Religion calendar construction

This is the construction page for the religion calendar. The first section is for observances that are fixed in the Gregorian calendar. This section can also be used for those observances that move only very slowly from Gregorian, for example the Julian calendar. These can easily be transferred to the calendar. The second section is for observances that are fixed in other calendars. Once the correlation between the two calendars is established, these dates, too, can be transferred.

Observances fixed in the Gregorian calendar[]

January[]

01 — Naming and Circumcision of Jesus (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christians).
05 (23 Poh) — Parkash Guru Gobind Singh Sahib or Birth of Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh): birthday of the tenth Guru in 1666.
06 — Epiphany (Western Christian): celebration of the visit of the magi to the infant Jesus, often included with commemoration of his baptism and the performance of his first miracle in Cana.
06 — Theophany (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): counterpart of Epiphany, but mainly focused on the baptism of Jesus and the performance of his first miracle in Cana.
07 (25 December Julian) — Christmas (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): the second most important festival in the church year (after Easter). Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
13 (1 Magh — Mela Maghi Muktsar (Sikh): Harimandar foundation day.
13 — Saint Hilary's Day or Saint Knut's Day (Western Christian): celebration of Hilary, bishop of Poitier, or King Knut IV of Denmark. Of importance as the day marks twenty days from Christmas, and twenty days to Candlemas. In Scandinavia, this date is considered to be the end of the Christmas period.
14 (1 January Julian) — Naming and Circumcision of Jesus (Old Calendarist Eastern Christians).
17 — Saint Antony's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the life of the Egyptian hermit Saint Antony.
18 — Confession of Saint Peter and Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian).
19 (6 January Julian) — Theophany (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): counterpart of Epiphany, but mainly focused on the baptism of Jesus and the performance of his first miracle in Cana.
19 (7 Magh) — Morcha for Keys (Sikh).
21 — Saint Agnes' Day (Western Christian): celebration of Saint Agnes, child martyr of Rome. On this day the Pope blesses the lambs from whom the wool for the pallia of church prelates is woven. Traditionally, on the eve of Saint Agnes, unmarried women dream of their future husbands.
25 — Conversion of Saint Paul and End of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian).
25 (12 January Julian) — Tatiana Day (Russian Christian): commemoration of Tatiana, 2nd cnetury Roman martyr, who is considered to be the patron saint of students in Russia.
26 — Saints Timothy and Titus' Day (Western Christian).
27 — Holocaust Memorial Day (European secular): commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945.
28 — Saint Thomas Aquinas' Day (Western Christian).
30 — Feast of the Three Great Hierarchs (Ne Calendarist Eastern Christians).
31 (19 Magh) — Parkash Guru Har Rai Sahib or Birth of Guru Har Rai (Sikh): birthday of the seventh Guru in 1630.

February[]

01 — Saint Brigid's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the life of the Irish saint and Abbess of Kildare.
02 — Candlemas or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Western Christian): on the fortieth day after Christmas, this festival commemorates Jesus' parents bringing him into the Jerusalem Temple.
02 — Hypapante or the Meeting in the Temple (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): on the fortieth day after Christmas, this festival commemorates Jesus' parents bringing him into the Jerusalem Temple.
02 — Imbolc (Pagan): festival of light at the beginning of spring, usually celebrated on 1 or 2 February.
03 — Setsubun (Japanese): Japanese spring festival.
06 (25 Magh) — Mela Kottha Sahib (Sikh).
08 (27 Magh) — Sikh Great Holocaust (Sikh).
11 (30 Magh) — Parkash Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji (Sikh).
12 (30 January Julian) — Feast of the Three Great Hierarchs (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian).
14 — Saint Valentine's Day (Western Christian): although this day commemorates a third-century Christian martyr, Saint Valentine's Day is a day of celebration of romantic love.
15 (2 February Julian) — Hypapante or the Meeting in the Temple (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): on the fortieth day after Christmas, this festival commemorates Jesus' parents bringing him into the Jerusalem Temple.
21 (10 Phagun) — Saka Nankana Sahib and Jaito Morcha (Sikh).
26 (1 Ayyám-i-Há) — First day of Ayyám-i-Há (Bahá'í): first of the four or five intercallary days that align the Bahá'í calendar with the solar year, which are often taken as times of celebration of God's loving essence, and sometimes called the Bahá'í Christmas.
26 — Savior's Day (Nation of Islam): commemoration of the birthday of Wallace Fard Muhammad.

March[]

