The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Religious Calendar
There are several sites for interfaith calendars on the web, such as the Interfaith Calendar by Mall Area Religious Council. The following is not a complete calendar and is intended only as an example of some of the kinds of festivals, holy days, and religious observances of America's many religious communities. It is composed from the many newsletters the Pluralism Project receives from temples, gurdwaras and Islamic associations all over the U.S. If you would like to contribute to this list, please contact the Pluralism Project at staff@pluralism.org.
Eid al-Adha - January 11, 2006 (Islam)
Muslims throughout the world pray with pilgrims in Makkah to observe Eid al-Adha. This is the Feast of the Sacrifice, a four-day observance in memory of God's sparing of Ismail (Ishmael), Abraham's son. It includes sermons, the giving of presents, and special dinners with friends and relatives.
World Religion Day - January 15, 2006 (Interfaith)
Organizers write, "The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions. The message of World Religion Day is that, mankind, which has stemmed from one origin, must now strive towards the reconciliation of that which has been split up." For more information, visit this website.
Swami Vivekananda Jayanti - January 20, 2006 (Hinduism)
This holiday is celebrated to remember the birth of Swami Vivekananda. He is considered to have brought Hinduism to America at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions. The Ramakrishna Vedanta Center of New York will be holding a special service for his birthday (TBA). Click here to learn more about it.
Jashan Sadeh - January 30, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
Jashan Sadeh is a celebration remembering when the Zoroastrians discovered fire, a holy symbol very important for connection between humans and the gods. To view a picture of the Zoroastrians celebrating Jashan Sadeh, click here. For more information on the Zoroastrain faith, visit this website.
Vasanta Panchami - February 2, 2006 (Hinduism)
Hindus will celebrate Vasanta Panchami, the spring festival honoring Sarasvati, on February 2, 2006. Sarasvati is the Goddess of learning, arts, and music, often depicted seated on a white swan and holding a vina, a stringed musical instrument. Celebrations may include music and dancing.
Imbolc - February 3, 2006 (Paganism)
The holiday Imbolc, also known as Brigid or Candlemas, is celebrated by Pagans on or around February 3. In Marin, just north of San Francisco, members of the Reclaiming Community will hold a public ceremony to "celebrate Brigid, Lady of the forge, flame and healing waters" on January 29, 2006. The Reclaiming Community's events page also lists celebrations around the country on the weekend of February 2.
Setsunbun-sai - February 5, 2006 (Shinto)
This holiday is a popular bean-throwing festival that marks the end of winter and the eve of the first day of Spring. The Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, WA is celebrating the festival on February 5, 2006. See www.tsubakishrine.com for more information.
Swami Paramananda's Birthday Celebration - February 5, 2006 (Hinduism)
This event celebrates the founder of the Vedanta Centre in Cohasset, MA. For more details, visit www.vedantacentre.org and www.anandaashrama.org
Nirvana Day - February 8, 2006 (Buddhism)
In religions of Indian origin, nirvana means "blowing out," i.e. the cessation of greed, hate, delusion, attachment, and desire--all the fuel of rebirth. In Buddhist philosophy, it refers both to Truth of the "far shore," and to the state of great spontaneity, tranquility, and purity that accompanies the realization of the Truth.
Ashura - February 9, 2006 (Islam)
For Sunni Muslims, this date marks the anniversary of Noah leaving the Ark and of Moses being saved from the Egyptians. For Shi'a Muslims, it marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet.
Tu B'Shvat - February 12, 2006 (Judaism)
The Jewfaq.org maintains a website about Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees.
Maha Shivratri - February 25, 2006 (Hinduism)
Maha Shivaratri is a night that is devoted to the worship of the Hindu god Shiva.
Ayyam-i-Ha - February 26-March 1, 2006 (Baha'i)
These intercalary days are added to the Baha'i calendar so that it equals a solar year. It is a time of preparation for the 19 day fast to come. For more information, visit this page from the Soc.Religion.Bahai. Newsgroup Archives.
Ash Wednesday (Western) - March 1, 2006
(Christianity)
Lent (Western) - March 1-April 16, 2006
(Christianity)
According to Catholic Online, "Ash Wednesday is the official start of the Season of Lent. A season for penance, reflection and fasting in order to prepare ourselves for Christ's Resurrection and for our Redemption." For more information, visit Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Nineteen Day Fast - March 2-20, 2006 (Baha'i)
During the Baha'i month of 'Ala or "Loftiness," which begins at sunset March 1 and ends at sunset March 20, Baha'is observe a period of fasting. The Baha'i fast involves abstaining from food, drink, and tobacco from sunrise to sunset each day. The purpose of the fast is to remember one's dependency on God and to learn detachment from material things.
