sikhism buddhism islam judaism jainism paganism shinto

Employers can use this calendar to ensure that they take into account all bank holidays and major religious observances when scheduling staff or workplace events. Consulting this calendar will ensure your workplace is inclusive and aware of faith days that forbid work, require fasting, prohibit certain clothing and more.

This calendar focuses on the 10 faiths below, but that does not mean other religions, beliefs or non-belief are not valued equally. It highlights major faith days in each religion and the relevant ways they are observed and celebrated. Some dates and spellings may vary slightly due to language and calendar differences.

Click on the name of each religious observance for more information from the BBC, GOV.UK and other sources.

Christianity

Judaism

Bahá’í

Jainism

Sikhism

Paganism

Buddhism Islam

Shinto Hinduism

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1New Year’s Day

Oshogatsu (New Year’s) (Shinto)

2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13Lohri (Sikhism)

14 15 16Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Sikhism)

17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24Mahayana New Year

(Buddhism)Tu B’Shevat (Arbour

Day) (Judaism)

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

January 2016Provided by: Andrew Bourne & Co

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© 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein, including its attachments, contains proprietary and confidential information. Any distribution of these materials to third parties is strictly prohibited. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Oshogatsu: Traditionally, at midnight, Shintos visit shrines and pray for the renewal of their heart, prosperity and health in the year to come.

Lohri: During the day, Sikh children will go from door to door singing folk songs and receiving sweets and savouries. At night, their collections are distributed and some of the items are throwing into a bonfire. Also, Sikhs will sing and dance around the bonfire till it burns out.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: This day commemorates the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Traditionally, in celebration of the day, Sikhs sing devotional songs and attend special prayer gatherings, historical lectures and recite poems.

Mahayana: In celebration of the New Year, Buddhists make a resolution to improve past behaviour through the use of a statue of the Lord Buddha, to which they pray and chant, light candles, offer fragrances and pour water on.

Tu B’Shevat: Also known as the New Year for Trees, its purpose is to calculate the age of trees for tithing. In celebration of the day, Jews are to eat a new fruit or from the Seven Species, or plant a tree.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/oshogatsu.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/tubishvat.shtml


1 2Imbolc (Paganism)

3Setsubun (Shinto)

4 5 6 7

8Chinese New Year

(Confucian, Daoism, Buddhism)

9 10Ash Wednesday

(Christianity)

11 12 13 14

15Nirvana Day (Buddhism)

16 17 18 19 20 12

22 23 24 25 26Intercalary Days (Begins) (Baha’i)

27 28

29Intercalary Days (Ends) (Baha’i)

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Imbolc: This Pagan celebration marks the beginning of spring and is generally observed by lighting candles and eating special foods.

Setsubun: This Shinto celebration marks the day before spring and is observed by throwing roasted soybeans out the door of the home while repeating an invocation to purify the home by driving away the evil spirits.

Chinese New Year: The Chinese New Year is a 15-day festival celebrated with special food and red decorations, lighting firecrackers, and visits to the temple to pray. Employees that observe all 15 days may not attend work during the first three days to celebrate.

Ash Wednesday: This is the first day of Lent and some Christians observe the day by attending a religious service during the morning or afternoon.

Nirvana Day: This day commemorates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Nirvana and in celebration, passages form the Nirvana Sutra are read.

Intercalary Days: The Baha’i Festival of Ayyám-i-Há commemorates the transcendence of God over his attributes and is celebrated by demonstrating love, fellowship and unity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/imbolc.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/harumatsuri.shtml


http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_1.shtml#h3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/buddhism/nirvana.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/



MONDAY TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1Nineteen Day Fast (Begins) (Baha’i)

2 3 4 5 6

7Maha Shivaratri

(Hinduism)

8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17St Patrick’s Day

(Northern Ireland) (Bank Holiday)

18 19Nineteen Day Fast

(Ends) (Baha’i)

20Palm Sunday (Christianity)

Naw-Ruz (Baha’i, Zoroastrianism)

21 22 23Holi (Hinduism)

Magha Puja (Buddhism)

Purim (Judaism)

24 25Good Friday (Christianity

and Bank Holiday)

Hola Mohalla (Begins) (Sikhism)

26 27Easter (Christianity)Hola Mohalla (Ends)

(Sikhism)

28Easter Monday

(Christianity and Bank Holiday)

29 30 31

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Nineteen Day Fast: Baha’is abstain from food, drink and smoking from sunrise to sunset.

Maha Shivaratri: This Hindu day of reverence for the God Shiva is celebrated by offering bael leaves to Shiva, fasting from sunrise to sunset and with an all-night vigil.

