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Multifaith Calendar 2009 |
See also our Month by Month Calendar free All dates are shown using the Gregorian (Western) calendar. The calendar is accurate, but some dates may vary regionally because they are determined by the lunar (moon) calendar. Please note: Jewish festivals usually begin at sundown on the previous day. |
Sikh |
Christian |
Muslim |
Hindu |
Buddhist |
January 2009
| 1 January | New Year's Day (Secular) Celebrates the start of the new year |
| 5 January |  Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh)This day marks the birth of the tenth and final Sikh prophet-teacher in 1666 C.E. Guru Gobind Singh introduced many of the customs that Sikhs practise today including the 5 K's. Find out more |
| 6 January |  Epiphany (Christian)The twelfth day of Christmas, celebrates the visit of the wise men, or magi, to the baby Jesus. |
| 7 January | Orthodox Christmas (Christian) Many Eastern Orthodox and Armenian churches still use the Julian rather than the Gregorian calendar. This means that they celebrate Christmas and other fixed festivals thirteen days after the Western churches, so the 7th January in the Orthodox calendar equates 25th December in the Western calendar. |
| 7 January |  Ashura (Muslim)This is a day of fasting for Sunni Muslims. The day that Nuh (Noah) left the Ark and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians by Allah. Shi’ite Muslims mark the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the prophet, on this day and see it as a great festival. |
| 11 January | Full Moon |
| 11 January | First Sunday after Epiphany (Christian) |
| 11 January | Mahayana Buddhist New Year (3 days) (Buddhist) New Year for Mahayana Buddhists celebrated on the first full moon day in January |
| 13 January | St Hilary's Day According to tradition, "St. Hilary's is the coldest day of the year." St. Hilary was a fourth century Bishop of Poitiers. |
| 13 January | Baptism of Jesus |
| 14 January |
It is celebrated in mid-winter and marks the transition of the sun from the Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. People take dips in rivers and worship the Sun God especially in the holy Ganges river. The dip is said to purify the self and bestow "punya". Special puja is offered as a thanksgiving for good harvest.
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| 18 January | World Religion Day Annually the third Sunday in January. The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions. |
13 January
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St. Dwynwen's Day St Dwynwen's day is celebrated in Wales on 25 January and commemorates the patron saint of friendship and love. |
| 25 January | Burn's Night (Scotland) (Secular) |
| 26 January | New Moon |
26 January
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| 27 January | National Holocaust Memorial Day |
| 27 January |  Losar (Buddhists) For Tibetan Buddhists the start of the New Year |
| 31 January |  Vasanta Panchami / Saraswati Puja (Hindu) This festival marks the first day of spring and is held to worship Sarawati, the goddess of learning. It is also known as Magh Sukla Panchami as it falls in the month of Magh (January-February). Find out more |
| 31 January | Birthday of Guru Har Rai (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) This day marks the birth of the seventh Sikh prophet-teacher. |
February 2009
| 2 February |
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| 3 February | Setsubun Bean throwing festival (Japanese) This last day of winter is a time to drive out evil spirits with a bean throwing ceremony. Handfuls of beans are thrown into dark corners, with shouts of "Fortune In, Devils Out". |
| 9 February |  Tu B'Shevat - The New Year of the Trees (Jewish)Tu B'Shevat is a minor Jewish festival celebrating the New Year for trees. People plant trees in memory of a loved one or friend and a special attempt is made to eat fruit from Israel |
| 9 February | Full Moon |
| 9 February | Teng Chieh (Yuen Sui) (Chinese) This is the Lantern Festival which marks the first full moon of the year and the lengthening of days. It also marks the end of the celebration of Chinese New Year. Lanterns of all colours but white - the colour of mourning - are hung up. |
| 14 February | St Valentines Day (Christian) |
| 15 February | Parinirvana / Nirvana Day (Buddhists) Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the final passing away from this world of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagara, India, at the age of 80. |
| 23 February | Maha Shivaratri (Great Shiva Night) (Hindu) The main festival to worship Shiva, one of the most important forms of God. Many Hindus will fast and prayers are focused on Shiva and his shrines and statues. Each new moon is dedicated to Shiva, but Maha Shivratri is especially important because it is the night when he danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance. Find out more |
| 24 February |  Shrove Tuesday (Christian)Commonly known as Pancake Day, this is the day before the start of Lent. Christians traditionally 'use up' rich foods in preparation for fasting during Lent. |
| 25 February | Ash Wednesday (Christian) 2008 Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, the forty days (not counting Sundays) that lead up to Easter. Ashes are placed on the heads of the faithful as a sign of penitence. Find out more.... |