01 (4/5 Ayyám-i-Há) — Last day of Ayyám-i-Há (Bahá'í): last of the four or five intercallary days that align the Bahá'í calendar with the solar year, which are often taken as times of celebration of God's loving essence, and sometimes called the Bahá'í Christmas.
02 (1 Ala) — Beginning of the Fast of Ala (Bahá'í): the first day of the nineteenth month of the Bahá'í calendar, through which Bahá'ís fast. The month ends on 20 March.
13 — L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday (Scientologist): celebration of the birthday of the founder of Scientology in 1911.
14 (1 Chet) — Nanakshahi New Year (Sikh): celebration of the new year in the Nanakshahi calendar. This day is celebrated as Holla Mohalla by some Sikhs, and is also the Gurgadi Guru Har Rai Sahib, or the attainment of guruship by Guru Har Rai in 1644.
15 — Hōnen Matsuri (Shinto): Japanese fertility festival.
15 (2 Chet) — Conquest of Delhi (Sikh): commemoration of the conquest of Delhi by Sri Baghel Singh.
12 — Saint Gregory the Great's Day (Western Christian).
17 — Saint Patrick's Day (Western Christian): commemoration of the patron saint of Ireland.
19 — Saint Joseph of Nazareth's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the life of the earthly step-father of Jesus. In some places, this day is celebrated as a Father's Day.
19 (6 Chet) — Jotijot Guru Hargobind Sahib or Death of Guru Hargobind (Sikh): commemoration of the death of the sixth Guru in 1644.
21 (1 Farvardin) — Nawruz, Persian or Kurdish New Year (Iranian, Kurdish and Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the vernal equinox is a traditional Iranian and Kurdish holiday, celebrated by Muslims and Zoroastrians alike.
21 (1 Bahá) — Naw-Rúz or Bahá'í New Year (Bahá'í): modelled on the Persian New Year.
25 — Annunciation or Lady Day (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the Angel Gabriel's announcement to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she will conceive Jesus.
25 (12 Chet) — Shaheedi Bhai Subeg Singh, Bhai Shahbaz Singh (Sikh).

April[]

02 (13 Farvardin) — Sizdah be dar (Iranian and Kurdish): celebration of the 13th day of Nouruz with picnics and parties.
05 (104 days after Chinese winter solstice) /occurs on 4 April in Gregorian leap years/ — Qīngmíng Jié (Chinese): Chinese day for honouring one's ancestors.
07 (25 March Julian) — Annunciation (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the Angel Gabriel's announcement to the Theotokos that she will conceive Jesus.
14 (1 Vaisakh) — Vaisakhi or Khalsa Day (Sikh): some Sikhs also celebrate this as Parkash Guru Nanak Dev Sahib.
14 1 Baishakh) — Pohela Baishakh (Bengali and Nepali): Bengali and Nepali New Year's Day.
16 (3 Vaisakh) — Jotijot of Guru Angad and Harkrishan Sahib and Gurgadi of Guru Amar Das and Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Sikh): commemoration of two events. Firstly, it commemorates the death of Guru Angad Sahib and the guruship of Guru Amar Das Sahib in 1552. Secondly, it commemorates the death of Guru Harkrishan Sahib and the guruship of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in 1664.
18 (5 Vaisakh) — Parkash Guru Angad and Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Sikh): joint commemoration of the birthdays of the second and ninth Gurus in 1504 and 1621 respectively.
21 (13 Jalál) — First Day of Ridván (Bahá'í): the first day of the twelve-day feast of Ridván, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation of prophethood.
21 — Grounation Day (Rastafari): celebration of the visit of Haile Selassie I's visit to Jamaica in 1966.
23 — Saint George's Day (Western and New Calendarist Eastern Christian).
25 — Saint Mark's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the companion of Saint Paul and writer of the second Gospel.
29 (2 Jamál) — Ninth Day of Ridván (Bahá'í): the ninth day of the twelve-day feast of Ridván, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation of prophethood.
30 (11 Ardibehesht) — Maidyozarem or Mid-Spring Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the traditional mid-spring festival, continuing for five days, until 4 May. Maidyozarem is associated with Shahrevar, creator of the sky and patron of power and might.

May[]

01 — Saints Philip and James's Day (Western Christian): joint celebration of two apostles.
01 — Beltane (Pagan): celebration of the beginning of summer and the sacred marriage of the God and Goddess.
02 (5 Jamál) — Twelfth Day of Ridván (Bahá'í): the twelfth and last day of the feast of Ridván, celebrating the prophethood of Bahá'u'lláh.
08 — White Lotus Day (Theosophist): commemoration of the death of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society.
09 — Anniversary of the Publication of Dianetics (Scientologist): annual commemoration of the date of publication of Dianetics in 1950.
14 — Saint Matthias' Day (Western Christian): celebration of the apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot.
17 (3 Jeth) — Chhota Ghallughara (Sikh).
23 (7 Azamat) — Declaration of the Báb (Bahá'í).
23 (9 Jeth) — Parkash Guru Amar Das Sahib or Birth of Guru Amar Das (Sikh): celebration of the birthday of the third Guru in 1479.
24 — Aldersgate Day (Methodist): commemoration of the conversion of John Wesley in 1738 in a meeting room on Aldersgate Street in London.
29 (13 Azamat) — Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í).
30 — Saint Joan of Arc's Day (Western Christian).
31 — Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces (Western Christian): commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

June[]

01 — Saint Justin Martyr's Day (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): commemoration of the Christian philosopher who was martyred in Rome in 166.
04 (21 Jeth) — 1984 Ghallughara (Sikh): commemoration of the 1984 attack on Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
06 (23 Jeth) — Shaheedi Sant Baba Jarnail Singh Ji (Sikh).
11 (28 Jeth) — Gurgadi Guru Hargobind Sahib (Sikh): the installation of the sixth Guru in 1606.
11 — Saint Barnabas' Day (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the apostle, missionary and companion of Saint Paul. Eastern churches usually celebrate Saint Bartholomew as well today.
14 (1 June Julian) — Saint Justin Martyr's Day (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): commemoration of the Christian philosopher who was martyred in Rome in 166.
16 (2 Harh) — Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Sahib (Sikh): commemoration of the death of the fifth Guru in 1606 whilst imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
19 — New Church Day (Swedenborgian Christian): annual commemoration of Emanuel Swedenborg's The True Christian Religion in 1770.
21 — Litha (Pagan): Pagan midsummer festival.
24 — Midsummer's Day (Northern Europe): this is an ancient celebration of the Summer Solstice in Nordic and Baltic countries. It is often linked with the feast of John the Baptist, see below.
24 — Birth of John the Baptist (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of John the Baptist's birth.
24 — Saints Bartholomew and Barnabas' Day (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the apostles.
25 (11 Harh) — Shaheedi Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur (Sikh).
27 — Saint Cyril of Alexandria's Day (Christian).
28 — Saint Irenaeus' Day (Christian).
29 (11 Tir) — Maidyoshahem or Midsummer Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration summer and Hordad, creator of water and patron of wholeness and health. The celebration continues for five days, until 3 July.
29 — Saints Peter and Paul's Day (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): combined celebration of the two best known apostles. Sometimes Saint Peter is celebrated alone.
29 (15 Harh) — Barsi Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji (Sikh).