Purim - March 14, 2006 (Judaism)
According to the Jewish Post of New York Online, "Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim takes place on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar."
Holi - March 15, 2006 (Hinduism)
The Hindu festival of Holi is a spring festival that transcends social barriers. The festivities include colored powders and water that are sprinkled on all. The Bharatiya Temple in Troy MI serves its young temple devotees by offering a list of web pages on Holi.
Spring Higan - March 17-23, 2006 (Buddhism)
Higan is a week-long Japanese Buddhist festival in which people offer respect to the dead. It is celebrated twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall.
Spring Equinox - March 20, 2006 (Paganism)
The Spring Equinox, which marks the time at which the day and the night are of equal lengths, occurs on March 20, 2006. For more information visit this website.
Jamshedi Navroz - March 21, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
Navroz is the Zoroastrian New Year. Contemporary Zoroastrians observe three distinct religious calendars: Fasli, Shenshai, and Kadmi. Accordingly, three New Year celebrations are also observed. Jamshedi Navroz takes its name from King Jamshed, and occurs at the time of the Spring Equinox.
Sri Rama Navami - April 6, 2006 (Hinduism)
Sri Rama Navami is the annual festival celebrating the birth of Rama and his marriage to Sita. It is observed on the ninth day (navami) of the waxing fortnight of the lunar month of March/April. The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple of Greater Chicago will be celebrating this festival.
Holy Week (Western) - April 9-16, 2006 (Christianity)
Holy Week is the week preceding Easter in which the whole drama of the Christian story is recalled, from Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. For a selection of websites on Christian observance, visit this website.
Shyunki Taisai - April 9, 2006 (Shinto)
This is a Shinto Spring Ceremony. According to the Tsubaki Garand Shrine of America, "This is the most formal Ceremony, and one of the two times each year that the doors of the inner shrine (goshinden no tobira) are opened. Then after the most formal kencha...and food offerings, the shinto priests pray for everyone's health, happiness, safety and mutual prosperity (kyoson kyoei). Then the song will be offered to Okami." For more information, see their website.
Mawlid al-Nabi (The Birth of the Prophet) - April 11, 2006 (Islam)
On the twelfth day of the third month, Rabi' al-Awwal, many Muslims commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations may include sharing food, attending lectures, paticipating in marches, and reading the Qur'an and devotional poetry. Some Muslims do not celebrate, feeling that this observance is an innovation that distracts from the true source of revelation. For others, it is a means to teach their communities about the Prophet Muhhamad's way of life, which all Muslims seek to emulate. For more information, visit this website.
Mahavira Jayanti - April 11, 2006 (Jainism)
Mahavira Jayanti is the Birthday of Mahavira, the religious seer of the 6th century BCE, whose teachings of compassion and renunciation have formed the basis of the Jain tradition. In India this day is a national holiday. Jains mark the occasion by bathing the image of Mahavira and performing dance-dramas on the fourteen dreams of Mahavira's mother before he was born. In order to find out about American Mahavira Jayanti festivals in your area, click on the Young Jains of America website.
Passover - April 13- April 20, 2006 (Judaism)
Passover, or Pesakh in Hebrew, is a major Jewish holiday, also called "the festival of unleavened bread." During the eight days of the festival, Jews commemorate God's deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, eating only unleavened bread or matzah, as did those who fled from Egypt. At the special ritual meal called the seder, the traditional narrative of Passover, as contained in the Passover Haggadah, is told. For more information, visit www.holidays.net/passover/.
Baisakhi - April 14, 2006 (Sikhism)
Baisakhi, the Sikh New Year, is the most important celebration of the Sikh year. All across America Sikhs will assemble at gurdwaras to celebrate, chant and share a communal meal. For more information on this holiday, visit www.SriGuruGranthSahib.org.
Ridvan - April 21 - May 2, 2006 (Baha'i)
This 12 day period commemorates the last 12 days in exile the Baha'u'llah spent in the garden of Ridvan. Many Baha'is do not work on three of these days, the first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan.
Akshaya-tritiya - April 22, 2006 (Jainism)
This holiday celebrates the breaking of the first year-long fast of Tirhankara Lord Rishabha. Jains who have been fasting on alternate days for a half-year or year break their fast on this day. For more information on Jainism, explore these links.
