*Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.
March 2024
1 Bahá’í Fast Bahá’í: Abstain from food and drinks between sunrise and sunset
6 Magha Puja Day* Buddhist: Commemoration of the presentation of Buddha to the world
8 Maha Shivaratri* Hindu: Festival in honor of Lord Shiva
11 Ramadan* Islam: Holy month of daily fasting (from dawn to sunset) and nightly prayers (begins at sundown evening prior)
17 St. Patrick’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland
18 Orthodox First Day of Lent Orthodox Christian: Start of the 40-day fast before Pascha (Easter)
19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus
19 Ostara Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Celebration for the return of life after the cold of winter
19 Naw Ruz Bahá’í: New Year
21 Ta’anit Esther Jewish: Fast of Esther: Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)
24 Purim Jewish: Holiday marking deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot against Jewish people in ancient Persia as related in Book of Esther (begins at sundown evening prior).
24 Orthodox Sunday Orthodox Christian: First Sunday of Lent. Restoration of icons to the church is celebrated.
24 Palm Sunday Christian: Beginning of Western Christian Holy Week, also known as Palm Sunday of the Passion.
25 Hola Mohalla Sikh: Begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colors, Holi
25 Holi* Hindu: Colorful festival of spring
25 Feast of the Annunciation Christian: Commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
28 Maundy Thursday Christian: Remembrance of Christ’s last supper, first day of the Sacred Triduum
29 Good Friday Christian: Remembrance of the crucifixion and death of Christ, second day of the Sacred Triduum
30 Holy Saturday Christian: Day of vigil culminating in observance of the resurrection of Christ, third day of the Sacred Triduum
30 Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Destiny)* Islam: Commemoration of the Holy Night in Ramadan when the Qur’an was revealed (begins at sundown). It can fall on any of the last 10 odd nights of Ramadan.
31 Easter Sunday Christian: Feast of the resurrection of Christ
April 2024
5 27th Night of Ramadan Islam
9-17 Chaitra Navaratri Hindu: Nine-day festival that signifies the victory of good over evil.
10 Eid al Fitr* Islam: Celebration showing gratitude for a successful completion of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan (begins at sundown evening prior). The day begins with a distribution of charity to the needy the night before, followed by morning prayer services the next day and gatherings with family, friends and relatives.
13 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Sikh: Honors the day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed the direct connection between Sikhs and the Divine
17 Ramanavami* Hindu: Celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, seventh incarnation of Vishnu
20 First Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh arrived at the Garden of Ridván.
21 Mahavir Jayanti* Jain: Birth of founder Mahavira 540 BCE.
22-30 Passover Jewish: Eight-day commemoration of freedom of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. (Begins with First Night Seder sundown 4/22. Second Seder sundown 4/23. Holiday concludes with two final days, sundown 4/28 – nightfall 4/30).
27 Lazarus Saturday Orthodox Christian: Feast commemorating the raising of Lazarus by Jesus Christ
29 Ninth Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh declared the Mission and Purpose of the Bahá’í Faith.
May 2024
1 Beltane Wiccan/Neo-pagan: Midpoint between equinox and solstice, embracing Earth’s peak fertility and the joyful elevated energy of early summer
2 12th Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Commemorate the day Bahá’u’lláh departed from the Garden of Ridván and continued His exile
3 Holy Friday Orthodox Christian: Anniversary of the death of Christ, as commemorated by Orthodox Christians
5 Pascha (Easter) Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the resurrection of Christ, beginning at midnight
6 Yom HaShoah Jewish: Holocaust Remembrance Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
9 Ascension of the Lord Christian: Festival marking the bodily ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
13 Yom HaZikaron Jewish: Israel’s Memorial Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
14 Yom Ha’atzmaut Jewish: Israel’s Independence Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
15 Buddha’s Birthday Buddhist: Celebrates the Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Vesak
19 Pentecost Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ
22 Declaration of the Báb Bahá’í: Celebration of the day when the Báb announced He was “the bearer of a Divine Revelation which would prepare humanity for the advent of the Promised One of all religions.”