July[]

01 (13 Tir) — Jashan-e Tiragan or Tishtar Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of Tishtar, the yazad who presides over the star Sirius and the pre-harvest rains.
03 — Saint Thomas' Day (Western Christian): celebration of the apostle who doubted, and yet believed.
05 (21 Harh) — Parkash Guru Hargobind Sahib or Birth of Guru Hargobind (Sikh): celebration of the birthday of the sixth Guru in 1595.
07 (24 June Julian) — Birth of John the Baptist (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the birth of John the Baptist.
09 (16 Rahmat) — Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá'í).
09 (25 Harh) — Shaheedi Bhai Mani Singh Ji (Sikh).
11 — Saint Benedict's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the father of western monasticism.
12 (29 June Julian) — Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian).
21 (6 Sawan) — Miri-Piri Guru Hargobind Sahib (Sikh): the commemoration of Guru Hargobind Sahib's wearing of two swords to signify spiritual and temporal power.
22 — Saint Mary Magalene's Day (Western Christian): celebration of the woman who is called Apostle to the Apostles.
24 — Pioneer Day (Mormonism).
25 — Saint James the Great's Day (Western Christian).
26 (8 Sawan) — Parkash Guru Har Krishan Sahib or Birth of Guru Har Krishan (Sikh): celebration of the birthday of the eighth Guru in 1656.

August[]

01 — Lammas (Western Christian): a European festival of the first fruits of the harvest. The very first ears of grain are plucked to make bread used for the eucharist this day.
01 — Lughnasadh (Pagan): the pagan version of Lammas, celebrating the beginning of the harvest season.
01 — Dormition Fast begins (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): fast in preparation for the Dormition begins.
06 — Transfiguration of the Lord (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the Jesus being revealed as glorious, transfigured, to some of his disciples before his crucifixion.
08 (24 Sawan) — Morcha Guru Ka Bagh (Sikh).
14 (1 August Julian) — Dormition Fast begins (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): fast in preparation for the Dormition begins.
15 — Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Western Christian): observance of the end of the Blessed Virgin's earthly life, which some believe was her bodily assumption into heaven. Its eastern equivalent is Dormition.
15 — Dormition of the Theotokos (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): the equivalent of western Assumption.
19 (6 August Julian) — Transfiguration of the Lord (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the Jesus being revealed as glorious, transfigured, to some of his disciples before his crucifixion.
28 (15 August Julian) — Dormition of the Theotokos (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): the equivalent of western Assumption.
29 — Beheading of John the Baptist (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): commemoration of the martyrdom of John the Baptist by King Herod.
30 (15 Bhadon) — Mela Baba Bakala (Sikh).

September[]

01 — Beginning of the Church Year (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): this day marks the beginning of the annual round of church observances. In recent years, it has become a day of prayer for the environment among Eastern Orthodox who observe the Reformed Julian calendar.
01 (17 Bhadon) — First Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh).
08 — Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Nativity of the Theotokos (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the birth of the mother of Jesus.
(2nd Sunday in September) — Auditor's Day (Scientologist).
11 (1 Thoout) — Coptic New Year (Coptic Christian): begins year 1722. /If next year is a Julian leap year, then this day is 12 September/
11 (1 Maskaram) — Enkutatash or Ethiopian New Year (Ethiopian Christian and Rastafarian): begins year 1998. /If next year is a Julian leap year, then this day is 12 September/
11 (29 August Julian) — Beheading of John the Baptist (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): commemoration of the martyrdom of John the Baptist by King Herod.
13 (27 Shahrevar) — Paitishahem or Ingathering Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the ingathering of the harvest. The celebration continues for five days, until 17 September. These days are particularly associated with Spendarmad, creator of earth and patron of piety.
14 — Holy Cross (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the power of the Cross: the symbol of painful execution is that of joyful salvation to Christians.
14 (1 September Julian) — Beginning of the Church Year (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): the round of church observances begins each year on this date.
16 (2 Asu) — Jotijot of Gurus Amar Das and Ramdas Sahib and Gurgardi of Guru Ramdas and Arjun Sahib (Sikh): this day recalls the passing of authority from the third to the fourth Guru, in 1552, and from the forth to the fifth, in 1581.
18 (4 Asu) — Gurgadi Guru Angad Sahib (Sikh): commemoration of the installation of the second Guru in 1539.
21 (8 September Julian) — Nativity of the Theotokos (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the birth of the mother of Jesus.
22 — Mabon (Pagan): harvest festival.
22 (8 Asu) — Jotijot Guru Nanak Sahib (Sikh): commemoration of the death of Guru Nanak Sahib in Kartarpur in 1539.
27 (14 September Julian) — Holy Cross (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the power of the Cross: the symbol of painful execution is that of joyful salvation to Christians.
29 — St Michael and all Angels (Western Christian): celebration of Michael, the prince of the angels, and of all angels.

