Upcoming Events
and Holidays
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Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, which marks the start of the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims observe the day with prayer, reflection, and remembrance rather than large celebrations.
Litha
Litha, also called Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is a pagan holiday celebrating the longest day of the year, typically between June 20th-22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. It honors the sun at its peak, symbolizing light, growth, fertility, and abundance. Traditions often include bonfires, feasting, and rituals to harness solar energy and celebrate nature’s vitality.
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a Christian feast celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Observed on June 24, it honors his role in calling people to repentance and his significance in salvation history.
Ashura
Ashura, observed on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, holds distinct yet overlapping meanings within Islam. For Sunni Muslims, it typically commemorates the day God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh, and it is often marked by voluntary fasting. For Shiʿa Muslims, however, it is a solemn day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a Christian celebration honoring the martyrdom and spiritual legacy of St. Peter, the first pope, and St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Observed on June 29, it commemorates their foundational roles in spreading Christianity and strengthening the early Church.
Gahambar Maidyoshem
Gahambar Maidyoshem is one of the six seasonal festivals in Zoroastrianism, observed in late spring and associated with the creation of the sky in Zoroastrian cosmology. It expresses gratitude for the natural world as a sacred and ordered creation, emphasizing harmony between humanity and the environment. The festival is marked by communal meals and acts of generosity, highlighting values of equality, charity, and shared responsibility within the community.
Martyrdom of the Bab
The Martyrdom of the Báb is a solemn Bahá’í holy day commemorating the execution of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, in Tabriz, Persia, on July 9, 1850. Observed with prayers and reflection, it honors his sacrifice and the resilience of his message, which paved the way for the Bahá’í Faith.
Tisha B’av
Tisha B’av is a solemn Jewish fast day that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, along with other tragedies in Jewish history. It is observed with a 25-hour fast, mourning rituals, the reading of the Book of Lamentations, and sitting on the floor or low stools in grief. The day reflects themes of loss, exile, and the hope for future redemption and rebuilding.
The Birthday of Haile Selassie
The Birthday of Haile Selassie is observed on July 23 and holds deep significance especially within Rastafari, where he is revered as a central spiritual figure. For many, the day is a time to honor his legacy as emperor of Ethiopia and as a symbol of dignity, resistance to colonialism, and African unity. Observances often include gatherings, music, prayer, and reflection, while recognizing the diverse perspectives surrounding his historical and spiritual role.
Pioneer Day
Pioneer Day is observed on July 24 to commemorate the 1847 arrival of Latter-day Saint pioneers led by Brigham Young in the Salt Lake Valley. For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is a time to honor faith, perseverance, and community-building in the face of displacement and hardship. At the same time, contemporary observances often acknowledge the complex history of westward expansion, including its impact on Indigenous peoples, encouraging reflection alongside celebration.
Dharma Day (Asalha Puja)
Dharma Day (Asalha Puja) is a significant festival in Buddhism that commemorates the First Sermon of the Buddha, when Siddhartha Gautama first taught the path to enlightenment. Observed on the full moon of the lunar month of Asalha, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist teaching tradition and the formation of the monastic community (Sangha). The day is often honored through temple visits, meditation, and acts of generosity, emphasizing reflection on the Dharma and the importance of ethical living.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh (also spelled Lúnasa) is a Gaelic festival traditionally celebrated around August 1st marking the beginning of the harvest season, named after the god Lugh in Irish mythology. It has historically been observed with gatherings, feasting, athletic competitions, and the offering of the season's first fruits and grains. Today it remains meaningful both as a cultural celebration of Celtic heritage and as one of the sabbats observed by many modern Pagans and Wiccans, who honor it as a time of gratitude for the earth's abundance.
Feast of the Assumption/Dormition of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August 15th, commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory. It is one of the most important Marian feasts in the Catholic Church and is also observed by the Eastern Orthodox and some Anglican traditions, though the Orthodox typically refer to it as the Dormition of the Theotokos. The holiday expresses hope in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life, and is marked by special liturgies, processions, and in many cultures, festive community celebrations.
