Religious Holidays & Observances Calendar
Listed below are many of the religious holidays observed by members of the STLCC community.
The Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis assisted with reviewing the religious
observances included in this calendar. Here you will find dates and descriptions of
major religious holidays for the Bahá’i Faith, Buddhism, Christian Science, Hinduism,
Islam, Jainism, Judaism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Orthodox
Christianity, Protestant Christianity, Roman Catholicism, and Sikhism. Brief descriptions
of each holiday are also included. Many communities begin observances at sundown,
which are noted. Lunar holidays may vary based on sighting the new moon.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and individual practices may vary.
Summer 2025
|
Date
|
Holiday
|
| June 1 |
SHAUVOT begins at sundown • Judaism
The "Feast of Weeks" commemorates the reception of the Torah at Mt Sinai.
|
| June 6 |
EID AL-ADHA • Islam
Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of
obedience to God.
|
| June 8 |
PENTECOST • Christianity
Also known as Whit Sunday, the festival celebrating the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus's
followers and the birth of the Christian Church. |
| June 26 |
MUHARRUM • Islam
First month of the Islamic calendar. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| July 5 |
ASHURA • Islam
Observance marking the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala.
|
| July 8 |
MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB • Bahá’í Faith
Commemorates the execution of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith. |
| July 13 |
TZOM TAMMUZ • Judaism
Fast day memorializing the breach of Jerusalem's walls before the Second Temple's
destruction. |
Fall 2025
| Date |
Holiday |
| Aug. 9 |
RAKSHA BANDHAN • Hinduism
Traditional Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. |
| Aug. 15-16 |
KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI • Hinduism
Celebrates the birth of Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. |
| Aug. 21-28 |
PARYUSHANA PARVA • Jainism
Eight-day festival celebrating the human soul and its capacity for moral accomplishment. |
| Aug. 27 |
GANESH CHATURTHI • Hinduism
Celebrates the birth of Ganesh, the elephant deity. |
| Aug. 27 |
SAMVATSARI • Jainism
The final day of Paryushana, observed by Jains as a day of forgiveness, reflection
and making peace with others. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| Sept. 4 |
MAWLID AL-NABI begins at sundown • Islam
Observance commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, marked by prayers, sermons
and remembrance of his life and teachings. |
| Sept. 22 |
NAVARATRI • Hinduism
A nine-night Hindu festival celebrating the divine feminine, with worship, dance and
fasting in honor of goddess Durga. |
| Sept. 22 |
ROSH HASHANAH begins at sundown • Judaism
The Jewish New Year, focused on reflection, repentance and renewal, marking the start
of the High Holy Days. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| Oct. 1 |
YOM KIPPUR begins at sundown • Judaism
The Jewish Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting, prayer and seeking forgiveness
for sins. |
| Oct. 6 |
SUKKOT begins at sundown • Judaism
A week-long harvest festival commemorating when the Israelites lived in temporary
booths (sukkah) during their 40-year journey in the Sinai desert. |
| Oct. 14 |
SIMCHAT TORAH begins at sundown • Judaism
A Jewish festival celebrating the completion and restart of the annual Torah reading
cycle with singing and dancing. |
| Oct. 20 |
INSTALLATION OF THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB • Sikhism
Commemorates the day the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, was formally
installed as the eternal Guru. |
| Oct. 21 |
DIWALI • Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism
A festival of lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over
evil. |
| Oct. 22 |
BIRTH OF THE BÁB begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
A holy day celebrating the birth of the Báb, the forerunner who prepared the way for
Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. |
| Oct. 23 |
BIRTH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Commemorates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baháʼí faith. |
| Oct. 31 |
ALL SAINTS DAY • Christianity
Day to honor all the Saints in the Christian tradition. |
| Oct. 31 |
REFORMATION DAY • Christianity
Commemorates the beginning of the Reformation movement in 1517. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| Nov. 1 |
ALL SOULS DAY • Christianity
Commemorates all the faithful departed. |
| Nov. 5 |
GURU NANAK DEV JI JAYANTI • Sikhism
The Sikh celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of
Sikhism, honoring his teachings and life. |
| Nov. 24 |
GURU TEGH BAHADUR MARTYRDOM DAY • Sikhism
Commemorates the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who gave his
life defending religious freedom. |
| Nov. 30 |
ADVENT SUNDAY • Christianity
A day marking the start of four weeks of spiritual preparation for Jesus’ birth. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| Dec. 8 |
BODHI DAY • Buddhism
Celebrates the day that the Buddha experienced enlightenment. |
| Dec. 12 |
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE • Catholic Christianity
A Catholic feast celebrating the Virgin Mary’s miraculous appearance to Juan Diego
in 1531, symbolizing faith, hope and cultural identity in Mexico and beyond. |
| Dec. 14 |
CHANUKAH (HANUKKAH) begins at sundown • Judaism
Jewish festival of lights lasting eight days, celebrating the miracle of the oil that
burned during the Temple’s rededication. |
| Dec. 24 |
CHRISTMAS EVE • Christianity
Celebration of Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, marked by worship, candles and
nativity scenes. |
| Dec. 25 |
CHRISTMAS DAY • Christianity
Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. |
| Dec. 26 |
KWANZAA • Black American Cultural Holiday
A week-long African American celebration honoring African heritage, culture and community
through seven principles and festive activities. |
Spring 2026
|
Date
|
Holiday
|
| Jan. 6 |
GURU GOBIND SINGH JAYANTI • Sikhism
Honors the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, celebrated for his spiritual
leadership and the founding of the Khalsa.
