shiva", a major festival honoring Lord Shiva with fasting, prayer, and all-night vigils.

The festival's night worship falls in the night of February 15 into February 16, 2026.

Ash Wednesday

Christianity

Marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penitence before Easter.

Eastern Orthodox Great Lent begins instead on Clean Monday, February 23, 2026.

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhist New Year celebration with prayer flags, rituals, and feasting.

Local traditions celebrate Losar for different lengths of time, but the first three days are considered very important.

Ramadan Begins

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The beginning of the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims worldwide.

Communities that rely on local moon sighting began a day later, on February 19, 2026.

Purim

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot as told in the Book of Esther.

Jerusalem and other cities walled in Joshua's time keep Shushan Purim one day later, on March 4, 2026.

Holi

Hinduism

The Festival of Colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

The date shown is the day of colors. Holika Dahan, the bonfire, is the evening before, March 3, 2026.

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The holiest night of the Islamic year, marking the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.

Usually the 27th night of Ramadan, but also sought on other odd nights of the last ten days. Where Ramadan began on February 19, 2026, it falls one night later.

Eid al-Fitr

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The "Festival of Breaking the Fast," celebrating the end of Ramadan with prayers, feasting, and charity.

Celebrations often continue for up to three days. A few countries marked it on March 19 or March 21, 2026.

Naw-Rúz (Bahá'í New Year)

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

The Bahá'í New Year, coinciding with the spring equinox, ending the 19-day fast.

The date is the same worldwide. In some years Naw-Rúz falls on March 20 instead of March 21.

Nowruz

Zoroastrianism

The Zoroastrian New Year at the spring equinox, the oldest continuously celebrated holiday on earth.

Shahenshahi and Kadmi Parsis keep it as Jamshedi Navroz on the same day. The Parsi New Year is separate: August 15, 2026 (Shahenshahi) and July 16, 2026 (Kadmi).

Khordad Sal

Zoroastrianism

Celebrates the birth of Zoroaster (Zarathustra), the prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism.

This is the Fasli calendar date. The Shahenshahi calendar gives August 20, 2026 and the Kadmi calendar July 21, 2026.

Ram Navami

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu.

ISKCON temples observe it one day later, on March 27, 2026.

Palm Sunday

Christianity

Celebrates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week.

Eastern Orthodox churches keep Palm Sunday on April 5, 2026.

Mahavir Jayanti

Jainism

Celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara and founder of Jainism as a historical religion.

Passover (Pesach)

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Celebrated with the Seder meal and unleavened bread (matzah).

Dates shown are the eight-day schedule kept outside Israel. In Israel, Passover lasts seven days and ends on April 8, 2026.

Good Friday

Christianity

Observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A day of mourning and fasting.

Eastern Orthodox churches keep Great and Holy Friday on April 10, 2026.

Easter Sunday

Christianity

Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The most important Christian feast.

This is the Western date. Eastern Orthodox churches keep Pascha one week later, on April 12, 2026.

Orthodox Easter (Pascha)

Christianity

Easter as kept by Eastern Orthodox churches, which date it by the Julian calendar, so it often falls one or more weeks after Western Easter.

Western Easter is one week earlier, on April 5, 2026. The Paschal service begins around midnight at the end of Holy Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Vaisakhi

Sikhism

Celebrates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and the spring harvest.

Festival of Ridván

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

The holiest Bahá'í festival, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission in the Garden of Ridván.

The first day (April 21, 2026), ninth day (April 29, 2026) and twelfth day (May 2, 2026) are holy days on which work is suspended.

Ascension Day

Christianity

Commemorates Jesus's ascension to heaven 40 days after Easter.

In the US, Catholics outside the Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha and Philadelphia church provinces keep it on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Eastern Orthodox Ascension is May 21, 2026.

Shavuot

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the wheat harvest. Also known as the Feast of Weeks.

Dates shown are the two-day schedule kept outside Israel. In Israel, Shavuot is one day only, May 22, 2026.

Pentecost

Christianity

Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, often called the "birthday of the Church."

Eastern Orthodox Pentecost is May 31, 2026.

Eid al-Adha

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. Coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage.

The festival continues through May 30, 2026.

Vesak (Buddha Day)

Buddhism

The most important Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.

May 2026 has two full moons, so countries differ. Sri Lanka planned May 30, 2026, and East Asian traditions mark the Buddha's birthday on May 24, 2026.

