Major Religious, Spiritual & Cultural Observances 2026–2027
This calendar highlights major religious, spiritual, and cultural observances that may be important to members of our community. It is intended as a resource for awareness, inclusion, and planning and is not an exhaustive list of all religious or cultural observances.
Dates and practices may vary by religious tradition, denomination, geographic region, or individual. Some observances begin at sunset on the evening before the date listed. Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, and other lunar or lunisolar observances may vary by one or more days depending on local or regional practice.
2026
January
January 6 — Three Kings Day / Epiphany
Christianity
Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus and, in some Christian traditions, the revelation of Christ to the world.
January 7 — Orthodox Christmas
Orthodox Christianity
Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ according to churches that follow the Julian calendar.
February
February 17 — Lunar New Year
East Asian cultural and religious traditions, including Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian traditions
Marks the beginning of a new year according to lunar or lunisolar calendars and is celebrated in diverse ways across cultures.
February 18 — Ash Wednesday
Christianity
Marks the beginning of Lent, a period of prayer, repentance, fasting, and spiritual reflection for many Christians.
February 18 – March 19 — Ramadan
Islam
The Islamic month of fasting, prayer, reflection, charity, and community. Muslims who observe Ramadan generally fast from dawn to sunset.
March
March 4 — Holi
Hinduism
A festival associated with spring, renewal, community, and the triumph of good over evil.
March 20 — Eid al-Fitr
Islam
Marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with communal prayer, meals, charity, and gatherings with family and community. Date may vary according to moon sighting.
March 20 — Nowruz
Persian/Iranian traditions; also observed by Zoroastrian and Baháʼí communities
Celebrates the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring.
April
April 1–9 — Passover / Pesach
Judaism
Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt and includes ritual meals, prayer, and storytelling.
April 3 — Good Friday
Christianity
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
April 5 — Easter
Christianity
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April 10 — Orthodox Good Friday
Orthodox Christianity
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
April 12 — Orthodox Easter / Pascha
Orthodox Christianity
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
May
May 27 — Eid al-Adha
Islam
Commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and is associated with sacrifice, charity, prayer, and pilgrimage. Date may vary according to moon sighting.
September
September 4 — Krishna Janmashtami
Hinduism
Celebrates the birth of Krishna, an important deity in Hindu traditions.
September 8–15 — Paryushana
Jainism
A significant period of fasting, reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal in Jain communities.
September 11–13 — Rosh Hashanah
Judaism
The Jewish New Year, marking a period of prayer, reflection, repentance, and renewal.
September 20–21 — Yom Kippur
Judaism
The Day of Atonement, traditionally observed through fasting, prayer, repentance, and reflection.
September 25–October 2 — Sukkot
Judaism
A week-long festival commemorating the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and celebrating harvest and gratitude.
October
October 2–3 — Shemini Atzeret
Judaism
A Jewish festival associated with the conclusion of Sukkot and a time of special prayer and reflection.
October 3–4 — Simchat Torah
Judaism
Celebrates the completion and beginning again of the annual cycle of Torah reading.
October 11–20 — Navaratri
Hinduism
A nine-night festival honoring the divine feminine and celebrated through prayer, worship, music, dance, and other traditions.
October 20 — Vijayadashami / Dussehra
Hinduism
Marks the conclusion of Navaratri and is associated with the triumph of good over evil.
October 22–23 — Twin Holy Birthdays
Baháʼí Faith
Commemorates the births of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, the central figures associated with the Baháʼí Faith.
November
November 8 — Diwali / Deepavali
Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and some Buddhist communities
Known as the Festival of Lights, with different meanings and practices across religious traditions.
November 24 — Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Sikhism
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
December
December 4–12 — Hanukkah / Chanukah
Judaism
An eight-day festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and traditionally celebrated by lighting a menorah.
December 8 — Bodhi Day
Buddhism
Commemorates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.
December 25 — Christmas
Christianity
Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26, 2026 – January 1, 2027 — Kwanzaa
Cultural observance
A week-long celebration of African American culture and community centered on seven principles.
2027
January
January 6 — Three Kings Day / Epiphany
Christianity
Commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.
January 7 — Orthodox Christmas
Orthodox Christianity
Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ according to churches that follow the Julian calendar.
