Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar

August 1, 2026–July 31, 2027

Purpose

A practical, non-exhaustive planning resource highlighting major holy days, festivals, heritage periods, and civic-cultural observances represented in U.S. communities. Use it to anticipate possible scheduling, fasting, dietary, travel, or work restrictions. This is intended to support respectful scheduling, awareness, inclusion, and appropriate religious accommodations. It may help identify dates that could affect fasting, worship, travel, dietary practices, examinations, meetings, or other work- and school-related activities.

Date notes

Some dates are approximate and may differ by community. When arranging exams, major meetings, travel, or catered events, for example, provide flexibility and invite participants to request religious accommodations. Verify dates with local communities before high-impact scheduling.

Jewish and Bahá’í observances generally begin at sunset the previous day; many Islamic dates depend on local moon sighting and may shift by one day. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Orthodox Christian, and other dates can vary by region, calendar, or tradition.
The dates of seasonal Indigenous ceremonies vary by Nation and community. Many Indigenous communities observe ceremonies connected to seasonal cycles, harvests, renewal, and community traditions. Dates and practices vary widely and some ceremonies may not be publicly shared.

August 2026

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
Aug. 1	Lammas (Lughnasadh)	Pagan/Wiccan/Druid; Seasonal harvest festival marking the beginning of the harvest season.
Aug. 13	Ulambana / Obon	Buddhist remembrance of ancestors; dates and customs vary by community.
Aug. 15	Assumption of Mary	Christian feast honoring Mary’s assumption into heaven.
Aug. 25–26*	Mawlid al-Nabi	Islamic commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth; observance varies by community.
Aug. 28	Raksha Bandhan	Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.

September 2026

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
Sept. 1	Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib	Sikh commemoration of the scripture’s installation at the Golden Temple.
Sept. 4	Krishna Janmashtami	Hindu celebration of the birth of Krishna.
Sept. 8–15	Paryushana	Jain season of reflection, fasting, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.
Sept. 11 sunset–13 nightfall	Rosh Hashanah	Jewish New Year; prayer, reflection, and festive meals.
Sept. 14	Ganesh Chaturthi	Hindu festival honoring Ganesha.
Sept. 15–Oct. 15	Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month	Recognizes diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Sept. 20 sunset–21 nightfall	Yom Kippur	Judaism’s Day of Atonement; intensive prayer and a 25-hour fast for many observers.
Sept. 22	Autumn Equinox / Mabon	Seasonal observance in Pagan and Wiccan traditions.
Sept. 24-26	Chuseok	Korean harvest festival, sometimes referred to as “Korean Thanksgiving.”
Sept. 25	Moon Festivals	Mid-autumn festivals in Chinese and Vietnamese cultures.
Sept. 25 sunset–Oct. 2 nightfall	Sukkot	Jewish harvest pilgrimage festival, often marked by meals in a sukkah.
Sept. 30	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)	Canadian day of memorial to recognize the atrocities and multi-generational effects of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

October 2026

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Filipino American History Month; Italian American Heritage Month; LGBTQ+ History Month; National Disability Employment Awareness Month	Month-long recognitions of history, culture, identity, and contributions in the United States.
Oct. 2; sunset Oct.3 –4 nightfall	Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah	Jewish conclusion to the fall festival season and celebration of the Torah cycle.
Oct. 11	National Coming Out Day	An annual observance that supports the LGBTQ+ community, celebrates coming out, and raises awareness for civil rights and inclusive safe spaces.
Oct. 11-19	Navaratri	A Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and the divine feminine power.
Oct. 12	Indigenous Peoples Day	Honors Indigenous peoples, cultures, histories, and ongoing contributions.
Oct. 20	Dussehra / Vijayadashami	Hindu celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
Oct. 31	Samhain	Pagan/Wiccan seasonal festival marking the end of harvest and honoring ancestors.