26 Lag B’Omer Jewish: Celebrates the 33rd day of the Omer, a 49-day period between Pesach and Shavuot (begins at sundown evening prior)
26 Trinity Sunday Christian: Honors the belief in one God with a threefold nature
29 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í: Commemoration of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í faith
June 2024
13 Shavuot Jewish: Festival of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai (begins at sundown evening prior)
15 Day of Arafat* Islam: Day of assembly on the plain of Arafah in Hajj. Optional day of fasting for nonpilgrims
16 Eid al Adha* Islam: Celebration honoring the spiritual sacrifice of his son by prophet Abraham
19 Juneteenth: Commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, when those enslaved in Texas were notified of their liberty.
20 Litha Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Summer solstice, summer is at its height and the sun shines the longest. Celebration of the life-giving power of the sun.
24 Pentecost Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ
July 2024
7 Al-Hijra New Year* Islam: The first day of the Islamic New Year or the Hijri New Year. The epoch of the Islamic era was set as the year of emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, known as Hijrah, which equates to 622 CE.
9 Martyrdom of the Báb Bahá’í: The Báb, forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, was publicly executed for announcing the nearing arrival of the Promised One and the prophesied dawn of a new day
16 Day of Ashura* Islam: Commemoration of Prophet Moses delivering his people from Pharaoh (a day of optional fasting accompanied with a day of fasting before and/or after) and of trials endured by leaders among Prophet Muhammad’s family.
23 Fast of Tammuz Jewish: Fast commemorating breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)
August 2024
1 Lughnasadh Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between solstice and equinox, marking the start of the harvest season. Celebration of the abundance and thriving natural world. A time to pause and celebrate all the effort put into where we are now, while also acknowledging there is more work ahead.
13 Fast of Tisha Be’Av* Jewish: Fast day mourning the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem and other devastations in Jewish history.
13-15 Obon* Buddhist/Shinto: Japanese Buddhist festival to honor ancestors
15 Assumption of Mary Christian: Celebration of assumption of Mary into heaven. Holy day of obligation for Catholics.
19 Tu B’Av Jewish: Jewish holiday of love (begins sundown 8/18)
19 Raksha Bandhan* Hindu: Festival honoring family ties between brothers and sisters
26-27 Krishna Janmashtami Hindu: Festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. He exhorted the epic poem “Gita” to Arjun.
31 Paryushana Parva Jain: Eight-day Jain festival of devotion
September 2024
6 Ganesh Chaturthi* Hindu: Festival honoring Lord Ganesh
14 Feast of the Holy Cross Orthodox Christian: Eastern Orthodox feast of the Holy Cross
16 Mawlid al-Nabi* Islam: The day that commemorates the birth of the last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad c.570 CE (begins at sundown evening prior)
22 Mabon Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Autumn equinox, time for celebrating abundance, wealth, and generosity. A time to revisit goals and accomplishments and begin preparing for winter
28 Leil S’lichot Jewish: Prayers for forgiveness in preparation for High Holy Days (after nightfall)
29 Birth of Confucius: Observed in religious traditions emanating from China
October 2024
3 Navaratri* Hindu: Nine-night festival worshiping different forms of the Goddess Shakti.
3 Rosh Hashanah Jewish: New Year and beginning of High Holy Days (begins 9/15)
4 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah Jewish: Rosh Hashanah ends at sundown
5 Fast of Gedaliah Jewish: Day of fasting marking the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor of Judea, following the Babylonian conquest (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)
12 Yom Kippur Jewish: Day of Atonement, observed with fasting (begins at sundown evening prior)
12 Dussehra Hindu: Celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over demon Ravan, also known as Vijayadashami
14 Indigenous Peoples Day: Interfaith celebration of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples of Western hemisphere
16-23 Sukkot Jewish: Festival of Booths (begins at sundown)
20 Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth Sahib Sikh: Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib. Recognition of Sikh sacred writings as the final, eternal guru.