Mawlid an-Nabi
Mawlid an-Nabi commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, observed by many Muslims on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar (with some, particularly among Shia Muslims, marking it on the 17th). It is often celebrated with gatherings, the recitation of poetry and devotional songs praising the Prophet, charitable giving, and shared meals, as an expression of love and reverence for him. Observance varies across the Muslim world, and some communities choose not to mark it, reflecting differing scholarly views on the practice.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, typically observed on the full moon day of the month of Shravana (usually in August). The central ritual involves a sister tying a sacred thread called a rakhi around her brother's wrist, symbolizing her love and prayers for his wellbeing, while the brother offers a gift and pledges to protect and support her. Though rooted in Hindu tradition, it is widely celebrated across South Asia and has grown to embrace broader expressions of affection, protection, and kinship beyond strictly sibling relationships.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (usually August or September). Devotees often mark it with fasting, devotional singing, recitation of scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, and staying awake until midnight, the hour of Krishna's birth, followed by celebration and the sharing of sweets.
Paryushan
Paryushan is the most important annual festival in Jainism, a period of spiritual reflection, fasting, prayer, and study observed over eight days by Svetambara Jains. It is a time for practicing the core Jain values of nonviolence, self-discipline, and the purification of the soul, often culminating in heartfelt repentance and the seeking of forgiveness from all beings. The festival concludes with Samvatsari (or Kshamavani), on which Jains ask pardon for any harm caused, expressed in the phrase "Micchami Dukkadam," meaning may any wrongdoing be forgiven.
Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is observed on September 8th in the Eastern Orthodox Church and most Catholic traditions, falling among the first major feasts of the liturgical year, and is marked by special liturgies and hymns celebrating Mary's role in the story of salvation. For the faithful, it expresses joy at the birth of the one who would become the mother of Christ, and is held in particular reverence within Orthodox, Catholic, and some other Christian communities.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, observed on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei (usually September), commemorating the creation of the world and beginning the High Holy Days. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and repentance, marked by the sounding of the shofar (a ram's horn), special synagogue services, and the eating of symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to express hopes for a sweet year ahead.
Gahambar Paitishem
Gahambar Paitishem (also spelled Paitishahem) is one of the six seasonal festivals, known as Gahambars, observed in Zoroastrianism, each celebrating a stage of the agricultural year and an aspect of creation. Paitishem marks the bringing in of the harvest, typically falling in mid-September, and is traditionally a time of communal gathering, shared feasting, prayer, and charity, reflecting the Zoroastrian values of generosity and fellowship. Like the other Gahambars, it expresses gratitude to Ahura Mazda for the bounty of creation and emphasizes community, with the food and offerings shared freely among all who attend, regardless of means.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity revered as the remover of obstacles and the patron of beginnings, wisdom, and good fortune. Observed over ten days in the month of Bhadrapada (usually August or September), it is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public pavilions, daily prayers and offerings of sweets such as modak, and devotional singing. The festival concludes with Visarjan, the joyful procession in which the idols are immersed in water, symbolizing Ganesha's return home and the cycle of creation and dissolution.
Das Lakshan
Das Lakshan is the ten-day festival observed by Digambara Jains as their principal annual occasion for spiritual reflection and purification, typically falling in the month of Bhadrapada (around August or September). Each of the ten days is dedicated to contemplating one of the ten supreme virtues, or dharmas, such as forgiveness, humility, truthfulness, and self-restraint, which guide the soul toward liberation. The observance is marked by fasting, scriptural study, worship, and seeking and granting forgiveness expressed through the phrase "Uttam Kshama," may any wrongdoing be forgiven.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, observed on the tenth day of Tishrei (usually September or October) as the culmination of the High Holy Days that begin with Rosh Hashanah. It is marked by a full day of fasting, intensive prayer, and repentance, during which the faithful seek forgiveness for wrongdoing and reconciliation with God and with one another. Tradition holds that on this day one's fate for the coming year is sealed, making it a solemn time of reflection, atonement, and spiritual renewal, often concluded with the sounding of the shofar.
