October 2023 language and cultural dates for your diary
Religious/cultural
30 Sept-6 Oct – Sukkot - Judaism
The first day (and first and second days in the Diaspora) are celebrated as full holidays with prohibitions against work. The following days are called Chol Hamoed (weekdays of the festival), during which work is generally allowed and observances of Sukkot continue. This is followed by Shemini Atzeret (the “Eighth Day of Assembly”) and Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in Torah”), which are celebrated as one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora.
4 – Baptism of the Prophet (Umm al-Qura) - Islam
6-8 – Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah - Judaism
12 – Bandi Chhor Divas - Sikhism
15-24 – Navaratri: A Hindu festival celebrating the Goddess Durga
16 – Birth of the Bab: A day honoring the birthday of a co-founder of the Baha’i faith
17 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: One of the nine holy days in the Baha’i faith that honors the birthday of one of the co-founders
20 – Birth of the Guru Granth - Sikhism
24 – Dussehra: The final day of 10 Hindu holy days that honors Asuj Navratras
23 – Vijayadasham - Hinduism
31 – All Hallows’ Eve / All Saints' Eve - Christianity
31 – Samhain (end of harvest/beginning of winter) - Pagan
Awareness And Events
Black History Month
3 – The Children's Trust's Pyjama Day (find out more about our work with the charity)
5 – World Teachers Day
10 – World Mental Health Day
10 – National Braille Week
12 – World Sight Day
18 – World Menopause Day
22 – International Stuttering/Stammering Day
22 – Wear Red Day (Show racism the red card)
September 2023 language and cultural dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
25th – Yom Kippur, Jewish
A festival of atonement, Yom Kippur is the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar. It is marked by a 25-hour fast, continuous prayer and abstention from wearing leather shoes, make up or perfume.
23rd – International Day of Sign Languages
This UN awareness day is celebrated during the International Week of the Deaf (the last full week of September each year). It promotes the use of sign language as central to Deaf people’s human rights, and celebrates the diversity of sign languages and Deaf culture worldwide.
28th – Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox
Meskel marks the 4th century discovery of the crucifixion cross in Jerusalem. Celebrants hold a big bonfire in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa. Worshippers from different churches across Ethiopia gather, wearing colours that represent their churches and playing musical instruments, each of which holds special meaning.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
7 – Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
8 – Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Christian
Nativity of The Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
11 – Paryushana Parvarambha begins, Jain
14 – Feast of the Cross, Christian
16-17 – Rosh Hashanah, Judaism
18 – Fast of Gedaliah, Judaism
19 – Ganesh Chaturthi, Hindu
Samvatsari, Jain
21 – Feast of Saint Matthew, Christian
23 – Mabon, Wicca and Pagan
25 – Yom Kippur, Judaism
27 – Mawlid Al-Nabi, Islam
28 – Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
Anant Chaturdashi, Hindu
29 – Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, Christian
30 Sept-6 Oct – Sukkot, Judaism
Awareness And Events
5 – International Day of Charity
10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
18 – International Equal Pay Day
Professional Care Workers Week
19 – International Week of the Deaf
Adult Learners Week
21 – World Alzheimer’s Day
23 – Autumn Equinox
23 – International Day of Sign Languages
25 Sept-1 Oct – UK National Inclusion Week
30 Sept – National Non-Verbal Awareness Day UK
August 2023 dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
13th-15th – Obon
This is the Buddhist celebration of ancestors. During Obon, it is thought that the dead visit the living, so celebrants hang out lanterns to guide spirits, perform dances, visit graves and make food offerings to the dead. Mainly celebrated in Japan, Obon is one of the country’s three major holidays.
23rd – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
This day was started by Haitians and people in Gorée Island, Senegal, and then adopted by UNESCO. The date was chosen to commemorate uprisings in Haiti in 1791, led by the now legendary Toussaint Louverture, and the touchpaper for other uprisings, all of which eventually led to abolition of the Transatlantic trade. Find out more and download resources on the UNESCO site.
30th – Raksha Bandhan, Hindu/Sikh/Jain
Raksha Bandhan is tradition honouring the love and bond between siblings, referencing a legend showing love and devotion between Lord Krishna and his sister. Siblings tie a ‘rakhri’ (red thread bracelet) to each other’s wrists. This symbolises protection.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/Cultural
1 – Lammas, Christian
Lughnasadh, Wicca and Pagan
Fast in Honour of the Holy Mother of The Lord Jesus, Orthodox Christian
2 – The 15th of Av, Judaism
6 – Feast of Transfiguration, Christian
Transfiguration of The Lord, Orthodox Christian
10 – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Christian
13-15- Obon, Buddhist
15 – Assumption of Mary, Catholic Christian
Dormition of The Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
22 – Feast of The Queenship of Mary, Catholic Christian
24 – Feast of Saint Bartholomew The Apostle, Christian
29 – Beheading of Saint John The Baptist, Christian
30 – Raksha Bandhan, Hindu
Awareness And Events
9 – International Day of The World’s Indigenous People
19 – World Humanitarian Day
22 – International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
23 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
July 2023 dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
10th – Martyrdom of the Báb
Martyrdom of the Báb remembers the execution of Sayyed ʻAlí Muḥammad Shírází, aka the Báb and one of the founders of the Bahai religion. In 1850, he was charged with apostasy by the Persian Empire and imprisoned along with his followers. He was killed by a firing squad.
