I love holidays.
I think holidays are a way to celebrate our values and build connections with people through ritual, storytelling, cultural exchange, and generosity. Holidays imbue our lives with additional meaning and give us opportunities to make memories with each other. As holidays tend to correspond to the time of year and to the cycle of life, each holiday presents an opportunity for us to engage with its respective traditions in such a way that we can connect with each other and with ourselves.
Some of the holidays I list are widely celebrated in other countries and cultures. This is where things can get a little tricky. I believe that sharing holidays can be a friendly way to foster multicultural exchange. However, some people may not feel comfortable sharing certain aspects of their culture with others. I think a lot of it comes down to intention and respect. If you approach a holiday with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and respect for the people who honor that day, then I think you can enjoy the day with a clear conscience.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of holidays for people to add to their calendars, either as a way to celebrate themselves or to remind them to reach out to those who do. Some of these are “joke” holidays, and some are quite serious, but they’re all fascinating. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so please let me know if you think I’ve missed anything.
(Note: This list is a direct copy of the list I made in 2024 and then copied again in 2025, with some minor updates, so that deja-vu you’re feeling is just me being lazy.)
January 2026
January 1st – January 4th: 8th – 11th Days of Christmas
Christmas was historically celebrated over 12 days, beginning on the 25th of Christmas, and ending on January 5th, or Twelfth Night. I think it would be very cool if this practice was brought back into modern culture. If you need ideas for things to do or movies to watch, I’ve got you covered.
January 5th: Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night is the last day of Christmastide, otherwise known as the “12 Days of Christmas.” It’s another excuse to throw a party with your loved ones, so I say embrace it. There is also an English custom known as “wassailing,” which I learned about from this extremely cute reel. If you live near an orchard, you may want to try it yourself.
January 6th: Epiphany, or Three Kings Day
Many countries celebrate Three Kings Day as the major gift-giving holiday. You may want to celebrate by making a Rosca de Reyes (although if you live in the Bay Area or another urban area, you can probably order one from a small bakery). Here’s a recipe if you want to try it yourself!
In Greece, January 6th is known as Theofania, a winter holiday also commemorating the end of the 12 days of Christmas.
January 13th: St. Knut’s Day
This holiday has Scandinavian origins and can be a good time to take down any Christmas decorations you may still have hanging (or you can leave them until February 2nd). In Finland, there is also a tradition involving a Christmas goat that I don’t fully understand, but it sounds like a fun time.
January 29th: Threshold Day
This day commemorates the episode of “Star Trek: Voyager,” where Tom Paris devolves into a salamander man, kidnaps Captain Janeway, turns her into a salamander lady, and has a bunch of salamander babies with her. Then Tom Paris and Captain Janeway are cured and the babies are left on an alien planet to do whatever it is that alien salamander babies do. This episode lives in infamy as the worst “Star Trek” episode ever made, but in all fairness, there are a lot of terrible episodes of “Star Trek.”
February 2026
February 1st-2nd: Imbolc, or High Winter
Today would be a good day to make a Brigid’s cross.
February 2nd: Candlemas
Today is the day to get your candles blessed and to finally take down your Christmas decorations (or else you risk getting serious bad luck).
February 13th: Galentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day is that baller time of the year when you can get together with your girlfriends and celebrate your friendship. This holiday was originally the brainchild of Leslie Knope from “Parks and Recreation” and has spawned years of tea parties and brunches.
(Note: This holiday does not compete with or replace Valentine’s Day, so you can go to brunch with your gal pals and still have a romantic date with your boo-thang)
February 17th: Lunar New Year
Happy Year of the Horse! If you were born in 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, or 1942, this is the year for you!
If you live near a major city (like I currently do in the Bay Area), I highly recommend checking out local events, like festivals and parades. If you live in a smaller town, then still take a moment to look into local celebrations (and read this post I wrote with tips and suggestions).
March 2026
March 3rd – 4th: Holi
Holi is a Hindu holiday known for its vibrant colors, being known as the Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring.