January 14 — Maghi / Lohri
Sikh and Punjabi traditions
A winter observance with cultural and religious significance, particularly within Sikh and Punjabi communities.
January 15 — Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Sikhism
Commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
January 22 — Mahayana New Year
Mahayana Buddhism
Marks the beginning of the new year for many Mahayana Buddhist communities.
January 22–23 — Tu BiShvat
Judaism
A Jewish holiday associated with trees, nature, and the agricultural cycle.
February
February 6 — Lunar New Year
East Asian cultural and religious traditions
Marks the beginning of a new lunar or lunisolar year and is celebrated across many communities and traditions.
February 8 – March 8 — Ramadan
Islam
A month of fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, reflection, charity, and community. Dates may vary according to moon sighting.
February 10 — Ash Wednesday
Christianity
Marks the beginning of Lent, a period of prayer, repentance, fasting, and spiritual reflection.
February 15 — Nirvana Day / Parinirvana Day
Buddhism
Commemorates the death and final nirvana of the Buddha and is observed through meditation, reflection, and remembrance.
February 21 — Magha Puja
Buddhism
Commemorates an important gathering of the Buddha and his disciples and emphasizes Buddhist teachings and practice.
February 26 – March 1 — Ayyám-i-Há
Baháʼí Faith
A period of hospitality, charity, celebration, and preparation for the Baháʼí fast.
March
March 6 — Laylat al-Qadr
Islam
The Night of Decree, observed during Ramadan and associated with the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.
March 6 — Maha Shivaratri
Hinduism
A major Hindu observance dedicated to Shiva and commonly marked by prayer, meditation, fasting, and night vigils.
March 10 — Eid al-Fitr
Islam
Marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with prayer, charity, food, family, and community gatherings. Date may vary according to moon sighting.
March 22–23 — Purim
Judaism
Celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia as described in the Book of Esther.
March 22 — Holi
Hinduism
A festival of spring, renewal, community, and the triumph of good over evil.
March 23–25 — Hola Mohalla
Sikhism
A Sikh festival emphasizing community, martial arts, service, music, and spiritual practice.
March 26 — Good Friday
Christianity
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
March 28 — Easter
Christianity
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April
April 7 — Ugadi
Hinduism
Celebrates the New Year in several South Indian communities.
April 14 — Vaisakhi / Baisakhi
Sikhism
Commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa in Sikh tradition and is also an important spring harvest festival.
April 19 — Mahavir Jayanti
Jainism
Celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism.
April 21–29 — Passover / Pesach
Judaism
Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
April 21 — Ridván Begins
Baháʼí Faith
Marks the beginning of the twelve-day Ridván festival commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission.
April 30 — Orthodox Good Friday
Orthodox Christianity
Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
May
May 2 — Orthodox Easter / Pascha
Orthodox Christianity
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
May 16–17 — Eid al-Adha
Islam
A major Islamic festival associated with sacrifice, charity, prayer, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. Date may vary according to moon sighting.
May 19–20 — Vesak / Buddha Day
Buddhism
Commemorates events in the life of the Buddha, including his birth, enlightenment, and passing, depending on the Buddhist tradition.
May 23–24 — Declaration of the Báb
Baháʼí Faith
Commemorates the Báb's declaration of his religious mission.
May 28–29 — Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh
Baháʼí Faith
Commemorates the death of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith.
June
June 10–12 — Shavuot
Judaism
Commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is associated with study, prayer, and celebration.
June 15 — Ashura
Islam
An important day of fasting and remembrance with different significance and practices among Sunni and Shia Muslim communities.
June 16 — Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Sikhism
Commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru.
Planning for Inclusion
When scheduling meetings, events, examinations, deadlines, or other activities, consider that religious and cultural observances may involve fasting, prayer, worship, dietary practices, travel, or restrictions on work and other activities.
Where possible, avoid scheduling important events or deadlines on major religious observances and provide reasonable opportunities for individuals to communicate their observance and accommodation needs.
Please note: Religious observance is personal, and not every member of a religious or cultural community will observe a particular date in the same way. This calendar should be used as a resource for awareness and inclusive planning rather than as a definitive statement about individual practice.