November 2026

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Native American Heritage Month	Celebrates Indigenous cultures, histories, sovereignty, and contributions.
Nov. 1–2	All Saints’ Day / All Souls’ Day; Día de los Muertos	Christian remembrance of saints and the departed; Mexican and diasporic traditions honor deceased loved ones.
Nov. 8	Diwali / Deepavali	Festival of Lights observed in Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities; meanings vary by tradition.
Nov. 8 sunset-9 nightfall	Sigd	Ethiopian Jewish holiday that marks the renewal of the covenant with God and the yearning for Jerusalem.
Nov. 10–11	Birth of the Báb / Birth of Bahá’u’lláh	Bahá’í holy days commemorating central figures of the faith.
Nov. 20	Transgender Day of Remembrance	Honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost to acts of anti-transgender violence.
Nov. 24	Guru Nanak Gurpurab	Sikh celebration of Guru Nanak’s birth, often marked by prayer, processions, and langar.

December 2026

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
Dec. 3	International Day of Persons with Disabilities	This annual United Nations observance aims to increase public awareness, promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, and foster inclusion in all political, social, economic, and cultural life.
Dec. 4 sunset–12 nightfall	Hanukkah	Jewish Festival of Lights commemorating rededication of the Temple.
Dec. 8	Bodhi Day	Buddhist commemoration of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Dec. 12	Our Lady of Guadalupe	Christian feast especially significant in Mexican and Latin American communities.
Dec. 21	Yule / Winter Solstice	Pagan and Wiccan seasonal celebration of the returning light.
Dec. 24	Christmas Eve	Various cultural and Christian observances across the globe.
Dec. 25	Christmas	Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Dec. 26–Jan. 1	Kwanzaa	African American and Pan-African cultural celebration centered on seven principles.
Dec. 26	Zartosht No-Diso	Zoroastrian remembrance of the death of Zarathustra.

January 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
Jan. 1	Gantan-sai	Shinto New Year observance with shrine visits and prayers for renewal.
Sunset Jan. 5-6	Lailat al-Miraj	Muslim observance of The Prophet’s Ascension.
Jan. 6	Epiphany / Theophany; Armenian Christmas	Christian observances of Jesus’ manifestation; Armenian Christians celebrate the Nativity.
Jan. 7	Orthodox Christmas	Nativity celebration for many Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar.
Jan. 13–15	Lohri / Maghi; Makar Sankranti / Pongal	Sikh and Hindu harvest and seasonal observances with distinct regional traditions.
Jan. 18	Martin Luther King Jr. Day	U.S. civic observance honoring the civil-rights leader and a national day of service.
Jan. 19	Timkat (Epiphany)	Celebration of the baptism of Jesus; one of the holiest days in Ethiopian Christianity.
Jan. 22–23	Mahayana New Year; Tu B’Shvat	Buddhist new-year observance in some Mahayana traditions; Jewish New Year for Trees begins at sunset Jan. 22.
Sunset Jan. 23-24	Lailat al-Bara'ah	Muslim Night of Forgiveness
Jan. 27	International Holocaust Remembrance Day	Commemorates victims of the Holocaust and promotes remembrance and education.

February 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Black History Month	Recognizes Black history, culture, achievements, and ongoing experiences in the United States.
Feb. 1–7	World Interfaith Harmony Week	Promotes dialogue, respect, and cooperation among religious and belief communities.
Feb. 1-2	Imbolc	Pagan/Wiccan seasonal observance associated with the beginning of spring.
Feb. 3	Setsubun-Sai	Japanese (Shinto, Buddhist) “bean throwing” festival marking the beginning of spring.
Feb. 6	Lunar New Year	New year celebrated across many East and Southeast Asian cultures, with traditions varying widely.
Feb. 7–Mar. 8*	Ramadan	Islamic month of fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, charity, and reflection.
Feb. 10	Ash Wednesday	Christian beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Feb. 15	Parinirvana/ Nirvana Day	Buddhist commemoration of the Buddha’s death and attainment of final nirvana.
Feb. 21	Magha Puja	Buddhist observance honoring a spontaneous gathering of the Buddha’s disciples.

