Global Celebrations: Festivals & Holidays Calendar

Global Festivals and Cultural Celebrations

Discover a calendar of significant global festivals and cultural events celebrated throughout the year, from ancient traditions to modern holidays.

• April Fool's Day

  April 1. A day for playing tricks and practical jokes on other people.

• Carnival

  Usually during February. A festive season of intense partying, dancing, and parading.

• Chinese New Year

  Begins late January or early February. A traditional festival at the turn of the Chinese year.

• Christmas

  December 25 - January 5. Traditionally a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

• Easter

  Late March or early April. A Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Guy Fawkes Night

  November 5. A British festival commemorating the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.

• Hajj: Muslim Pilgrimage

  The 12th month of the Islamic lunar year. A Muslim pilgrimage (special journey) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

• New Year's Day

  January 1. The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.

• Ramadan: Month of Fasting

  The 9th month of the Islamic lunar year. A month of fasting for Muslims.

• Valentine's Day

  February 14. An occasion for expressing romantic love by giving cards and gifts.

• Halloween

  A celebration on the night of October 31st. It is most practiced in the USA and Canada, where children wear costumes and go to people's homes saying "Trick or Treat" to ask for candy.