The year ahead
315 festivals, holy days, harvests and seasonal customs, with this year's dates. Dates are worked out afresh every day; those marked "about" follow the moon or local calendars and can shift by a day.
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October 2026
November 2026
1 to 2 Nov 2026All Saints and All SoulsCemeteries glow with candles and chrysanthemums as families remember the dead on 1 and 2 November.
1 to 2 Nov 2026Day of the DeadDia de Muertos: altars with marigolds, sugar skulls and pan de muerto welcome the dead home for a night.
8 Nov 2026Tihar and Bandi Chhor DivasThe Sikh day of liberation: lamps at the Golden Temple, to remember Guru Hargobind and the release of the 52 princes.
9 Nov 2026SigdThe Ethiopian Jewish festival of the covenant: fasting, prayer on a hilltop and the reading of the Torah.
11 Nov 2026St Martin's DayLantern processions of children, goose dinners and the first taste of the year's new wine.
13 to 16 Nov 2026Chhath PujaA four-day offering to the sun god, with devotees standing in rivers at dusk and dawn, kept in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
about 24 Nov 2026Guru Nanak GurpurabThe birthday of the first Sikh guru, with a three-day reading of the scripture and late-night kirtan.
29 Nov to 22 Dec 2026AdventThe weeks of waiting before Christmas: wreaths, candles, calendars and little gifts.December 2026
6 Dec 2026St Nicholas DayShoes are left out the night before, and good children find sweets, nuts and small gifts in the morning.
7 Dec 2026Día de las VelitasOn the night of 7 December Colombians light candles and paper lanterns in doorways and streets for the Immaculate Conception.
12 Dec 2026Day of Our Lady of GuadalupeMillions of pilgrims arrive in Mexico City on 12 December, many on foot, with mariachi serenades at dawn.
13 Dec 2026St Lucia DayA procession of white-robed children with candle crowns and saffron buns on the darkest-feeling morning of the year.
16 to 24 Dec 2026Simbang GabiNine dawn masses before Christmas, followed by a breakfast of puto bumbong and bibingka outside the church.
16 to 24 Dec 2026Las PosadasNine nights of processions that re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for room, ending with a piñata and ponche.
17 to 26 Dec 2026Seb-i ArusThe "wedding night" of Rumi: whirling dervishes turn in Konya on the anniversary of the poet's death in 1273.
25 Dec 2026ChristmasThe birth of Jesus: carols, the crib, trees, lights, presents and a family meal, kept with local foods everywhere.
about 26 Dec 2026Zarthosht no DeesoThe death anniversary of the prophet Zarathustra, remembered by Parsis with prayers and a feast.January 2027
about 5 Jan 2027Isra and Mi'rajThe night journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem and up through the heavens, remembered with prayer.
6 Jan 2027Epiphany and Three KingsThe twelfth day of Christmas: the Magi arrive with gifts, rosca and galette hide a bean or a figure, and waters are blessed.
6 Jan 2027Three Kings Day in Puerto RicoChildren cut grass for the camels and leave it under their beds; the Kings leave gifts and parrandas go door to door.
7 Jan 2027Coptic ChristmasChristmas for Orthodox Christians in Egypt, kept after a 43-day fast with a midnight mass and a feast of meat.
7 Jan 2027GennaEthiopian Christmas on 7 January: a fast, a pre-dawn church service in white and the game of genna.
7 Jan 2027Orthodox ChristmasChristmas on 7 January in churches that keep the Julian calendar: a fast, Holy Supper of twelve dishes and carolling.
13 to 22 Jan 2027GalunganBali's victory of dharma over adharma: tall decorated penjor bamboo poles line every road, and ancestors return to their homes.
14 Jan 2027Lavagem do BonfimSalvador's washing of the church steps: Bahian women in white sweep and wash the stairs with scented water.
15 Jan 2027Laba FestivalThe eighth of the twelfth month: Buddhists remember the Buddha's enlightenment with a sweet, many-grain porridge.
19 to 21 Jan 2027TimkatEthiopian Epiphany: the tabots are carried in procession to water, and thousands are sprinkled with the blessed river.
22 Jan 2027ThaipusamA Tamil festival for Murugan: devotees carry decorated kavadi and milk pots in processions, most famously at Batu Caves.
about 23 Jan 2027Mid-ShabanShab-e-Barat or Nisfu Shaban, the night of forgiveness in the month before Ramadan.February 2027
2 Feb 2027CandlemasForty days after Christmas: candles are blessed, French families make crepes, and Mexican tamales are shared.
2 Feb 2027Festa de IemanjáIn Salvador, thousands bring white flowers and gifts to the sea for Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian queen of the ocean.