Yom ha-Shoah - April 25, 2006 (Judaism)
Yom ha-Shoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day has been added to the yearly Jewish calendar in order to remember the Holocaust or Shoah, and thus to insure that such a crime against humanity will not be repeated again. Most importantly, it is a day to remember what was lost. To view a multimedia remembrance, please click here.
Beltane - May 1, 2006 (Paganism)
Beltane will be celebrated across the country by Pagan groups. For a description of the customs of this holiday, visit this website.
Maidyozarem Gahambar - April 30 - May 4, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
This festival, one of six seasonal festivals celebrated annually by Zoroastrians, celebrates the winter crop harvest.
Wesak - May 13, 2006 (Buddhism)
The anniversary of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama is a major Buddhist celebration, although the name and date of observance differs in the various traditions. In Theravadan Buddhism, this holiday celebrates simultaneously three great events - the birth , enlightenment, and parinirvana (bodily death and final liberation) of Siddhartha Gautama. For all Buddhists, the Buddha's birthday is an opportunity to visit the temple, think deeply about the meaning of Buddhahood, and once again commit oneself to Buddhist ideals.
Declaration of the Bab - May 23, 2006 (Baha'i)
This holiday, which marks the beginning of the Baha'i faith in 1844, is a time for festive celebration. For more information, visit Baha'i communities.
Ascension of Baha'u'llah - May 29, 2006 (Baha'i)
This holiday marks the anniversary of the death of Baha'u'llah, the prophet of the Baha'i Faith. Solemn, commemorative services will be held in communities across the United States. For more information, visit Baha'i communities.
Shavuot - June 2-3, 2006 (Judaism)
Originally an agricultural holiday, this day now also commemorates the anniversary of time the Torah was revealed. For more information, visit this website.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji - June 16, 2006 (Sikhism)
Arjan was the first Sikh Martyr and he is remembered for emphasizing that the Sikh way is open to all and for contributions to the scriptures. This year will mark the 400th anniversary of Arjan's martyrdom. For more information on the Sikh calendar and holidays, please visit this website.
Summer Solstice - June 21, 2006 (Paganism)
The celebration of the summer solstice is for Pagans a religious holiday, that may be celebrated with a bonfire and other festivities honoring this day of the longest light. Summer Solstice will be celebrated at the Pagan Spirit Gathering 2006, to be held from June 18-25, 2006 in Wisteria, OH.
Nagoshi no O Hari - June 25, 2006 (Shinto)
Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America of Granite Falls, Washington is celebrating Nagoshi no O Harahi, one of the two days during the yearly cycle for the purification of the source of misfortune. More information is available at this website.
Maidyoshem Ghambar - June 29 - July 3, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
This seasonal festival celebrates the planting of the summer crop. For more information on Zoroastrianism, explore these links.
Hare Krishna Temple 2006 Festivals - Summer, 2006 (Hinduism)
The Boston Hare Krishna Temple is very active in the summertime and has many different festivals that are open to the public. They invite interested people to come learn more about the Hare Krishna faith. For information on specific festivals, visit this website.
Festival of Tiragan - July 1, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
The Zoroastrian Archives describes the festival of Tiragan as "primarily a rain festival. It is one of the three most widely celebrated feasts (along with Mihragan and Noruz) of ancient Iran, and is even mentioned in Talmud." The full story of the festival is available on this website. For more information on Zoroastrianism, explore these links.
World Tibet Day - July 6, 2006 (Buddhism)
This year marks the eighth annual celebration of World Tibet Day, to be celebrated in cities across the United States to increase awareness about Tibet. This event coincides with and honors the birthday of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. More information is available at www.kashi.org/WTibet.
Martyrdom of the Bab - July 9, 2006 (Baha'i)
The Martyrdom of the Bab is one of the major Baha'i holy days, on which Baha'is refrain from work and attend a worship program. For a calendar of Baha'i holy days and information on the many communities in North-Central Texas, see their website.
Obon Festival - July 13, 2006 (Buddhist)
Outside of Los Angeles, California, the West Covina Buddhist Temple will celebrate the annual Obon Festival with drumming, dancing, and feasting. They explain "the Obon Festival is an occasion when we are able to share some of the unique traditions of our cultural and religious heritage with our friends in the community." Pictures from last year's celebration are availalable at this website.
Lammas - August 1, 2006 (Paganism)
"Lammas, or Lughnassad, occurs in late July and early August. It is marks the middle of Summer and the beginning of the harvest. It is the first of three harvest festivals and is usually associated with ripening grain. It heralds the coming of Autumn. The Goddess manifests as Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and other agricultural Goddesses. The God manifests as Lugh, John Barleycorn, and vegetation Gods. Colors are Golden Yellow, Orange, Green, and Light Brown. It is a festival of plenty and prosperity." For more information on this holiday, explore this link.
