Events Calendar for

 

2008 | 2009 | 2010

2010

January

1

New Year's Day (Secular)

Circumcision (Christian) Marks the day when Jesus was circumcised

Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu) (Shinto) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/oshogatsu.shtml

Festival of St Basil the Great (Christian Orthodox) St Basil is one of the great fathers of the Orthodox Church

3

Epiphany (Catholic Church in England and Wales) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/epiphany.shtml

5

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (Sikh) (Nanakshahi calendar) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/gobindsingh.shtml

6

Epiphany (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/epiphany.shtml

Christmas Day (Armenian Orthodox) Armenian Christians celebrate Christ's birth at Epiphany, except for Armenians in the Holy Land, who celebrate Christmas on January 19th.

Theophany (Christian Orthodox) Orthodox churches mark the baptism of Jesus on this day.

7

Christmas Day (Ethiopian) (Rastafari) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/holydays/holydays.shtml

Christmas Day (Orthodox) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/christmas_1.shtml

10

First Sunday after Epiphany see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/epiphany.shtml

Baptism of the Lord (Christian) Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. Occurs on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics and Episcopalians celebrate this holy day, but Eastern Christianity celebrates the baptism of Jesus at Epiphany.

13

St Hilary's Day (Christian) According to tradition, "St. Hilary's is the coldest day of the year." St. Hilary was a fourth century Bishop of Poitiers.

14

Makar Sankrant (Hindu) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/makar.shtml

15

Seijin Shiki (Adults' Day) (Shinto) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/seijinshiki.shtml

25

St Paul's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/paul_1.shtml

National Holocaust Memorial Day see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holocaust/

28

St Thomas Aquinas (Christian) Doctor of the Church and patron saint of students and theologians.

30

Tu B'Shevat (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/tubishvat.shtml

31

Birthday of Guru Har Rai (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) Guru Har Rai (1630-1661) was the seventh of the Sikh Gurus.

February

2

Candlemas (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/candlemas.shtml

Imbolc (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/imbolc.shtml

Groundhog Day (America) see http://www.groundhog.org/ for details and history

3

Rissun (Setsubun) (Shinto) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/harumatsuri.shtml

8

Parinirvana - Nirvana day (Buddhist) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/parinirvana.shtml

14

St Valentine's Day (Christian/Secular) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/valentine.shtml

Chinese New Year

15

Nirvana day (alternative date) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/parinirvana.shtml

15

Clean Monday (Christian Orthodox) Clean Monday - Beginning of Lent (Orthodox) The start of the "Great Lent" for Orthodox Christians. This day is called Clean Monday, and occurs seven weeks before the Orthodox Easter

16

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)(Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_2.shtml

17

Ash Wednesday (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/lent_3.shtml

26

Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/miladunnabi.shtml

28

Purim (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/purim_1.shtml

March

1

St David's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/david_1.shtml

1

Hola Mohalla (Lunar Calendar) (sikh) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/holamahalla.shtml

Holi (Hindu) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/holi_1.shtml

2

Nineteen Day Fast (start) (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/customs/fasting.shtml

3

Hina-matsuri - Festival of Dolls (Shinto) Celebrates daughters in the family

3

Milad un Nabi (Shia) (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/miladunnabi.shtml

3 - 28

Ideal Home Show 10 - Earls Court One & Two, Ground Level , London

5

St Piran's Day (Christian) Piran is regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall and tin miners. He was born in Ireland. The Cornish flag may have been inspired by the legend that Piran discovered the process for smelting tin: black rock with a white cross of pure metal.

5

Women's World Day of Prayer (Multifaith) This dates from 1887 and is celebrated on the first Friday of March

14

Mothering Sunday (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/motheringsunday_1.shtml

17

St Patrick's Day (Christian) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/patrick_1.shtml

19

St Joseph (Christian)

20

Spring Equinox - Eoster (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/springequinox.shtml

21

Jamshedi Noruz (Fasli) (Zoroaster) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/noruz.shtml

Jamshedi Noruz (Qadimi) (Zoroaster) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/noruz.shtml

Bahai Naw-Ruz (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/nawruz.shtml

Shubun-sai - Equinox day (Shinto) A day for visiting graves. Also associated with Buddhism in Japan.