2 to 15 Feb 2027Fiesta de la CandelariaThe folkloric capital of Peru: two weeks of dance, brass bands and costumes on Lake Titicaca for the Virgin of Candelaria.
about 8 Feb to 9 Mar 2027RamadanThe month of fasting from dawn to sunset, with night prayers, shared iftar meals and charity.
about 8 Feb to 9 Mar 2027Ramadan in EgyptLanterns hung across the streets, the cannon of iftar and the musaharati's drum are the sights and sounds of Cairo.
10 Feb 2027Ash WednesdayThe first day of Lent: the sign of ashes on the forehead and a call to fasting, prayer and giving.
11 Feb 2027Vasant PanchamiThe spring festival of Saraswati: yellow clothes, books at her feet and a child's first letters.March 2027
6 Mar 2027Maha ShivaratriThe great night of Shiva: fasting, night-long vigil, and bathing the lingam with milk and water.
about 6 Mar 2027Laylat al-QadrThe Night of Power, when the Quran was first revealed, sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
about 9 Mar 2027NyepiThe Balinese Day of Silence: no fire, no travel, no work and no noise, after a night of giant ogoh-ogoh monsters.
about 9 to 11 Mar 2027Hari Raya AidilfitriThe end of Ramadan in the Malay world: balik kampung, ketupat, open houses and a mass journey home.
about 9 to 11 Mar 2027Eid al-FitrThe festival of breaking the fast: morning prayer, new clothes, charity first, then family, sweets and gifts.
15 Mar 2027Clean MondayThe first day of Orthodox Lent in Greece and Cyprus: kites in the hills, a meatless picnic and lagana bread.
21 Mar 2027Palm SundayThe start of Holy Week: palms and olive branches are blessed and carried in procession.
21 to 28 Mar 2027Semana Santa in SevilleHoly Week: brotherhoods carry sculpted floats of Christ and the Virgin through candlelit streets in hooded robes.
26 Mar 2027Good FridayA day of fasting and silence, with the Stations of the Cross, solemn processions and hot cross buns.
28 to 29 Mar 2027EasterThe feast of the resurrection: dawn services, painted eggs, hot cross buns and the end of Lent.April 2027
15 Apr 2027Rama NavamiThe birthday of Rama: readings of the Ramayana, cradle ceremonies at noon, and processions from Ayodhya to Bhadrachalam.
about 20 Apr 2027Mahavir JayantiThe birthday of Mahavira, the last Jain teacher: processions, temple bathing and acts of charity.
about 22 Apr 2027Hanuman JayantiThe birthday of Hanuman: sunrise prayers, the Hanuman Chalisa, vermilion and a Tuesday-style devotion.
22 to 29 Apr 2027PassoverThe festival of freedom: a seder with matzah, bitter herbs and four cups of wine, and no leavened bread for a week.
about 29 Apr to 7 May 2027Matsu PilgrimageTaiwan's nine-day walking pilgrimage with the sea goddess from Dajia, among the largest religious events in the world.
about 20 Apr 2027Mahavir JayantiThe birthday of Mahavira, the last Jain teacher: processions, temple bathing and acts of charity.
about 22 Apr 2027Hanuman JayantiThe birthday of Hanuman: sunrise prayers, the Hanuman Chalisa, vermilion and a Tuesday-style devotion.
22 to 29 Apr 2027PassoverThe festival of freedom: a seder with matzah, bitter herbs and four cups of wine, and no leavened bread for a week.
about 29 Apr to 7 May 2027Matsu PilgrimageTaiwan's nine-day walking pilgrimage with the sea goddess from Dajia, among the largest religious events in the world.May 2027
2 May 2027FasikaEthiopian Easter: after a 55-day Lent, an all-night service and a joyful meal of lamb and doro wat.
2 May 2027Orthodox EasterPascha: midnight candles, "Christ is risen" and the breaking of the long fast with red eggs and lamb.
about 13 May 2027Buddha's Birthday in KoreaLotus lanterns line Seoul and Jogyesa temple, with a lantern parade, Yeondeunghoe, before the day itself.
about 14 to 18 May 2027HajjThe annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in white garments, circling the Kaaba and standing in prayer on the plain of Arafat.
about 15 May 2027Day of ArafahThe ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah: pilgrims stand in prayer on the plain of Arafat, and many others fast at home.
about 16 to 19 May 2027Eid al-AdhaThe festival of sacrifice, remembering Ibrahim's obedience, with a shared sheep or goat and meat for the poor.
about 16 to 18 May 2027Aid el-Kebir in the MaghrebThe Great Eid in Morocco and Algeria: a sheep in every courtyard, the first meal of liver and the days of meat feasts.
