2024 Cultural Planner Dates and PDF Download

The Happy Cultural Planner is your guide to the key holidays for the major cultures and faiths. It has now been published by Happy for 30 years. As well as an indicator of upcoming holidays (including those which may prevent people attending your events), it’s a handy way to plan for the year.

This is the 2024 Cultural Planner — The 2025 Cultural Planner is now available.

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Click here to download the 2024 Happy Cultural Planner

About the Happy Cultural Planner

The Happy Cultural Planner is a free document you can download, print and use. See below for a full list of the 2024 festivals, along with their meanings, to help plan for the year ahead.

Disclaimer: Happy Ltd makes no claim of allegiance to, or expertise in, any particular faith or interest group.

The aim of this Planner is to raise awareness of cultural/religious festivals and awareness days which may have significance to communities represented in your workplace. By doing this, we hope to foster interest and understanding of each other’s beliefs and encourage respect for different world views.

Whilst every effort has been made to cover as many significant events as fairly as possible, space is limited and the list is necessarily abbreviated. Significant omissions are therefore unintentional. If you feel an important event has been missed out, misrepresented or is just plain wrong, please contact hello@happy.co.uk and we will correct the online version as soon as possible and the hard copy for next year.

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Secular and International Days

Date	Name of Festival
1st January	New Year's Day The beginning of the New Year in the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Learn more
25th January	Burns' Night Celebration of the works of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. Haggis, neeps and tatties are eaten at a 'Burns Supper', with whisky drinking and bagpipe music. Learn more
27th January	Holocaust Memorial Day Holocaust Memorial Day is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in other genocides such as in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Learn more
1st-28th February	LGBT History Month Learn more
13th February	Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It's also known as Pancake Tuesday and Mardi Gras. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, i.e. the process of confessing and repenting for sins and fasting and abstaining from luxuries during Lent. Learn more
14th February	Valentine's Day Based on legends of Saint Valentine, who performed secret marriages while they were banned by Emperor Claudius II. Another legend tells of an imprisoned Valentine signing secret letters to the jailer’s daughter as “your Valentine”. Learn more
1st March	St David's Day Celebration of the patron Saint of Wales. Learn more
8th March	International Women's Day A worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions made by women. Learn more
tbc.	Sign Language Week A week of events celebrating 'Pride in BSL' and the culture and achievements of the people who use British Sign Language, 'the UK's fourth indigenous language'. Learn more
10th March	Mother's Day Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent. It is often called Mother's Day, and is a day to honour mothers and other mother figures, such as grandmothers, stepmothers and mothers-in-law. Learn more
17th March	St. Patrick's Day Celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Secular celebrations include parades and cultural events. A festival celebrated more by the Irish diaspora than within Ireland itself. Learn more
20th March	International Day of Happiness The United Nations International Day of Happiness is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a non-profit movement of people from 160 countries, supported by a partnership of like-minded organisations, including Happy.co.uk! Learn more
31st March	Clocks Go Forward Learn more
23rd April	St. George's Day Celebration of the patron saint of England. Learn more
May tbc.	Deaf Awareness Week (UK) A week during which events are held to raise awareness of deaf people and the different forms of deafness. Events celebrate achievements and rights of deaf people as well as their needs and sign language.A week of events that raises awareness and challenges perceptions of hearing loss and deafness. Learn more
May tbc.	Mental Health Awareness Week starts A week during which events are held to highlight issues around mental health. This year's theme: nature and the environment. Learn more
16th June	Father's Day A more recent parallel to Mother’s Day for fathers, established in the early 20th Century by a daughter who wanted to express her appreciation for her single father. Learn more
October	Black History Month A month of events celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of great black people in the UK. Learn more
27th October	Clocks Go Back Learn more
31st October	Halloween All Hallows' Eve is commonly known as Halloween and means eve of All Saints' (or Hallows') Day. 'Hallow' is an old English word for saint. Halloween rituals are believed to have evolved from the Celtic festival, Samhain (see below), which was Christianised by the early Church. It is widely accepted that the early Church missionaries held a festival at this time of year to absorb native Pagan practices into Christianity, thereby smoothing the conversion process. Learn more
5th November	Bonfire Night A celebration commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot (1605); an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Learn more
11th November	Remembrance Day Held in the UK as a day "to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts". The National Service of Remembrance is held on this day, as well as parades and commemorations at war memorials throughout the UK and Commonwealth. A two-minute silence is observed at 11 am. Learn more
30th November	St. Andrew's Day Celebration of the patron saint of Scotland. Learn more
31st December	New Year's Eve / Hogmanay New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink, and watch fireworks to mark the new year. Celebrations continue past midnight into New Year's Day. In Scotland these parties are called Hogmanay and feature local customs and traditional music. 'New Year's Resolutions' are also made, where people make a personal commitment to making a change to an aspect of their life in the new year. Learn more

