Holy Days & Observances

About the Holy Days

ASH WEDNESDAY (CHRISTIAN)

This Christian holy day signifies the beginning of lent. Lent is a 40 day period leading up till Easter when many Christians give up some of their common pleasures. Common traditions include wearing a cross of ashes on one's forehead and attending church service.

AUTUMN EQUINOX | MABON (PAGAN | WICCAN)

Also referred to as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, and Meán Fómhair, Mabon is the second celebration of the harvest, a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. At Mabon, day and night are in equal balance. It is a time to offer gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and also to begin to prepare for turning inward. Making dishes with apples, squash and pumpkins as part of ritual celebration is customary.

BELTANE | MAY EVE (PAGAN | WICCAN)

The fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. Jumping the balefire, dancing the May Pole.

BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH SAHIB (SIKH)

This Sikh holy day commemorates the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, known as the Father of the Khalsa. Common traditions include reading religious texts, praying, singing, and eating large festive meals.

CLEAN MONDAY (EASTERN ORTHODOX)

This Eastern Orthodox holy day signifies the first day of Great Lent. The name referes to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. The entire week following this holy day is often refered to as "Clean Week" and common practices include going to confession and consumption of shellfish adn other fasting foods.

CHINESE NEW YEAR (CONFUCIAN | TAOIST | BUDDHIST)

This is the most important of traditional Chinese holidays. Families gather together to spend the evening preparing boiled dumplings and festive meals and giving of money to children in red envelopes. Corresponds to the New Moon in Aquarius, which can fall from late January to mid-February.

CHRISTMAS DAY (CHRISTIAN)

This Christian holy day is in honor of the birth of Jesus. His self-sacrifice is what began the Christian religion. Common traditions include giving gifts, visiting family, attending church and often times decorating a Christmas tree.

DIWALI | DEEPAVALI (HINDU)

This is the "Festival of lights" and is celebrated by a number of Southern Asian religions. Some of the practicing religions include Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist. Participants celebrate the triumph of lightness over darkness and good over evil. Common traditions include the lighting of oil lamps, setting off fireworks and praying.

EARTH DAY (CHRISTIAN | PAGAN | WICCAN)

A celebration of nature, trees, and in specific circumstannces the world tree Yggdrasil.

EASTER (CHRISTIAN)

This Christian holy day recognizes Jesus's resurrection from death. Common traditions include gifting others with colorful eggs and candy (often times the candy is chocolate shaped as a bunny), and gathering with family for a large meal.

EID AL-FITR (ISLAM)

This Islamic holy day signifies the last day of Ramadan and the end of the fasting period. Common traditions include exchanging gifts with one another, praying, and feasting with friends and family.

EID AL-ADHA (ISLAM)

This is an Islamic festival held in remembrance of Ibrahim sacrificing his son Ishmael per Allah's commands. Common traditions include gift giving, prayer and occasionally the slaughtering of sheep with a portion being given to the less fortunate.

GANTAN-SAI (SHINTO)

Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion. General Practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.

GOOD FRIDAY (CHRISTIAN)

This Christian holy day commemorates the execution of Jesus and occurs the Friday before Easter annually. Common traditions include attending church service, praying, and fasting.

HANUKKAH | CHANUKAH (JEWISH)

This Jewish holy day lasts eight days and is held in honor of the struggle Jews have had with attaining religious freedom throughout history. The holy day commemorates a historic victory when the Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greeks. Common traditions include giving gifts, eating large meals, singing and  lighting the menorah nightly.

IMBOLC | CANDLEMAS (PAGAN | WICCAN)

Also referred to as the Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Lights, and Oimele. Celebrates the coming of spring and recovery of the Earth Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God at Yule. For many traditions, a time for initiations, re-dedication and pledges for the coming year. One of the four "greater Sabbats." Activities might include making candles, reading poetry and telling stories.

LAYLAT AL QADR (ISLAM)

This Islamic holy day commemorates the Qu'ran first being revealed to Muhammed. It is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. Common traditions include praying late into the evening since this is considered the holiest of nights.

LUGHNASADH | LAMMAS (PAGAN | WICCAN)

A celebration of the beginning of the harvest. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. Practices include making and consuming dishes with the first fruits of the harvest.

MAHA SHIVARATRI (HINDU)

This Hindu holy day honors Shiva, one of the Hindu deities. Common traditions include fasting, meditating, singing and worshiping all night.

MARTYRDOM OF GURU ARJAN DEV SAHIB (SIKH)

This Sikh holy day commemorates Guru Arjan Dev Sahib becoming the first martyr. Common traditions include praying, singing hymns, and attending Sikhism-based lectures.