| 25 February |
Lent is a time of fasting and discipline in preparation for Easter. |
| 25 February | New Moon |
March 2009
| 1 March |  St David's Day (Christian)This holy day of the Patron Saint of Wales celebrates Welsh culture and history. |
| 5 March | St Piran's Day (Christian) St. Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall, the southern most corner of Great Britain. |
| 9 March | Mawlid-al-Nabi (Milad un Nabi) - (Muslim) Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammed in about 570 C.E. |
| 10 March |
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| 11 March | Full Moon |
| 11 March |
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| 11 March |
Holi (Hindu) One of the most colourful Hindu festivals, Holi begins with a bonfire to celebrate the death of Holika, the demon of winter. On the second day, people throw coloured water over one another to remind themselves of the mischievous young Krishna. Find out more |
| 11 March |
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| 14 March | Nanakshahi - Sikh New Year (Sikh) The Sikh calendar is called the Nanakshahi Calendar and takes its name from Guru Nanak, who founded Sikhism. The year 2009 is the year 540 in the Sikh Nanakshahi Calendar. It is the first day of Chet, the first month of the Sikh calendar. The Sikh New Year always falls on March 14. |
17 March |
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| 20 March |  Spring Equinox |
| 22 March |
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| 25 March | Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian) The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year. |
| 26 March | New Moon |
| 27 March | Varsha-Pratipada (Hindu) Varsha Pratipada is the Hindu Spring New Year and it means Birth of the Year. It marks the first day of Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu lunar year. It is regarded as an auspicious day for starting any endeavour, however small. Divali (Diwali), in the autumn, is also a new year festival. |
| Summer begins | |
April 2009
| 3 April 2009 | Rama Navami (Ramanavami) (Hindu) This festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu. On his birthday, temples are decorated and the 'Ramayana', the story of Rama, is recited. Find out more |
| 5 April | Palm Sunday (Christian) Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week i.e. the week which recalls the last week of Jesus' earthly human life. Christians remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where later he would be arrested and crucified. In many churches the entry is commemorated by processions, with the congregation carrying symbolic branches of trees or palm leaves folded into the form of a cross. |
| 5 - 10 April | Holy Week (Christian) This is the most solemn week of the Christian year. Christians remember Jesus' life beginning on Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters Jurusalem and ends on Good Friday when He was crucified. |
| 8 April | Hanamatsuri - the Flower Festival (Buddhist) Buddha Shakyamuni's birthday. Celebrated with a flower festival. |
| 8 April | Fast of the Firstborn (Jewish) Observed only by firstborn males, on the day before Passover. This fast celebrates the survival of Jewish firtborn sons from the 10th Plague of Egypt. |
| 9 - 16 April |  Passover or Pesach (Jewish)Festival of Liberation Passover begins at sundown and is the eight-day feast commemorating the exodus of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The first two and last two days of the festival are observed as holidays from work. |
| 9 April |
Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu) Hindus celebrate the birth of Hanuman, the monkey-warrior. He is the symbol of strength and energy. Find out more |
| 9 April | Full Moon |
| 9 April | Therevanda New Year (Buddhist) Starting on the first full moon day in April |
| 9 April |
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| 10 April | Good Friday (Christian) This commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. Although essentially a sombre day, it is called 'Good' since, for Christians, it is the ultimate example of God's sacrifice when Jesus gave up his life for the world. Find out more... |
| 11 April | Holy Saturday (Christian) A day of vigil culminating in the feast of the resurrection. |
| 12 April | Easter Sunday (Christian) This is the most important festival of the Christian year, as it is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Find out more .... |
| 14 April |
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| 21 April | Yom HaShoah (Jewish) Holocaust Remembrance Day. Memorial candles are lit and special services are held. |
| 23 April | New Moon |
| 23 April |  St Georges Day (Christian)This holy day of the Patron Saint of England celebrates English culture and history. Find out more.... |
May 2008
| 1 May | May Day (Secular) This English festival marks the beginnings of Spring. People traditionally celebrate by dancing around a May Pole and choosing a May Queen. |
| 9 May |  Birthday of Buddha (Buddhist) Celebrating the birth of the Lord Buddha |
| 9 May | Full Moon |
| 9 May | Vesakha (Visakha) Puja / Wesak / Buddha Day (Buddhists) It occurs near or on the day of the full moon in May. For Western Buddhists this is a three fold celebration. It represents the day on which the Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment and attained 'nirvana'. The festival is a celebration of much colour. Homes are decorated with flowers and incense. Buddhists visit their local temples for services and teachings, and give offerings to monks. Find out more |