Mabon
Mabon is a modern Pagan and Wiccan festival celebrating the autumn equinox (usually around September 21st–23rd), one of the eight sabbats on the Wheel of the Year, marking the point when day and night stand in balance. It is observed as a harvest thanksgiving, a time to express gratitude for the fruits of the season and to reflect on themes of balance, reciprocity, and preparation for the coming darker half of the year. The name Mabon, drawn from a figure in Welsh mythology, was popularized in the 1970s, and the festival is often marked with seasonal foods, gatherings, and rituals honoring the second harvest.
Sukkot
Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, is a Jewish festival beginning on the 15th day of Tishrei (usually September or October), shortly after Yom Kippur, and lasting seven days. It commemorates the forty years the Israelites spent dwelling in temporary shelters during their journey through the wilderness, and is observed by building and eating (and sometimes sleeping) in a sukkah, a temporary hut roofed with natural materials. It is also a harvest festival of joy and gratitude, marked by the gathering and waving of the four species (lulav and etrog), hospitality, and celebration, expressing thanksgiving for the autumn harvest and trust in divine providence.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib
The Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib commemorates the sacrifice of the fifth Sikh Guru, who was tortured and executed in 1606 under the orders of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Remembered for his unwavering faith, Guru Arjan compiled the Adi Granth and emphasized selfless service, justice, and devotion to God.
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Christian feast honoring Jesus’ deep and boundless love for humanity, symbolized by His heart. Celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi, it is observed with special prayers, Masses, and acts of devotion emphasizing Christ’s mercy and compassion.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a Christian feast celebrating the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Observed with special Masses, processions, and adoration, it is a day of devotion and gratitude for the sacrament of Holy Communion. Many celebrate it on the Sunday after Corpus Christi.
Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday is a Christian feast celebrating the doctrine of the Holy Trinity—God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Observed on the Sunday after Pentecost, it is a day of reflection on the mystery of God’s triune nature and His presence in the world.
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh is a sacred Bahá’í holy day commemorating the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, on May 29, 1892. Observed with prayers and reflective gatherings, it honors His life, teachings of unity and peace, and His spiritual legacy for humanity.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is an Islamic holiday that commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It is observed annually during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The holiday includes communal prayers, the ritual sacrifice of livestock, and the distribution of meat to family members, friends, and those in need.
Buddha's Birthday
Buddha’s Birthday commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha. Celebrated on different dates across Buddhist cultures (often in April or May), it blends joyful festivity with reflection on the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, wisdom, and liberation from suffering. Observances commonly include temple visits, lantern displays, chanting, charitable acts, and the symbolic bathing of Buddha statues, expressing both reverence and a renewal of personal spiritual commitment.
Pentecost
Pentecost is a Christian holy day that occurs 50 days after Easter and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles of Jesus Christ. According to the New Testament book of Acts, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages, enabling them to spread Jesus’s teachings to diverse peoples. It is often considered the beginning of the apostles’ public ministry and global mission.
Declaration of the Bab
The Declaration of the Báb is a significant Bahá'í holy day commemorating the moment in 1844 when the Báb announced His role as the herald of a new divine messenger, Bahá’u’lláh. Observed with prayers, storytelling, and reflection, the day celebrates themes of spiritual awakening, renewal, and the beginning of the Bahá'í Faith.
Shavuot
Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that marks the giving of the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. It takes place seven weeks after Passover and also celebrates the ancient grain harvest in Israel. Many people observe it by studying Torah, reading the Book of Ruth, attending synagogue services, and enjoying dairy foods.
Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension is a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascent into heaven forty days after his resurrection (though some celebrate it the Sunday after the forty days). It is based on events described in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. Many Christians celebrate it with church services, prayers, and hymns that focus on Jesus’ return to heaven and his promise to send the Holy Spirit.
Lag BaOmer
Lag BaOmer is a joyful Jewish holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Omer, the period between Passover and Shavuot. It commemorates the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students and honors the life and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Traditions include lighting bonfires, outdoor gatherings, dancing, and songs.
Vesak
Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, is the most significant Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Celebrated with prayers, meditation, acts of kindness, and community gatherings, it honors the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, wisdom, and the path to enlightenment.