24-25 Shemini Atzeret Jewish: Festival connected to the eighth day of Sukkot (begins at sundown evening prior)
25 Simchat Torah Jewish: Day of rejoicing to celebrate the yearly completion of reading the whole Torah (begins at sundown evening prior)
31 Samhain Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between equinox and solstice, a time for inner reflection, honoring ancestors, as well as observing nature’s descent into the dark winter season.
31 All Hallows Eve Christian: Celebration derived from Celtic Samhain, beginning two-day remembrance of the Dead
31 Diwali (Deepavali)* Hindu — Jain — Sikh: The main day of the five-day festival of lights, a celebration of light over darkness, new beginnings and triumph of goodness.
November 2024
1 Bandi Chhor Diwas Sikh: Celebration of the release of Guru Hargobind from wrongful imprisonment
1 All Saints Day Christian: Celebration of lives of the saints; holy day of obligation for Catholics
2 All Souls Day Christian: Celebration of lives of the saints
2 Jain New Year Jain: Celebration of the New Year
2 Birth of the Báb Bahá’í: Celebrates the birth of one of the founders of the Bahá’í faith
3 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í: Commemoration of the birth of Bahá’u’láh (translated ‘Glory of God’), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í faith
15 Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Sikh: Birth of the founder and first guru of the Sikh faith
24 Christ the King Christian: Festival celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in honor of Jesus Christ as Lord over all creation
25 Day of the Covenant Bahá’í: The day when Bahá’ís celebrate the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.
27 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Bahá’í: Commemoration of the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who died on Nov. 28, 1921
December 2024
1 Advent Season Begins Christian
2-8 Chalica Unitarian: Chalica is a week-long celebration of our Unitarian Universalist Principles. Chalica begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days. Each day, a chalice is lit and the day is spent reflecting on the meaning of that day’s principle and doing a good deed that honors that principle.
6 Saint Nicholas Day Christian: Feast day honoring the first-century Christian bishop known for generosity, miracles and intercessions.
9 Immaculate Conception of Mary Christian: Catholic day of celebrating the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. Holy day of obligation.
12 Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe Christian: Catholic celebration of Mary as patron saint of The Americas.
16-24 Posadas Navideñas Christian: Mexican Catholic reenactment of journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem
19 Saint Nicholas Day Orthodox Christian (O.C.): Feast day honoring the first-century Christian bishop known for generosity, miracles and intercessions.
21 Yule Pagan: Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. An observance of the return of the Sun, making daylight hours longer from this day until June.
21 Pan Am 103 Memorial Interfaith: Syracuse University service and vigil honoring and remembering the victims of Pan Am Flight 103.
23 Human Light: Secular celebration of humanist vision of peace and goodwill among all
24 Christmas Eve Christian: Eve of traditional Western date observing the birth of Christ in a 12-day festival lasting until Epiphany
25 Christmas Christian: Traditional Western date observing the birth of Christ in a 12-day festival lasting until Epiphany
26- Jan. 2 Chanukah Jewish: The Jewish festival of dedication (begins at sundown 12/25)
26 Zarathosht Diso* Zoroastrian: Death of founding prophet Zarathushtra
26-Jan. 1 Kwanzaa: Weeklong celebration of African American life and cultural heritage
30 Feast of the Holy Family Christian: Catholic celebration of the love between the family of Jesus
31 Watch Night Christian: Ritual service of preparation for the year to come
January 2025
1 Kwanzaa ends.
1 Mary, Mother of God Christian: Catholic day of prayer and thanksgiving to Mary, mother of Jesus
1 Gantan-sai Shinto: New Year festival, also known as Shogatsu
2 Chanukah Jewish: Chanukah ends.
6 Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Sikh: Celebration of the birth of the final human guru of the Sikh faith
6 Epiphany Christian: Festival celebrating the revelation of God in Jesus and the visit of the sages to the Christ child.
7 Feast of the Nativity Orthodox Christian (O.C.): Traditional celebration of Christmas for Eastern Orthodox Christians
10 Fast of Tevet Jewish: Day of mourning and repentance marking the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem. In recent years, it also is a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust.
