Upcoming Holidays
International Men’s Day, emphasizes the important issues affecting males, including male health issues, improving the relations between genders, highlighting the importance of male role models, and promoting gender equality. This holiday is celebrated in more than seventy countries.
Transgender Day of Remembrance, established in 1998 to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and raise awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
Feast of Christ the King, a Catholic holiday established to thank God for the gift of time and a rededication to the Christian faith.
The Ascension of ‘Abdu’lBaha, is a holy day in the Bahá’í Faith, commemorating the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
Thanksgiving Day, a day in the United States that began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.
Native American Heritage Day, held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe and honor Native Americans through appropriate ceremonies and activities. The law establishing the day was signed by President George W. Bush in 2008.
St. Andrew’s Day, the feast day for St. Andrew within various Christian denominations.
Native American Women’s Equal Pay Day, it marks the day that Native women need to work until they made what Non-Hispanic white men made in the previous year. The point of this day is to acknowledge the pay disparity between men and women as well as how disproportionately Native women are impacted, making, on average, 59 cents on the dollar as compared to non-Hispanic, white men.
Advent, December 1-24, a Christian season of celebration leading up to the birth of Christ.
World AIDS Day, commemorates those who have died of AIDS and acknowledges the need for continued commitment to all those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, designed to raise awareness regarding persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity.
Bodhi Day, a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment; also known as Bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.
Immaculate Conception of Mary, celebrates the solemn celebration by various Christian denominations of belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
International Human Rights Day, established by the United Nations in 1948 to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a religious holiday in Mexico commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531.
St. Lucia’s Day, a religious festival of light in Scandinavia and Italy commemorating the martyrdom of St. Lucia, a young Christian girl who was killed for her faith in 304 CE.
Las Posadas, December 16-24, a nineday celebration in Mexico commemorating the trials Mary and Joseph endured during their journey to Bethlehem.
Yule Winter Solstice, celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans. The first day of winter and shortest day of the year represents a celebration focusing on rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings as the sun begins to move farther away from Earth.
Christmas Day, the day that many Christians associate with Jesus’ birth.
Hanukkah, December 25 - January 2, a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and nights. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabeans, leaders of the Jewish people, over the GreekSyrian ruler, Antiochus, approximately 2,200 years ago.
Boxing Day, a secular holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and South Africa.
St. Stephen’s Day, a day to commemorate St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, or protomartyr.
Zartosht No-Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), a day of remembrance in the Zoroastrian religion. It commemorates the anniversary of the death of the prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathushtra.
Kwanzaa, December 26 — January 1, an African-American holiday started by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate universal AfricanAmerican heritage.
St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Day, feast day for St. John, celebrated by Christian denominations.
Feast of the Holy Innocents, a Christian feast in remembrance of the massacre of young children in Bethlehem by King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus.
Feast of the Holy Family, a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus, his mother, and his foster father, St. Joseph, as a family. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families.
Watch Night, a day for Christians to review the year that has passed, make confessions, and then prepare for the year ahead by praying and resolving.