Islamic New Year (1 Muharram)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year.

Some countries marked it on June 15 or June 17, 2026.

Ashura

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The 10th of Muharram. Observed as a day of fasting by Sunnis and as a day of mourning for Husayn by Shias.

In Iran, where Muharram began a day later, Ashura was observed on June 26, 2026, as it was in several other countries.

Asalha Puja (Dharma Day)

Buddhism

Marks the Buddha's first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath, setting the "wheel of dharma" in motion.

This is Thailand's date, about a month later than usual because of an extra lunar month; other countries may differ. Tibetan Buddhists mark the first teaching on July 18, 2026.

Vassa (Rains Retreat Begins)

Buddhism

The three-month monsoon retreat period for Theravada Buddhist monks, devoted to intensive meditation and study.

This is Thailand's date, late this year because of an extra lunar month; other countries may differ. The three-month retreat ends on October 26, 2026.

Assumption of Mary

Christianity

Catholic and Orthodox feast celebrating the taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Orthodox churches keep the same feast, the Dormition of the Theotokos, on August 15 of their own church calendar.

Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad with prayers, gatherings, and charitable acts.

This is the Sunni date, which some countries marked on August 26, 2026. Shia Muslims observe 17 Rabi al-Awwal, August 30, 2026.

Krishna Janmashtami

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Smarta and ISKCON communities keep the same day this year. Dahi Handi follows on September 5, 2026.

Paryushana

Jainism

The most important Jain festival, an 8-day period of fasting, prayer, and forgiveness.

These are the Shvetambara dates, ending with Samvatsari on September 15, 2026. Digambara Jains keep Das Lakshana Parva from September 16 to September 25, 2026.

Rosh Hashanah

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Jewish New Year. A time of introspection, repentance, and the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn).

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and new beginnings.

The date shown is the first day. The festival continues until Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan on September 25, 2026.

Yom Kippur

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism. A 25-hour fast devoted to prayer and repentance.

Sukkot

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness.

Covers the seven days of Sukkot only. Shemini Atzeret (October 3, 2026) and Simchat Torah follow and are not included.

Navaratri

Hinduism

Nine nights of worship dedicated to the goddess Durga, culminating in Dussehra (Vijayadashami).

Some calendars place Maha Navami, the final day, on October 20, 2026 rather than October 19. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is October 20, 2026, or October 21 in Bengal.

Kathina

Buddhism

Lay Buddhists offer new robes and supplies to monastics at the end of Vassa.

This is a season, not one day. Each monastery holds its robe offering on a day of its choosing within the window, which may differ outside Thailand.

Diwali

Hinduism

The Festival of Lights, the most widely celebrated Hindu festival, honoring the triumph of light over darkness.

The date shown is Lakshmi Puja, the main day. In New Delhi, Chhoti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) falls on the same day, and Dhanteras is November 6, 2026.

Diwali (Jain observance)

Jainism

Marks the nirvana (final liberation) of Mahavira. Celebrated with lights, prayers, and reflections on nonviolence.

Hindu Diwali and India's national Diwali holiday fall one day earlier, on November 8, 2026. The new year in the Jain calendar begins the next day, November 10, 2026.

Birth of the Báb

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birth of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh.

The date moves each year. The Twin Holy Birthdays fall on the first and second days after the eighth new moon following Naw-Rúz.

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the second of the Twin Holy Birthdays, observed the day after the Birth of the Báb.

Shichi-Go-San

Shinto

Festival for children aged 3, 5, and 7, who visit Shinto shrines to pray for health and growth.

It is not a national holiday. Many families visit shrines on the days off around November 15, and in 2026 that date is itself a Sunday.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab

Sikhism

Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, processions, and langar.

Kept on a lunar date, Kattak Puranmashi (the full moon of the month of Kartik).

Hanukkah

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of oil lasting eight days.

Christmas

Christianity

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The second most important Christian feast after Easter.

Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Ōshōgatsu (New Year)

Shinto

Japan's most important holiday. Shinto shrines welcome millions of visitors for hatsumōde (first shrine visit).

New Year is customarily observed January 1 to 3, 2027, a time for visiting a shrine or temple (hatsumōde). Only January 1 is a national public holiday.

Isra and Mi'raj

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascension to heaven.

Many countries may mark it a day later, on January 6, 2027, depending on when each begins the month of Rajab.

