Popular Holidays
National and Public Holidays around the world
Holidays / Festivals / Calendars / Public Holidays / Planning Meetings
Labour Day
Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated by many countries around the world to honour and celebrate the achievements of workers. Usually held on May 1st, Labour Day can include marches, parades, and political speeches. The day is also seen as a symbol of the successes of labour rights movements around the world. Variations of the holiday are celebrated in different countries, with some countries having more of a focus on rest and relaxation for workers.
Ascension Thursday
The Feast of the Ascension, celebrated forty days after Easter, commemorates Jesus’ ascent to heaven where he was seated at the right hand of God as the Messiah, the divinely appointed King of Kings. It is traditionally celebrated with liturgical services, readings from scripture, and hymns. In some countries, such as Austria and Poland, the day is also a public holiday.
Victoria Day in Canada
Victoria Day is a federal holiday in Canada, celebrated annually on the last Monday before 25th of May. This holiday originated as a tribute to Queen Victoria's birthday and has been celebrated for many years. As an occasion of great national importance, it marks the official start of summer and is typically celebrated by Canadian citizens by enjoying picnics and barbecues or simply taking a stroll.
Spring Bank in UK
Spring Bank is a UK holiday which celebrates the traditional start of the Summer season in the country. Celebrations typically include parades with bright decorations and festive music. All kinds of fun activities are also part of it, like street carnivals, firework displays, treasure hunts and pub concerts. This four-day holiday is a highly anticipated time of the year for locals looking for an opportunity to get out, relax and join in the celebrations.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is an American holiday on the last Monday of May. Traditionally, the day is to remember and honor those who have died in military service. Commemorative ceremonies such as parades, speeches, and the decorating of graves with flags take place throughout the country. This is a special time for all those who have lost loved ones, friends, and family due to service in the armed forces.
Republic Day in Italy
Republic Day in Italy (Festa della Repubblica) is a national holiday celebrated annually on June, 2nd. It commemorates the birth of the Republic of Italy in 1946, when Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. Celebrations often include parades, fireworks and concerts, as well as performances and exhibitions, which are held specially to mark the occasion.
Flag Day
Flag Day is an annual observance in the United States honoring the American flag and celebrating its birth. The observance began in 1885, when schoolteacher BJ Cigrand placed a 38-inch star-spangled banner in the Arionette Schoolroom in Waubeka, Wis., and designated June 14 as the day to honor the flag. In 1949, the U.S. Congress declared June 14 "Flag Day" honoring the flag and its birth. Throughout the country, events and special ceremonies are held in its honor. The days events often include hoisting the flag, singing patriotic songs, saluting, parades and presentations illustrating the historical traditions surrounding the flag.
Independence Day
Independence Day in the United States is a national holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Celebrations include parades, fireworks, picnics, and other activities to celebrate the anniversary of the nation's Independence. This holiday is usually celebrated on the 4th of July every year and serves as an opportunity to reflect on American freedom, democracy, and patriotism.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is an Islamic holiday that honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to follow God's command to sacrifice his son. It is celebrated by Muslims around the world and is seen as a time for families and friends to gather to share in the joy of the holiday. Traditionally, Muslims gather for prayer at mosques and community centers during the four-day celebration, and animals are slaughtered and shared among family, friends, and those in need. Gifts are also exchanged and hot meals prepared and served. Other activities may include recreational activities like music, dancing, and games.
Civic Holiday in Canada
Civic Holiday, also known as the Simcoe Day, is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the first Monday of August in provinces and territories. It serves to recognize the public service and civic contributions of citizens in their communities. The holiday allows the public to take part in various local festivals, fairs, parades, and other outdoor activities. The day was originally proclaimed by Ontario in 1868 and is now recognized in most Canadian provinces.
Assumption of Mary in Orthodox
The Dormition of the Theotokos is an important Orthodox holiday that commemorates the repose and bodily assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven. It serves as a reminder of her heavenly intercession for the faithful as she ascended in her physical form. It is also an occasion to celebrate and honor Mary's love and obedience to God, and her unwavering trust throughout her earthly life.
Halloween 2024
Halloween is a spooky holiday that falls on the night of October 31 every year. People dress up in costumes and go door-to-door asking for treats, recite spooky stories around bonfires, and attend costume parties. Pumpkin carving and carving out spooky designs in other gourds are traditional activities. On this night, children are also given the freedom to roam their streets in search of spooky attractions and adventures.
Universal Children’s Day 2024
Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20th every year, as designated by the United Nations in 1954. The day is dedicated to promoting the welfare and rights of all children throughout the world. It’s a special day to recognize children’s unique needs and rights, to improve their lives, to help them reach their full potential, and to extend them the respect and love they deserve. Activities around the world include conferences, festivals, charity events, parades, and much more.
Thanksgiving Day 2024
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada in which people give thanks for the blessings in their lives. It is a day of gathering and feasting on traditional foods such as turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. Friends and family come together to share stories, watch football games, and give thanks for the blessings they have received.
Hanukkah 2024
Happy Hanukkah! Today begins the beautiful eight day Jewish festival, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over tyranny. Hanukkah, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important events in the Jewish calendar. It is celebrated by lighting candles on the menorah, eating traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), spinning a dreidel (top) for good luck, and exchanging small gifts. Families share stories from their history, recounting how bravely the Maccabees defended their people centuries ago.
Advent 2023
Advent is a religious season that marks the four weeks before Christmas Day. People often start the celebration by using an Advent Calendar to count down the days and exchange small gifts as a reminder of the coming of Jesus. Other Christian traditions include using an Advent Wreath and lighting a candle for each Sunday leading up to Christmas. They are an anticipation of the joy and renewal that comes with hope in Christ.
Christmas 2024
Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.It is celebrated on December 25th and is observed by Christians from several denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodists and many other Christian churches. It is seen as a time for reflection on the teachings of Jesus and of peace and goodwill towards others. As part of the festivities, people traditionally exchange gifts, decorate their homes and also attend special church services. The exact origins of the Christmas tradition are unknown, but its significance to Christians has persisted through the ages.
New Year’s Day
New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1 and marks the beginning of a new calendar year. It is a public holiday in many countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United States. Traditions include fireworks, parade, and special meals, along with family gatherings and often resolutions for a fresh start. People observe the holiday by counting down the seconds to midnight, watching the ball drop in Times Square, and celebrating with friends and family. To many, the holiday symbolizes a time of renewal, reflection, and hope for the future.
Christmas – Christian Orthodox 2024
Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated on December 25th. It is a traditional holiday that includes religious observances, family gatherings, festivities, and gift-giving. The day marks the beginning of the 12 Days of Christmas and is celebrated by many people around the world regardless of their religious beliefs. While Christian traditions are often associated with the holiday, its joy is felt by many as a time of kindness and giving.
Chinese New Year 2024
Chinese New Year is the most important festival of the year in China, and one of several Lunar New Year holidays celebrated in many Asian countries. It is also known as the Spring Festival and usually falls between January 21 and February 20. Traditional festivities include a variety of decorations, family reunions, gift-giving, lion and dragon dances, games, and official public holidays. During the Chinese New Year holiday, people may visit their families, travel, and partake in traditional customs and activities to welcome a prosperous new year.