Cultural & Religious Calendar

Cultural and Religious Calendar 2012 - 2013

Ramadan
July 20

The holy month of Ramadan begins at sundown for all Muslims. The next thirty days commemorate the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. It is a month of fasting during daylight hours, a time to tend to the needs of the poor, and an opportunity for intense study of the Holy Qur’an.

Eid-ul-Fitr
August 19

Eid-ul-Fitr begins at sundown and ends the holy month of Ramadan. For three days Muslim families enjoy gift giving, games, and family fun.

Rosh HaShana
September 16

Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, begins at sundown. This is the start of a ten-day celebration of renewal and repentance for Jews around the world.

Yom Kippur
September 25

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown with a twenty-four hour fast, and prayers for forgiveness. Jews spend the eve of Yom Kippur and most of the next day in synagogue.

Sukkot
September 30

Sukkot is a nine-day festival commemorating the Jewish people’s forty years of wandering in the desert. It has come to include a celebration of the harvest, as well. The holiday is traditionally celebrated in a temporary trellis-roofed hut called a sukkah.

Mehregan
October 8

Mehregan is the Persian holiday celebrating the harvest. Families around the world celebrate this holiday dedicated to love and commitment.

Navratri and Dussehra
October 16

Navratir can be “translated” as nine nights. After a period of ritual fasting there are great celebrations involving dances called garbas. Participants often dress in bright colors and eat sweets.

Eid Al-Adha
October 26

"The Feast of the Sacrifice" is part of the Haj, and takes place on the tenth of Dhu Al-Hijja of the Islamic calendar. This holiday is celebrated in much the same way as Eid Al-Fitr - with good food, gifts for children and general merrymaking.

Diwali
November 13

Diwali, is the Hindu and Sikh five-day feast of lights. It celebrates, with fireworks, light displays and much rejoicing, the return of the Lord Rama after a fourteen year exile.

Hanukah
December 8

Hanukah begins at sundown. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians in 165 BC, and the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem. It is celebrated with gift giving and by lighting the menorah for eight nights.

Christmas
December 25

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth on this day. It is a holy day on the Christian calendar and a time of prayer for peace on earth. In the United States it is celebrated with much music, elaborate decorations, and Santa Claus bringing gifts to children.

Kwanzaa
December 26

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday founded in 1966 in recognition of traditional African harvest festivals. For seven days the Kwanzaa candles are lit, each candle representing an important concept for family.

Mawlid al-Nabi
January 24

Mawlid al-Nabi is a Muslim holiday commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

Tu Be'Shvat
January 26

Tu Be'Shvat is a Jewish Arbor Day, also called The New Year for the Trees, and coincides with the blooming of the Almond Trees in Israel.

Chinese New Year
February 10

In most Asian countries Chinese New Year begins at sunset on the day of the second new moon following the winter solstice. It is a time to celebrate new beginnings. Centuries of ritual enhance its importance. This colorful holiday ends with the Lantern Festival procession on February 24.

Purim
February 24

Purim marks Queen Esther’s intervention to save the Jews of ancient Persia.

Nowruz
March 21

Nowruz can be translated “New Light” or “New Day”. Persian families around the world celebrate this holiday marking the coming of the new light and warmth in spring. The celebrations involve gift giving and rejoicing in the rejuvenation of the world.

Passover
March 25

Passover begins at sundown and lasts for eight days. Passover marks the departure of the Jews from ancient Egypt to begin their journey back to the land of Israel.

Holi
March 27

Holi is a festival, celebrated by Hindus around the world, rejoicing at the arrival of spring.

Easter
March 31

Christians throughout the world observe Easter as the holiest day of the year. It marks, with elaborate ritual and rejoicing, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion and death on Good Friday three days earlier.

Baisakhi
April 14

Baisakhi is one of the most significant Sikh holidays, commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1699, by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Baisakhi day is also observed as the beginning of the Hindu Solar New Year, celebrated by people across India and Nepal, and around the world.

Duan Wu
June 12

Duan Wu, or Double Fifth Day (the fifth day of the fifth month), is the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. The celebration occurs on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Rice balls with a filling are eaten during this time. The poet Qu Yuan’s life is celebrated.