Epiphany

Christianity

Commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus and, in some traditions, the baptism of Jesus.

In the US, the Catholic Church moves it to Sunday, January 3, 2027. Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar keep Theophany on January 19, 2027.

Orthodox Christmas

Christianity

Christmas as kept by Orthodox churches that follow the Julian calendar, which currently places the feast on January 7 in the everyday (Gregorian) calendar.

Russian, Serbian, Georgian and other Julian-calendar churches keep January 7, starting with services on the evening of January 6. Greek, Romanian and most other Orthodox churches keep December 25.

Lohri

Sikhism

Punjabi winter harvest festival celebrated with bonfires, singing, and dancing.

Lohri is traditionally held on the last day of the month of Poh, which the SGPC calendar puts on January 13, 2027. One almanac gives January 14, 2027 instead.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

Sikhism

Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and founder of the Khalsa.

This is the date on the SGPC calendar. Under the original 2003 Nanakshahi calendar it would fall on January 5, 2027.

Makar Sankranti / Pongal

Hinduism

Harvest festival marking the sun's transit into Capricorn. Celebrated with bonfires, sweets, and kite flying.

Pongal falls on January 15, 2027, but some calendars, including some in North India, keep Makar Sankranti a day earlier, on January 14, 2027.

Setsubun

Shinto

Bean-throwing festival marking the beginning of spring. Rituals ward off evil spirits.

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhist New Year celebration with prayer flags, rituals, and feasting.

This date comes from an unofficial listing and calendar calculations. It has not yet been confirmed by an official Tibetan almanac or announcement.

Ramadan Begins

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The beginning of the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims worldwide.

A few countries are projected to begin a day later, on February 9, 2027.

Ash Wednesday

Christianity

Marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penitence before Easter.

Eastern Orthodox Great Lent begins instead on Clean Monday, March 15, 2027.

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The holiest night of the Islamic year, marking the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.

Usually the 27th night of Ramadan, but many Muslims also seek it on the other odd nights of the last ten days.

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism

The "Great Night of Shiva", a major festival honoring Lord Shiva with fasting, prayer, and all-night vigils.

The festival's night worship falls in the night of March 6 into March 7, 2027.

Eid al-Fitr

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The "Festival of Breaking the Fast," celebrating the end of Ramadan with prayers, feasting, and charity.

The date shown assumes Ramadan lasts 29 days. Most countries are projected to celebrate a day later, on March 10, 2027.

Naw-Rúz (Bahá'í New Year)

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

The Bahá'í New Year, coinciding with the spring equinox, ending the 19-day fast.

Nowruz

Zoroastrianism

The Zoroastrian New Year at the spring equinox, the oldest continuously celebrated holiday on earth.

The Parsi New Year is a separate observance, on August 15, 2027 for Shahenshahi Parsis and, by calculation, July 16, 2027 for Kadmi Parsis.

Palm Sunday

Christianity

Celebrates Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week.

Eastern Orthodox churches keep Palm Sunday on April 25, 2027.

Holi

Hinduism

The Festival of Colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Depending on region and local calendar, the day of colors may be March 22 or March 23, 2027. The Holika Dahan bonfire is the evening before.

Purim

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot as told in the Book of Esther.

Jerusalem and other cities walled in Joshua's time keep Shushan Purim one day later, on March 24, 2027.

Good Friday

Christianity

Observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A day of mourning and fasting.

Eastern Orthodox churches keep Great and Holy Friday on April 30, 2027.

Khordad Sal

Zoroastrianism

Celebrates the birth of Zoroaster (Zarathustra), the prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism.

This is the Fasli calendar date. The Shahenshahi calendar gives August 20, 2027 and the Kadmi calendar July 21, 2027; neither is officially confirmed yet.

Easter Sunday

Christianity

Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The most important Christian feast.

This is the Western date. Eastern Orthodox churches keep Pascha five weeks later, on May 2, 2027.

Vaisakhi

Sikhism

Celebrates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and the spring harvest.

Ram Navami

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu.

Mahavir Jayanti

Jainism

Celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara and founder of Jainism as a historical religion.

This is India's national holiday date. Some Jains, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, may observe it a day earlier, on April 18, 2027.

Festival of Ridván

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

The holiest Bahá'í festival, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission in the Garden of Ridván.

