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January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Christian
Liturgical feast of Mary celebrated by the Catholic Church.
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-01-01
January 7: Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian
Also known as the “Incarnation of Christ,” this Feast celebrates the day that Jesus became human and came into the world as a Savior.
http://www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/nativity
February 2: Imbolc – Lughnassad – Wicca/Pagan
The second of four great fire festivals, Imbolc (meaning “in milk”) recognizes a time of awakening, promise and hope for the spring.
http://www.sacredfire.net/festivals.html
February 10: Chinese New Year – Confucian –Taoist -Buddhist
The Chinese New Year remains the most important social and economic holiday in China. The holiday is a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors, and includes feasting together as a family.
http://www.history.com/topics/chinese-new-year
February 13: Ash Wednesday – Lent begins – Christian
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent, 40 days of preparation for Easter. Many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline.
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatisashwednes.htm
February 15: Nirvana Day – Buddhist – Jain
Festival commemorating Buddha’s death at 80 when he attained Nirvana – the state at which all desires and afflictions are gone, and the cycle of death and rebirth ends.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhistholidays/a/nirvanaday.htm
February 24: Purim - Jewish
This merry holiday celebrates a time when Jewish people in Persia were saved from destruction. It is customary to hear the reading of the Book of Esther, eat, drink, and be joyful, give gifts of food and drink and gifts to charity, and hold carnival-like celebrations.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm
March 20: Equinox-Ostara-Wicca/Pagan
Celebration of new life; a time of renewal and rebirth.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/ostarathespringequinox/p/Ostara_History.htm
March 21: Naw Ruz (New Year) – Baha’i
The New Year celebrates the love relationship between the Creator and the creation, in the material world.
http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Nowruz/NowRuz.html
March 26 – April 2: Pesach (Passover) – Jewish
Pesach, which means to pass through, commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and the Holy One passing over the Jewish homes when the first-born Egyptians were slain.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm
March 27: Magha Puja Day - Buddhist
Magha Puja Day is a holy day of homage to The Buddha.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhistholidays/a/maghapuja.htm
March 27: Holi – Hindu
This springtime festival of colors includes music, dancing, laughter and teasing. It is a fun-filled, joyous celebration.
http://hinduism.about.com/od/holifestivalofcolors/a/holybasics.htm
March 28: Holy (Maundy) Thursday – Christian
The Thursday before Easter commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the gospels. Mass or services may include the symbolic washing of feet.
http://christianity.about.com/od/easter/qt/maundythursday.htm
March 29: Good Friday - Christian
On this solemn day, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatisgoodfrida.htm
March 31: Easter – Christian
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year and includes a joyous celebration of Mass or a Service of Christ’s Resurrection.
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatiseaster.htm
April 8: Yom HaShoah – Jewish
Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, this day offers remembrance for persons who died in the Shoah, actions against the Jewish people during World War II.
http://urj.org/holidays/hashoah/
April 11: New Year - Hindu
This event celebrates the dawn of a new year and new beginnings. It is a spring festival marking the end of winter and looking forward to a time of expectation.
http://www.hindunewyear.com/
April 25: Hanuman Jayanti - Hindu
This event celebrates Hanuman, one of the most popular Hindu idols, the ape that helped Lord Rama fight evil. Hanuman represents the inherent and rarely used power that lies within all.
http://hinduism.about.com/b/2011/04/17/hanuman-jayanti-march-29-30-2010.htm
April 25: Mahavir Jayanti – Jain
Festival honoring Lord Mahavira on the founder's birthday. Shrines are visited and teachings are reviewed and reflected upon.
http://www.theholidayspot.com/mahavirjayanti/
May 5: Easter/Pascha – Orthodox Christian
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated with this feast in the Orthodox Christian church. It recognizes Christ’s power over death and the gift to Christians of restoration, transformation and life everlasting.
http://lent.goarch.org/holy_pascha/learn/
May 19: - Pentecost Christian
Pentecost is a celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples, and the birth of the church, following His resurrection. Pentecost always occurs seven weeks after Easter Sunday and is typically celebrated with baptism liturgies and joyous services.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15614b.htm
May 23: Declaration of the Bab- Baha’i
This day recognizes the declaration in 1844 by Ali Muhammed that he was the anticipated "Coming One" of all religions. Work is suspended on this day.