16 to 17 May 2027PentecostFifty days after Easter: the coming of the Holy Spirit, with red vestments, birch branches and spring processions.
17 to 19 May 2027KataklysmosCyprus's Festival of the Flood on Pentecost Monday, with water games by the sea and in the squares.
20 May 2027VesakThe full moon of May, when the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha are remembered with lanterns and offerings.
about 21 to 24 May 2027Qoyllur Rit'iThe Star Snow festival: Quechua pilgrims climb to a glacier at 4,700 metres to honour the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i and the mountain spirits.
2 May 2027Orthodox EasterPascha: midnight candles, "Christ is risen" and the breaking of the long fast with red eggs and lamb.
about 13 May 2027Buddha's Birthday in KoreaLotus lanterns line Seoul and Jogyesa temple, with a lantern parade, Yeondeunghoe, before the day itself.
about 14 to 18 May 2027HajjThe annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in white garments, circling the Kaaba and standing in prayer on the plain of Arafat.
about 15 May 2027Day of ArafahThe ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah: pilgrims stand in prayer on the plain of Arafat, and many others fast at home.
about 16 to 19 May 2027Eid al-AdhaThe festival of sacrifice, remembering Ibrahim's obedience, with a shared sheep or goat and meat for the poor.
about 16 to 18 May 2027Aid el-Kebir in the MaghrebThe Great Eid in Morocco and Algeria: a sheep in every courtyard, the first meal of liver and the days of meat feasts.
16 to 17 May 2027PentecostFifty days after Easter: the coming of the Holy Spirit, with red vestments, birch branches and spring processions.
17 to 19 May 2027KataklysmosCyprus's Festival of the Flood on Pentecost Monday, with water games by the sea and in the squares.
20 May 2027VesakThe full moon of May, when the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha are remembered with lanterns and offerings.
about 21 to 24 May 2027Qoyllur Rit'iThe Star Snow festival: Quechua pilgrims climb to a glacier at 4,700 metres to honour the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i and the mountain spirits.June 2027
about 6 Jun 2027Islamic New YearThe first of Muharram, the start of the Hijri year, which counts from the migration of the Prophet to Medina.
about 15 Jun 2027AshuraThe tenth of Muharram: for Shia Muslims a day of mourning for Husayn, for many Sunnis a day of fasting.
24 Jun 2027Inti RaymiThe Inca festival of the sun, restaged each 24 June at Sacsayhuamán above Cusco.
about 15 Jun 2027AshuraThe tenth of Muharram: for Shia Muslims a day of mourning for Husayn, for many Sunnis a day of fasting.
24 Jun 2027Inti RaymiThe Inca festival of the sun, restaged each 24 June at Sacsayhuamán above Cusco.July 2027
16 to 19 Jul 2027Fiesta de La TiranaChile's desert pilgrimage to the Virgen del Carmen, with thousands of dancers in devil masks and sequins.
18 Jul 2027Guru PurnimaThe full moon on which students honour their teachers: Hindu, Buddhist and Jain communities each keep it.
about 22 Jul 2027Grand Magal of ToubaSenegal's Mouride pilgrimage to Touba: millions gather to remember Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba's exile.
about 24 Jul 2027ArbaeenThe fortieth day after Ashura: millions of pilgrims walk to Karbala, welcomed with free food and rest along the road.
about 24 Jul 2027ArbaeenThe fortieth day after Ashura: millions of pilgrims walk to Karbala, welcomed with free food and rest along the road.August 2027
1 Aug 2027Pachamama DayIn the Andes, the first of August is the day Mother Earth is thanked and fed with offerings of food, drink and coca leaves.
about 12 Aug 2027Tisha B'AvA day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, with lamentations read on the floor.
13 to 15 Aug 2027ObonMid-August festival for the ancestors: lanterns welcome the spirits home, bon odori dances follow, and fires send them back.
about 14 Aug 2027MawlidThe birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, with recited praise poems, lit streets, sweets and gifts of food.
about 14 Aug 2027Moulid an-Nabi in EgyptEgypt's birthday of the Prophet: stalls of sugar dolls and horses, Sufi processions and a great fair in Cairo.
about 14 Aug 2027Mawlid in TimbuktuIn Timbuktu and the Sahel the Prophet's birthday is marked with all-night readings, processions and food shared in the streets.
15 Aug 2027Assumption and FerragostoMid-August: the feast of the Virgin Mary, a holiday of the beach, big lunches, flowers and herb blessings.
16 Aug 2027Vu LanThe Vietnamese festival of filial piety and the wandering spirits, on which people pin a rose in thanks to their parents.