Holi is predominantly celebrated in the Indian subcontinent but has become more widely observed among Indian communities in the United States. If you live in a major city, there may be a few Holi celebrations near you (for example, here’s a list of Holi celebrations in the Bay Area in March 2025).
March 14th: Pi Day
For those who despise math, the date is 3.14, which is an abbreviation for the symbol “pi.” I promise you won’t need to determine the circumference of any circles, but you should either make or purchase some kind of pie and eat it. Preferably with friends, because solo pie has an “I’m feeling lost in my 20’s” vibe.
March 20th: Ostara, or Spring Equinox
After a long winter, it is time to embrace Spring and all of the fresh newness that encompasses. If “Ostara” sounds a lot like “Easter,” supposedly, that is deliberate, as that is where the name originates.
March 20th: Nowruz, or Persian New Year
One of my besties is Persian, and whenever the Persian New Year comes around, I like to reach out to her and wish her a Happy New Year. It’s also a great opportunity for me to remind my friend that her dad’s crispy rice is some of the best I’ve ever had, and I would very much like for him to make it for me.
Last year, the National Museum of Asian Art in D.C. hosted an event celebrating and educating people about Nowruz, so as this day approaches, I recommend seeing if any museums or events are being hosted in your town.
April 2026
April 5th: First Contact Day
On this day in the year 2063, Zefram Cochrane will successfully test his warp engine, thus leading to first contact between the Vulcans and Humans. While any day of the year is a good day to watch Star Trek, this day, in particular, deserves recognition for its hopeful and positive message.
April 12th: Orthodox Easter
You know what’s more fun than one Easter? That’s right: two Easters. In my family, Greek Easter is the day we go out of our way to be annoying Greek stereotypes and eat the best Greek food we can get our hands on (falafel does not count). The go-to movie is “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” although “Zorba the Greek” and “Never on Sunday” are also slam-dunks.
My family celebrates Orthodox Easter, usually by engaging in a Greek-ified version of American Easter (which I also celebrate, but as a secular event). I have zero problem with anyone having their own version of Greek Easter or using the day as an opportunity to celebrate Greek culture, but I do understand if some Greek Orthodox people feel differently from me. My belief is try to be appreciative of the meaning this holiday has (and really all others), and you should be good to go.
April 22nd: Earth Day
2024 was the hottest year on record, and unfortunately, given how slow world leaders are to accept the glaring reality of climate change, it’s very likely that 2025 will be extremely hot as well. However, on Earth Day, you can use your resources to donate to worthy causes, volunteer in a neighborhood trash pick-up, or celebrate in some other way that forwards climate action.
If I were you, I would look into some low-energy alternatives to air conditioning because it is going to get hot.
April 23rd: St. George’s Day
Legend has it that St. George killed a dragon. That’s pretty dope, right? This holiday is pretty big in England, with people flying the flag of St. George, making special foods, enjoying the works of Shakespeare, and partaking in parades.
May 2026
May 1st: May Day, or Beltane (High Spring)
May Day marks the beginning of summer. There are many lovely ways to celebrate Beltane, like hosting a bonfire, collecting flowers, and making offerings to the fairies.
The only movie I knew with May Day celebrations is “The Wicker Man,” but that might not be the vibe you’re going for on this special day. I did a little research and learned that “Howl’s Moving Castle” begins with a May Day celebration, and as that’s easily the most romantic of Ghibli’s productions, I think it would be a lovely way to start your May Day.
May 4th: Star Wars Day
“May the Fourth” is commonly known as “Star Wars Day.” If you’re a fan of the franchise, then May 4th through May 6th are the days to watch the original trilogy, as well as the ten thousand other shows and movies Disney’s crapped out over the last decade. The most recent of these creations is “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” and “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures,” so take reading this as your sign to watch one of those shows.