14th – International Non Binary People’s Day
Since its launch in 2012, this day raises awareness of the specific issues facing non binary people. The date was chosen as it falls exactly halfway between International Women’s Day in March and International Men’s Day in November.
19th – Islamic New Year
The Islamic calendar month of Muharram is the first of the year and it renews in 2023 in the Gregorian month of July, though this changes every year. Muslims do not generally hold big celebrations on this day, however in some Muslim-majority countries it is a national holiday.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
3 – Feast of The Saint Thomas the Apostle, Christian
3 – Asalha Puja (Dharma Day), Buddhist
5 – Birthday of Guru Hargobind, Sikh
10 – Martyrdom of The Báb, Baha’i
15 – Saint Vladimir the Great Day, Orthodox Christian
19 – Islamic New Year, Islam
22 – Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Christian
23 – Birthday of Guru Har Krishan, Sikh
23 – Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, Rastafari
24 – Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian
25 – Saint James the Great’s Day, Christian
27 – Tish’a B’av, Judaism
28 – Ashura, Islam
Awareness and events
14 – International Non-Binary People’s Day
18 – Nelson Mandela International Day
28 – World Hepatitis Day
June 2023 dates for your diary
Language and cultural calendar snapshots
4th – Pentecost
Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit appearing to Christ’s Apostles and other followers while they were celebrating the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. Celebrants pray all night and feast the following day – overindulgence is encouraged!
22nd – UK Windrush Day
Marking the 75th anniversary since the famous ship’s arrival to UK shores, this day honours the contribution of Caribbean migrants to this country, and raises awareness of the scandal where so many have in recent years been illegally deported and stripped of their rights in this country.
24th – Litha
Litha is the Pagan and Wicca name for the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Those celebrating believe that faeries cross over to our realm and offer blessings. It is also a time to rejoice in the abundance of early summer. Traditionally, fires were lit to encourage the sun in its journey and to welcome the second half of the year.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
4 – Pentecost, Orthodox Christian
Trinity Sunday, Christian
8 – The Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholic Christian
12 – The Apostles’ Fast, Orthodox Christian
16 – Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Christian
Martyrdom Of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh
24 – Litha, Wicca and Pagan
Nativity Of Saint John the Baptist, Christian
27 -1 Jul – Hajj, Islam
28 – Waqf Al Arafa, Islam
29 – Feast of Saints Peter And Paul, Christian
29 -2 Jul – Eid Al-Adha, Islam
Awareness and events
4 – International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
10 – Global Wellness Day
11 – Race Unity Day
12 – World Day Against Child Labour
12-18 – Men’s Health Week
15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
18 – Autistic Pride Day
Father’s Day
19-25 – Refugee Week
20 – World Refugee Day
21 – Summer Solstice
22 – UK Windrush Day
26-30 – School Diversity Week
May dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
5th – Vesak, Buddhism
Sometimes called Buddha Day, Vesak celebrates the Buddha’s birthday. Celebrations vary from country to country but are colourful and joyful. People clean and decorate their homes. Some hold ceremonies where water is poured over statues of the Buddha, to signify purification of thoughts and deeds.
8th – 14th – Mental Health Awareness Week
The Mental Health Foundation has held this awareness raising week every year since 2001, with the aim of helping to remove the stigma around mental health problems. Each year has its own theme; this year it is anxiety. Go to www.mentalhealth.org.uk to find out more.