UK Bank Holidays

Date	Name of Festival
1st January	New Year's Bank Holiday
2nd January	New Year Holiday (Scotland only)
18th March	St. Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland only)
29th March	Good Friday
1st April	Easter Monday (not Scotland)
6th May	Early May Bank Holiday
27th May	Spring Bank Holiday
12th July	Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland only)
5th August	August Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
26th August	August Bank Holiday (ENG, NIR, WAL)
2nd December	St. Andrew's Day (Scotland only)
25th December	Christmas Day
26th December	Boxing Day

Rastafarian

Date	Name of Festival
6th Jan	Ceremonial Birthday of Haile Selassie Learn more
21st April	Groundation Day Marks the date Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica in 1966. The visit was the only time the Emperor visited Jamaica. A Nyabingi session, inclusive of music, chanting and prayer is held to mark the occasion.Each spring, Rastafari celebrate Groundation Day, marking Selassie’s triumphant visit to Jamaica Learn More
23rd July	Birthday of Haile Selassie A celebration of the birth of Emperor Haile Selassie I, who Rastafarians recognise as Messiah and God, with music, song and prayer. Learn more
17th August	Marcus Garvey’s birthday Commemorates the Birthday of Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican politician born in 1887 who predicted the crowning of a King in Africa and instigated the 'Back to Africa' movement. Rastafarians remember the important role played by Garvey in the development of Black rights. The occasion reflects on Garvey's influential prophecy. Poetry is recited recalling the historical importance of Marcus Garvey. African dance is also encouraged. Learn more
2nd November	Crowning of Emperor Selassie Commemorates the Coronation of Ras Tafari as Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Ethiopia, in 1930. The high priest reads Biblical passages and initiates the singing of songs to re-emphasise the importance of Haile Selassie as messiah. A Nyabingi meeting also takes place to remember Haile Selassie. Learn more

Christian – All traditions unless stated

Date	Name of Festival
22nd February	Ash Wednesday (Start of Lent; ends 6th April) Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Western Christian churches and is a day of penitence. In some traditions, services are held on Ash Wednesday when worshippers are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality. Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Learn more
24th March	Palm Sunday, Holy Week Starts Commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, following his miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Learn more
28th March	Lord's Evening Meal (Jehovah's Witness) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the bread and wine representing Jesus' last supper should be taken by only a few special Witnesses, and only once a year. All the others attend memorial events, but do not partake of the wine and bread. It is the only specific celebration in the Jehovah's Witness calendar. Learn more
29th March	Good Friday Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a Bank Holiday Holiday and observant Christians may attend special church services. One of two 'common holidays' linked to major Christian festivals, which predate the introduction of Bank Holiday Holidays. Learn more
31st March	Easter Sunday Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion on Good Friday. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday (also called Easter Day, Resurrection Day, Resurrection Sunday, Pascha or simply Easter). Learn more
19th May	Pentecost Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter, and commemorates the Holy Spirit coming to earth. It is celebrated as the birthday of the Christian church. Learn more
24th July	Pioneer Day (Mormon) The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) celebrates Pioneer Day every year on the anniversary of the day on which the first Mormon pioneers entered the Great Salt Lake Valley in what would become the state of Utah, fleeing persecution. Learn more
22nd August	Grand Finale of Tabieorar Period (Aladura) End of 13 days of fasting and praying for Church of the Lord (Aladura). Learn more
24th December	Christmas Eve Christmas celebrations traditionally start on Christmas Eve with Midnight Mass. Christian tradition holds that Jesus was born at night and Midnight Mass is a commemoration of his birth. Learn more
25th December	Christmas Feast day celebrating the birth of Jesus, celebrated by Christians of almost all denominations. As one of 6 'Holy Days of Obligation', believers are required to attend church and try not to do any servile work. Learn more
31st December	Watch Night (Pentecostal) Watch Night services originated in the Methodist church, but today is of particular significance in Black churches, because it is a celebration of Emancipation. On New Year’s Eve, 1862, American slaves gathered in churches to await confirmation of their freedom through the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. Learn more