October[]

01 — Protecting Veil of the Theotokos (New Calendarist Eastern Christian).
01 (17 Asu) — Singh Sabha Foundation Day (Sikh): commemoration of the founding of the Singh Sabha in Amritsar in 1873.
02 (16 Mihr) — Jashan-e Mihragan or Mithra Feast (Fasli Zoroastrian): festival of Mithra, the ancient yazad of light.
04 — St Francis of Assisi (Western Christian): celebration of the life of St Francis, particularly associated with the blessing of animals.
05 (21 Asu) — Mela Beerh Baba Buddha Ji (Sikh).
07 — Annual Meeting of the International Association of Scientologists (Scientology).
09 (25 Asu) — Parkash Guru Ramdas Sahib (Sikh): celebration of the birthday of the fourth Guru in 1534.
14 (28 Mihr) — Ayathrem or Homing Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): traditional celebration of the return of the flocks from their summer pasture. This festival is devoted to Mordad, creator of plants and patron of long life. The festival continues for five days, until 18 October.
14 (1 October Julian) — Protecting Veil of the Theotokos (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian).
20 (6 Katik) — Gurgadi Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh): the Adi Granth is installed as eternal scripture and Guru in 1708. The day is also the Jotijot of Guru Har Rai Sahib and the Gurgadi of Guru Harkrishan Sahib in 1661.
21 (7 Katik) — Jotijot Guru Gobind Singh Sahib or Death of Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh): commemoration of the death of the tenth Guru in 1708.
22 (22 Katik) — Khalsa Darbar (Sikh).
26 (10 Aban) — Aban Jashan or Water Feast (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the yazad Aban, who is lord of water.
28 — Milvian Bridge Day (Christian): day commemorating the victory Emperor Constantine at Milvian Bridge in the year 321, and the establishment of Christianity as the state religion in the Roman Empire. Reflection on the often difficult ties between Christian faith and civil power is usually the focus of this day.
28 (14 Katik) — Chief Khalsa Diwan Foundation Day and Saka Panja Sahib (Sikh).
31 — All Hallows' Eve (Western Christian): the day before All Saints' Day.
31 — Reformation Day (Protestant Christian): annual commemoration of the beginning of Protestantism in 1517.
31 — Samhain (Pagan): Pagan new year festival.

November[]

01 — All Saints' Day or Hallowmas (Western Christian): a celebration of all saints, known and unknown.
01 (18 Katik) — Punjabi Suba Day (Sikh).
02 — All Souls' Day or Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (Western Christian): a commemoration of all who have died in the faith of Jesus' salvation.
10 — Saint Leo the Great's Day (Western Christian).
11 — Saint Martin's Day (Western Christian).
13 (30 Katik) — Shaheedi Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed (Sikh).
14 (1 Maghar) — SGPC Foundation Day (Sikh).
15 — Beginning of Advent (New Calendarist Eastern Christian): the beginning of the season of preparation for Christmas.
21 — Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple (New Calendarist Eastern Christians).
22 — Saint Cecilia's Day (Western Christian).
23 — Saint Clement's Day (Western Christian).
(5th Sunday before Christmas) — Feast of Christ the King (Western Christian).
24 (11 Maghar) — Shaheedi Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Gurgadi Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (Sikh): commemoration of the martyrdom of the ninth Guru and the passing of leadership to the tenth in 1675. Also the martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das Ji and Bhai Sati Das Ji.
24 (9 Adar — Adar Jashan (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the yazad of fire.
26 (4 Qawl) — Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í): commemorating the day when `Abdu'l-Bahá became the Center of the Covenant.
28 (15 November Julian) — Beginning of Advent (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian): the beginning of the season of preparation for Christmas.
28 (15 Maghar) — Parkash Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji (Sikh).
28 (6 Qawl) — Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Bahá'í).
29 — Day of Prayer for the Mission of the Church (Western Christian).
30 — Saint Andrew's Day (Western Christian).
(4th Sunday before Christmas) — Advent Sunday (Western Christian): the beginning of the season of preparation for Christmas.

December[]

02 (19 Maghar) — Shaheedi Baba Gurbakhsh Singh Ji (Sikh).
04 (21 November Julian) — Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian).
06 — Saint Nicholas' Day (Western and New Calendarist Eastern Christian).
07 — Saint Ambrose's Day (Western Christian).
08 — Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian).
12 (29 Maghar) — Parkash Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji (Sikh).
13 — Saint Lucy's Day (Western Christian).
13 (30 Maghar) — Shromani Akali Dal Foundation Day (Sikh).
19 (6 December Julian) — Saint Nicholas' Day (Old Calendarist Eastern Christian).
21 (8 Poh) — Shaheedi of the Elder Sahibzadas (Sikh): the martyrdom of the older children of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh.
21 — Yule or Midwinter Festival (Pagan).
25 — Christmas (Western Christian and New Calendarist Eastern Christian): celebration of the birth of Jesus.
26 — Saint Stephen's Day (Western Christian): commemoration of the deacon and first martyr of the church.
26 (13 Poh) — Shaheedi of the Younger Sahibzadas (Singh): the martyrdom of the younger children of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Mata Gujri Ji.
27 — Saint John the Evangelist's Day (Western Christian).
28 — Childermas or Holy Innocents (Western Christian).
31 (16 Dey) — Maidyarem or Mid-Winter Festival (Fasli Zoroastrian): celebration of the traditional mid-winter festival, continuing for five days, until 4 January. Maidyarem is holy to Vahman, creator of cattle and patron of good intentions.

