Cultural Calendar

MAY

1
- Pagan and Wiccan: Beltane*
  Celebrates the peak of spring and the coming of summer
5
- Buddhist: Buddha’s Birthday
  Celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism
12
- Buddhist: Vesak
  Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
16
- Jewish: Lag BaOmer*
  A festive day marking the end of a plague during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime
28
- Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah*
  Commemorates the passing of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith

2
- Jewish: Shavuot*
  Celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai
5
- Islamic: The Hajj*
  An annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, mandatory for all Muslims
7
- Islamic: Eid-al-Adha*
  Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son
8
- Christian: Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
  Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
19
- Roman Catholic: Feast of Corpus Christi
  Celebrates the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ

5
- Islamic: Ashura*
  Marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and is observed with mourning
9
- Baha’i: Martyrdom of the Bab*
  Commemorates the execution of the Baha’i co-founder
23
- Rastafarian: Birthday of Haile Selassie*
  Celebrates the birth of the Ethiopian Emperor, revered in Rastafarianism
24
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Pioneer Day
  Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah

1
- Pagan and Wiccan: Lughnasadh*
  Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season
15
- Roman Catholic: Feast of the Assumption
  Celebrates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven
16
- Hindu: Krishna Janmashtami
  Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna
21
- Jain: Paryushana begins
  Marks an important Jain festival focused on fasting and forgiveness
27
- Hindu: Ganesh Chaturthi
  Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh

5
- Islamic: Mawlid al-Nabi*
  Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
11
- Coptic Orthodox Christian: Nayrouz
  Marks the start of the Coptic New Year
22
- Pagan and Wiccan: Mabon*
  Celebrates the autumn equinox and the second harvest
23
- Jewish: Rosh Hashanah*
  The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal
28
- Hindu: Durga Puja
  Celebrates the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura

2
- Jewish: Yom Kippur*
  The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance. This is one of the most important Jewish high holy days
7
- Jewish: Sukkot*
  A week-long festival celebrating the fall harvest
20
- Hindu: Diwali
  The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness
22
- Baha’i: Birthday of the Bab*
  Celebrates the birth of the Baha’i co-founder
31
- Pagan and Wiccan: Samhain*
  Celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter

1
- Christian: All Saints’ Day
  Honors all saints, known and unknown
2
- Christian: All Souls’ Day
  Commemorates all the faithful departed
21
- Eastern Orthodox Christian: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
  Celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple
24
- Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib
  Honors the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru
30
- Christian: Advent
  Marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas

6
- Christian: Saint Nicholas Day
  Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children
8
- Buddhist: Bodhi Day
  Commemorates the enlightenment of Buddha
15
- Jewish: Hanukkah*
  The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple
21
- Pagan and Wiccan: Yule*
  Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun
25
- Christian: Christmas
  Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