12 Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christian: Commemoration of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus
14 Maghi Sikh: Commemoration of the 40 martyrs (Chalis Mukte) who died fighting the Mughal army with Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 CE
14 Makar Sankranti Hindu: Festival honoring the Sun, the main source of energy to our planet
18 Bodhi Day Buddhist: Celebration of the beginning of the path to enlightenment of the Buddha.
18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Christian: Seven days of ecumenical prayer
February 2025
1 Imbolc Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Midpoint between solstice and equinox. Celebration of new beginnings and the first signs of spring stirring.
2 Candlemas Christian: Celebration of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. New beginnings are recognized.
2 Vasant Panchami* Hindu: Festival honoring Saraswati, goddess of learning, wisdom, music and art.
3 Setsebun-sai Shinto: Celebration of the approach of spring as an invitation to good fortune.
3 Four Chaplains Interfaith Sunday Interfaith: Commemoration of the event in World War II when four Chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions (Catholic and Protestant) gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
13 Feb Tu BiShvat Jewish: Celebration of the New Year of the Trees (begins at sundown evening prior)
14 Lailat al Bara’ah* Islam: Optional night of prayer (begins at sundown).
14 St. Valentine’s Day Christian: Festival of love loosely connected to Christian saint
15 Nirvana Day* Buddhist – Jain: Commemoration of passing into Nirvana of the Buddha
26 Maha Shivaratri* Hindu: Festival in honor of Lord Shiva
27 Lailat al Miraj* Islam: The day that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey, in 622 CE, to Heaven to meet with God and to meet with his fellow Prophets like Abraham and Moses.
28 Ramadan* Islam: Ramadan begins. Holy month of daily fasting (from dawn to sunset) and nightly prayers (begins at sundown evening prior)
29 Chinese New Year Chinese Traditional: Beginning of the Chinese celebration of a new year for people of all religions
29 Lunar New Year: Celebration of the first new moon of the lunar calendar
25-29 Ayyám-i-Há Bahá’í: Intercalary Days is a period dedicated to socializing, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and needy, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting.
March 2025
1 Bahá’í Fast Bahá’í: Abstain from food and drinks between sunrise and sunset
2 Forgiveness Sunday Orthodox Christian: Day of preparation for Lent, also known as Cheesefare Sunday
3 Clean Monday Orthodox Christian: First day of Lent
3 Orthodox First Day of Lent Orthodox Christian: Start of the 40-day fast before Pascha (Easter)
9 Orthodox Sunday Orthodox Christian: First Sunday of Lent. Restoration of icons to the church is celebrated.
12 Magha Puja Day* Buddhist: Commemoration of the presentation of Buddha to the world
13 Ta’anit Esther Jewish: Fast of Esther: Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)
13 Purim Jewish: Holiday marking deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot against Jewish people in ancient Persia as related in Book of Esther (begins at sundown evening prior).
14 Hola Mohalla Sikh: Begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar and follows the Hindu festival of colors, Holi
14 Holi* Hindu: Colorful festival of spring
17 St. Patrick’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland
19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian: Celebration of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus
20 Ostara Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Celebration for the return of life after the cold of winter
21 Naw Ruz Bahá’í: New Year
25 Feast of the Annunciation Christian: Commemorates the visit of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary
26 27th Night of Ramadan Islam
27 Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Destiny)* Islam: Commemoration of the Holy Night in Ramadan when the Qur’an was revealed (begins at sundown). It can fall on any of the last 10 odd nights of Ramadan.
Mar. 9-Apr. 7 Chaitra Navaratri Hindu: Nine-day festival that signifies the victory of good over evil.
31 Eid al Fitr* Islam: Celebration showing gratitude for a successful completion of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan (begins at sundown evening prior). The day begins with a distribution of charity to the needy the night before, followed by morning prayer services the next day and gatherings with family, friends and relatives.