Tisha B'Av - August 3, 2006 (Judaism)
The Judaism 101 website explains that "Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally have occurred on the ninth of Av. For more information, go to their Hebrew calendar or Tisha B'Av page.
Sacred Harvest Festival: Folk Medicine, Folk Magick August 7-13, 2006 (Paganism)
While many Pagans celebrate Lughnasad or Lammas on or about August 2, other Pagan groups hold sacred gatherings later in the month with the same intent of honoring the early harvest. In Mendota, MN the Sacred Harvest Festival will be held August 7-13, 2006. Organizers describe the event as, "A Pagan festival to celebrate the ritual harvest. A celebration to share a unique vision of magic tribal community before the beautiful snows of Minnesota winter begin again." For more information, visit their website.
Fravardeghan Days - August 13-22, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
Fravardeghan Days, also known as Muktad (memorializing ancestors) are ten days in preparation for Naw Ruz, observed by Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai calendar. For more information on Zoroastrianism, explore these links.
Ullambana - August 8, 2006 (Buddhism)
Ullambana, also known by Chinese and Korean Buddhists as "Happy Buddha" Day, is a time when Buddhists give offerings for their ancestors to the Triple Gem of Buddhism. To learn more about Ullambana, click here.
Sri Krishna Jayanti - August 15, 2006 (Hinduism)
Sri Krishna Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Krishna, one of the powerful incarnations of the god Vishnu. This worship is characteristically expressed through singing and dancing. See the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Massachusetts' website for more details.
Isra' and Mi'raj - August 21, 2006 (Islam)
The "night journey" (isra') and "ascent" (mi'raj) of the Prophet Muhammad refer to the Islamic tradition that the angel Gabriel escorted Muhammad from the Ka'bah of Makkah to the sanctuary of Jerusalem, where Muhamad led previous prophets in prayer and then ascended through the seven heavens. In the uppermost heaven, Muhammad was blessed with a vision of God.
First Day of Paryushana-parva - August 21, 2006
(Jainism)
Samvatsari - August 28, 2006 (Jainism)
This period is a time of intensified dedication to Jainist ideals and is regarded as the holiest time of the year. Festivals include fasting, Jina worshipping, and public reading from the Kalpasutra of the life-story of Lord Mahavira. This holiday is celebrated for eight days by the Shvetambara sect, concluding on Samvatsari. For more information, click here.
Ganesha Chaturthi - August 25, 2006 - September 3, 2006 (Hinduism)
Ganesha Chaturthi, the annual festival of Ganesha, the Lord of Beginnings, is held towards the end of the summer. Festivities may include the consecration of clay images of Ganesha and a procession that carries the images to the sea. The Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing, NY will be celebrating August 27, 2006. For more information, visit their website.
Martyrdom of John the Baptist - August 29, 2006 (Christianity)
The Eastern Orthodox church will honor this holiday on August 29, 2006. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offers a detailed history of this holiday on their website, along with a list of other saints commemorated on this day.
Jhulan Yatra - August 2006 (TBA) (Hinduism)
The Boston branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will be celebrating Jhulan Yatra, the Radha-Krishna swing festival, dates TBA. Their temple is located at 72 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, MA. For a detailed description of the festival, visit their website.
Ghambar Paitishem - September 12-16, 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
This is one of the seasonal festival celebrations. For more information on Zoroastrianism, explore these links.
Rosh Hashana - September 22, 2006 (Judaism)
Rosh Hashana is the time of the Jewish New Year, a sacred time to reflect on the year that has gone by and to affirm the year to come.
Fall Equinox - September 22, 2006 (Paganism)
Pagans will celebrate the Fall Equinox, a time of balance as the season turns from summer to fall.
Navarathri - September 23, 2006 (Hinduism)
This fall festival, which literally means nine nights, is also known as Durga Puja for the worship of the Goddess Durga. The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple of Greater Chicago will be celebrating throughout this time. For a calendar of Hindu holidays through the year 2031, visit this website.
Ramadan (30 days) - September 24 - October 23, 2006 (Islam)
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, Muslims observe a complete fast from dawn to sunset. The fast of Ramadan encourages self-restraint, God-consciousness, compassion and collective worship. For one example of a community observing Ramadan, visit the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) offers a Ramadan Publicity Resource Kit on their website.