June 2026
June 21st: Litha, or Summer Solstice
Happy Midsummer! Go outside and enjoy the sunshine! Make sure to have plenty of flowers. Traditional ways to celebrate can include dancing around a Maypole, attending festivals and parades, and enjoying Scandinavian treats! There are celebrations worldwide at this time, even in the United States, with people in Alaska playing a Midnight Sun Game of baseball.
Yes, there are Midsummer festivals in Sweden, but to my knowledge, they do not involve ättestupa or sewing people into bear suits and lighting them on fire. Instead, they sing “Små grodorna,” an adorable and nonsensical song about frogs. I was teaching a summer camp on Midsummer last year, and I made my kids sing and dance to this song. They were so embarrassed, but went along with it and giggled the whole time. It was a very sweet moment.
June 23rd: St. John’s Eve, or Sankthansaften
This midsummer celebration is the time to build a bonfire, have a picnic, and enjoy the warmth of summer. The entire world celebrates festivals at this time, even in the United States (though it’s much bigger in Scandinavia).
The composition “Night on Bald Mountain,” was originally titled in reference to this holiday (and a short story based on it), so if you’ve needed an excuse to rewatch “Fantasia,” there you go.
July 2026
July 2nd: World UFO Day
On this wonderful day, people gather ’round to scan the skies for signs of UFOs and, hopefully, signs of intelligent life beyond our planet. The date comes from when people think an alien spacecraft crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, at Area 51. So on this night, you should call up your friends, pack a picnic, and find a nice place to gaze up at the stars.
July 14th: Bastille Day
If Fourth of July holds little appeal to you but you still want to celebrate national pride, Bastille Day may be for you! Bastille Day is the National Day of France and celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a major event during the French Revolution (aka the abolition of feudalism, the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen,” and the eventual removal of King Louis and Marie Antoinette).
Several cities in the US hold celebrations related to Bastille Day, and in addition to eating delicious French food, some places even hold historical reanactments.
August 2026
August 1st: Lammas Day (Or Lughnasadh)
I learned about this holiday from one of my best friends, who makes a point of observing the “full wheel” of the year. There are a lot of fascinating customs related to this holiday, based both in Christianity and Neopaganism. Some people perform handfasting ceremonies during this time of year, others bake bread, and some join in on blueberry or blackberry harvests.
September 2026
September 19th: International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Welcome to the stupidest holiday of the year! Yes, even including World UFO Day. This day is most sacred amongst Pastafarians, aka the joke religion I joined in high school to seem more interesting. Today is the day when every person in the world is encouraged to talk like a pirate. I guess you could also do pirate-themed things, like watch “Muppet Treasure Island” and eat citrus to prevent scurvy.
September 22nd: Mabon, or Autumnal Equinox
This holiday celebrates the first day of Autumn, a beautiful season. In Japan, the Autumnal Equinox is celebrated as a public holiday, where people reconnect with their families by tending to the graves of their ancestors. Mabon is also an important pagan holiday that marks the equinox and gives thanks for the harvest.
Sepember 24th – 26th: Chuseok
Chuseok is a Korean festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (so the date changes). Sometimes referred to as “Korean Thanksgiving” (although you may want to double-check this), the holiday is celebrated with large family gatherings, wherein people pay respect to their ancestors and celebrate the harvest. And eat yummy Korean food, like Songpyeon.
October 2026
October 31st: Samhain
This time marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Some people choose this time to celebrate and pay their respects to lost loved ones. Some people believe that during this time, the veil between our world and the afterlife is thinnest, allowing for communication with those who’ve passed on. If you’ve been hankering for a seance, this may be the time to go for it.
Mid-October to Mid-November: Alfablot
This very spooky holiday translates to “Blood for the Elves” and used to involve sacrificing a bull on top of a burial mound. However, before you brandish a crucifix in my direction, I feel like I should clarify that Alfablot is a bit like the Norse version of Hallowtide. I’m not asking you to make any blood sacrifices because that would be weird and kind of a vibe-killer. This time is more about paying respect to your ancestors while also showing a healthy level of fear of the dark. I’m far from an expert on Alfablot, so I recommend doing a little bit of research before you go all-in on the bull sacrifice.
