As days grow longer and signs of spring appear, the season invites us to recognize the religious and spiritual rituals, customs, and celebrations that mark our daily lives.
Learning about the traditions and values that others hold sacred is an essential piece of building respect for diverse identities in pursuit of the common good. Read about some holidays and observances that people of diverse religious faiths and worldviews will observe between February and May:
Table of Contents
February
February 1-2: Imbolc (Pagan, Wiccan)
Imbolc is a pre-Christian Irish festival that marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Read: Light and Growth: The Blessings of Imbolc, Brigid’s Day and Candlemas
February 2-3: Lailat al Bara’ah (Islam)
Known by Muslims as the “night of forgiveness,” and observed with prayer and repentance, Lailat al Bara’ah occurs near the end of the eighth lunar month of the Islamic calendar.
February 3: Setsubun-sai (Shintoism)
Ushering in the arrival of spring, Setsubun-sai is a festival of Shintoism — an indigenous religion of Japan — meant to drive away evil spirits and bad luck through ritual cleansing.
February 15: Maha Shivarati (Hinduism)
Observed annually according the Hindu lunar calendar, Maha Shivarati is a festival celebrating the deity Shiva. It is referred to as the “Great Night of Shiva” and observed with chanting, fasting, and meditation.
Sundown on February 17-March 19: Ramadan (Islam)
Ramadan, the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar, is considered by Muslims to be one of the most sacred months of the year, as it commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Mohammed. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink daily from sunrise to sunset and an emphasis is placed on spiritual discipline, prayer, and almsgiving.
Read: What is Ramadan? Helpful Resources for Interfaith Leaders
February 18: Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
Marking the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday is commemorated by many Christians. On this day, observers participate in a service where clergy use ashes — often collected from the burnt remains of the previous Palm Sunday’s branches — to mark the sign of the cross on congregants’ foreheads to symbolize repentance, humility, and sacrifice.
February 18-April 2: Lent (Christianity)
Lent is a solemn, 40-day period of reflection, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent takes place in the six weeks leading up to Easter and culminates with the events of Holy Week, including Good Friday, when Jesus died on the cross, and Easter Sunday, when he rose from the dead. For many Christians, this period is a time of reflection upon sacrifice and repentance and some observe it by fasting or giving up pleasures.
February 23: Clean Monday (Orthodox Christianity)
Clean Monday is the first day of the Great Lent, a period of fasting for Orthodox Christians, in preparation for the feast day Easter. Great Lent shares origins with Western Christian Lent, but is observed according to a different liturgical year, based on the Julian calendar.
March
March 1: The Nineteen-Day Fast (Baha’i’)
Preceding their celebration of the New Year, Baha’i’s fast for nineteen days, from sunrise to sunset. This period, which consists of refraining from food and drink each day, is rooted spiritual reflection and discipline.
March 2-3: Purim (Judaism)
This Jewish holiday commemorates the story of Queen Esther and the survival of Jews from a threatened massacre in the ancient Persian Empire. Purim is celebrated by recounting the story of Esther, who concealed her Jewish identity in her marriage to King Ahasuerus and helped save the Jewish people. On the day leading up to Purim, some observe Ta’anit Esther, or “The Fast of Esther.” “Residents of Jerusalem and other ancient walled cities” celebrate Shushan Purim, which takes place a day later — this year on March 4.
March 4: Holi (Hinduism)
A celebration of love and color, the Hindu festival of Holi marks the beginning of spring. Hindus celebrate Holi by playing with colored waters and powders, dancing, and merriment. The holiday is rooted in the story of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna’s divine love. However, it is also associated with another ancient Indian story of Vishnu’s triumph over the demon king Hiranyakashipu. Holi festivities signify love, renewal, and the victory of good over evil.
Read: How Americans Have Adopted — and Adapted — the Indian Festival of Holi
March 4-6: Hola Mohalla (Sihkism)
Characterizing the Sikh warrior spirit, this three-day festival often coincides with the Hindu celebration of Holi. Sikhs mark this day with mock competitions, religious lectures, and langar.