16 Aug 2027Hungry Ghost FestivalIn the seventh lunar month, offerings and burnt paper are left for wandering spirits, with street operas for the unseen audience.
25 Aug 2027Krishna JanmashtamiThe birthday of Krishna: midnight prayers, fasting, swings for the child god, and human pyramids to break the pot.September 2027
October 2027
2 to 3 Oct 2027Rosh HashanahThe Jewish new year: the ram's-horn shofar, apples and honey, and ten days of reflection before Yom Kippur.
about 3 Oct 2027IrreechaThe Oromo thanksgiving: millions gather by water in Bishoftu to thank Waaqa for the end of the rains with grass and flowers.
11 Oct 2027Yom KippurThe Day of Atonement: a full day of fasting, prayer and forgiveness, ending with a final shofar blast.
23 to 24 Oct 2027Simchat TorahRejoicing with the Torah: scrolls are carried in dancing circles and the yearly reading starts again.Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Good Friday: Bellina 09, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Christmas: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Public domain, source
- Eid al-Adha: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ashura: Abbas Shariati, CC BY 4.0, source
- Eid al-Fitr: Mohammed Tawsif Salam, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ramadan: Gabby Canonizado, CC BY 2.0, source
- Maha Shivaratri: Navneesh Ramessur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Saint Lucy's Day: Fredrik Magnusson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Krishna Janmashtami: Nvvchar, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Vesak: ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เ, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Isra and Mi'raj: عامر شاہین, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ghost Festival: Chong Fat, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Inti Raymi: Cyntia Motta, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Vasant Panchami: Nitin Das, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Thaipusam: hams Nocete, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Passover: User:RadRafe~commonswiki, Public domain, source
- Mid-Sha'ban: sayyed shahab-o- din vajedi, CC BY 4.0, source
- Chhath Puja: Steffen Gauger, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mawlid: Firdaus Latif, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Nyepi: Matt Croxson, Public domain, source
- Meskel: DanielGirmaTsige, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Yom Kippur: Maurycy Gottlieb, Public domain, source
- Sigd: האגודה הישראלית למען יהודי אתיופיה, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Holy Week in Spain: Rodelar, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Rosh Hashanah: N100a . The original uploader was N100a at Hebrew Wikipedia ., Attribution, source
- Hanuman Jayanti: Haha sugarr, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Qoyllur Rit'i: AgainErick, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Galungan: Davidelit, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Pchum Ben: Saphabodi, CC0, source
- Candlemas: Andrea Mantegna, Public domain, source
- Lavagem do Bonfim: Adenilson Nunes/ AGECOM, CC BY 2.0, source
- Palm Sunday: Pietro Lorenzetti, Public domain, source
- Mahavir Janma Kalyanak: Francis Harry Roy S, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Timkat: Jean Rebiffé, CC BY 4.0, source
- Ethiopian Christmas: Tanjagari, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ash Wednesday: Oxh973, Public domain, source
- Christmas in Russia: Gzen92, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Vassa: Chainwit., CC BY 4.0, source
- Obon: Batholith, Public domain, source
- Saint Nicholas Day: Chmee2, CC BY 3.0, source
- Bandi Chhor Divas: UrbanUrban_ru, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Clean Monday: Перов, Public domain, source
- Simbang Gabi: Avito C. Dalan for the Philippine News Agency, Public domain, source
- Advent: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Irreecha: Mohammed Kassahun, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- All Saints' Day: Fra Angelico, Public domain, source
- Tisha B'Av: shlomi kakon, CC BY 2.5, source
- Simchat Torah: No machine-readable author provided. Merlin assumed (based on copyrigh, CC BY 2.5, source
- Arba'in: SFC Larry E. Johns, USA, Public domain, source
- Epiphany: Gentile da Fabriano, Public domain, source
- Easter: Piero della Francesca, Public domain, source
- Hajj: Al Jazeera English, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Buddha's Birthday: User: (WT-shared) Manoj nav at wts wikivoyage, Public domain, source
- St. Martin's Day: Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Public domain, source
- Night of Power: M sh شراونة محمد, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Guru Nanak Gurpurab: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y, CC BY 2.0, source
- Little Candles Day: CarUno, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Day of Arafah: Al Jazeera English, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Day of the Dead: RubeHM, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Matsu Pilgrimage: Mary Harrsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Zarthosht No Deeso: 19th century in Mumbai according to 青木健 The original uploader was Aria, Public domain, source
- Orthodox Easter: Klearchos Kapoutsis, CC BY 2.0, source
- Assumption Ferragosto: Titian, Public domain, source
- Guadalupe Day: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Pachamama Day: Penarc, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Festa De Iemanja: Samuel Tobbytex007, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Candelaria Puno: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0, source