Eastern Orthodox Christian

Date	Name of Festival
7th January	Nativity of the Lord (Orthodox Christmas) Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar. Learn more
8th January	Replacement Day
18th March	Start of Great Lent Great Lent, or the Great Fast, corresponds to Lent in Western Christianity and ends on the Friday before Lazarus Saturday, when it runs into the Passion Week Fast, which continues until after the Paschal Vigil early in the morning of Pascha. Learn more
28th April	Palm Sunday/Start of Holy Week Commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, following his resurrection of Lazarus. It marks the start of Holy Week. Learn more
3rd May	Holy Friday (Great Friday) Great Friday is traditionally a mourning and fasting day among Orthodox Christians in the United Kingdom, particularly in the Greek Orthodox churches. The day commemorates Jesus’ death by crucifixion. It is a day of serious observance that takes place prior to Easter Sunday Learn more
5th May	Pascha (Easter Sunday) The Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest of the feasts of the Orthodox Church. It is not counted among the twelve major feasts of the Church since it is considered by itself as the "Feast of Feasts." Learn more
23rd June	Pentecost / Trinity Sunday Also called Trinity Day or Descent of the Holy Spirit. 50 days after Pascha, it celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. Learn more

Neo Pagan/Wicca

Date	Name of Festival
2nd February	Imbolc Pagan midwinter festival. Celebrates the land’s awakening and the growing power of the sun. Learn more
21st March	Ostara (Spring Equinox) Celebrates the renewed life of the Earth. Ostara occurs at the time of the spring equinox and is celebrated as the start of Spring. Similar to those observed at Easter, symbols for Ostara include eggs, rabbits, flowers and seeds. Learn more
1st May	Beltane Beltane means 'fires of Bel' – after the Celtic deity Belenus. Fires were lit to celebrate the return of life and the burning away of winter. These fires were thought to cleanse, purify and increase fertility. People leap over the Beltane fire to bring good fortune, fertility (of mind, body and spirit) and happiness through the coming year. The largest fire festival in the UK takes place in Edinburgh. Learn more
20th June	Litha (Midsummer's Day) At Summer Solstice neo-pagans celebrate Midsummer or Litha, which means 'standing still of the sun'. It’s the longest day of the year. Learn more
1st August	Lughnasadh-Lammas Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the time of the corn harvest when Pagans give thanks to the Goddess for her gifts. Lughnasadh is still celebrated as a harvest festival by modern Pagans. Learn more
21st September	Mabon - September Equinox (9 days) A modern Pagan 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. The name Mabon was coined by Aidan Kelly around 1970. Learn more
1st November	Samhain Samhain marks the Celtic New Year and the beginning of what Pagans call the Wheel of the Year. For Pagans, death is part of the natural life cycle and not to be feared. Samhain is considered by some as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets, and other loved ones who have died. Learn more
21st December	Yule (12 Days) Yule marks the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year. Pagans celebrate the rebirth of the sun and Yule also celebrates the Mother Goddess at the height of her powers. Pagans celebrate Yuletide in many ways, most will decorate a "Yuletide" tree, keep it in their homes until most of the leaves fall off then burn the Yule log. Learn more

Hindu

Date	Name of Festival
15th January	Makar Sankranti/Pongal (4 days) Makar Sankranti (like Lohri in Punjab) is a midwinter harvest festival celebrating the lengthening of days into spring. It is the first of the big and holy bathing days of Hindus. People go in huge crowds to bathe in the holy waters in places such as Allahabad, Varanasi, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and The Gangasagar. Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festivals of Tamil Nadu. It marks the beginning of Uttarayana (sun's journey northwards). Celebrations include a drawing of Kolam, swinging and the cooking of delicious Pongal. Learn more
8th March	Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri is a festival also known as Great Night of Shiva. Devotees observe a day and night fast. Learn more
25th March	Holi Holi is one of the major festivals of India celebrating the end of Winter and start of Spring. Also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’ due to the practice of throwing and applying coloured water and powders on friends and family. Learn more
14th April	Vaisakhi (Hindu New Year) New Year in India is celebrated at different times in different places. Vaisakhi is a religious holiday for Sikhs and Hindus and is celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year. Learn more
16th April	Rama Navami A public holiday in India. Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama and is one of the most important Hindu festivals. Learn more
23rd April	Hanuman Jayanti At Hanuman Jayanti, Hindus celebrate the birth of the god Hanuman. Devotees visit the temple and apply sindoor (red powder) to their foreheads, as Hanuman’s image is always coloured red. Learn more
19th August	Rakhi/Raksha Bandhan Celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. Learn more
26th August	Krishna Janmashtami Annual festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Learn more
6th September	Ganesh Chaturthi The birth of Ganesh, god of wisdom and prosperity. Ganesh Chaturthi lasts for 10 - 11 days, with the biggest celebrations taking place on the last day, Ananta Chaturdasi. Learn more
3rd October	Navaratri (9 days) Navaratri is a nine day festival of music and dance when Hindus worship the female expression of the divine. During Navaratri the creative power of the Goddess is celebrated, personified in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Learn more
12th October	Dussehra Celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama, it is part of Navaratri and is celebrated all over India but in different ways. Learn more
31st October	Diwali (Deepawali) Diwali, the festival of light, extends over five days and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Learn more