NAVRATRI (HINDU)

This Hindu festival is held to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Common traditions include praying, fasting and celebrating. In addition, participants will often visit their mother or other relatives.

NOROUZ | NOROOZ | NAW-RUZ (BAHÁ’Í)

This is the Baha'i New Year honoring spring and the new life that it has brought. Common traditions include praying, dancing, and eating large meals.

PASCHA (EASTERN ORTHODOX)

This Eastern Orthodox holy day recognizes Jesus's resurrection from death. twelve weeks of preperation precede it and is celebrated with a collection of services combined as one.

PASSOVER | PESACH (JEWISH)

This Jewish celebration honors the emancipation of the Jewish slaves from ancient Egypt. Common traditions include Seders (ritualized meals), reading the Haggadah, family gatherings and lighting of the Yahrzeit memorial candle.

PURIM (JEWISH)

This Jewish holy day commemorates Esther saving the Jews that were living in Persia. Common traditions include reading the Book of Esther and holding celebrations similar to carnivals where many participants dress in costumes.

RAMADAN | RAMAZAN (ISLAM)

This Islamic holy day aims at focusing on one's faith. It celebrates the Qur'an being revealed for the first time during this month, more specifically on the night of Laylat al Qadr. Traditional customs include fasting during daylight hours, eating a meal called the iftar each night after reading the Qu'ran, refraining from any bad habits and for many attending night prayers at Mosques.

RAMAKRISHNA (HINDU)

This Hindu holy day is held to honor the birth of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and saint.

RIDVAN (BAHÁ’Í)

This Bahá'i holy day commemorates when Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed his mission as God's messenger. Common traditions include reading excerpts recounting Bahá'u'lláh's stay in the Garden of Ridván. In addition on the first day elections for the democratically elected bodies, or spiritual assemblies, that help govern the Bahá'i community occur.

ROSH HASHANAh (JEWISH)

This is the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It is celebrated as a day of both remembrance and judgement. Common traditions include having large, festive meals as well as going to the Synagogue for prayer.

SAMHAIN (PAGAN | WICCAN)

One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events and other significant changes in life. Paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died.

SHAVUOT (JEWISH)

This Jewish holy day commemorates the giving of the Torah from God to the nation of Israel on top of Mount Sinai. Common traditions include studying the Torah, leading to devotional programs, and lighting a Yahrzeit memorial candle.

SHEMINI ATZERET | SIMCHAT TORAH (JEWISH)

Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish Holiday held the day after the Sukkot festival to remember the dead, pray for rain and be thankful for the fall harvest. Common traditions include lighting a Yahrzeit memorial candle.

Simchat Torah is a Jewish holy day that signifies the ending of the annual weekly readings of the Torah and the beginning of a new cycle of this. Common traditions include the reading of the Torah scrolls in the Synagogue while participants dance.

SPRING EQUINOX | OSTARA (PAGAN | WICCAN)

Also known as Eostre. Regarded as a time of fertility and conception. In some Wiccan traditions, it is marked as the time when the Goddess conceives the God's child, which will be born at the winter solstice. One of eight major annual sabbats or festivals. Lighting fires to commemorate the return of light in the spring and to honor the God and Goddess. Coloring eggs as a way of honoring fertility is also practiced.

SUKKOT | SUCCOT (JEWISH)

This week long Jewish festival celebrates and gives thanks for the Fall harvest.  Common traditions include decorating the Sukkah as well as creating art.

SUMMER SOLSTICE | LITHIA (PAGAN | WICCAN)

A celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. Celebration of the the Goddess manifesting as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and see their union as the force that creates the harvest's fruits. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. Lighting to bonfires and watching the sun rise.

VAIKUNTA EKADASI (HINDU)

This Hindu holy day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that on this day the gate to heaven opens. Common traditions include fasting, worshiping, meditating and singing.

VAISAKHI | BAISAKHI | BIRTHDAY OF THE KHALSA (SIKH)

This Sikh holy day celebrates the new year and founding of Sikhism in 1699. Common traditions include dance, music,  parades and the chanting of scripture.

WINTER SOLSTICE | YULE (PAGAN | WICCAN)

The longest night of the year followed by the sun's "rebirth" and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. Burning the yule log (which was traditionally part of last year’s yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return.

YOM HASHOAH (JEWISH)

This day is held to remember the lives lost in the Holocaust and the many brave activists who fought against it. Common traditions include memorial ceremonies as well as reciting the Kaddish.

YOM KIPPUR (JEWISH)

This Jewish holy day, which is generally considered the holiest of days for the Jews, is dedicated to reparation and abstinence. Common traditions include a day of fasting and the lighting of the Yahrzeit memorial candle.