|
| Jan. 6 |
EPIPHANY • Christianity
Feast celebrating the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God, traditionally marked
by the visit of the Magi.
|
| Jan. 6 |
THEOPHANY • Orthodox Christianity
Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, revealing Him as the Son of
God and the Holy Trinity.
|
| Jan. 7 |
ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS DAY • Orthodox Christianity
|
| Jan. 14 |
MAKAR SANKRANTI • Hinduism
Festival celebrating the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar),
marking the arrival of longer days and the harvest season.
|
| Jan. 15 |
LAILAT AL-MIRAJ begins at sundown • Islam
Celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension
into heaven. |
| Jan. 23 |
VASANT PANCHAMI • Hinduism
Holy festival dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| Feb. 15 |
NIRVANA DAY • Buddhism
Celebrates when the Buddha passed away, thereby achieving complete Nirvana. |
| Feb. 15 |
MAHA SHIVRATRI • Hinduism
Festival dedicated to Shiva. |
| Feb. 17 |
LUNAR NEW YEAR • Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism
Celebrates the beginning of the Chinese Calendar.
|
| Feb. 17 |
RAMADAN begins at sundown • Islam
Month of daily fasting commemorating the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. |
| Feb. 18 |
ASH WEDNESDAY • Christianity
Marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of fasting leading up to Easter. Many Christians
wear the sign of the cross in ashes on their forehead. |
| Feb. 23 |
CLEAN MONDAY/ASH MONDAY • Orthodox Christianity
The beginning of Great Lent for Eastern Christian churches. |
| Feb. 25 |
AYYÁM-I-HA begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
The "intercalary days" leading up to the last month of the Baháʼí year, marked by
spiritual preparation for a month of fasting and celebration. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| March 2 |
NINETEEN DAY FAST begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Period of fasting and spiritual reflection lasting nineteen days, observed from sunrise
to sunset each day. |
| March 2 |
PURIM begins at sundown • Judaism
Known as the “Festival of Lots,” Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrating Queen Esther’s
bravery in saving the Jewish people from Haman’s plot. |
| March 4 |
HOLA MOHALLA • Sikhism
Spring festival that includes displays of martial skills, music and poetry. |
| March 4 |
HOLI • Hinduism
Festival celebrating the arrival of spring, love and the victory of good over evil,
marked by colorful powders, music and dancing. |
| March 16 |
LAILAT AL-QADR begins at sundown • Islam
The "Night of Power" commemorates the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to
the Prophet Muhammad. Celebration date varies between Sunni and Shia Muslims. |
| March 19 |
EID AL-FITR begins at sundown • Islam
Celebration of the end of the holy month of Ramadan. |
| March 20 |
NAW-RÚZ/NOWRUZ begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Persian New Year. |
| March 29 |
PALM SUNDAY • Christianity
The Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. |
| March 30 |
NAVARATRI • Hinduism
A Hindu festival spanning nine nights, celebrating the goddess Durga and her various
forms. |
| March 31 |
MAHAVIR JAYANTI • Jainism
Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara and a key spiritual teacher
in Jainism. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| April 2-9 |
PESACH (PASSOVER) begins at sundown • Judaism
Jewish festival lasting seven or eight days that commemorates the Israelites’ escape
from slavery in Egypt. |
| April 3 |
GOOD FRIDAY • Christianity
Observance commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. |
| April 5 |
ORTHODOX PALM SUNDAY • Orthodox Christianity |
| April 5 |
EASTER • Christianity
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. |
| April 9 |
MAUNDY THURSDAY/HOLY THURSDAY • Christianity
Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and the Apostles. |
| April 12 |
PASCHA/ORTHODOX EASTER • Orthodox Christianity |
| April 14 |
VAISAKHI • Sikhism
Celebrates the founding of the Sikh community. |
| April 20 |
RIDVÁN begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Ridván commemorates the 12 days when Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith,
publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger. The first, ninth, and twelfth
days are celebrated as holy days. |
| Date |
Holiday |
| May 14 |
ASCENSION DAY • Christianity
Celebrates the ascension of Jesus into Heaven; 40 days after Easter. |
| May 23 |
DECLARATION OF THE BÁB begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Holy day celebrating the birth of the Báb, who prepared the way for the Baha’i Faith’s
founder and is considered a key messenger. |
| May 26 |
EID AL-ADHA begins at sundown • Islam
The Festival of Sacrifice, honoring Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to God. |
| May 28 |
ASCENSION OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH begins at sundown • Baháʼí Faith
Commemoration of the death of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. |