November 2026
November 1st – 2nd: Dia de Los Muertos (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day)
“Day of the Dead” is a beautiful holiday that honors the people who’ve passed away. Although the name may sound grim, this holiday is really a joyous celebration of life and the people we’ve loved who have passed on. This holiday is celebrated in Mexico and some urban parts of the United States, but I hope to see it become more popular throughout the United States. Movies like “Coco” and “The Book of Life,” depict the holiday and could be a great way to introduce it to other people. Many people celebrate this day by building altars, or “ofrendas,” for the departed and cooking their favorite foods. It’s really quite lovely.
November 8th (or November 6th – November 10th): Diwali
Diwali is a Hindu Festival known as the Festival of Lights that celebrates “Light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment.”
Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists also celebrate their own version of Diwali. The festival itself lasts for five or six days and follows a lunar calendar. The main day of Diwali is recognized as an official holiday in several states (including California), so it will likely become even better known and more widely celebrated in the coming years.
November 11th: St. Martin’s Day
This holiday looks like fun. St. Martin’s Day is commemorated with food, wine, singing, and bonfires. Many countries in Europe celebrate this time, though a few German American communities hold their own celebrations. There’s even a lantern festival in Albany, California.
November 25th: St. Catherine’s Day
On St. Catherine’s Eve, or November 24th, you may want to make a cattern cake. If St. Martin’s Day is “for the boys,” then St. Catherine’s Day is a day for the ladies. St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners, seamstresses, and single women. There are even special prayers for unmarried women, called “Catherinettes,” who want to find a husband.
December 2026
December 5th: Krampusnacht
If you’ve been on your best behavior, then you have nothing to worry about. Though if you live in Bavaria (or Washington, D.C.), then you may want to watch out for anyone dressed up like a hooved demon. If you have kids, you may want to consider introducing them to Krampus to help incentivize good behavior.
December 13th: St. Lucy’s Day (or St. Lucia’s Day)
This holiday is widely celebrated in Scandinavia and Italy. A common custom on this day is a St. Lucia procession, led by a woman dressed as St. Lucia, trailed by handmaidens, star boys, and gingerbread men. Special foods are also consumed during this time, like saffron buns. The show “Home for Christmas” features a St. Lucia procession.
December 21st: Yule, or Winter Solstice
Yule is a winter festival celebrating the solstice that was incorporated into (or, I guess, stolen by) Christmas. If you’d like to learn more about Yule, I recommend this book by Susan Pesznecker.
December 25th to January 5th: Christmastide, or the 12 Days of Christmas.
If you need suggestions for what to do during this time, then I’ve got you. I’ve even got movie recommendations, including the 2024 horror hit “Nosferatu,” which is technically a Christmastide movie. I want the 12 Days of Christmas to be big again, and I am going to use what little power I have to make this a reality.
But What If I Don’t Like Holidays?
Then don’t celebrate them.
If you’re not a holiday person, go read a book or something.
If you decide to participate in one of these holidays, I recommend doing some research beyond this blog post to ensure you show these cultural events the respect they deserve. While no one will really care if you mess up a ritual on “Talk Like a Pirate Day,” some of these holidays, Diwali and Persian New Year, are very important to the people who observe them.
I also want to acknowledge some of my sources for these holidays. While many of these I already knew from lived experience, I also owe much of this list to Dr. Google, the National Museum of Asian Art, and a few other sources. The book “The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year,” by Linda Raedisch, was also a wonderful resource for holidays beyond December 25th.
If you notice I’m missing any major holidays or have left some descriptions bare, please feel free to comment and share your knowledge.
Happy Hagfish 
Wow!! So many holidays I’ve never heard of! Last year actually I celebrated Nowruz for my first time and had the best Persian food in SF- it was awesome!
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