Palm Sunday: This feast day commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and is celebrated by offering those who attended the religious service fresh palm leaves.

Naw-Ruz: Naw-Ruz is a celebration of the first day of the Baha’i calendar and the end of the Nineteen Day Fast. Bahi’s celebrate with prayer, music, dancing and a large meal. Also, no work is permitted on this day.

Holi: Also known as the festival of colours, Holi is celebrated with a bonfire the night before where people gather, sing and dance. Then, the next morning, Hindus paint each other with bright colours.

Magha Puja: This is a festival during which Buddhists abstain from sins, do only good and purify the mind.

Purim: The day before Purim is the Fast of Esther, which is observed from sunrise to sunset. Then, on Purim, Jews read from the Book of Esther and hold small celebrations.

Good Friday: This commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary and is celebrated by attending a religious service, while some Christians celebrate by fasting from sunrise to sunset.

Hola Mohalla: This Sikh festival day features displays of fighting prowess and bravery, listening to music and poetry, and eating special food.

Easter: This celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead marks the end of Lent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/customs/fasting.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/mahashivratri.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/holyweek_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/nawruz.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/holi_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/sangha.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/purim_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/holyweek_1.shtml#h3



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/holamahalla.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/easter.shtml




1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8New Year’s (Hinduism)

Ramayana (Begins) (Hinduism)

9 10

11 12 13 14Vaisakhi (Sikhism)

15Rama Navami (Hinduism)

Ramayana (Ends) (Hinduism)

16 17

18 19 20Ridvan (Begins)

(Baha’i)Mahavir Jayanti

(Jainism)

21Hanuman Jayanti

(Hinduism)

22Pesach (Begins)

(Judaism)Theravada New Year

(Buddhism)

23 24

25 26 27 28Ridvan (9th Day)

(Baha’i)

29 30Pesach (Ends)

(Judaism)

April 2016Provided by: Andrew Bourne & Co



Ramayana: Some Hindus that observe the day trace Rama’s journey through India and Nepal, halting at each of the holy sites along the way.

Vaisakhi: The Sikh New Year festival marks the creation of the Khalsa and is celebrated by attending Gurdwara with flowers and offerings followed by a parade.

Rama Navami: This day celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Hindus fast or restrict their diet from sunrise to sunset.

Ridvan: This 12-day festival commemorate Baha’u’llah’s prophethood and is celebrated with communal prayer. Work is not permitted on the first, ninth and last day of Ridvan.

Mahavir Jayanti: Jains visit temples to meditate on Mahavira’s teachings and offer prayers.

Hanuman Jayanti: Beginning in the morning, Hindus visit Hanuman temples for worship.

Pesach: During Passover (Pesach in Hebrew), Jews abstain from eating chametz, which is any leaven bread made from the five major grains. In addition, on the first and last two days of the holiday, no work is permitted.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/texts/texts.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/vaisakhi.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/rama.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ridvan.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/holydays/holydays.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/hanuman.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/passover_1.shtml




MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1Beltane (Pagan)

2Ridvan (Ends)

(Baha’i)

Early May Bank Holiday

3Lailat al Miraj

(Islam)

4Yom Hashoah

(Judaism)

5 6 7 8

9 10 11Yom Ha-Atzmaut

(Judaism)

12 13 14 15Pentecost

(Christianity)

16 17 18 19 20Wesak (Buddha Day)

(Buddhism)

21Lailat al Bara’ah

(Islam)

22Declaration of the

Bab (Baha’i)

Trinity Sunday (Christianity)

23 24 25Lag B’omer (Judaism)

26Corpus Christi (Christianity)

27 28Ascension of Baha’u’llah

(Baha’i)

29

30Spring Bank

Holiday

31

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

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Ridvan (Ends): The end of the 12-day festival that celebrates the commencement of Baha’u’llah’s prophethood prohibits work in observance of the day.

Lailat Al Miraj: Some Muslims may attend special prayer services at a mosque.

Yom Hashoah: During Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jews light candles and listen to survivor stories.

Yom Ha-Atzmaut: Israeli Independence Day marks the establishment of the modern state of Israel.

Pentecost: Pentecost marks the occasion of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ and is celebrated generally with prayer, but also celebrated with baptism.

Wesak: This day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha, and is celebrated by singing hymns at temple.

Lailat al Bara’ah: Muslims celebrate the ‘Night of Forgiveness’ by seeking forgiveness for their sins.

Declaration of the Bab: This Baha’i day celebrating the Bab’s announcement of his mission prohibits work.