Buddhist – All traditions unless stated

Date	Name of Festival
25th January	Mahayana New Year (M) Learn more
15th February	Nehan-e / Nirvana Day The Buddha’s death, celebrated because he attained total Enlightenment, or Nirvana. Learn more
24th February	Cho Trul Duchen (Tibet) – full moon This day highlights the end of Losar, 15 days after the Tibetan New Year. On this day it is said that any karma, positive or negative is multiplied by a million times. Learn more
3rd March	Hana Matsuri (M) Learn more
21st March	Higan-e (M) The Higan-e Ceremony is a memorial service for departed ancestors. It is widely practiced in all forms of Buddhism in Japan and is conducted on vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Learn more
23rd May	Vesak / Buddha Day (All traditions) The date on which Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment. Vesak is the main Buddhist festival in the UK. Learn more
23rd May	Saka Dawa (T) – full moon Saka Dawa is the most important day in Tibetan Buddhism. The festival itself lasts a month but the 15th day is the most important as it coincides with three main events in the life of the Buddha: His birth, his enlightenment, and his paranirvana (death). Learn more
21st July	Dhammacakka Day (Th) / Chor Khor Duchen (T) A celebration of the first time the Buddha gave his teachings, Dharma. Learn more
22nd September	Higan-e (M) The Higan-e Ceremony is a memorial service for departed ancestors. It is widely practiced in all forms of Buddhism in Japan and is conducted on vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Learn more
17th October	Kathina (Th) – full moon Kathina is a month-long festival that gives the opportunity for 'lay people' to make offerings and pay their respects to the Buddhist monks. A typical gift is the cloth from which the monks would be able to make new robes. Learn more
22nd November	Lhabab Duchen (T) – full moon Lhabab Duchen is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. It commemorates the return of the Buddha to earth from heaven (one of his 8 Great Deeds). It is part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition to engage in virtuous activities and prayer on this day as the effects of positive or negative actions are believed to be multiplied ten million times. Learn more
8th December	Jodo-e/Rohatsu/Bodhi Day (M) Bodhi Day commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree. Learn more

Bahá’í

Date	Name of Festival
26th February	Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) The Intercalary Days balance out the calendar (of 19 months of 19 days). A time for extra focus on hospitality, charity, giving gifts and preparing for the month of fasting. Learn more
1st - 19th March	Feast of Ala (Start of Nineteen Day Fast) ‘Ala, the last month of the Bahá’í year, is also known as the Nineteen Day Fast. During this time, Bahá’ís do not eat or drink for 19 days , between sunrise to sunset, making time for extra prayer and meditation. Learn more
20th March	Naw Rúz Naw Rúz is the ancient Persian festival marking the beginning of spring and the start of a new year. It coincides with the Feast of Bahá’ía and the end of the Nineteen Day Fast. Learn more
20th April	Ridvan (1st, 9th and 12th are holy days) The Festival of Ridván, also called the Most Great Festival or King of Festivals, is the most important festival for Bahá’ís, when they celebrate when their founder, Bahá’íá'u'lláh, declared his mission as God’s messenger, and founded the faith. Learn more
23rd May	Declaration of the Bab Commemorates the Báb foretelling the coming of a new messenger from God. It is one of nine Holy Days on which Bahá’ís do not attend work or school. Learn more
28th May	Ascension of Baha’u’llah Day of Remembrance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’íá, the son of the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He became well known for helping the poor and needy. Learn more
9th July	Martyrdom of the Báb The anniversary of the execution of the Báb, the herald of the Bahá’í faith. It is one of nine Holy Days on which Bahá’ís do not attend work or school. Learn more
2nd November	Birth of the Báb
3rd November	Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Learn more