Beltane
Beltane is a traditional Gaelic festival celebrating the height of spring and the coming of summer, associated with fertility, vitality, and abundance. It is commonly marked with bonfires, dancing, and rituals honoring growth, sexuality, and the flourishing of the natural world. While often celebrated on May 1 (or the eve of April 30), the exact timing is debated, with some observing it as a cross-quarter day or at the full moon nearest the start of May.
Ridván
Ridván is the holiest festival in the Bahá’í Faith, commemorating the 12 days in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the faith, declared his mission as God's messenger in the Garden of Ridván. Celebrated with prayers, community gatherings, and reflection, it emphasizes themes of renewal, unity, and spiritual transformation.
Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi) is a significant Sikh and Punjabi festival marking the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and the harvest season in Punjab. Celebrated with prayers, processions, and community gatherings, it is a time of spiritual renewal, gratitude, and cultural festivities.
Pascha/Easter (Orthodox)
Easter is a major Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, symbolizing hope, renewal, and victory over sin and death. Observed with joyful church services, festive meals, and cultural traditions like egg hunts, it marks the culmination of Holy Week and the promise of new life.
Good Friday (Orthodox)
Good Friday is a Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. It is a solemn day of prayer, reflection, and fasting, marked by church services, scripture readings, and reenactments of the Passion.
Easter
Easter is a major Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, symbolizing hope, renewal, and victory over sin and death. Observed with joyful church services, festive meals, and cultural traditions like egg hunts, it marks the culmination of Holy Week and the promise of new life.
Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
Palm Sunday is a Christian holy day that commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when crowds greeted him by laying palm branches on the road. It is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week, the period that recalls the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Many churches observe the day with processions or the distribution of palm branches.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. It is a solemn day of prayer, reflection, and fasting, marked by church services, scripture readings, and reenactments of the Passion.
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples before his crucifixion. Observed during Holy Week, it is a day of reflection on Jesus’ teachings of love and service, often marked by church services, foot-washing rituals, and the Eucharist.
The Memorial of Jesus' Death
The Memorial of Jesus’ Death is the most important annual observance for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Held once a year on the date corresponding to Nisan 14 of the biblical calendar, it commemorates the death of Jesus Christ and his sacrificial ransom for humanity. The event, typically occurring for one hour sometime after sunset, includes hymns, talks, prayers, and the passing of unleavened bread and wine as emblems of Jesus’ body and blood.
Passover
Passover (Pesach) is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. It is observed with the Seder meal, the retelling of the Exodus story, and the avoidance of leavened bread to honor themes of freedom, resilience, and faith.
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is a Jain festival celebrating the birth of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and a central teacher of Jainism. Devotees mark the day with prayers, processions, readings of Mahavira’s teachings, and acts of charity, reflecting his emphasis on nonviolence (ahimsa), truth, and compassion. The festival honors Mahavira’s life and the ethical principles that guide Jain practice.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian holy day that commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when crowds greeted him by laying palm branches on the road. It is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week, the period that recalls the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Many churches observe the day with processions or the distribution of palm branches.
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, a central figure in the epic Ramayana and an incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is observed on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, usually in March or April, and is marked by temple worship, recitations of the Ramayana, and devotional singing. Many devotees also fast or participate in processions and community celebrations.
Feast of the Annunciation
The Feast of the Annunciation is a Christian holy day commemorating the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus. It highlights themes of divine incarnation, obedience, and hope. The day is often observed with special liturgies, prayers, and readings from the Gospel of Luke.
Naw-Rúz
Naw-Rúz (Nowruz) is a Persian cultural and religious holiday celebrated by Shiite Muslims, Baháʼís, and individuals across central Asia, the Balkans, and the Iranian Plateau. Celebrated on the spring equinox it marks the beginning of the New Year and, for Baháʼís, the end of the month-long fast of ‘Alá. It is a joyful holy day observed with prayers, festive meals, and gatherings with family and community. Naw-Rúz symbolizes spiritual renewal, new beginnings, and gratitude.
Ostara
Ostara is a modern Pagan and Wiccan festival celebrated around the spring equinox, marking the balance of day and night and the return of longer days. It honors themes of renewal, fertility, and growth, often symbolized by eggs, seeds, and spring flowers. Many who observe Ostara celebrate by spending time in nature, planting, or performing rituals that welcome the new season.