The first day (April 21, 2027), ninth day (April 29, 2027) and twelfth day (May 2, 2027) are holy days on which work is suspended.

Passover (Pesach)

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Celebrated with the Seder meal and unleavened bread (matzah).

Dates shown are the eight-day schedule kept outside Israel. In Israel, Passover lasts seven days and ends on April 28, 2027.

Orthodox Easter (Pascha)

Christianity

Easter as kept by Eastern Orthodox churches, which date it by the Julian calendar, so it often falls one or more weeks after Western Easter.

Western Easter is five weeks earlier, on March 28, 2027. The Paschal service begins around midnight at the end of Holy Saturday, May 1, 2027.

Ascension Day

Christianity

Commemorates Jesus's ascension to heaven 40 days after Easter.

In the US, Catholics outside the Boston, Hartford, New York, Omaha and Philadelphia church provinces keep it on Sunday, May 9, 2027. Eastern Orthodox Ascension is June 10, 2027.

Eid al-Adha

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. Coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage.

Most countries are projected to celebrate a day later, on May 17, 2027. The date shown follows Saudi Arabia, which will confirm the final date in May 2027.

Pentecost

Christianity

Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, often called the "birthday of the Church."

Eastern Orthodox Pentecost is June 20, 2027.

Vesak (Buddha Day)

Buddhism

The most important Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.

East Asian traditions mark the Buddha's birthday on May 13, 2027. The Tibetan Saga Dawa Duchen may fall a month later, on June 18, 2027.

Islamic New Year (1 Muharram)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year.

Egypt is projected to mark it a day later, on June 7, 2027.

Shavuot

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

Marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the wheat harvest. Also known as the Feast of Weeks.

Dates shown are the two-day schedule kept outside Israel. In Israel, Shavuot is one day only, June 11, 2027.

Ashura

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

The 10th of Muharram. Observed as a day of fasting by Sunnis and as a day of mourning for Husayn by Shias.

Some countries are projected to mark it a day later, on June 16, 2027, as may Shia communities wherever Muharram starts a day later.

Asalha Puja (Dharma Day)

Buddhism

Marks the Buddha's first sermon at Deer Park in Sarnath, setting the "wheel of dharma" in motion.

This is Thailand's date. Tibetan Buddhists may mark the first teaching on August 6, 2027.

Vassa (Rains Retreat Begins)

Buddhism

The three-month monsoon retreat period for Theravada Buddhist monks, devoted to intensive meditation and study.

This is Thailand's date. The three-month retreat ends on October 15, 2027.

Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday)

Islam begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad with prayers, gatherings, and charitable acts.

This is the Sunni date; many countries may mark it a day later, on August 15, 2027. Shia Muslims observe 17 Rabi al-Awwal, August 19, 2027.

Assumption of Mary

Christianity

Catholic and Orthodox feast celebrating the taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Orthodox churches keep the same feast, the Dormition of the Theotokos, on August 15 of their own church calendar.

Krishna Janmashtami

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

ISKCON temples keep the same day. Dahi Handi follows on August 26, 2027.

Paryushana

Jainism

The most important Jain festival, an 8-day period of fasting, prayer, and forgiveness.

These are the Shvetambara dates, ending with Samvatsari on September 4, 2027. Digambara Jains keep their own observance, Das Lakshana Parva, whose 2027 dates are not yet confirmed.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hinduism

Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and new beginnings.

The date shown is the first day. The festival continues until Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan on September 14, 2027.

Navaratri

Hinduism

Nine nights of worship dedicated to the goddess Durga, culminating in Dussehra (Vijayadashami).

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) follows on October 9, 2027. Bengal observes it on October 10, 2027.

Rosh Hashanah

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Jewish New Year. A time of introspection, repentance, and the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn).

Yom Kippur

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism. A 25-hour fast devoted to prayer and repentance.

Kathina

Buddhism

Lay Buddhists offer new robes and supplies to monastics at the end of Vassa.

This is a season, not one day. Each temple holds its robe offering on one day within the window, which some calendars may end on November 14, 2027.

Sukkot

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness.

Covers the seven days of Sukkot only. Shemini Atzeret (October 23, 2027) and Simchat Torah follow and are not included.

Diwali

Hinduism

The Festival of Lights, the most widely celebrated Hindu festival, honoring the triumph of light over darkness.