Observances fixed in the Islamic calendar[]

Muharram[]

(1 Muharram) — Awwal Muharram or Islamic New Year (Islamic).
(1 Muharram) — Birth of the Báb alternative date (Eastern Bahá'í): celebration of the Báb's birthday as fixed in the Islamic calendar, used by Middle Eastern Bahá'ís. Others celebrate the same event on 20 October.
(2 Muharram) — Birth of Bahá'u'lláh alternative date (Eastern Bahá'í): celebration of Bahá'u'lláh's birthday as fixed in the Islamic calendar, used by Middle Eastern Bahá'ís. Other celebrate the same event on 12 November.
(10 Muharram) — Ashura (Islamic).
(16 Muharram) — Imamat Day (Ismaili Khoja).

Safar[]

(20 Safar) — Arba'in or the Fortieth (Shi'ite): the end of the period of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali that began on Ashura. Karbala is the main focus for this observance.

Rabi al-Awwal[]

(12 Rabi al-Awwal) — Mawlid an-Nabi or the Prophet's Birthday (Islamic).

Rabi al-Ahir[]

Jumada al-Ula[]

(5 Jumada al-Ula) — Declaration of the Báb alternative date (Eastern Bahá'í): Middle Eastern Bahá'í's celebrate this day on its date in the Islamic Calendar, whereas others celebrate on 23 May.

Jumada al-Ahira[]

(23 Jumada al-Ahira) — Birthday of Aga Khan IV (Ismaili).

Rajab[]

(7 Rajab) — Imam Musa al-Kazim Day (Shia Islamic).
(13 Rajab) — Yawm Ali or Birth of Ali bin Abi Talib (Shi'ite): celebration of the birthday of the first Imam.
(27 Rajab) — Laylat al-Miraj (Islamic): celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night-journey to Masjid al-Aqsa and his tour of heaven.

Sha'aban[]

(3 Sha'aban) — Birth of Husayn ibn Ali (Shi'a): celebration of the birthday of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad, son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and third (or second) Imam in Shi'a Islam.
(4 Sha'aban) — Birth of Abbas ibn Ali (Shi'a).
(5 Sha'aban) — Birth of Ali bin Husayn (Shi'a): the birthday of the fourth Imam, Zayn al-Abidin.
(15 Sha'aban) — Laylat al-Bara'a or the Night of Forgiveness (Islamic): in preparation for Ramadan, a night prayer seeking forgiveness is said.
(15 Sha'aban) — Birth of Muhammad al-Mahdi (Shi'a): celebration of the birth of the twelfth Imam.
(28 Sha'aban) — Martyrdom of the Báb (Eastern Bahá'í): Middle Eastern Bahá'ís observe this day on its date in the Islamic calendar, whereas others observe it on 9 July.

Ramadan[]

(1 Ramadan) — Beginning of the Ramadan month-long fast (Islamic).
(19–22 Ramadan) — Mourning for Imam Ali (Shia Islamic).
(27 Ramadan) — Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power (Islamic): celebration of the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims pray extra prayers, especially at night prayer.
(last Friday in Ramadan) — Jum'at al-Wada' or Farewell Friday (Islamic): although not strictly a true religious observance, the last Friday of Ramadan is considered to be an important day of prayer and reflection on the fast.

Shawwal[]

(1 Shawwal) — Id al-Fitr (Islamic): the first day of Shawwal marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Id al-Fitr is a great cause for celebration among Muslims.

Dhu al-Qa'da[]

Dhu al-Hijja[]

(8 Dhu al-Hijja) — Beginning of the Hajj (Islamic): the first day of the great pilgrimage, the Hajj, to Mecca and Medina.
(9 Dhu al-Hijja) — Yawm al-Arafat (Islamic): the second day of the Hajj brings pilgrims out to the plain and mountain of Arafat, near Mecca. Here pilgrims stand and pray vigorously from dawn to dusk.
(10 Dhu al-Hijja) — Id al-Adha (Islamic): the highpoint of the Hajj.
(13 Dhu al-Hijja) — End of the Hajj (Islamic).
(15 Dhu al-Hijja) — Wiladat al-Imam Ali al-Naqi
(18 Dhu al-Hijja) — Id al-Ghadir (Shi'ite): celebration among Shi'a of the day the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have declared Ali bin Abi Talib's Imamate.
(24 Dhu al-Hijja) — Id al-Mubahila (Shi'ite): the commemoration of the meeting between the household of the Prophet Muhammad with Najrani Christians.