| 12 May | Lag B'Omer (Jewish) The Omer period of 49 days, lasting from Pesach to Shavout, is a time of sadness, relieved on this, the 33rd day, in memory of the end of a plague in Roman times. It is often celebrated by out of door activities. A large number of weddings take place, since they are not permitted during the other days of the Omer. |
| 17 May | Rogation Sunday (Christian) This is the fifth Sunday after Easter, and the name comes from the gospel for the day which includes the words "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give to you". Rogation comes from the latin word for 'ask'. It became the custom for a procession to walk round the boundaries of the parish on Rogation Sunday, and for the Priest to bless the crops and animals. |
| 21 May | Ascension Day Holy Thursday (Christian) Commemorates the last earthly appearance of the Risen Christ, who, according to Christian belief, ascended into heaven in the presence of many witnesses. |
| 24 May | New Moon |
| 29 May |  Shavuot / Festival of Weeks / Pentecost (Jewish)The Giving of the Torah Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. It is also called the Festival of Weeks because it occurs seven weeks after Pesach. |
| 31 May | Pentecost or Whitsun / Whit Sunday (Christian) A day to remember when, 50 Days after the resurrection of Jesus, His disciples began to spread the Christian message. |
June 2009
| 7 June 2009 | Trinity Sunday (Christian) The first Sunday after . Christians meditate on the nature of God as "Three in one". |
| 7 June | Full Moon |
| 11 June | Corpus Christi (Christian) The festival of Corpus Christi occurs 60 days after Easter and celebrates the Eucharist. |
| 16 June | Martyrdom of Guru Arjan (Sikh) A time to remember all Sikhs who have suffered for their faith. |
| 19 June | Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese) |
| 21 June | Fathers Day A time to say thank you to Dads and male carers everywhere. |
| 21 June | Summer Solstice / Midsummers Day |
| 22 June | New Moon |
| 24 June | St John the Baptist (Christian) |
| 24 June | Ratha Yatra (Hindu) June / July A festival to worship Krishna. Huge chariots with images of Krishna, his brother and his sister are pulled through the streets. |
| 29 June | Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul (Christian) |
July 2009
| 5 July | Birthday of Guru Hargobind (Sikh) |
| 7 July | Full Moon |
| 7 July | Asalha Puja or Dhammacakkha (Dharma) Day (Buddhists) Celebrated by Theravadin and Western Buddhists as the anniversary of the Buddha's first sermon, known as 'Turning of the Wheel of Law'. The Buddha preached the need to follow a 'Middle Way' between self-indulgence and severe self-denial. |
| 7 July |
The Rains Retreat or Vassa always commences on the day after Dhammacakkha Day |
| 15 July | St Swithin's Day (Christian) St. Swithin's Day is 15th July, a day on which people watch the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather is like on St. Swithin's Day, it will continue so for the next forty days. |
| 19 July | Lailat al Mi'raj (Muslim) The Night Journey The festival celebrates Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night on a winged creature called Buraq. |
| 22 July | New Moon |
| 23 July | Birthday of Guru Har Krishen (Sikh) |
| 25 July | St. James the Great Day (Christian) |
| 30 July | Tisha B'av (Jewish) - Day of Mourning A solemn festival of fasting and mourning when Jews remember the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70. |
August 2009
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| 5 August | Raksha Bandhan (Hindu) A Special festival for brothers and sisters. The festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. Girls tie 'rakhi', twisted red and gold threads, around the wrists of their brothers who, in return, usually give their sisters a present. |
| 5 August | Lailat al Barai'ah (Muslim) Islamic Night of Forgiveness The 'Night of Records', when Allah is believed to register the deeds of humankind and to determine their fates for the coming year. It is a time for penitence, fasting and all night prayer. |
| 6 August | Full Moon |
| 14 August | Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) August / September The celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday. He is famous for making mischief and playing tricks on his friends. He is also a great hero who helps and looks after people. |
| 20 August | New Moon |
| 22 August |
Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of the 21 August. |
| 23 August |  Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu) Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God. |
September 2009
| Sept/Oct | Harvest Festival (Christian) |
| 4 September | Full Moon |
| 8 September | Nativity of Virgin Mary (Christian) |
16 September |
Laylat ul-Qadr (Laylat al Kadar)(Muslim) On the 27th day of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate the festival of Laylat ul-Qadr. Its name means 'The Night of Power'. It marks the night in which the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Allah. |
| 20 September | Eid-ul-Fitr (Id-ul-Fitr) (Muslim) Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah") and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. Eid is celebrated over a three day period in Islamic countries. |
