Celebrations of the World
Light does not belong to a single tradition. We can learn about and respect other people's celebrations without abandoning our own beliefs. Each person chooses what to celebrate according to their conscience, faith and values, without imposing on or offending others.
13 celebrations
Christmas · Julian-calendar communities
US example · Julian-calendar Christian communities
January 7 corresponds to Julian December 25 in 2026. Not all Orthodox churches use this calendar.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Chinese New Year / Spring Festival
Chinese lunisolar calendar
This date is specific to Chinese New Year. Korean Seollal, Vietnamese Tết and Tibetan Losar are distinct traditions, not interchangeable names for one celebration.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Eid al-Fitr · Saudi Arabia
Muslim · Saudi Supreme Court announcement
Marks the end of Ramadan. Confirmed for this authority only; moon-sighting and community decisions can produce different dates elsewhere.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Eid al-Fitr · Indonesia
Muslim · Indonesian government announcement
Indonesia confirmed March 21 after its national determination process, unlike the Saudi date. Follow the relevant local community or authority.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Vesak · United Nations observance
UN Headquarters · institutional observance
Honors the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing in Buddhist traditions. May 1 is the UN’s 2026 observance, not a universal Buddhist date; countries and traditions differ.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Eid al-Adha · UAE
Muslim · UAE Fatwa Council announcement
A Muslim feast associated with sacrifice and the Hajj period. This confirmed UAE date is not asserted for all communities. This page gives no ritual instructions.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Inti Raymi · Cusco
Cusco, Peru · contemporary public staging
The Cusco public staging recalls Inca history. It is not a universal Indigenous observance or permission to reproduce sacred ceremonies.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Halloween
Modern observance · varied countries and communities
Modern customs vary. Historical connections with Gaelic Samhain do not make the celebrations identical; Día de Muertos is also distinct.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →—
Día de Muertos
Mexico · regional community traditions
November 1–2 are core dates; some communities observe a longer period. Remembrance customs vary locally. This is not Halloween or a single universal altar practice.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Diwali / Deepavali
India · official holiday listing
This is the India holiday listing, not a universal date or practice. Hindu, Jain, Sikh and some Buddhist communities have distinct meanings and customs; regional observances differ.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →—
Hanukkah
Jewish · Hebrew calendar; local sunset times
Eight nights, beginning at sunset December 4 and ending at nightfall December 12. Local sunset and candle-lighting times require a local community calendar.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →Christmas
Christian · Gregorian observance (UK example)
Gregorian Christmas Day; not every Christian church uses the same calendar.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →No verified date for this year / community
Samhain
Historical Gaelic festival · contemporary traditions vary
A historical seasonal festival with contemporary observances. No universal 2026 date is assigned here: use a specific tradition or organizer’s announced date. Learning does not require adopting religious practices.
What is it & how is it celebrated? →
Learning is optional. Respect community boundaries and invitations; this page does not encourage participation in closed sacred practices or provide ceremonial instructions.
Dates are tied to the named year, locality and source, never to all followers of a tradition. Only 2026 dates have been reviewed. Local sunset times, event schedules and community announcements should be checked locally. This is an educational calendar, not a public-holiday or worship schedule.