March 8-18: Laylat al-Qadr (Islam)
For Muslims, Laylat al-Qadr marks the night when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. Though it is held by some that this sacred night in the Islamic calendar occurs on the 27th evening of the holy lunar month, Muslims are encouraged to seek it throughout the final ten nights of Ramadan and recognize it “by making extra Ibaadah (worship)” which can include “acts such as giving Zakat (almsgiving) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity), praying Nafl prayers (voluntary prayers), and making Du’a.”
March 20: Eid al Fitr (Islam)
Eid-al-Fitr, which translates from Arabic to “the festival of breaking the fast,” marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims gather to celebrate this day of gratitude to Allah by “performing prayers, eating sweets, giving of presents, and special dinners with friends and relatives.”
March 20: Ostara (Pagan, Wiccan)
This festival of fertility, growth, and new life marks the vernal equinox. The holiday is named after the Germanic goddess Eostre and is associated with the origins of Easter. Pagan and Wiccan communities celebrate with feasts, altar decorations, and spending time in nature.
March 20-21: Naw-Ruz/ Nowruz (Baha’i, Zoroastrianism)
Naw-Ruz (also spelled Nowroz and Norooz) takes place each year on or near March 21, marking the vernal equinox. Celebrated as the first day of the calendar year, this Baha’i holiday is derived from the ancient tradition of the Persian New Year and comes from the Persian term for “new day.” Baha’is count Naw-Ruz as one of eleven holy days and spend the holiday commemorating the symbolic notion of the renewal of time. Nowruz is observed by Zoroastrians as the mark of the spring equinox.
March 26: Khordad Sal (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrated on the sixth day after Nowruz, Zoroastrians observe the birthday of Prophet Zarathushtra, founder of the faith.
March 29: Palm Sunday (Christianity)
For Christians, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week — the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. This feast day commemorates the son of God’s arrival in Jerusalem when he was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “hosanna,” a Hebrew declaration of praise. Today, many Christians incorporate processions with palm branches into their worship on this day.
March 31: Mahavir Jayanti (Jainsim)
This festival marks the birth of Lord Mahavira, the last enlightened spiritual thinker in Jainsim. Jains celebrate with images of Lord Mahavira, dance, and rituals.
April
April 1: Passover (Judaism)
Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is celebrated by Jews to commemorate the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. Some rituals observed to celebrate this eight-day holiday are refraining from eating leavened bread or chametz, taking part in special family meals called seder, and telling the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery.
April 2: Holy Thursday (Christianity)
For Christians, Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday — stemming from mandated, the Latin for mandate or command — commemorates the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his death on the cross and resurrection. Holy Thursday marks the first evening of the Triduum, the three-day observance of the last days of Jesus’ life and his resurrection. In Orthodox Christianity, Holy Thursday is April 9.
April 3: Good Friday (Christianity)
Christians observe Good Friday in commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion. This sad day is often marked with church services recounting the final events of Christ’s life, known as the Passion. Walkthroughs of the 14 Stations of the Cross, which represent his sacrificial journey and the suffering he endured before death on this day, are observed throughout the Lenten season. Holy Friday is observed by Orthodox Christians on April 10.
April 25: Lazarus Saturday (Orthodox Christianity)
Orthodox Christians celebrate Lazarus Saturday, a feast day commemorating the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead—a miracle performed leading up to his arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday when he was proclaimed “the long-expected Messiah.” This holy day precedes Orthodox Christians’ observance of Palm Sunday in the Julian calendar, which occurs this year on April 5.
April 5: Easter (Christianity)
The final day in the Triduum, Easter, is the culmination of Holy Week when Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave on the third day after his death. Some Christians celebrate this feast day with midnight mass or sunrise services, imparting the story of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and triumph over death.
Read: Many Shades of Hope: Finding Inspiration in Easter Eggs
April 8: Buddha’s Birthday
In Buddhism, this date commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha.