Ascension of Baha’u’llah: The Baha’i day commemorating the death of Baha’u’llah is observed by performing no work and reading the scriptures.




http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/lailatalmiraj.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/yomhashoa.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/pentecost.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/wesak.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/lailatulbarah.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/declarationbab.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ascension.shtml




1 2 3 4 5

6Ramadan (Begins)

(Islam)

7 8 9 10 11Shavuot (Begins)

(Judaism)

12

13Shavuot (Ends)

(Judaism)

14 15 16Guru Arjan Martyrdom

(Sikhism)

17 18 19

20Summer Solstice

(Paganism)

21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

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Ramadan: Muslims observe this holy month by fasting from sunrise to sunset and performing long night prayers at mosques.

Shavuot: In observance of this harvest festival, Jews say special prayers, decorate synagogues with flowers, and abstain from work.

Guru Arjan Martyrdom: This day commemorates the death of the Guru Arjan, the first martyr of the Sikh faith. Sikhs listen to readings of the Sikh holy book and distribute free sweets to the general public.

Summer Solstice: This marks the first day of summer as well as the longest day of the year and is generally celebrated by Pagans viewing the sunrise in a garden or wooded area, or ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/ramadan_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/shavuot.shtml






http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml




1 2Lailat al Qaadr (Islam)

3

4 5Ramadan (Ends)

(Islam)

6 7Eid al Fitr (Begins)

(Islam)

8 9Eid al-Fitr (Ends) (Islam)

The Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)

10

11 12Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (Northern Ireland)(Public Holiday)

13Obon (Ullambana)

(Begins) (Buddhism, Shinto)

14 15Obon (Ullambana)

(Ends) (Buddhism, Shinto)

16 17

18 19Dharma Day (Buddhism)

20 21 22 23Birthday of Haile

Selassie (Rastafari)

24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

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Lailat al Qadr: Some Muslims may choose to observe the ‘Night of Power’ by fasting from sunrise to sunset and spending the whole night in prayer. In addition, many Islamic organisations and businesses may alter their hours of operation.

Eid al Fitr: This Islamic festival celebrates the end of Ramadan. Muslims attend special services in mosques and eat a celebratory meal during the day—the first daytime meal many Muslims have had in one month.

The Martyrdom of the Bab: This day commemorates the Bab’s execution. No work is permitted on this day, and many attend special prayers at noon.

Obon: This Buddhist celebration honours the spirits of one’s ancestors during which people return to ancestral family places, and visit and clean their ancestor’s graves. By doing so, the spirits of the ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars.

Dharma Day: Buddhists may choose to observe the day by attending readings from the Buddhist scriptures and reflect on its meaning at a temple.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/lailatalqadr.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/eidulfitr.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/martyrdombab.shtml





http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/d/dharmaday.asp




1Lammas (Paganism)

Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)

2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13Tisha B’Av (Judaism)

14

15 16 17 18Raksha Bandhan

(Hinduism)

19 20 21

22 23 24 25Krishna Janmashtami

(Hinduism)

26 27 28Paryushana

(Jainism)

29Summer Bank

Holiday

30 31

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7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

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Lammas: This Pagan festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with traditional music and dancing, a parade, arts and crafts workshops, a horse and cattle fair, and a market.

Tisha B’Av: In observance of this solemn day, some Jews may fast and pray, refrain from wearing leather and cosmetics, and restrict themselves from smiling and laughing.

Raksha Bandhan: This Hindu festival celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters, and is generally celebrated by chanting and tying the rakhi, a sacred thread of protection, around the wrist of your sibling.

Krishna Janmashtami: Hindus celebrate the birth of the god Krishna by foregoing sleep for 48 hours, fasting, singing, and dancing.

Paryushana: Jains observe a strict fast for eight days from sunrise to sunset while engaging in serious meditation and contemplation to cleanse their souls.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/lughnasadh.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/tishbav.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/raksha.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/janamashtami.shtml






MONDAY TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1 2 3 4

5Ganesh Chaturthi

(Hinduism)

6 7 8 9 10Waqf al Arafa (Islam)

11

12Eid ul Adha (Islam)

13 14Onam (Hinduism)

15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22Autumn Equinox

(Paganism)

23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

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Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindus celebrate the joyous birth of Lord Ganesh in many ways, such as singing hymns, presenting offerings, and immersing a clay idol of Ganesh in water.

Waqf al Arafa: This day commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s final sermon and completion of the message of Islam and is celebrated with prayers, fasting, and repentance. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Eid ul Adha: This four-day public holiday in Muslim countries involves sacrificing domestic animals and distributing the meat to the poor, giving to charity, and praying.

Onam: This 10-day Hindu harvest celebration marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali, and is celebrated with traditional cuisine, dance and music, and the creation of the floral carpet, known as ‘Onapookkalam’.