| 18 September | New Moon |
| 19 - 20 September |
This is the only Jewish holiday which lasts for 2 entire days (considered as one very long day), and the reason for this is to emphasize its importance. Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Rosh HaShanah on the sunset of 18 September. |
| 19 - 27 September | Navaratri and Durgapuja begins (Hindu) Navarati means 'Nine Lights' and this festival is devoted to the Durga, the Goddess of Motherhood. Navaratri symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn. Find out more |
| 22 September | Autumn Begins |
| 28 September | Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (Jewish) This is the final day of the Ten Days of Penitence, which began in the New Year (Rosh Hashanah). It is also called the Day of Atonement when Jews ask for forgiveness and look to the future. It is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar. |
| 28 September | Dasera (Dassehra) Festival of Warriors (Hindu) People act out the story of Rama's victory over demon Ravana. Find out more |
October 2009
| 3 October | Sukkot / Sukkoth begins (Jewish) A harvest festival commemorating the 40 years that the Jews spent in the wilderness on the way from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. |
| 4 October | Full Moon |
| 7 October | Pavarana / Sangha Day (Buddhist) The last day of the Rains Retreat (the Vassa) is known as Pavarana Day or ‘Leaving the Vassa’. Also known as Sangha Day Find out more |
| 11 October | Simchat Torah (Jewish) 9th day of Sukkot This festival marks the completion of the annual cycle of reading from the Torah. |
| 17 October |  Diwali (Sikh/ Hindu) Hindu New YearThe most important date in the Hindu Calendar, the story of Rama and Sita is retold and people spend time with their families. Find out more |
| 18 October | New Moon |
| Oct 31 | Hallowe'en (National) (Secular) |
November 2009
| 1 November | All Saints' Day (Christian) This day provides a chance to offer thanks for the work and witness of all saints, recognising that not all are known or specially celebrated. |
| 2 November |
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| 2 November | Full Moon |
| 2 November | Sangha Day (Full Moon Day) (Buddhist) Sangha Day is a celebration of friendship. Buddhists come together to celebrate their worldwide community, the Sangha. |
| 2 November | Birthday of Guru Nanak (1469) (Sikh) This day celebrates the first Sikh guru, and is marked by reading the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib. Note : The birth date of Guru Nanak was 15 April 1469, but it is traditionally celebrated in November. |
| 5 November |  Bonfire Night (National) (Secular)Every year people celebrate Bonfire Night with firework displays and blazing bonfires. It remembers an event which happened 400 years ago. |
| 5 November |
Kathina Day (Buddhist) In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Kathina Day is celebrated by the lay community offering monks new Kathina robes at the end of their three month Rains Retreat. The date of the festival varies according to when the rainy season arrives in different countries. Find out more |
| 8 November |  Remembrance Sunday (National)The Sunday nearest to Armistice Day, devoted to remembering the dead of the two World wars and subsequent wars. |
| 16 November | New Moon |
| 27 November | Eid-al-Adha (Id al-Adha) / The Festival of Sacrifice (Muslim) The festival marks the end of the Hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca). |
| 29 November |
Advent (Christian) The start of the Christian year and the Chrisitan Church New Year. Four Sundays before Christmas. |
| 30 November |  St Andrew's Day (Christian)This holy day of the Patron Saint of Scotland celebrates Scottish culture and history. |
December 2009
| 2 December | Full Moon |
| 8 December | Feast of Immaculate Conception (Christian) Celebrates the (mainly Roman Catholic) doctrine that Mary herself was born free from the Original Sin, leaving her sinless for the conception and bearing of Jesus. |
| 9 December | Bodhi Day (Buddhist) Some Buddhists (eg Pure Land followers) celebrate Gautama’s attainment of Enlightenment on this day under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, North India. |
| 12 - 19 December | Hanukkah begins (alternate spelling Chanukah) (Jewish) Hanukka celebrates the miraculous victory over religious persecution in the Holy Land and also commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the burning oil. Find out more |
| 16 December | New Moon |
| 18 December | Al-Hijira or holy pilgrimage (Muslim) Islamic New Year. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra). The festival marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina. |
| 21 December | Yule (Pagan) Yule is the time of the winter solstice, when the sun child is reborn, an image of the return of all new life born through the love of the Gods. |
| 24 December | |
| 25 December |
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| 26 December | St Stephen's Day (Christian) St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is celebrated on this day by Roman Catholics. The day is also called the Feast of Stephen. |
| 27 December |
For Shi'a Muslims it is a day of mourning to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet (pbuh), in 680 CE. |
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