G-Directorate Calendar
- June 20: Litha (Pagan/Wiccan) – Celebrates the Summer solstice.
July 6*: Ashura (Islam) – For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala.
July 9*: Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’í) – date the Báb was executed.
- July 23 – Rastafarian: Birthday of Haile Selassie*
Celebrates the birth of the Ethiopian Emperor, revered in Rastafarianism.
- July 24 – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Pioneer Day
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.
- August 1 – Pagan and Wiccan: Lughnasadh*
Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
August 15 – Roman Catholic: Feast of the Assumption
Celebrates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
August 16-17 – Hindu: Krishna Janmashtami
Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
August 21 – Jain: Paryushana begins
Marks an important Jain festival focused on fasting and forgiveness.
August 27 – Hindu: Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh.
September 5 – Islamic: Mawlid al-Nabi*
Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
September 11 – Coptic Orthodox Christian: Nayrouz
Marks the start of the Coptic New Year.
September 22 – Pagan and Wiccan: Mabon*
Celebrates the autumn equinox and the second harvest.
September 23-24 – Jewish: Rosh Hashanah*
The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal.
September 28-October 2 – Hindu: Durga Puja
Celebrates the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
October 2 – Jewish: Yom Kippur*
The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance. This is one of the most important Jewish high holy days.
October 7-13 – Jewish: Sukkot*
A week-long festival celebrating the fall harvest.
October 20 – Hindu: Diwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
October 22 – Baha’i: Birthday of the Bab*
Celebrates the birth of the Baha’i co-founder.
October 31 – Pagan and Wiccan: Samhain*
Celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
- November 1 – Christian: All Saints’ Day
Honors all saints, known and unknown.
November 2 – Christian: All Souls’ Day
Commemorates all the faithful departed.
November 21 – Eastern Orthodox Christian: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple.
November 24 – Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib
Honors the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru.
November 30 – Christian: Advent
Marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas.
December 6 – Christian: Saint Nicholas Day
Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
December 8 – Buddhist: Bodhi Day
Commemorates the enlightenment of Buddha.
December 15-22 – Jewish: Hanukkah*
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple.
December 21 – Pagan and Wiccan: Yule*
Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun.
December 25 – Christian: Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.