28th – Pentecost, Christian
Celebrated by Western and Orthodox Christian churches, Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit appearing to Christ’s Apostles and other followers while they were celebrating the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. It is considered by some to be the birthday of the Christian faith.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
1 – Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
2 – Twelfth day of Ridvan, Baha’i
Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev Sikh
3 – Feast of Saints Philip and James, Catholic Christian
5 – Vesak, Buddhist
9 – Lag BaOmer, Judaism
14 – Feast of Saint Matthias, Catholic Christian
18 – Feast of the Ascension, Christian
19 – Yom Yerushalayim, Judaism
23 – Birthday of Guru Amar Das, Sikh
24 – Declaration of the Báb, Baha’i
25 – Feast of the Ascension, Orthodox Christian
26-27 – Shavuot, Judaism
28 – Pentecost, Christian
29 – Ascension of Baha‘u’llah, Baha’i
31 – Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian
Awareness and events
1 - Bank Holiday UK (May Day)
1-7 – Deaf Awareness Week
7 – International Family Equality Day
8 – Bank Holiday UK (King’s Coronation)
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
8-14 – Coeliac UK Awareness Week
8-14 – Mental Health Awareness Week
15 – International Day of Families
17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
18 – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22 – International Day for Biological Diversity
24 – Pansexual Visibility Day
29 - Bank Holiday UK (Spring Bank Holiday)
April dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
4th – Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain
This is one of the most important Jain festivals, celebrating the birth of Mahavir, the 24th and last spiritual teacher of the dharma in our current time cycle. Across India, statues of Mahavir are anointed and special prayers are said, with many Jains giving extra to charity on and around this day.
6-13th – Passover, Judaism
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is the Jewish festival celebrating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt where they were held as slaves under Pharoah Ramses II. In a battle with the Egyptians to secure the slaves’ freedom, God had sent the Angel of Death to kill all the firstborn children. The Israelites were told to mark their doors so that their children were spared by the passing Angel; hence ‘passover’.
22nd – Eid al-Fitr, Islam
The festival that marks the end of Ramadan, Muslims believe that Eid al-Fitr was created by the Prophet Muhammed himself. It is a very lively and joyous celebration, where people dress up in new clothes, give extra to charity and share their first daytime meal for a month.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
2 – Palm Sunday, Christian
4 – Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain
6 – Maundy Thursday, Christian
6 – Hanuman Jayanti, Hindu
6-8 – Theravada new year, Buddhist
6-13 – Passover, Judaism
7 – Good Friday, Christian
8 – Lazarus Saturday, Orthodox Christian
9 – Palm Sunday, Orthodox Christian
Easter Sunday, Christian
10 – Easter Monday, Christian
13 – Songkran, Thai new year, Buddhist
14 – Vaisakhi, Hindu and Sikh
14 – Puthandu, Hindu
Holy Friday, Orthodox Christian
16 – Pascha (Easter), Orthodox Christian
18 – Birthday of Guru Angad Dev, Sikh
Laylat al-Qadr, Islam
Yom HaShoah,Judaism
21 – First day of Ridvan, Baha’i
22 – Akshaya Tritiya, Hindu and Jain
Eid al-Fitr, Islam
23 – Saint George’s Day, Christian
25 – Yom HaZikaron, Judaism
25 – Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Catholic Christian
26 – Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Judaism
29 – Ninth day of Ridvan, Baha’i
30 – Saint James the Great’s Day, Orthodox Christian
Awareness and events
1 – April Fool’s Day
2 – World Autism Awareness Day
6 – International Asexuality Day
7 – World Health Day
8 – International Romani Day
22 – Earth Day
24-30 – Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
25 – World Malaria Day
26 – Lesbian Visibility Day
28 – World Day for Health and Safety At Work
March dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
7th – Purim, Judaism
Purim celebrates an ancient victory of the Jewish people over their enemies and persecutors. People dress up, give money to charity and share a Purim feast and gifts with family and friends.
14th – Nanakshahi, Sikhism
The Sikh Nanakshahi calendar was introduced in 2003, so that celebrations always fall on the same date in the Gregorian calendar. It is named after Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Special prayers are held in Gurdwaras to usher in the new year.
23nd - Ramadan, Islam
Muslims fast during this holy month, to feel closer to God and remember the suffering of others. Muslims also attend special services at their mosque, endeavour to read the entire Qur’an and give more to charity (Zakat).
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
1 – St David’s day, Christian
2 – Nineteen day fast begins, Baha’i
5 – Feast of Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christian
6 – Magha Puja, Buddhist
7 – Holika Dahan, Hindu
7 – Purim, Judaism
8 – Lailat al Bara’ah, Islam
8 – Holi, Hindu
8-10 – Hola Mohalla Sikh
14 – Nanakshahi (new year), Sikh
17 – St Patrick’s day, Christian
19 – Feast of Saint Joseph, Christian
20 – Ostara, Wicca and Pagan
20 – Nowruz (new year), Persian and Zoroastrian
21 – Naw-Rúz, Bahá’í
22 – Chaitra Navratri begins, Hindu
22 – Ugadi (new year), Hindu
23 – Ramadan begins, Islam
25 – Annunciation to the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
25 – Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Christian
26 – Khordad Sal, Zoroastrian
28 – Navpad Oli begins, Jain
30 – Rama Navami, Hindu
Awareness and events
1 – Zero Discrimination Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD)
International Wheelchair Day
3 – World Hearing Day
8 – International Women’s Day
8-10 – TUC’s Women’s Conference
19 – Mother’s Day
20 – Spring Equinox
20 – International Day of Happiness
21 – International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 – World Down Syndrome Day
24 – World Tuberculosis (TB) Day
25 – International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade
27 Mar-2 Apr – World Autism Acceptance Week
30 – World Bipolar Day
31 – International Trans Day of Visibility
February dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
2nd Imbolc, Pagan/Wicca
Falling at the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, this ancient festival marks the beginning of spring. Where Christianity and the old traditions have merged, the day is also celebrated by honouring St Brigid. Traditionally, straw dolls were made in her image and beds laid out in each home, to welcome her visit and blessing of the livestock.