Observances fixed in the Hebrew calendar[]

Nisan[]

(1 Nisan) — Shenat Hamelachim or New Year for Kings (Jewish): not a real festival, but it marks the fact that the Hebrew calendar anciently began on this day for some practices.
(approx. 14 Nisan) — Memorial of Christ's Death or Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness): the only festival kept by Jehovah's Witnesses, in memorial of Christ's death. Bread and wine are taken and eaten by the minority anoited. This festival falls immediately after the equinox, and not necessarily according to the Hebrew calendar.
(14 Nisan) — Ta'anit Bechorim or Fast of the Firstborn (Jewish): a minor fast day in remembrance that the Exodus from Egypt was bought at the cost of the lives of the firstborn. If Pesach is on a Sunday, Ta'anit Bechorim is moved to the Thursday before to avoid fasting on Shabbat.
(15 Nisan) — Pesach, Passover or the Feast of Unleavend Bread (Jewish): the major festival of the Hebrew calendar. Jewish families hold a ritual meal, a Seder, and commemorate the Exodus of Israel from Egypt.
(21 Nisan) — End of Pesach (Jewish): the time of [[Pesach come to an end.
(26 Nisan) — Yom haShoah or Holocaust Day (Jewish): day of remembrance for those who were killed in the Holocaust.

Iyyar[]

(day before Yom haAtzmaut) — Yom haZikaron or Memorial Day (Jewish): day of remembrance for soldiers and civilians who have died in and for Israel.
(5 Iyyar /if a Saturday, moved to Thursday before/) — Yom haAtzmaut or Independence Day (Jewish): annual commemoration of the declaration of the independence of Israel in 1948.
(14 Iyyar) — Pesach Sheni or Second Passover (Jewish): little celebrated day that provides an alternative night to celebrate Pesach for those who could not do so on the proper night.
(18 Iyyar) — Lag ba'Omer or 33rd of the Omer (Jewish): the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer from Pesach; it is a day when bonfires are lit and celebrations are permitted.
(28 Iyyar) — Yom Yerushalayim or Jerusalem Day (Jewish): commemoration of the reunification of the city of Jerusalem in 1967 after the Six-Day War.

Sivan[]

(6 Sivan) — Shavuot or Pentecost (Judaism): the end of the counting of Omer, and seven weeks after Pesach.

Tammuz[]

(12 Tammuz) — Yud-Beis Tammuz (Chasidic): celebration of the Previous Rebbe's release from Soviet prison in 1927.
(17 Tammuz) — Tzom Tammuz or Tammuz Fast (Jewish): a dawn-to-dusk fast in remembrance of the Roman destruction of the outer wall of Jerusalem, the cessation of Temple sacrifices and Moses' breaking the stone tablets of the law. Tzom Tammuz also starts a three-week fast leading up to Tisha b'Av.

Av[]

(1 Av) — Beginning of the Nine Days (Jewish): the beginning of nine days of mourning, leading into Tisha b'Av.
(9 Av) — Tisha b'Av (Jewish): fasting observance of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, one of the saddest days in Judaism.
(15 Av) — Tu b'Av (Jewish): an auspicious day for new beginnings, and a popular day for weddings.

Elul[]

(1 Elul) — New Year for Tithes (Jewish): the traditional date when tithes were reckoned. The age of animals was often reckoned by how many times they had seen 1 Elul.
(18 Elul) — Chai Elul (Chasidic): celebration of the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov (1698) and the Alter Rebbe (1745).
(Sunday before Rosh Hashanah, or if RH falls on a Monday or Tuesday, the second Sunday before) — Selichot or Penitence (Jewish): on this day, special prayers of penitence begin and continue through to Yom Kippur.

Tishri[]

(1 Tishri) — Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year (Judaism): The Jewish year 5766 begins. This begins a ten-day period of penitence, the Yamim Noraim, before Yom Kippur.
(Saturday between 1-10 Tishri) — Shabbat Shuvah or the Shabbat of Return (Jewish): the Shabbat in the middle of the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe.
(10 Tishri) — Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement (Judaism):the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish year: a day of penitence.
(15 Tishri) — Sukkot or Tabernacles (Judaism): commemoration of the nomadic history of Israel, begins a period of remembrance.
(21 Tishri) — Hoshana Rabba (Judaism): the seventh day of Sukkot.
(22 Tishri) — Shemini Atzeret (Judaism): the eighth day of Sukkot, which ends the period in Israel, but not elsewhere.
(23 Tishri) — Simchat Torah (Judaism): the ninth day of Sukkot, which ends the period outside of Israel.

Marcheshvan[]

Kislev[]

(19 Kislev) — Yud-Tes Kislev (Chasidic): celebrating the cancellation of the death sentence passed against the Alter Rebbe by the Russian Tsar, and his release from prison.
(25 Kislev) — Chanukkah or Feast of Lights (Jewish): Jewish midwinter festival commemorating the restoration of the Jerusalem Temple to Jewish worship. The festival last eight day in total.

Tevet[]

(10 Tevet) — Tzom Tevet (Jewish).

Shevat[]

(10 Shevat) — Yud Shevat (Chasidic): commemoration of the yahrzeit, or anniversary of death, of the Previous Rebbe.
(15 Shevat) — Tu b'Shevat or the New Year for Trees (Jewish): celebration of the life of trees and their fruit. The Ashkenazim would traditionally eat fifteen different types of fruit on this day. It is a day of rejoicing over the fertility of the land.

Adar Rishon[]

(14 Adar Rishon) — Purim Katan (Jewish): a 'just-in-case' celebration of Purim in years when the month of Adar occurs twice in the Hebrew calendar.