Yom Kippur - October 1-2, 2006 (Judaism)
Yom Kippur, the Day of Attonement, is a time for the confession of sins of the individual and the community. It is a day of solemn fasting, culminating in foregiveness and reconciliation. Together Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur make up the Days of Awe, a most significant time in the Jewish year. For more information, visit the Judaism 101 website.
Syuki-Taisai - October 6, 2006 (Shinto)
The fall Shinto ceremony. Visit this website for more information.
Sukkot - October 6-8, 2006 (Judaism)
Sukkot is the Festival of Booths or of Tabernacles. During this holiday, booths are set up to remind Jews of the huts that they lived in while they were living in the wilderness. Visit this website for more information.
Deepavali (Diwali) - October 19, 2006 (Hinduism)
Known as the "festival of lights," Deepavali is perhaps the most popular Hindu festival. It is dedicated to several deities, and Hindus traditionally adorn their homes and temples with many lights. To learn more about this holiday, explore this link. For an example of a community observing Deepavali, visit the Vedanta Centre in Cohasset, MA.
Birth of the Bab - October 20, 2006 (Baha'i)
This Baha'i holy day commemorates the birth of the Bab, a founder of the faith. Baha'is generally do not work on holy days, and their celebrations are open to the public.
Eid-Ul Fitr - October 23, 2006 (Islam)
Eid-Ul Fitr is the Festival of Fast-breaking that is observed after the month-long fast of Ramadan. Some Muslims perform acts of charity on this day. It is a time to visit with friends and relatives, with celebrating sometimes extending over a few days. Children may receive gifts, and parents teach about the joys of following the Islamic obligations of fasting, prayer and reading the Qur'an. The Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD posts a webpage detailing their day's schedule.
Samhain - October 31, 2006 (Paganism)
Samhain is the end of the Pagan year, a time when "the veils between the worlds are thin." Reclaiming hosts an annual Samhain Spiral Dance ritual in San Francisco; dates and times are tentatively set for October 28, 2006. For more information, visit this website.
Birthday of Guru Nanak - November 5, 2006 (Sikhism)
Sikhs commemorate the birthday of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the first teacher of the community of disciples that became known as the Sikhs. His songs in praise of the formless and transcendent God are a cherished part of the Sikh scripture, the Adi Granth. For information about a variety of Sikh celebrations and events, visit Sikhnet, and navigate to the events calendar.
Birthday of Baha'u'llah - November 12, 2006 (Baha'i)
This Baha'i holiday commemorates the birth of Baha'u'llah, the divine messenger and founder of the faith. Baha'is will attend a worship program on the evening of the 11th and then refrain from work on the 12th. For more information on the Baha'i faith in the United States, visit this website.
Hichi-Go-San-Sai - November 19, 2006 (Shinto)
This is a Shinto celebration for young boys and girls. In this celebration, "the children take part in a ceremony ...whose meaning is gratitude for life's blessings and the request for future protection and good fortune." For more information, visit the shrine's website.
Day of the Covenant - November 26, 2006 (Baha'i)
This day commemorates the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha as the center of the faith. For more information on Baha'i communities in the United States, visit this website.
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha - November 28, 2006 (Baha'i)
This Baha'i holiday commemorates the death of 'Abdu'l-Baha. For more information on Baha'i communities in the United States, visit this website.
Bodhi Day - December 8, 2006 (Buddhism)
The Buddhist Temple of Chicago will celebrate Bodhi Day. They write, "Bodhi Day--Usually observed December 8 or the Sunday immediately preceding, is the date, according to Mahayana tradition, of Siddhartha Gautama's realization and presentation to his fellow seekers of the Four Noble Truths." For more information, visit their website.
Chanukah - December 15 - December 22, 2006 (Judaism)
Chanukah on the Web describes this holiday as "the Festival of Lights, ... a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days."
Oharai-siki - December 18, 2006 (Shinto)
This is the Shinto great purification ceremony. For more information visit this website.
Yule - December 21, 2006 (Paganism)
The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is the holiday celebrating the rebirth of the Sun in the Pagan year. At this time of year many in the Northern Hemisphere gather together to rejoice in the returning light to the Earth, and take part in a rituals celebrating the longest night and this cycle of the seasons.
Christmas Day - December 25, 2006 (Christian)
This celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is held around the globe. The Christmas.com website allows viewers to select any country and explore the Christmas holiday traditions celebrated there. For information about Christmas services at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., visit their website.
Maidyarem Gahambar - December 2006 (Zoroastrianism)
This mid-winter festival, one of six seasonal festivals celebrated annually by Zoroastrians, is celebrated by feasting. For more information on Zoroastrianism, explore these links.