Our vibrant multi-cultural society encourages us to experience the magic of religious festivals and celebratory events that happen all over the world, throughout the course of the year. To ensure that you do not miss out, our month-by-month guide highlights some of the popular spiritual days and events that you can enjoy.January1st - New Year’s Day
New Year’s day is traditionally wind-down time following the excesses of the celebratory Christmas holiday. Mark the start of 2016 with some quiet quality time for contemplation and reflection. A spiritual reading at this time can empower you to make positive changes over the coming months.
6th - Epiphany
24th-27th - Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
25th - Burns’ NightFebruary8th - Chinese New Year
Join your local Chinese community to celebrate the year of the Monkey. Colourful Chinese festivals tend to last up to two weeks so you have plenty of time to enjoy traditional music and dance performances, and to feast on an authentic banquet.
9th - Shrove Tuesday
10th - Ash Wednesday
14th - St Valentine’s DayMarch1st - St David’s Day
6th - Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day, celebrates the female nurturer in your family. This does not have to be a birth mother. An adoptive parent, close family relative or an inspiring mentor can also be honoured on this special day.
17th - St Patrick’s Day
20th - Palm Sunday
24th - Maundy Thursday
25th - Good Friday
27th - EasterApril8th - Hindu New Year
23rd - St George’s Day
*First day of Passover (Jewish)
Passover (or Pesach) is a religious Jewish festival that last for eight days. Jewish families unite with close friends to spent time together and to attend Seders (communal traditional meals).May 4th - Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day
The lives and heroism of Jewish people, who died during 1933 to 1945, are commemorated today.June6th - Ramadan begins
A period of fasting, prayer, charity and self-accountability begins today for Muslims all over the world. Fasting during Ramadan is considered to be one of the fundamental duties of Islam. The fasting continues for one month.
19th - Father’s Day
20th - Summer SolsticeJuly7th - Eid-al-Fitr (Muslim) – End of Ramadan
After a month of fasting and prayers Muslims can unite and celebrate the feast of Eid-al-Fitr. The feast can last up to three days.AugustThe summer holiday period of August is sandwiched between two national Bank Holidays – on the 1st and 29th. If you’re staying at home for the summer enjoy the British weather!September13th - Eid-al-Adha (Muslim)
22nd - Autumn Equinox
The September Equinox marks the start of autumn and is traditionally celebrated by many faiths all over the world.October3rd - Rosh Hashanah
12th - Yom Kippur
30th - Diwali
Known as the ‘festival of lights’, Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in Indian culture and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
31st - All Hallows EveNovember1st - All Saints Day
* Day of The Dead
5th - Guy Fawkes Night
Also known as Bonfire Night, this annual event is celebrated with firework displays and bonfires. The event commemorates the prevention of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, in 1605.
13th - Remembrance Sunday
24th - Thanksgiving
30th - St Andrew’s DayDecember21st - Winter Solstice
24th - Christmas Eve
The day before the main event, Christmas Eve kicks off the extended period of festive days that ends on 1st January 2017. It is also the day when seasoned last minute Christmas shoppers prefer to do their present shopping!
* Hanukkah (Jewish)
25th - Christmas Day
31st - New Year’s EveShare This...