April 2025
6 Ramanavami* Hindu: Celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, seventh incarnation of Vishnu
10 Mahavir Jayanti* Jain: Birth of founder Mahavira 540 BCE.
12 Lazarus Saturday Orthodox Christian: Feast commemorating the raising of Lazarus by Jesus Christ
13 Palm Sunday Christian: Beginning of Western Christian Holy Week, also known as Palm Sunday of the Passion.
14 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Sikh: Honors the day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh Ji affirmed the direct connection between Sikhs and the Divine
20 First Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh arrived at the Garden of Ridván.
12-20 Passover Jewish: Eight-day commemoration of freedom of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. (Begins with First Night Seder sundown 4/11. Second Seder sundown 4/12. Holiday concludes with two final days, sundown 4/28 – nightfall 4/20).
12 April Hanuman Jayanti* Hindu: Festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Sri Hanuman
15 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Christian: Day of preparation for Lent, observed by feasting and carnival activities
16 Ash Wednesday Christian: First of 40 days of Western Christian penitential observance of Lent
17 Maundy Thursday Christian: Remembrance of Christ’s last supper, first day of the Sacred Triduum
18 Holy Friday Orthodox Christian: Anniversary of the death of Christ, as commemorated by Orthodox Christians
18 Good Friday Christian: Remembrance of the crucifixion and death of Christ, second day of the Sacred Triduum
19 Holy Saturday Christian: Day of vigil culminating in observance of the resurrection of Christ, third day of the Sacred Triduum
20 Easter Sunday Christian: Feast of the resurrection of Christ
20 Pascha (Easter) Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the resurrection of Christ, beginning at midnight
23 Yom HaShoah Jewish: Holocaust Remembrance Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
28 Ninth Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Celebrates the day Bahá’u’lláh declared the Mission and Purpose of the Bahá’í Faith.
29 Yom HaZikaron Jewish: Israel’s Memorial Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
30 12th Day of Ridván Bahá’í: Commemorate the day Bahá’u’lláh departed from the Garden of Ridván and continued His exile
May 2025
1 Beltane Wiccan/Neo-pagan: Midpoint between equinox and solstice, embracing Earth’s peak fertility and the joyful elevated energy of early summer
2 Yom Ha’atzmaut Jewish: Israel’s Independence Day (begins at sundown evening prior)
5 Buddha’s Birthday Buddhist: Celebrates the Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Vesak
9 Ascension of the Lord Christian: Festival marking the bodily ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
15 Lag B’Omer Jewish: Celebrates the 33rd day of the Omer, a 49-day period between Pesach and Shavuot (begins at sundown evening prior)
22 Declaration of the Báb Bahá’í: Celebration of the day when the Báb announced He was “the bearer of a Divine Revelation which would prepare humanity for the advent of the Promised One of all religions.”
26 Pentecost Orthodox Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ
27 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í: Commemoration of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í faith
June 2025
1-3 Shavuot Jewish: Festival of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai (begins at sundown evening prior)
5 Day of Arafat* Islam: Day of assembly on the plain of Arafah in Hajj. Optional day of fasting for nonpilgrims
6 Eid al Adha* Islam: Celebration honoring the spiritual sacrifice of his son by prophet Abraham
8 Pentecost Christian: Celebration of the descent of Holy Spirit upon followers of Christ
15 Trinity Sunday Christian: Honors the belief in one God with a threefold nature
19 Juneteenth: Commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, when those enslaved in Texas were notified of their liberty.
20 Litha Wiccan/Neo-Pagan: Summer solstice, summer is at its height and the sun shines the longest. Celebration of the life-giving power of the sun.
26 Al-Hijra New Year* Islam: The first day of the Islamic New Year or the Hijri New Year. The epoch of the Islamic era was set as the year of emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, known as Hijrah, which equates to 622 CE.
July 2025
5 Day of Ashura* Islam: Commemoration of Prophet Moses delivering his people from Pharaoh (a day of optional fasting accompanied with a day of fasting before and/or after) and of trials endured by leaders among Prophet Muhammad’s family.
9 Martyrdom of the Báb Bahá’í: The Báb, forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, was publicly executed for announcing the nearing arrival of the Promised One and the prophesied dawn of a new day
13 Fast of Tammuz Jewish: Fast commemorating breaching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple (begins at dawn and ends at nightfall)