Zoroastrian / Persian

Date	Name of Festival
24th January	Sadeh (Jashn-e) Sadeh is a Persian midwinter fire festival, celebrate 50 days before the Spring equinox to celebrate the lengthening days. Learn more
11th March (5 days) 16th March (5 days)	Frawardigan (Split into two 5 day halves) A festival during which the immortal souls and the guardian spirits of departed ancestors, come down into the temple. Many Zoroastrians take time off to pray, and eat sacred food. Learn more
21st March	Nouruz (Iranian New Year) Celebration of the first day of spring. Gifts are exchanged and offerings made at the Fire Temple. Learn more
26th March	Khordad Sal Khordad Sal is celebrated by Zoroastrians and Parsis as the birthday of their founder, Zoroaster. The date is symbolic as the actual date of Zoroaster's birth cannot be accurately identified. The festival is one of the most important in the Zoroastrian and Parsi calendar, when they gather in fire temples for prayer and celebrate with feasting. Learn more
26th December	Zartosht No Diso On this day Zoroastrians remember the death of their prophet, Zoroaster. Learn more

Chinese / Taoist

Date	Name of Festival
21st January	Lunar New Year's Eve/Start of Spring Golden Week Starting from Lunar New Year's Eve there begins a 16-day celebration to welcome the New Year. In some countries, this includes 7 days of public holidays known as Spring Golden Week. Learn more
10th February	Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon) Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays in China, and the most widely celebrated by the Chinese diaspora. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Learn more
24th February	Yuan Xiao (Lantern Festival) This celebrates the first full moon of the year and the birthday of Tianguan, a Taoist god of good fortune. Learn more
11th March	Zhonghe (Blue Dragon Festival) The celebration of the waking of the dragon that brings rain. Learn more
4th April	Qing Ming Jie (Tomb Sweeping Day) Start of Spring. Tombs of ancestors are swept and tidied. Learn more
10th June	Duanwu (Dragon Boat Festival) A celebration of masculine energy as dragons are regarded as masculine symbols. A time of respect for elders; or a commemoration of the death of the poet  Qu Yuan. Learn more
10th August	Qixi (Double 7th or Chinese Valentine’s Day) Traditionally the family tomb is cleaned and swept on Qing Ming day with fresh offerings laid out for the ancestors. This festival is anchored to the solar year rather than lunar year and so always falls between April 4th to 6th. It marks the start of Spring and is associated with kite flying. It has similarities to the Christian Easter Spring festival in that eggs are prepared and eaten. In some areas boys used to wear willow wreathes on their heads to summon rain for the growing season. Learn more
18th August	Zhongyuan (Ghost Festival) Buddhist/Taoist Ghost Festival also known as Zhongyuan, when it is believed the dead visit their living descendants. Learn more
17th September	Mid-Autumn (Mooncake) Festival Learn more
1st October	Start of Autumn Golden Week
11th October	Chonyang (Double Ninth) Festival This is a day of respect for ancestors, held on the ninth day of the ninth month in lunar calendar. Learn more
21st December	Dongzhi Festival (Winter Solstice) Chinese Winter Solstice festival, a time during the depths of winter to enjoy a hearty, fortifying family meal that raises hopes for spring's arrival. Learn more

