Passover (Pesach) is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. It is observed with the Seder meal, the retelling of the Exodus story, and the avoidance of leavened bread to honor themes of freedom, resilience, and faith.
Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday marking Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches. It begins Holy Week and is observed with special church services, processions, and reflections on Jesus’ journey toward his crucifixion and resurrection.
Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi) is a significant Sikh and Punjabi festival marking the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and the harvest season in Punjab. Celebrated with prayers, processions, and community gatherings, it is a time of spiritual renewal, gratitude, and cultural festivities.
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples before his crucifixion. Observed during Holy Week, it is a day of reflection on Jesus’ teachings of love and service, often marked by church services, foot-washing rituals, and the Eucharist.
Good Friday is a Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. It is a solemn day of prayer, reflection, and fasting, marked by church services, scripture readings, and reenactments of the Passion.
Easter is a major Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, symbolizing hope, renewal, and victory over sin and death. Observed with joyful church services, festive meals, and cultural traditions like egg hunts, it marks the culmination of Holy Week and the promise of new life.
Ridván is the holiest festival in the Bahá’í Faith, commemorating the 12 days in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the faith, declared his mission as God's messenger in the Garden of Ridván. Celebrated with prayers, community gatherings, and reflection, it emphasizes themes of renewal, unity, and spiritual transformation.
Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, is the most significant Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Celebrated with prayers, meditation, acts of kindness, and community gatherings, it honors the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, wisdom, and the path to enlightenment.
The Declaration of the Báb is a significant Bahá'í holy day commemorating the moment in 1844 when the Báb announced His role as the herald of a new divine messenger, Bahá’u’lláh. Observed with prayers, storytelling, and reflection, the day celebrates themes of spiritual awakening, renewal, and the beginning of the Bahá'í Faith.
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh is a sacred Bahá’í holy day commemorating the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, on May 29, 1892. Observed with prayers and reflective gatherings, it honors His life, teachings of unity and peace, and His spiritual legacy for humanity.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is an important Islamic holiday commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Celebrated with special prayers, the ritual sacrifice of animals, and acts of charity, it emphasizes faith, devotion, and generosity towards others.
Trinity Sunday is a Christian feast celebrating the doctrine of the Holy Trinity—God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Observed on the Sunday after Pentecost, it is a day of reflection on the mystery of God’s triune nature and His presence in the world.
Corpus Christi Sunday is a Christian feast celebrating the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Observed with special Masses, processions, and adoration, it is a day of devotion and gratitude for the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a Christian feast celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Observed on June 24, it honors his role in calling people to repentance and his significance in salvation history.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Christian feast honoring Jesus’ deep and boundless love for humanity, symbolized by His heart. Celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi, it is observed with special prayers, Masses, and acts of devotion emphasizing Christ’s mercy and compassion.
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a Christian celebration honoring the martyrdom and spiritual legacy of St. Peter, the first pope, and St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Observed on June 29, it commemorates their foundational roles in spreading Christianity and strengthening the early Church.
Ashura is an important Islamic observance with different significance for Sunni and Shia Muslims. For Sunni Muslims, it marks the day Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny. For Shia Muslims, it is a solemn day of mourning commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. It is observed with fasting, prayer, and, for Shia communities, processions and acts of remembrance.
The Martyrdom of the Báb is a solemn Bahá’í holy day commemorating the execution of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, in Tabriz, Persia, on July 9, 1850. Observed with prayers and reflection, it honors his sacrifice and the resilience of his message, which paved the way for the Bahá’í Faith.
Tisha B’av is a solemn Jewish fast day that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, along with other tragedies in Jewish history. It is observed with a 25-hour fast, mourning rituals, the reading of the Book of Lamentations, and sitting on the floor or low stools in grief. The day reflects themes of loss, exile, and the hope for future redemption and rebuilding.
The Feast of the Assumption of Mary honors the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a major holy day in the Catholic Church and is often marked by attending Mass, processions, and prayers. The day reflects themes of hope, purity, and the promise of eternal life.
Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, who is revered for his wisdom, compassion, and divine playfulness. It is observed with fasting, devotional singing, reenactments of Krishna’s life, and midnight celebrations marking the time of his birth. The festival is filled with joy, dance, and prayer, reflecting love and devotion to Krishna.
Paryushan is one of the most important festivals in Jainism, observed over 8–10 days (depending on the sect), and focuses on spiritual reflection, nonviolence, and self-discipline. During this time, Jains engage in fasting, prayer, meditation, and reading of sacred texts, culminating in a day of forgiveness known as Samvatsari. The festival encourages introspection, ethical living, and seeking forgiveness from others with the phrase "Micchami Dukkadam", meaning "may all the wrongs done be forgiven.
Mawlid al-Nabi, also known as the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, is an Islamic holiday that commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, usually observed in the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Rabi' al-Awwal. Celebrations vary by community and can include special prayers, storytelling about the Prophet’s life, communal meals, and acts of charity. The day honors Muhammad’s teachings, character, and his role as the final messenger of Islam.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, marking the beginning of the High Holy Days and a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. It is traditionally celebrated with festive meals, the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn), and prayers for a sweet and meaningful year ahead. The holiday invites introspection, setting intentions, and seeking forgiveness as the new year begins.
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is dedicated to repentance, reflection, and forgiveness. It is observed with a 25-hour fast, prayer, and attending synagogue services, where individuals seek to atone for their sins and start the new year with a clean slate. The day emphasizes spiritual renewal, humility, and reconciliation with oneself, others, and God.
Sukkot is a week-long Jewish festival that commemorates the Israelites' journey through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, living in temporary shelters. It is celebrated by building and dwelling in a sukkah, a hut-like structure, and by waving the lulav and etrog, symbols of the harvest and unity. Sukkot is a joyful time that emphasizes gratitude, hospitality, and connection to nature and community.
Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that follows the seven days of Sukkot and is considered a separate yet connected festival. It is a time of spiritual reflection and prayer for rain (in Israel), marking the start of the agricultural season. While it lacks specific rituals like the sukkah or lulav, it emphasizes the intimate relationship between the Jewish people and God.
Simchat Torah is a joyful Jewish holiday that marks the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. Celebrated immediately after Sukkot, it is filled with singing, dancing, and parading the Torah scrolls around the synagogue. The holiday expresses deep love and reverence for the Torah and the ongoing commitment to its teachings.