Autumn Equinox: Also known as ‘Mabon’, this celebration involves Pagans giving thanks for the summer and paying tribute to the coming darkness.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/ganesh.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/hajj_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/eid_haj.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/autumnequinox.shtml




1Navratri (Begins)

(Hinduism)

2Al-Hijra (New

Year’s) (Islam)

3Rosh Hashanah

(Judaism)

4 5 6 7 8Durga Puja (Begins)

(Hinduism)

9

10Navratri (Ends)

(Hinduism)

11Durga Puja (Ends)

(Hinduism)Dussehra (Hinduism)

Ashura (Islam)Yom Kippur (Judaism)

12 13 14 15 16Sukkot (Begins)

(Judaism)

17 18 19Birth of the Bab

(Baha’i)

20 21 22 23Sukkot (Ends) (Judaism)

Shemini Atzeret (Judaism)

24Simchat Torah

(Judaism)

25 26 27 28 29 30Diwali (Begins)

(Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism)

Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikhism)

31Samhain (Paganism)

New Year’s (Jainism)

October 2016

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Navratri: This nine-day, auspicious Hindu festival involves great feasts, communities gathering together, and nightly dances.

Al-Hijra: The Islamic New Year is a low-key celebration with no required religious rituals.

Rosh Hashanah: No work is permitted in observance of the Jewish New Year, when Jews attend synagogue for special services and eat a sweet meal at home.

Ashura: Some Muslims may choose to celebrate by fasting from sunrise to sunset, donating blood, or with a mourning procession and speeches.

Yom Kippur: Jews may celebrate the ‘Day of Atonement’ by abstaining from work, fasting, not washing, not wearing leather shoes, and attending synagogue services.

Sukkot: Jews celebrate by building a temporary structure in which they take their meals. No work is permitted on the first and second day in observance of Sukkot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/navaratri.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/alhijra.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/roshhashanah.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/ashura.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/yomkippur.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/sukkot_1.shtml



MONDAY

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1 2 3Diwali (Ends)

(Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism)

4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11Birth of Baha’u’llah

(Baha’i)

12 13

14Birthday of Guru Nanak Gurpurab

(Sikhism)

15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24Martyrdom of Guru

Tegh Bahadur (Sikhism)

25Day of the Covenant

(Baha’i)

26 27Advent Sunday

(Christianity)Ascension of Abdu’l-

Baha (Baha’i)

28 29 30St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) (Bank

Holiday)

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Diwali (Ends): The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Generally, people celebrate by lighting lamps and candles, participating in family prayers, exchanging gifts, and cleaning/redecorating homes.

Birth of Baha’u’llah: This day celebrates the birth of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith. No work is permitted in observance of the day.

Birthday of Guru Nanak Gurpurab: This day celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Gurpurab, the first Sikh Guru, and is celebrated with readings, a procession and a special community meal.

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur: This day commemorates the death of the Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the 10 Gurus of the Sikh religion, and is celebrated with readings, hymns and processions.

Day of the Covenant: This Baha’i celebration commemorates Abdu’l-Baha’s appointment as the Centre of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant, and does not require work to be suspended.

First Sunday of Advent: This marks the beginning of the Advent season that ends on Christmas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/diwali.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/history/bahaullah_1.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/sikhism/gurunanak.shtml









http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/christmas_1.shtml




1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8Bodhi Day

(Buddhism)

9 10 11

12Mawlid al-Nabi

(Islam)

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21Winter Solstice

(Paganism)

22 23 24Christmas Eve (Christianity)

Hanukkah (Begins) (Judaism)

25Christmas

(Christianity)

26Boxing Day

(Bank Holiday)

27Christmas Day

(Substitute Day)(Bank Holiday)

28 29 30 31

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Andrew Bourne & Co

Andrew Bourne & Co

Andrew Bourne & Co

Andrew Bourne & Co












Bodhi Day: This day commemorates when the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, experienced enlightenment, and some Buddhists choose to celebrate through additional meditation, study of the Dharma, chanting Buddhist texts or performing acts of kindness.

Milad un Nabi: This day commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and is celebrated with street processions, fasting, distributing food and charity, and reciting poems about Muhammad’s life.

Winter Solstice: Also known as ‘Yule’, Winter Solstice is celebrated with a family gathering, giving gifts, and gathering at ancient religious sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

Hanukkah: The eight-day Jewish festival, which is also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, is generally celebrated by lighting a menorah, eating foods fried in oil and exchanging gifts.

Christmas: Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by decorating their homes, attending a special religious service, performing acts of kindness and exchanging gifts.




http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/miladunnabi.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml



http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/hanukkah.shtml






sikhism buddhism islam judaism jainism paganism shinto

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