The date shown is Lakshmi Puja, the main day. Dhanteras is October 27, Chhoti Diwali (Tamil Deepavali) October 28, and Bhai Dooj October 31, 2027.

Diwali (Jain observance)

Jainism

Marks the nirvana (final liberation) of Mahavira. Celebrated with lights, prayers, and reflections on nonviolence.

Hindu Diwali and India's national holiday also fall on October 29, 2027. The Jain date is estimated from the new moon until a 2027 Jain calendar confirms it.

Birth of the Báb

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birth of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh.

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá'í begins at sunset the evening before

Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the second of the Twin Holy Birthdays, observed the day after the Birth of the Báb.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab

Sikhism

Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, processions, and langar.

Under 2017 resolutions, followers of the Mool Nanakshahi calendar mark Guru Nanak's birth on April 14 each year instead.

Shichi-Go-San

Shinto

Festival for children aged 3, 5, and 7, who visit Shinto shrines to pray for health and growth.

It is not a national holiday, and November 15, 2027 is a Monday, so many families visit shrines on the days off around that date instead.

Christmas

Christianity

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The second most important Christian feast after Easter.

Orthodox churches on the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Hanukkah

Judaism begins at sunset the evening before

The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of oil lasting eight days.

Why do some dates move?

The everyday Gregorian calendar follows the sun [1]. Many religious calendars also follow the moon: the Jewish and Hindu calendars are lunisolar, and the Muslim calendar is lunar [2]. Some holidays, such as Christmas, are fixed to a set date in the Gregorian calendar [2]. Many Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 [3]. Eastern Orthodox churches that still use the Julian calendar for church observances celebrate it on December 25 of that calendar, which corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar [3].

Twelve lunar months add up to only about 354 days, so Islamic dates come about 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar [4]. The calendar adds no leap months, so its months drift through the seasons [5]. Some communities go by local sightings of the thin crescent moon that appears just after the new moon [4][6], so dates such as the start of Ramadan can differ by a day or so [6].

In the Jewish calendar, the average lunar year of about 354 days is shorter than the solar year, so a 30-day leap month called First Adar is added seven times in every 19 years to keep major festivals in their proper seasons [7]. Each festival keeps a fixed place in the Jewish month [7].

The traditional Hindu calendar is based on 12 lunar months, and it adds extra months or days to narrow the gap with the solar year [8]. Its basic unit is the lunar day, or tithi; each day takes the tithi in force at dawn [9]. The dates of most major festivals follow the Hindu months and shift each year against the Gregorian calendar; a few, such as Makar Sankranti, follow the solar calendar [8]. Some regions of India end each month on the new moon day, others on the full moon day [8].

Western churches keep Easter on the first Sunday after the first church full moon on or after March 21, their fixed spring equinox date [10]. That full moon comes from tables and only roughly matches the real one, and Western Easter falls between March 22 and April 25 [10]. Many Eastern Orthodox churches use older tables based on the Julian calendar [10], so Orthodox Easter usually comes later than Western Easter [11].

In the Jewish, Islamic and Bahá’í calendars, each day begins at sunset [4][9][12]. A Bahá’í holy day, for example, begins at sunset on the evening before its Gregorian date [12].

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "How is the Jewish calendar different from the Gregorian calendar?" https://www.britannica.com/question/How-is-the-Jewish-calendar-different-from-the-Gregorian-calendar
  2. Britannica Kids (Students edition), "Calendar" https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/calendar/273455
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Christmas" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas
  4. Islamic Networks Group (ING), "Calendar of Important Islamic Dates" https://ing.org/resources/for-all-groups/calendar-of-important-islamic-dates/
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Islamic calendar" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islamic-calendar
  6. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Ramadan" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan
  7. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Jewish religious year" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jewish-religious-year
  8. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Hindu calendar" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hindu-calendar
  9. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Calendar" (Scholars edition, sections "The Jewish calendar" and "The Hindu calendar") https://kids.britannica.com/scholars/article/calendar/106114
  10. U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department, "The Date of Easter" https://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/easter
  11. Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Easter" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday
  12. The Bahá’í Faith (official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community), "The Bahá’í Calendar" https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/calendar

Where the dates come from

Each date is taken from the calendar authority named on its entry. Where authorities or communities disagree, the entry says so and gives both dates. Descriptions of what each holiday is draw mainly on Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Jewish holiday dates from Hebcal.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0.