24

Rama Navami (Hindu) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/rama.shtml

25

Annunciation (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/annunciation.shtml

26

Khordad Sal (Fasli) (Zoroaster) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/khordadsal.shtml

28

Palm Sunday (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/holyweek_1.shtml

30

Pesach (passover - Judaism) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/passover_1.shtml

April

1

Maundy Thursday (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/holyweek_2.shtml

2

Good Friday (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/holyweek_3.shtml

7

Mahavira Jayanti (Jain) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/holydays/holydays.shtml for details

9

Memorial of Christ's Death (Jehovah's Witnesses) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/witnesses/holydays/holydays.shtml

11

Yom Hashoah (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/yomhashoa.shtml

13

Vaisakhi (Sikh) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/vaisakhi.shtml for details

13-15

Songkran - Thai New Year see http://www.buddhapadipa.org/0/803E25F8F81605138025714700309F7D

14

Easter Sunday (Western) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/easter.shtml

Easter (Christian Orthodox) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/easter.shtml

Birthday of Guru Nanak (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/nanak.shtml

Hola Mohalla (Nanakshahi Calendar) (sikh) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/holamahalla.shtml

18

Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/teghbahadur.shtml

Birthday of Guru Angad Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/angaddev.shtml

19 - 21

 The London Book Fair 10 - Earls Court One & Two, Ground Level, London

21

Ridvan - first day (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ridvan.shtml

21

Anniversary of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica - Rastafari http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/holydays/holydays.shtml

23

St George's Day (Christian) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/george_1.shtml

29

Ridvan - ninth day (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ridvan.shtml

May

1

Beltane (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/beltane_1.shtml

2

Ridvan - twelfth day (Baha'i) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ridvan.shtml

2

Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/arjandev.shtml

4

Royal May Day Celebration - Knutsford, Cheshire (1st Saturday in May) http://www.virtual-knutsford.co.uk/frameset.php?main=/mayday_main.htm for details

13

Ascension Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/ascension.shtml

16

Ascension Day (Catholic Church in England and Wales) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/ascension.shtml

19

Shavuot (Pentecost - Judaism) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/shavuot.shtml

22-23

Declaration of the Bab (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/declarationbab.shtml

23

Pentecost - Whitsun (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/pentecost.shtml

23

Birthday of Guru Amar Das (Sikh) (Nanakshahi calendar) - Guru Amar Das (1479-1574) was the third of the Sikh Gurus.

27

Wesak or Buddha day (Buddhist) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/wesak.shtml

27

Theravada New Year (Buddhist) Buddhist

29

Ascension of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ascension.shtml

30

Trinity Sunday (Christian)

June

6

Corpus Christi (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/corpuschristi.shtml

16

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) (Nanakshahi calendar) http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/arjandev.shtml

21

Summer Solstice - Litha (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/summersolstice.shtml

29

St Peter's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/disciples_2.shtml

29

17th Tammuz (Jewish Fast Day)

30 - 4 July

Henley Royal Regatta - Henley on Thames see http://www.hrr.co.uk/ for full details

July

5

Birthday of Guru Hargobind (Nanakshahi calendar) Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) was the sixth of the Sikh Gurus

9

Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i) - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/martyrdombab.shtml

15

St Swithin's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/swithin.shtml

20

Tisha B'Av (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/tishbav.shtml

23

Birthday of Guru Har Krishen (Nanakshahi calendar)(Sikh) Guru Har Krishan (1656-1664) was the eighth of the Sikh Gurus

23

Birthday of Haile Selassie I (Rastafari) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/beliefs/beliefs_2.shtml

24

Pioneer Day (Mormon) Commemorates the arrival in 1847 of the first Latter Day Saints pioneers in Salt Lake Valley
see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/holydays/holydays_1.shtml

26

Khordad Sal (Qadimi) (Zoroastrian) The birthday of Zoroaster, celebrated on this date in the Qadimi calendar. see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/khordadsal.shtml

26

Asala - Dharma Day (Buddhist) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/holydays/dharma.shtml

August

 

1

Lughnasadh - Lammas (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/lughnasadh.shtml

6

Transfiguration (Christian Orthodox) Orthodox Christian feast commemorating the sudden emanation of radiance from the person of Jesus that occurred on the mountain.

12

Ramadan (start) (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/ramadan_1.shtml

15

Dormition of the Theotokos (Christian Orthodox) An Orthodox festival that commemorates the death, resurrection, and glorification of Christ's mother. Dormition means "falling asleep".