Japanese / Shinto

Date	Name of Festival
1st January	Gantan sai/OShōgatsu This Japanese celebration of the New Year includes prayers for the renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity. The festival lasts for a week, during which time people visit one another’s homes and offer gifts of good wishes for the coming year. Learn more
1st January	Hatsumode This Japanese festival marks the first visit of the year to Shinto shrines. Learn more
15th January	Dōsojin (Fire Festival) Held in honour of the tutelary Dōsojin. The Dōsojin are believed to fend off epidemics and other misfortunes. Learn more
3rd February	Setsubun Sai (Bean Scattering) People nationwide throw beans outside their homes to banish misfortune and invite happiness. Learn more
29th April	Shōwa no Hi (Emperor Hirohito's Birthday) Start of Golden Week when several festivals fall in quick succession. Learn more
8th May	Shōwa no Hi (Emperor Hirohito's Birthday) Start of Golden Week when several festivals fall in quick succession. Learn more
5th May	Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) Children's Day is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5 and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Learn more
13th-15th August	Obon (Festival of Souls) (3 days) Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honour the spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist-Confucian custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors' graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars. Learn more
16th September	Keirō no Hi (Respect for the Aged Day) Respect for the Aged Day is a secular Japanese public holiday celebrated annually, on the third Monday of September, to honour elderly citizens. Learn more
4th November	Bunka no Hi (Culture Day) A day for the promotion of culture of various kinds - from the arts to academics. Learn more
31st December	Ōmisoka (New Year's Eve) Ōmisoka New Year's Eve. Homes and workplaces are thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the New Year. Family gatherings are popular. Learn more

Jain (Depends on location - This list for London)

Date	Name of Festival
7th February	Meru Trayodashi Meru Trayodashi is celebrated by visiting temples, donating, and listening to the fables of the past along with religious songs and stories. It is believed that regular observance of fast, donation, and sacraments will nullify the ill deeds of the past and help attain peace and prosperity in the life of the devotee. Learn more
23rd March	Phalguna Chaumasi Chaudas A festival dedicated to celebrating the manifestation of Ahimsa, or nonviolence. Learn more
2nd April	Varshitapa Arambha The start of an auspicious period observed by the Jain community.
21st April	Mahavir Jayanti Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Mahavira, a contemporary of the Buddha. Mahavira was the last Tirthankara (great sage) and the most important prophet of the Jain faith. Learn more
10th May	Varshitapa Parana Celebrated by observance of the Varshitapa – the year-long alternative-day fasting. Jains will also perform parana and break their fast by drinking the juice of sugarcane.
20th July	Ashadha Chaumasi Chaudas Chaumasi Chaudas (also known as Varsha Vras) is the most important festival of Jainism. It is a four month period in which Jains focus on their guiding principle of non-violence and charity. The main purpose of this festival is to provide an occasion to reflect on the philosophy and teachings of Lord Mahavir and to practice them for the well-being of oneself as well as the whole world.
31st August	Paryushan (9 day fast - final day festival) Paryushan means ‘coming together' and is said to have been initiated by the founder of Jainism. It’s a 10 day festival, and for the first 9 days Jains follow a strict regime of fasting and meditating. The final day of Payushan is celebrated with a community banquet.
8th September	Samvatsari Parva Paryshan parva is an 8 day Jain festival of reflection and seeking forgiveness of sins. It culminates on the last day when Samvatsari Pratikraman is conducted, for repentance of the whole year's sins. Learn more
31st October	Lakshmi Puja To welcome the goddess Lakshmi, houses are cleaned and decorated and sweets are prepared so that Lakshmi may visit and bestow her blessings on the household. Learn more
2nd November	Gujarati New Year
14th November	Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas Karthika Purnima marks the end of Chaumasi Chaudas.
15th November	Kartika Ratha Yatra Learn more

Sikh (Nanakshahi Calendar)

Date	Name of Festival
17th January	Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Celebrating the birth of Gobind Singh who became the 10th and final human Sikh Guru. Learn more
14th March	Nanakshahi New Year Learn more
27th March	Hola Mohalla (3 days) Sikh festival beginning on the second day of the lunar month of Chet, following the Hindu festival of colours. Learn more
14th April	Vaisakhi (Birth of the Khalsa) At Vaisakhi, Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa, the collective body of baptised Sikhs created in 1699. Originally a harvest festival in the Punjab, it has become Sikhs' most important festival. Learn more
16th June	Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Guru Arjan was the first Sikh Guru who were martyred. His Martyrdom is considered very important to the Sikh religion and is celebrated as such. Learn more
20th October	Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Sikhs regard their central scripture, The Guru Granth Sahib as the final and eternal Guru. Its compilation was first installed in the Golden Temple in Amritsar on 1st September in 1704. Learn more
1st November	Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) Day of liberation commemorating the day the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind was released from Gwalior Fort. Learn more
15th November	Guru Nanak Gurpurab Celebrating the birth of Sikh's first Guru and the founder of Sikhism. Learn more
24th November	Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahdur On this date in 1675 Guru Tegh Bahdur, the ninth Sikh Guru was martyred in the name of allowing his people to freely practice their religion. Learn more