March 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Women’s History Month; Irish American Heritage Month; Greek American Heritage Month	U.S. cultural observances recognizing histories and contributions.
Mar. 5-6*	Laylat al-Qadr	Islamic Night of Power, sought in Ramadan’s final nights; date is estimated and varies.
Mar. 8	International Women’s Day	Global observance of women’s achievements and equality.
Mar. 9–10*	Eid al-Fitr	Islamic festival ending Ramadan, marked by communal prayer, charity, and celebration.
Mar. 20–21	Spring Equinox / Ostara; Naw-Rúz	Seasonal Pagan/Wiccan observance; Bahá’í New Year begins at sunset.
Mar. 21	Palm Sunday	Marks the start of Christian Holy Week.
Mar. 22 sunset–23 nightfall	Purim; Holi	Jewish celebration of deliverance in the Book of Esther; Hindu Festival of Colors welcoming spring.
Mar. 23–25	Hola Mohalla	Sikh festival emphasizing spiritual devotion, service, and martial arts traditions.
Mar. 25–28	Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter	Christian observances of Jesus’ last supper, crucifixion, and resurrection.

April 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Arab American Heritage Month	Recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Arab Americans.
Apr. 14	Vaisakhi	Sikh celebration of the founding of the Khalsa and a spring harvest festival; also significant in Hindu communities.
Apr. 20–May 2	Ridván	Bahá’í festival commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration; first, ninth, and twelfth days are holy days.
Apr. 21 sunset–29 nightfall	Passover / Pesach	Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and liberation from slavery.
Apr. 28 sunset-29	Mimouna	Originally celebrated by Moroccan Jews marking conclusion of Passover.
Apr. 30	Pascha/ Easter	Eastern Orthodox Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

May 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month	Recognizes histories, cultures, experiences, and contributions in the United States.
May 1	Beltane	The traditional Gaelic May Day or fire festival marking the beginning of summer, celebrated by Pagan communities.
Sunset May 3-sunset May 4	Yom HaShoah	Holocaust Remembrance Day
May 5	National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), Girls, and Two-Spirit People	Also known as Red Dress Day, it honors missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, shines a light on systemic violence, and demands action from leaders.
May 13	Buddha Day	Commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, often celebrated with meditation, offerings, and acts of compassion. Date varies by tradition
May 16–17*	Day of Arafah / Eid al-Adha	Central day of Hajj followed by the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice; dates are estimated.
May 18*	Vesak / Buddha Day	Buddhist celebration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing; date varies by tradition.
May 24 sunset–25 nightfall	Lag BaOmer	Jewish observance during the counting of the Omer, often marked by outdoor celebrations.
May 29–31	Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh; Ascension Day; Memorial Day	Bahá’í holy day; Christian commemoration of Jesus’ ascension; U.S. remembrance of military personnel who died in service.

June 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
All month	Pride Month	A month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ+ pride.
June 6*	Islamic New Year	Begins the Hijri year 1449; final date depends on moon sighting.
June 10 sunset–12 nightfall	Shavuot	Jewish Festival of Weeks commemorating the giving of the Torah.
June 15*	Ashura	Islamic day of fasting and remembrance; meanings and practices differ in Sunni and Shia communities.
June 16	Martyrdom of Guru Arjan	Sikh commemoration of the fifth Guru’s martyrdom and spiritual leadership.
June 19	Juneteenth	U.S. commemoration of the end of slavery, centered on Black freedom, history, and culture.
June 21	Summer Solstice / Litha	Pagan and Wiccan seasonal celebration of midsummer.

July 2027

Date	Observance	Tradition / description
July 9	Martyrdom of the Báb	Bahá’í holy day commemorating the execution of the Báb.
July 17–18	Asalha Puja / Dharma Day*	Buddhist commemoration of the Buddha’s first teaching; date varies by local lunar calendar.
July 22 sunset–23 nightfall	Tisha B’Av	Jewish fast and day of mourning for the destruction of the ancient Temples and other tragedies.
July 30	International Day of Friendship	Global cultural observance promoting friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding.

Search

Other ways to search: