Religious Observances

A holiday observed by Ethiopian Jews to commemorate their return from exile to Israel.

This day marks the start of the period of Advent that ends on Christmas Eve.

Candles are lit across the country in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Buddha's Enlightenment Day commemorates Siddhartha Gautama attaining enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.

It's Anna's Day, marking the start of making the lutefisk to be consumed on Christmas Eve.

Marks the beginning of the Christmas season and honours the memory of St. Lucia, an early Christian martyr.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Las Posadas in Mexico.

Celebrate the harmony and joy of Go Caroling Day on December 20th, uniting communities with festive songs and holiday spirit.

Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Observed for eight days in honour of the historic victory of the Maccabbees against religious oppression

Christmas is one of the most popular holidays in the world and marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist's Day and Apostle.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Holy Innocents Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of St. Sylvester's Day.

On January 1 the Greek Orthodox church commemorates Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

A major Christian celebration, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or three wise men.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Asarah B'Tevet.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Religious Freedom Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of World Religion Day.

In the Orthodox tradition, Epiphany is the day that Jesus was baptised

This feast day for a 3rd century saint is also known as Students Day in Russia and Ukraine.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of National Bible Day

Find out the dates, history and traditions of World Hijab Day.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Candlemas.

A Jewish festival called Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot, literally 'New Year of the Trees'.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during the month of Ramadan that Muslims fast.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Fastelavn

Great Lent marks the start of the Easter cycle in the Orthodox Christian Church

Marks the beginning of lent. Marking the forehead with ash represents regret for past sins.

Originally a harvest and fertility festival, Holi also commemorates a legend from Hindu Mythology

Purim remembers the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them as recorded in the Book of Esther.

The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Lazarus Saturday.

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

Passover (Pesach), is an eight day Jewish holiday that remembers the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt

Also known as Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday commemorates the last supper and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.

Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Easter is the most significant religious holiday for the world's roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus has been placed after his crucifixion.

Easter Sunday is the most important date in the Christian church. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus had been placed.

Each year since 1957, the president has signed a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon 

Find out the dates, history and traditions of Lag BaOmer.