18th Lailat al Miraj, Islamic
Lailat al Miraj remembers the Prophet Mohammed’s ascension into heaven. It is celebrated by Muslims across the world, with special prayers and a telling of the story, in which the Prophet received instructions from God for the Salat, the requirement for Muslims to pray five times per day.
22nd Ash Wednesday, Christian
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. It is observed by attending special services at church, where ashes are used to mark people’s foreheads. These are made by burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday, the weekend before. Christians often leave the ash on their foreheads all day as a public profession of their faith.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
2 – Imbolc*/Candlemas - Wicca and Pagan
3 – Setsunbun-sai - Shinto
5 – Triodion begins - Orthodox Christian
5 – Thaipusam - Hindu
6 – Tu BiShvat - Judaism
12 – Sunday of the prodigal son - Orthodox Christian
14 – Valentine’s day - Christian
15 – Nirvana day - Buddhist
18 – Maha Shivratri - Hindu
Lailat al-Miraj - Islam
19 – Meatfare Sunday - Orthodox Christian
21 – Losar begins - Buddhist
21 – Shrove Tuesday - Christian
22 – Ash Wednesday (start of Lent)- Christian
22 – Feast of the chair of Saint Peter - Catholic Christian
26 Feb-1 Mar – Intercalary days - Baha’i
26 – Cheesefare Sunday – Orthodox Christian
27 – Great Lent begins – Orthodox Christian
Awareness and events
1 – World Hijab Day
1-7 – World Interfaith Harmony Week
2 – Time To Talk Day
4 – World Cancer Day
6 – International Day Of Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation
6-12 – UK Race Equality Week
6-12 – Children’s Mental Health Week
7 – Safer Internet Day
11 – International Day Of Women And Girls In Science
12 – Red Hand Day For Child Soldiers
15 – International Childhood Cancer Day
17 – World Human Spirit Day
20 – World Day Of Social Justice
January dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
9th Seijin no hi, Shinto
Seijin no hi is an ancient Japanese ceremony to mark young people’s coming of age at 20 years old. This is the age at which Japanese people are legally allowed to gamble, drive and drink alcohol. In most towns, young people will gather to hear a local dignitary speak, and then go with their families to a Shinto shrine to pray.
19th Timkat, Ethiopian Orthodox
This is the Ethiopian Orthodox feast of the Epiphany, the baptism of Christ. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate by praying over the entire holiday. Priests take models of the Ark of the Convenant and lead processions to the nearest bodies of water, where worshipers are blessed.
26th Vasant Panchami, Hindu/Jain/Sikh
Vasant Panchami ushers in the spring in India, and is celebrated by wearing bright colours (usually yellow, to represent the blossoming mustard fields) and decorating with flowers. There are variations on how the festival is celebrated; in some parts of India, people fly kites to celebrate Vasant Panchami, and for Hindus there is a link to the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati, so the festivities often feature idols or statues.
This month’s dates at a glance
Religious/cultural
1 Solemnity of Mary, mother of God, Catholic Christian
Gantan-sai (new year), Shinto
5 Twelfth night, Christian
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikh
6 Epiphany, Christian
7 Feast of the nativity Orthodox, Christian
7-9 Mahayana new year, Buddhist
8 Baptism of the Lord Jesus, Catholic Christian
9 Seijin no Hi, Shinto
13 Lohri/Maghi, Hindu and Sikh
14 Old new year, Orthodox Christian
Makar Sankranti, Hindu
15-18 Pongal, Hindu
18-25 Week of prayer for Christian unity, Christian
19 Timkat, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
22 Lunar new year Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist
25 Conversion of Saint Paul, Christian
26 Vasant Panchami, Hindu, Sikh and Jain
29 Zacchaeus Sunday, Orthodox Christian
31 Birthday of Guru Har Rai, Sikh
Awareness and events
4 World Braille Day
8 Ethnicity Pay Gap Day
15 World Religion Day
16 Martin Luther King Jr Day
24 International Day of Education
25 Robert Burns Night
27 Holocaust Memorial Day