Adar (Sheni)[]

(13 Adar) — Ta'anit Esther (Jewish): fast day on the day before Purim. This is the day that Haman planned the destruction of the Jews. If Purim falls on a Sunday, Ta'anit Esther moves to the Thursday before.
(14 Adar) — Purim or Feast of Lots (Jewish): festival commemorating the victory of Esther and Morechai over the evil Haman.
(15 Adar) — Shushan Purim (Jewish): the day after Purim. Walled cities have traditionally celebrated Purim on 15 Adar. This is because Susa, a walled city, was not relieved until a day later than the rest of the Persian Empire. If it falls on a Saturday, it is postponed until the Sunday.

Observances fixed in the Chinese calendar[]

First month[]

(1 First month) — Chinese New Year (Chinese).

Second month[]

Third month[]

(23 Third month) — Festival of Māzŭ (Taoist): birthday festival of the Heavenly Empress and Sea Goddess, protector of fishermen, sailors and immigrants.

Fourth month[]

(8 Fourth month) — Birth of the Buddha (Eastern Buddhism).

Fifth month[]

(5 Fifth month) — Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese): marks the beginning of the summer with dragon-boat races and eating of rice cakes.

Sixth month[]

(15 Sixth month) — Festival of Guan Gong (Taoist): festival of the God of Virtue and Loyalty.
(19 Sixth month) — Enlightenment of Guān Yīn (Chinese Buddhism).

Seventh month[]

(7 Seventh month) — Qīxì or the Night of Sevens (Chinese): romantic evening on which the tale of the cowherd and the spinster is told, and girls show of their domestic skills.
(9 Seventh month) — Beginning of Ullambana, Obon or Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (Eastern Buddhism): festival of the dead, which involves lighting bonfires, meals, dancing and paper lanterns.
(15 Seventh month) — End of Ullambana or Obon (Eastern Buddhism).

Eighth month[]

(15 Eighth month) — Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese): harvest festival accompanied by the eating of fresh fruit and mooncakes.

Ninth month[]

(9 Ninth month) — Double Ninth Festival (Chinese): a day for warding off evil spirits by climbing mountains and drinking chrysanthemum wine.
(10 Ninth month) — Birth of Confucius (Chinese).
(19 Ninth month) — Death of Guān Yīn (Chinese Buddhism).

Tenth month[]

Eleventh month[]

Twelfth month[]

Observances of the New Paschalion[]

(9th Sunday before Easter) — Septuagesima Sunday (Western Christian): the third Sunday before Lent.
(8th Sunday before Easter) — Sexagesima Sunday (Western Christian): the second Sunday before Lent.
(7th Sunday before Easter) — Quinquagesima Sunday (Western Christian): the Sunday next before Lent.
(day before Ash Wednesday) — Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras (Western Christian): a day of celebration before Lent begins. Traditionally, food that is forbidden during Lent is all consumed during this one night.
(46 days before Easter) — Ash Wednesday (Western Christian): the first day of the Lenten fast. Some worshippers receive a cross in ash on their foreheads to symbolize their fast.
(6th Sunday before Easter) — Quadragesima Sunday (Western Christian): the first Sunday of Lent is often a day of reflection on Jesus' fasting in the wilderness before taking up his ministry.
(3rd Sunday before Easter) — Laetare Sunday, Refreshment Sunday or Mothering Sunday (Western Christian): this day is considered to be the middle of Lent, and the obligation of the fast is relaxed for one day. In Britain, this day is kept as a celebration of mothers.
(Sunday before Easter) — Palm Sunday (Western Christian): celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.
(Thursday before Easter) — Maundy Thursday (Western Christian): commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, at which he washed their feet, gave them the commandment to love and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. The day ends with the remembrance of Jesus' betrayal and arrest.
(Friday before Easter) — Good Friday (Western Christian): solemn commemoration of Jesus' death on the Cross.
(Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon) — Easter (Western Christian): the most important day in the Christian calendar. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his death by crucifixion.
(Sunday after Easter) — Low Sunday or Divine Mercy Sunday (Western Christian): for the entirety of Easter Week the resurrection is celebrated. Although this continues for the fifty days until Pentecost it is only exclusive until Low Sunday. Since 2000, this is Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the Roman Catholic Church.
(5th Sunday after Easter) — Rogation Sunday (Western Christian): Sunday for praying for the land and a good harvest.
(40 days after Easter) — Ascension Day (Western Christian): commemoration of Jesus' ascent into Heaven.
(50 days after Easter) — Pentecost or Whitsunday (Western Christian): celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
(Sunday after Pentecost) — Trinity Sunday (Western Christian): festival of the doctrine of the Trinity.
(60 days after Easter) — Corpus Christi (Western Christian): thanksgiving for the institution of the Eucharist.
(12 days after Trinity Sunday) — Sacred Heart of Jesus (Roman Catholic): reflection on the sacrificial love of Jesus.
(day after Sacred Heart of Jesus) — Immaculate Heart of Mary (Roman Catholic).