Jewish

Date	Name of Festival
24th March	Purim Purim is one of the most joyous holidays of the Jewish calendar, it celebrates the events told in the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. Purim is a time of praise and thanksgiving, and almsgiving is an important Purim tradition. The Book of Esther is read aloud in the synagogue and the congregation use rattles, cymbals and boos to drown out Haman's name whenever it appears. Learn more
23rd April	Passover (Pesach; 8 Days) The Feast of Unleavened Bread. Passover commemorates the escape of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. It is also a celebration of spring, and of taking responsibility for yourself, the community, and the world. Passover lasts for eight days. Learn more
12th June	Shavuot (2 days) Shavuot or the Festival of Weeks is a harvest festival when Jews give thanks for the first fruits of the year. Shavuot also marks the time when Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai. It's a time to give thanks for the Holy Book and to study its texts. Learn more
23rd July	Tish’a B’Av/The Three Weeks Tisha B'Av is a fast that commemorates the destruction of the two holy and sacred Temples of the Jews destroyed by the Babylonians (in 586 B.C.E) and the Romans (in 70 C.E.) and other tragedies of Jewish history. Learn more
3rd-4th October	Rosh Hashanah (2 days) New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world. It is also a judgement day, when Jews believe that God balances a person's good deeds over the last year against their bad deeds. Learn More
12th October	Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement is the holiest day of the year, for nearly 26 hours, Jewish people abstain from food and drink, do not wash or apply lotions or creams, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from sex and spend the day in synagogue, praying for forgiveness. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or sometimes 'the Days of Awe', which begin with Rosh Hashanah. Learn more
17th October	Sukkot (7 days) Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. At Sukkot Jews remember the Israelites' 40 years of exile in the desert, living in makeshift dwellings, before they reached the promised land. Sukkot is intended to be a joyful festival that lets Jews live close to nature and know that God is taking care of them. Learn more
24th-25th October	Shemini Atzeret (2 days) Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday marking the day after the end of Sukkot and is an extra day of celebration. Many religious Jews observe a rota of weekly readings from the Torah which allows them to read it through from Genesis to Deuteronomy on a yearly basis. Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah" and is the day when this annual cycle of rereading the Torah ends and starts anew. Learn more
26th December	Chanukah/Hannukah (8 days) The Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrated for eight days. It commemorates the Jews’ struggle for religious freedom. During Chanukah, Jews light one more candle each night.

Muslim

Date	Name of Festival
7th February	Isra and M'raj Also known as Shab-e-Miraj, Lailat al Miraj, Isra'a Wl Miraj, or Miraaj nabi, it is the night when Muslims celebrate the Night Journey and the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad, when he traveled from Mecca to the Temple Mount where he was lifted up to heaven until he reached Paradise where he met all the prophets and saw the light of Allah. Learn more
11th March	Ramadan begins (30 days) Ramadan is a time of fasting and spiritual renewal. According to the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Koran during Ramadan. Therefore Ramadan is considered the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims fast from early morning (before dawn) through to sunset. Fasting means no food or drink and also refraining from smoking, sex and 'sinful behaviour'. Learn more
6th April	Laylat-al-Qadr Night of power (Laylat-al-Qadr in Arabic) is the holiest night of the year for Muslims, and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It commemorates the night that the Quran was first started to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This holiday begins the evening prior to the first full day of activities. Learn more
10th April	Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Eid al Fitr means Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. It marks the end of Ramadan. It's one of the two major holidays in the Islamic year and is celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving to God, as well as feasting and gift giving. Learn more
16th June	Eid-al-Adha This is the second Eid celebration in the Muslim year. The name means Festival of the Sacrifice. It is one of the most important Islamic holidays of the year and commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins 9 September. Learn more
9th July	Muharram (29 days) (New Year) The first day of the Islamic New Year. The Islamic calendar began with the migration of the prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, to escape persecution. Learn more
17th July	Ashura Ashura is marked by all Muslims, but it’s most important for Shia Muslims for whom it’s a solemn day of mourning, marking the anniversary of the death of the prophet’s grandson, Husain. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the exodus of Moses from Egypt, and is usually observed by completing an optional fast. Learn more
15th September	Milad un Nabi (Mawlid) Mawlid (or Milad) un-Nabi means 'birth of the prophet' and refers to observance of the birthday of Muhammad. It is observed by praising Allah, fasting, public processions, poetry, family gatherings and the decoration of streets and homes. Learn more