It’s World Religion Day next week (January 19th), so as we continue our series highlighting the important dates on the EDI calendar, we’re looking here at Religion & Belief.
Remember that the Empower Up list of important dates and events is constantly updated and can help you with month-by-month planning, as it covers the key dates associated with all groups and communities.
January 14th – Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
A festival marking the sun’s shift into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn), celebrated with kite flying and marks the beginning of longer days.
January 14th – Mahayana New Year (Buddhism)
Celebrated by the Mahayana Buddhist sect, marking the first full moon day of the year.
January 19th – World Religion Day
Initiated by the Baháʼí Faith to promote interfaith understanding and harmony.
February 12th – Makha Bucha (Buddhism)
Celebrates Buddha’s teaching on the full moon of the third lunar month.
February 15th – Nirvana Day (Buddhism)
Observes the death of the Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana or complete enlightenment.
February 26th – Maha Shivratri (Hindu)
A night dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva, marking his marital union with Parvati.
February 28th-March 30th – Ramadan (Islam)
A month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community observed by Muslims.
March 14th – Holi (Hindu)
Known as the Festival of Colours, celebrating the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
March 15th – Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
A Sikh festival showcasing martial arts, poetry, and music, celebrated after Holi.
March 30th/31st – Eid al Fitr (Islam)
Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasts, and charity.
April 6th – Ram Navami (Hindu)
Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu.
April 9th – Vaisakhi (Sikh)
Marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh.
April 12th-20th – Passover (Judaism)
Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
April 13th – Palm Sunday
Marks Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week in Christianity.
April 18th – Good Friday
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
April 20th – Easter Sunday
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
April 21st – Easter Monday
Continues the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
May 12th – Visakha Bucha (Buddhism)
Marks the birth, enlightenment, and death (Nirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
June 6th-10th – Eid ul-Adha (Islam)
The ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, commemorating Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
June 8th – Pentecost (Judaism)
Known as Shavuot, celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
June 27th – Muharram (Muslim)
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the start of the Islamic New Year
July 15th – Asahna Bucha (Buddhism)
Commemorates Buddha’s first sermon and the founding of the Buddhist sangha.
August 9th – Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters tie a rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brothers’ wrists.
August 15th – Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
Marks the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, celebrated with devotional songs and dances.
August 24th – Rabi Al Awal (Muslim)
Rabi’ Al-Awwal is the third month in the Islamic calendar and a significant time for Muslims, as it is the birth month of the Prophet Muhammad.
September 22nd-24th – Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)
The Jewish New Year, marked by prayer, reflection, and sounding the shofar (ram’s horn).
September 22nd-30th – Navaratri (Hindu)
A festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga, celebrated over nine nights.
October 1st-2nd – Yom Kippur (Judaism)
The Day of Atonement, observed with fasting and prayer, the holiest day in Judaism.
October 6th-13th – Sukkot (Judaism)
Celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness.
October 13th-15th – Shmini Atzeret (Judaism)
Marks the end of Sukkot, observed with prayer for rain and a good harvest.
October 13th-14th – Simchat Torah (Judaism)
Celebrates the conclusion and restart of the annual cycle of reading the Torah.
October 20th – Diwali (Hindu)
Known as the Festival of Lights, symbolising the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.
October 20th – Diwali (Sikh)
Coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali, but also marks the release of Guru Hargobind from prison.
October 21st – Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh)
Sikh celebration of the day Guru Hargobind Sahib was released from Gwalior Fort along with 52 kings.
November – Islamophobia Awareness Month
Raises awareness about the impact of Islamophobia and promotes understanding of Islam.
December 6th – Birth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
Celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak.
December 25th – Christmas Day
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, central to Christian belief.
December 25th-January 2nd – Hanukkah (Judaism)
The Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil.
To ensure that you’re on top of all the important dates in the EDI calendar, bookmark the Empower Up Events page here.