Observances of the Old Paschalion[]

(10th Sunday before Easter) — Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican (Eastern Christian): also known as Triodion.
(9th Sunday before Easter) — Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Eastern Christian).
(day before Meat-Fare Sunday) — First Saturday of Souls (Eastern Christian).
(8th Sunday before Easter) — Meat-Fare Sunday or Sunday of the Last Judgement (Eastern Christian): this is the last day on which meat can be eaten before Easter.
(day before Cheese-Fare Sunday) — Second Saturday of Souls (Eastern Christian).
(7th Sunday before Easter) — Cheese-Fare Sunday or Forgiveness Sunday (Eastern Christian): the last day before Lent begins, and the last day on which dairy products, fish, wine and oil may be consumed.
(48 days before Easter) — Clean Monday (Eastern Christian): the first day of the Lenten fast.
(day before Orthodoxy Sunday) — Feast of St Theodore (Eastern Christian).
(6th Sunday before Easter) — Orthodoxy Sunday (Eastern Orthodox): commemoration of the restoration of icons to the church in 843.
(5th Sunday before Easter) — Saint Gregory Palamas' Day (Eastern Orthodox).
(4th Sunday before Easter) — Adoration of the Cross (Eastern Christian).
(3rd Sunday before Easter) — Saint John Climacus' Day (Eastern Christian).
(2nd Sunday before Easter) — Saint Mary of Egypt's Day (Eastern Christian).
(day before Palm Sunday) — Lazarus Saturday (Eastern Christian): the beginning of Great and Holy Week.
(Sunday before Easter) — Palm Sunday (Eastern Christian): commemoration of Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.
(Thursday before Easter) — Great and Holy Thursday (Eastern Christians): the washing of the disciples' feet, the institution of the Eucharist and Jesus' prayer and betrayal.
(Friday before Easter) — Great and Holy Friday (Eastern Christian): solemn commemoration of Jesus' death on the [[Cross].
(Sunday after Julian Paschal Full Moon) — Easter or Pascha (Eastern Christian): the most important festival of the church, celebrating Jesus' resurrection.
(Sunday after Easter) — Saint Thomas' Sunday (Eastern Christian).
(40 days after Easter) — Ascension Day (Eastern Christian): commemoration of Jesus' ascent into Heaven.
(day before Pentecost) — Saturday of Souls (Eastern Christian): preparation for Pentecost.
(50 days after Easter) — Pentecost (Eastern Christian): celebration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
(Sunday after Pentecost) — All Saints' Sunday (Eastern Christian): festival of all the saints.
(day after All Saints') — First day of the Apostles' Fast (Eastern Christian).

Observances fixed in the Indian calendar[]

Warning: There are so many Indian calendars that it is difficult to know how to manage them. I ahve put together a hypothetical Indian calendar that should be generally correct for determining holidays. I have decided to use the amanta scheme of months, where months are counted from new moon to new moon, and, rather than dividing months into a bright and dark half, I have continued the numbering throughout the month. Thus, 1-15 of a month is in the bright half, and 16-30 is in the dark half. Dates given in the purnimanta scheme will place events in the dark half in the next month. Therefore, Mahashivaratri is counted to be on 29 Magha by me. That is the 14th day of the dark half of Magha, but in the purnimanta it is the 14th day of the dark half of Phalguna. A number of factors can number any day inauspicious, which may mean that it is transferred to a better day.

Chaitra[]

(1 Chaitra) — Chandramana Ugadi or Indian Lunar New Year (Hindu): the first day of the lunisolar calendar.
(9 Chaitra) — Rama Navami or Rama's Birthday (Hindu): celebrating both the birthday of Rama and his marriage to Sita.
(13 Chaitra) — Mahavir Jayanti (Jain): celebration of the birthday of Mahavira in 599 on 615 BCE.
(15 Chaitra) — Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu): celebration of the birthday of Hanuman.

Vaisakha[]

15 — Vesak (Buddhist): commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

Jyaistha[]

(10 Jyaistha) — Ganga Dussehra (Hindu): the annual celebration of the sacred river Ganga, or Ganges.

Ashalha[]

(6 Ashalha) — Garbh Sri Mahavir Swami (Jain): celebration of the conception, or descent into the womb, of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and final Tithankara of this age.

Shravana[]

(5 Shravana) — Naga Panchami (Hindu): the day of the snake festival.
(Friday before 15 Shravana) — Varalakshmi Vratam (Hindu).
(23 Shravana) — Janmashtami, Krishna Jayanti or Krishna's Birthday (Hindu).

Bhadrapada[]

(4 Bhadrapada) — Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindu): festival of Ganesha, god of prosperity and frugality.

Ashvina[]

(8 Ashvina) — Durga Ashtami (Hindu).
(9 Ashvina) — Sarasvati Puja (Hindu): celebration of the goddess of eloquence and culture, Sarasvati, with the honouring of books.
(10 Ashvina) — Dasserha (Hindu): celebration of the victory of Rama, and end of Navaratri Dusserha.
(29 Ashvina) — Eve of Divali (Hindu, Jain, Sikh).

Kartika[]

(1 Kartika) — Divali (Hindu, Jain and Sikh).
(15 Kartika) — Parkash Guru Nanak Dev Sahib or Birth of Guru Nanak (Sikh): celebration of the birtday of the first Guru in 1469.
(15 Kartika) — Karthikai Deepam (Hindu).

Margasirsha[]

(11 Margasirsha) — Vaikunta Ekadashi (Hindu): festival in honour of Vishnu.

Pausha[]

Magha[]

(5 Magha) — Vasant Panchami (Hindu).
(29 Magha) — Mahashivaratri or Great Day of Shiva (Hindu): celebration of the God Shiva. Devotees usually fast, meditate and sing mantras. Lingas are bathed in milk.

Phalguna[]

(15 Phalguna) — Holi (Hindu)

Indian solar festivals[]

(1 Mesha) — Vaisakhi, Sovramana Ugadi or Indian Solar New Year (Hindu and Sikh).
(1 Makara) — Makar Sankranti or Pongal (Hindu): Indian winter solstice celebration.