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/assumption.shtml

17

Birthday of Marcus Garvey (Rastafari) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/people/marcusgarvey.shtml

19

Jamshedi Noruz (Zoroastrian) (Shenshai) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/noruz.shtml

24

Raksha Bandhan (Hindu) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/raksha.shtml

24

Zoroastrian Khordad Sal (Zoroastrian) The birthday of Zoroaster (Shenshai) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/holydays/khordadsal.shtml

September

 

8

Feast of the Birth of Mary (Christian)

9

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/roshhashanah.shtml

10

Eid-Ul-Fitr (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/eidulfitr.shtml

11

Ethiopian New Year (Rastafari) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/holydays/holydays.shtml

18

Yom Kippur (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/yomkippur.shtml

23

Autumn Equinox (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/autumnequinox.shtml

23

Sukkot (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/sukkot_1.shtml

30

Shemini Atzeret (Jewish) Shemini Atzeret can be translated as "the assembly of the eighth (day)." In Israel the festival is combined with Simchat Torah.

October

1

Simchat Torah (Jewish) Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah." This holiday marks the completion of the yearly cycle of weekly Torah readings.

8

Navaratri (start) (Hindu) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/navaratri.shtml

9

Birthday of Guru Ram Das (Sikh) (Nanakshahi calendar) Guru Ram Das (1534-1581) was the fourth of the Sikh Gurus.

13

St Edward's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/edward.shtml

17

Dussera (Hindu) Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

20

Birth of the Bab (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/birthbab.shtml

31

Hallowe'en (All Hallows' Eve) (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/halloween.shtml

31

Samhain (Hallowe'en) (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/samhain.shtml

31

All Saints' Day (Hallowmas, All Hallows') (Catholic Church) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/allsaints_1.shtml

November

1

All Saints' Day (Hallowmas, All Hallows') (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/allsaints_1.shtml

2

All Souls' Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/allsaints_2.shtml

Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I (Rastafari) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/beliefs/beliefs_2.shtml

5

Diwali (Hindu, Sikh, Jain) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/diwali.shtml

11

Armistice Day (Multifaith) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/remembrance/history/silence_history.shtml

12

Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i) Celebrates the birth in 1817 of the founder of the Baha'i faith. see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/history/bahaullah_1.shtml

14

Remembrance Sunday (Multifaith) see http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/content/Remembrance-Sunday-508933.shtml

15

Shichigosan (7-5-3 festival) (Shinto) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/shichigosan.shtml

17

Eid-Ul-Adha (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/eiduladha.shtml

21

Birthday of Guru Nanak (Lunar Calendar) (Sikh) This festival may be celebrated by some on the date fixed by the Nanakshahi calendar: April 14 see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/nanak.shtml

23

Niinamesei (Shinto) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/akimatsuri.shtml

24

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/teghbahadur.shtml

26

Day of the Covenant (Baha'i) This minor festival celebrates the covenant of Baha'u'llah. Baha'is also mark the life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on this day.

28

Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/history/abdulbaha.shtml

28

Advent Sunday (Christian) The beginning of the ecclesiastical year on the Sunday closest to November 30. Advent is the season before Christmas - In Western Christendom, four Sundays are included. In Eastern Christendom, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November

30

St Andrew's Day (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/andrew.shtml

December

2

Hanukkah (Jewish) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/holydays/hanukkah.shtml

3 - 12

Earls Court Boat Show 2010 - Earls Court One and Two, London

7

Al-Hijira (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/alhijra.shtml

8

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/immaculateconception.shtml

Bodhi Day (Buddhism) On Bodhi day some Buddhists celebrate Gautama's attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India

13

St Lucy's Day - Santa Lucia (Christian (Orthodox & RC) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/lucy.shtml

16

Ashura (Islam) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/ashura.shtml

17

10th Tevet (Jewish) An important Jewish fast day.

21

Winter Solstice - Yule (Pagan) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml

24

Christmas Eve (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/christmas_1.shtml

25

Christmas (Christian) see http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/christmas_1.shtml

26

St Stephen's Day (Christian) St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is celebrated on this day by Roman Catholics. The day is also called the Feast of Stephen.
Boxing Day (Secular)

31

New Year's Eve (Secular)

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