April 12: Pacha/Easter (Orthodox Christianity)
The celebration of the resurrection of Christ begins at midnight in the Orthodox tradition.
Read: Don’t They Know It Is Easter?
April 13: Vaisakhi (Sikhism)
Though the Sikh community does not celebrate “holidays” the way other religious traditions might, Sikhs recognize certain days as significant on the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar — including Vaisakhi, which marks the birth of the Sikhi faith. Vaisakhi commemorates the traditional harvest festival in Punjab and “the day on which the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, created the Khalsa Panth, the community of initiated Sikhs.” Celebrations of this festival day include visits to Gurdwaras, unique decorations, and singing of hymns.
Read: A Trans Sikh Interfaith Leader Reflects on Vaisakhi’s Meaning Today
April 20-May 2: Ridván (Baha’i)
The 12-day festival of Ridvan, which translates from Arabic to mean “paradise,” signifies for Ba’hais the 12 days that Baha’u’llah spent in the garden of Ridvan before his banishment from Baghdad in 1863. During this time, “He declared His mission as God’s Messenger for a new age and revealed the spiritual principles that are the foundation of His teachings.” Baha’is now celebrate Ridvan as the “Most Great Festival.” Baha’is observe the three holy days of the festival — the first, ninth, and twelfth — with yearly elections of local governing councils, rest from work, and community gatherings.
May
May 1: Beltane (Pagan, Wiccan)
Beltane, which means “bright fire” in Gaelic, has its roots in Earth-based cultures. This holiday, which occurs each year on May 1, marks the midway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice and represents the beginning of summer in early Celtic traditions. The holiday was celebrated with large bonfires, Maypole dances, and flowers. Today, Wiccan and modern Pagan traditions celebrate Beltane with fire-lighting, festivals, and handfasting ceremonies, honoring fertility, creativity, and rebirth themes.
May 1: Vesak (Buddhist)
An important Buddhist festival, Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and is celebrated yearly on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesākha. Common celebrations to mark the day include visiting and decorating temples with flowers and lanterns, symbolically bathing a Buddha statue, and acting with charity and kindness in recognition of the Buddha’s teachings.
May 4-5: Lag BaOmer (Judaism)
The 33rd Day of Counting the Omer, this day commemorates the passing of Banni Dhimon bar Yochai, and the end of a semi-mourning period in Judaism. A celebration of lights and mysticism community events include bonfires and picnics.
May 17: Feast of the Ascension (Christianity)
The Feast of the Ascension commemorates the ascent of Jesus into heaven 40 days after Easter. Christians observe this day by attending services that uplift themes of triumph, glory and hope.
May 22: Shavuot (Judaism)
This Jewish day commemorates the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai and the end of a seven-week counting period after Passover. The day represents the culmination of the Exodus story and is marked by Torah study, dairy meals, and recounting the Book of Ruth.
May 24: Declaration of the Báb (Bahá’í)
This day marks when Báb, the central prophet and herald of the Bahá’í Faith, announced himself a messenger of God and foretold the birth of the holy figure Baha’u’llah. The Declaration of Báb is one of nine holy days for Bahá’ís, when communities gather for readings of sacred texts.
May 24: Pentecost (Christianity)
Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon followers of Jesus, marking the beginning of the church’s mission. On this feast day, the biblical account of Jesus’s apostles speaking in “tongues of fire” is remembered. Orthodox Christians observe Pentecost on May 31.
May 27: Eid-al-Adha (Islam)
Eid-al-Adha is a four-day festival commemorating Prophet Abraham’s obedience to God in his willingness to sacrifice his son. Muslims celebrate this day with gifts and new clothing, saying morning prayers, and sharing meat with family, friends, and the needy.
May 29: Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Bahá’í)
This sacred day, observed by Bahá’ís, commemorates the death of the founder of the Baháʼí faith, Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah passed in 1892 at the age of 75, and Bahá’ís join on this holy day to honor him with devotions and prayer.
