January
● New Year's Day (Jan 1): Celebrated worldwide to mark the beginning of the new year
on the Gregorian calendar.
● Lunar New Year (Date varies): Primarily celebrated in East Asian countries (like China,
Korea, Vietnam), marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Festivities include
family gatherings, dragon dances, and fireworks.
February
● Valentine’s Day (Feb 14): Celebrated globally as a day of romance, love, and
appreciation among friends, partners, and family.
● Mardi Gras (Date varies): Also known as "Fat Tuesday," celebrated before the start of
Lent in countries like Brazil, France, and the U.S. (especially New Orleans), featuring
parades and feasting.
March
● International Women’s Day (Mar 8): Recognized worldwide to honor women’s
contributions and advocate for gender equality.
● Holi (Date varies): Known as the "Festival of Colors" in India and Nepal, Holi celebrates
the arrival of spring with vibrant color-throwing festivities.
● St. Patrick’s Day (Mar 17): Irish cultural celebration of Saint Patrick, marked by
parades, wearing green, and traditional Irish foods.
April
● Easter (Date varies): Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
observed with church services, Easter egg hunts, and family gatherings.
● Passover (Date varies): Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt,
observed with Seder meals and symbolic foods.
May
● Labor Day (May 1, or first Monday in September in the U.S.): Recognized in many
countries as a day to honor workers' rights and achievements.
● Cinco de Mayo (May 5): Celebrated mainly in Mexico and the U.S., commemorating the
Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla.
June
● Eid al-Fitr (Date varies): Marks the end of Ramadan in Islam, with prayers, feasting, and
charitable giving.
● Dragon Boat Festival (Date varies): Celebrated in China and other East Asian countries
with dragon boat races and sticky rice dumplings (zongzi).
July
● Independence Day (U.S.) (July 4): Celebrates U.S. independence from Britain, marked
by fireworks, parades, and patriotic events.
● Bastille Day (July 14): Celebrated in France to honor the French Revolution and the
storming of the Bastille prison, featuring parades and fireworks.
August
● Raksha Bandhan (Date varies): Hindu festival in India, celebrating the bond between
siblings, where sisters tie a protective thread around their brothers' wrists.
● Obon (Date varies): Japanese Buddhist festival honoring deceased ancestors, observed
with family gatherings, dances, and visits to graves.
September
● Mid-Autumn Festival (Date varies): East Asian harvest festival with mooncakes,
lanterns, and family gatherings to celebrate the harvest moon.
● Yom Kippur (Date varies): Jewish Day of Atonement, observed with fasting and prayer
for atonement and reflection.
October
● Oktoberfest (Starts in late September and ends in October): Originating in Germany,
this festival is famous for its beer, food, and traditional Bavarian festivities.
● Diwali (Date varies): Hindu Festival of Lights celebrated in India and among Hindu
communities worldwide, marked by fireworks, sweets, and the lighting of oil lamps.
● Halloween (Oct 31): Popular in the U.S. and other Western countries, celebrated with
costumes, trick-or-treating, and decorations.
November
● Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) (Nov 1-2): Celebrated in Mexico to honor
deceased loved ones with altars, colorful decorations, and family gatherings.
● Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November in the U.S.): A holiday for giving thanks
and sharing a traditional meal with family and friends.
December
● Hanukkah (Date varies): Jewish Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of
the Second Temple in Jerusalem, observed with candle lighting, prayers, and traditional
foods.
● Christmas (Dec 25): Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by
church services, gift-giving, and festive meals.
● Kwanzaa (Dec 26-Jan 1): African American cultural festival celebrating African heritage
and values, observed with daily rituals and a feast on the last day.
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