http://www.bahai.us/
May 25: Visakha Puja – Buddhist
This festival celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. The day includes preparation of sweets for the monks, sermons and a candle-lighting ceremony.
http://www2.tat.or.th/visakhapuja/eng/about.html
July 9: Ramadan Begins- Islam
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts for thirty days. It is the Islamic month of fasting from sex, drinking, eating, and smoking during daylight hours. The purpose of Ramadan is to rededicate oneself to God through patience, faith, and submission.
http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/ramadanintro.htm
August 8-11: Eid al Fitr- Islam
Eid al Fitr is a festival of thanksgiving for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions.
http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/f/eid_fitr.htm
September 5-6: Rosh Hashanah - Jewish
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy days or Days of Awe; it is a time of prayer, reflection, and services.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
September 8: Nativity of Mary- Christian
This holiday, celebrated in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches, celebrates the birth date of Mary, mother of Jesus.
http://www.wf-f.org/BirthofMary.html
September 10: Paryushana Parva – Jain
This Jain practice is a yearly time of uplifting through fasting, meditation, introspection, love and forgiveness for all humanity.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/edit-page/30106389_1_paryushan-parva-forgiveness-jains
September 14: Yom Kippur-Jewish
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath, meaning no work can be performed on this day. It includes a complete fast and solemn services. “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement.”
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday4.html
September 19-25: Sukkot- Jewish
This festival begins on the fifth day after Yom Kippur and is one of the most joyous holidays. Sukkot helps commemorate the period in which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert. People live and eat in temporary dwellings during the festival.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm
September 22: Equinox-Mabon-Wicca/Pagan
Mabon, falling in September in the Northern Hemisphere, is a celebration of the second harvest during the autumn equinox. When day and night are equal, it marks a balance between light and dark.
http://suite101.com/article/pagan-traditions-for-fall-equinox-a148966
October 5-13: Navaratri – Hindu
Festival of the divine mother which honors Durga, wife of Shiva, seeking her blessings. Also observed as a celebration recalling the days of Lord Krishna
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/navaratri.shtml
October 15-18: Eid al Adha-Islam
Also called the Feast of Sacrifice, this day celebrates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to God. It also commemorates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
http://islam.about.com/od/hajj/a/adha.htm
October 31: Samhain-Beltane – Wicca/Pagan
Samhain marks the beginning of the Pagan year; a time to search for wisdom and guidance. http://www.chalicecentre.net/samhain.htm
November 1: All Saints Day- Christian
On this day, the Catholic and Protestant churches celebrate all believers, known and unknown, alive and dead. http://www.churchyear.net/allsaints.html
November 3: Diwali – Hindu – Jain – Sikh
The Festival of Lights commemorates the triumph of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness.
http://www.diwali2011.in/
November 4-5: Hijra – New Year – Islam
This is the first day of the month of Muharram which marks the time in 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/alhijra.shtml
November 14: Ashura - Islam
The Day of Ashura commemorates, for Shi’a Muslims, a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
November 17: Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Birthday - Sikh
A Punjabi festival commemorating Guru Nanak Dev Sahib’s birthday.
http://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-festivals-india/punjab/birthday-of-guru-nanak-dev-sahib.html
November 28-December 5: Hanukkah – Jewish
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights of candle lighting. In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means “dedication,” and it commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E.
http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/hanukkah.htm
December 8: Rohatsu (Bodhi Day) – Buddhist
Rohatsu is the celebration of the enlightenment of The Buddha. A candle is lit every evening for thirty days, symbolic of enlightenment.
http://www.examiner.com/zen-buddhism-in-national/bodhi-day-what-it-is-and-how-to-observe-it
December 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary – Catholic Christian
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the conception of the Virgin Mary without, according to the Roman Catholic Church, any stain of original sin.
December 21: Winter Solstice – Wicca/Pagan
Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. This time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess.
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usxx&c=holidays&sc=yule&id=1900
December 25: Christmas – Christian
Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christmas is preceded by 40 days of spiritual preparation called Advent. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. www.history.com/topics/christmas
