CULTURAL CALENDAR

Celebrating the cultural holidays of international students is a way to bless them with a “home away from home” experience. The attached resources teach you how to celebrate in ways that grow your friendships and create opportunities to communicate the Gospel.
Calendars
Days of the Week
Time of Day
List
Grid
Plain
Sat
16

Lailat al-Miraj

recurcalendar-day
Night of the Prophet’s ascension journey
Wed
03

Laylat al-Baraʿah

recurcalendar-day
Night of forgiveness / mercy.
Sat
06

Chinese New Year

calendar-day
Also known as the Spring Festival in China, the Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and much of East Asia. Learn more about this celebration and discover ways to share it with your students here.
Sun
07

Ramadan

- calendar-multiday
Ramadan, observed from February 7 to March 8, 2027, is the Islamic month of fasting, when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Each day’s fast is broken at sunset with an iftar (fast-breaking) meal, often shared with family and friends. Ramadan offers a wonderful opportunity to invite a Muslim student to join […]
Sat
20

Lantern Festival

calendar-day
The Lantern Festival, also called the Yuanxiao Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the official end of the Spring Festival. In 2027, it falls on February 20, fifteen days after the Lunar New Year. The New Year begins with the first new moon of the […]
Sat
06

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power / Decree)

calendar-day
Considered the holiest night in Ramadan; prayers multiplied.
Tue
09

Eid al Fitr

- calendar-multiday
Eid al Fitr marks the end of the month of Ramadan. Find more details here.
Mon
22

Holi Festival

calendar-day
Holi is a popular nationwide spring holiday. It is a time to have fun–sometimes mischief–and celebrate the coming of spring, laughter, love, and relationships. Learn more about how to engage your friends around Holi here.
Sun
28

Easter

calendar-day
Easter is the most significant day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Around the world, it is a time of hope, renewal, and joy—often marked by church gatherings, family meals, and cultural traditions like Easter eggs or spring festivals. Easter also offers a natural opportunity to discuss the holiday’s meaning with […]
Tue
30

Nowruz

calendar-day
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, marks the beginning of spring—a time of new life and fresh beginnings. It is a major celebration for Iranians as well as many Central Asian and Turkic peoples. Read more for ideas on how to engage with students during this festive season.
Mon
05

Qingming Festival

calendar-day
The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is an important Chinese holiday centered on honoring ancestors and deceased relatives. Families visit grave sites to clean and clear away brush, offering food, fruit, wine, and symbolic paper money as acts of remembrance and respect. In 2027, Qingming falls on April 5, which, in a remarkable […]
Sat
15

Arafah Day / Day of Arafah

calendar-day
Day before Eid al-Adha; pilgrims gather on Mount Arafah.
Mon
17

Eid al-Adha

calendar-day
Festival of Sacrifice, honors Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice.
Sun
06

Islamic New Year

calendar-day
Marks the beginning of the new Hijri year.
Wed
09

Dragon Boat Festival

calendar-day
The Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. The holiday commemorates an ancient poet and national hero. In addition to the exciting dragon boat races, people make and eat zongzi—pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings wrapped in leaves.
Tue
15

Ashura

calendar-day
Important especially in Shi’a Islam, marking the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.
Sun
15

Mawlid al‑Nabi

calendar-day
The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is included among Islamic observances.
Wed
15

Mid Autumn Festival

calendar-day
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a popular harvest celebration that is an important time for family and friends to gather. Learn more about the holiday and how you can celebrate with your students here.
Fri
29

Diwali Festival

calendar-day
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a ‘festival of lights’ celebrated especially by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. This festival is spread over three to four days and is one of the most anticipated times of celebration.  Learn more about how to connect with friend through Diwali here.
Sun
16

Lailat al-Miraj

recurcalendar-day
Night of the Prophet’s ascension journey
Thu
03

Laylat al-Baraʿah

recurcalendar-day
Night of forgiveness / mercy.
Tue
16

Lailat al-Miraj

recurcalendar-day
Night of the Prophet’s ascension journey
Sat
03

Laylat al-Baraʿah

recurcalendar-day
Night of forgiveness / mercy.
Wed
16

Lailat al-Miraj

recurcalendar-day
Night of the Prophet’s ascension journey
Sun
03

Laylat al-Baraʿah

recurcalendar-day
Night of forgiveness / mercy.
Thu
16

Lailat al-Miraj

recurcalendar-day
Night of the Prophet’s ascension journey
Mon
03

Laylat al-Baraʿah

recurcalendar-day
Night of forgiveness / mercy.

Contact Us

For more information on celebrating these holidays, please reach out to our networks.



This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Scroll to Top