Religious Observances Calendar
The following calendar is taken from the听.听Jewish & Islamic holy days and observances begin at sundown.
January
Jan. 1, 2026
Interfaith USA: New Year鈥檚 Day
Roman Catholic:听Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
A celebration of the holiness of Mary as the chosen bearer of Jesus.
Orthodox Christian:听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鈥檚 Day.
Jan. 3, 2026
Buddhist:听Mahayana New Year
Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.
Jan. 5, 2026
Sikh:听Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab
Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs鈥� 10th master and teacher.
Jan. 6, 2026
Christian:听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:听Christmas
Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
Jan. 14, 2026
Hindu:听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:听Imbolc*
Celebrates the beginning of spring and the goddess Brigid.
Christian:听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:听Parinirvana
Marks the death of Buddha and his attainment of final Nirvana.
Hindu:听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听symbolizes renewal, family reunion, and luck, ending with the Lantern Festival on March 3.
Feb. 18, 2026
Christian:听Ash Wednesday
Marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
Feb. 19, 2026
Islamic:听Ramadan begins*
A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.
March
March 4, 2026
Hindu:听Holi
The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring. This is one of the most known听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:听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鈥檌: Naw-Ruz*
The Baha鈥檌 New Year, celebrated with joy and festivities.
March 21, 2026
Islamic:听Eid al-Fitr*
Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with a feast and prayers. On one of the most important听Islamic holy days.
March 26, 2026
Islam: Laylat al-Qadr
The "Night of Power," is听the holiest night in Islam, commemorating when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
March 29, 2026
Christian: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday听commemorates Jesus鈥檚 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:听Mahavir Jayanti
Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
April
April 2, 2026
Jehovah鈥檚 Witnesses:听The Memorial of Jesus鈥� Death
Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
April 2, 2026
Christian: Maundy Thursday
The holy day commemorating the听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听commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
April 5, 2026
Christian:听Easter
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April 14, 2026
Sikh, Hindu:听Vaisakhi
Marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest.
May
May 1, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听Beltane*
Celebrates the peak of spring and the coming of summer.
Buddhist:听Vesak
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
May 5, 2026
Jewish:听Lag BaOmer*
A festive day marking the end of a plague during Rabbi Akiva鈥檚 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:听Buddha鈥檚 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:听Eid-al-Adha*
Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
May 29, 2026
Baha鈥檌:听Ascension of Baha鈥檜鈥檒lah*
Commemorates the passing of Baha鈥檜鈥檒lah, the founder of the Baha鈥檌 Faith.
June
June 4, 2026
Islam: Eid al-Ghadeer
A Shia festival听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:听Feast of Corpus Christi
Celebrates the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
June 16, 2026
Islamic:听New Year*
Marks the new Islamic lunar calendar year.
June 21, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听Litha*
Marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.
July
July 10,2026
Baha鈥檌:听Martyrdom of the Bab*
Commemorates the execution of the Baha鈥檌 co-founder.
July 23, 2026
Jewish: Tisha B鈥橝v
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:听Pioneer Day
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.
August
Aug. 1, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听Lughnasadh*
Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
Aug. 9, 2025
Pagan and Wiccan:听Lughnasadh*
Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
Aug. 15, 2026
Roman Catholic:听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:听Nayrouz
Marks the start of the Coptic New Year.
Sept. 12-13, 2026
Jewish:听Rosh Hashanah*
The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal.
Sept. 14, 2026
Hindu:听Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh.
Sept. 21, 2026
Jewish:听Yom Kippur*
The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance. This is one of the most important听Jewish high holy days.
Sept. 23, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听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:听Durga Puja
Celebrates the goddess Durga鈥檚 victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasur
Oct. 31, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听Samhain*
Celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
November
Nov. 1, 2026
Christian:听All Saints鈥� Day
Honors all saints, known and unknown.
Nov. 2, 2026
Christian:听All Souls鈥� Day
Commemorates all the faithful departed.
Nov. 8, 2026
Hindu:听Diwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
Nov. 10, 2026
Baha鈥檌:听Birthday of the Bab*
Celebrates the birth of the Baha鈥檌 co-founder.
Nov. 24, 2026
Sikh:听Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib
Honors the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru.
Nov. 29, 2026
Christian:听Advent
Marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas.
December
Dec. 4, 2026
Eastern Orthodox Christian:听The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple.
Dec. 5-12, 2026
Jewish:听Hanukkah*
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple.
Dec. 6, 2026
Christian:听Saint Nicholas Day
Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
Dec. 8, 2026
Buddhist:听Bodhi Day
Commemorates the enlightenment of Buddha.
Dec. 21, 2026
Pagan and Wiccan:听Yule*
Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun.
Dec. 25, 2026
Christian:听Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.