Pesach
The Festival of Freedom celebrating the Exodus from Egypt. We eat matzah, conduct the Seder, and retell the story of liberation. Pesach lasts seven days in Israel (eight in the diaspora) and begins on the 15th of Nisan.
📅 Jewish Calendar
Holidays, fasts, and important dates — 2026
September 2026
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How the Jewish calendar works
The Jewish calendar is lunisolar: months follow the moon, while an extra month (Adar I) is added in leap years to keep the festivals in their seasons. Every date begins the evening before, at nightfall, which is why holidays and fast days start at sunset.
For conversion candidates the calendar is practical knowledge: a Beit Din expects you to know when each festival falls, what is forbidden on Yom Tov, which days are fasts, and how Rosh Chodesh and the weekly Torah portion structure the year.
The main festivals and fast days
Shavuot
The Festival of Weeks, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. We stay up all night studying Torah, eat dairy foods, and read the Book of Ruth. Falls on the 6th of Sivan, exactly 50 days after Pesach.
Rosh HaShanah
The Jewish New Year and Day of Judgment. We blow the shofar, eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year, and perform Tashlich, casting sins into water. Falls on the 1st-2nd of Tishrei.
Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A 25-hour fast devoted to prayer, repentance, and spiritual renewal. We abstain from eating, drinking, leather shoes, bathing, and anointing. Falls on the 10th of Tishrei.
Sukkot
The Festival of Booths, celebrating the harvest and God's protection during the wilderness wandering. We dwell in a sukkah for seven days and wave the Four Species (lulav, etrog, hadassim, aravot). Begins on the 15th of Tishrei.
Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
The Eighth Day of Assembly immediately following Sukkot, and Simchat Torah, the joyous celebration of completing the annual Torah reading cycle. We dance with Torah scrolls and begin reading Bereishit anew. In Israel both are on the 22nd of Tishrei.
Chanukah
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the Maccabees' victory and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days. We light the chanukiah (adding one candle each night), eat fried foods like sufganiyot and latkes, and play dreidel. Begins on the 25th of Kislev.
Purim
Celebrating the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia as told in the Book of Esther. We read the Megillah, give gifts of food (mishloach manot), donate to the poor, and enjoy a festive meal. Falls on the 14th of Adar.
Tu BiShvat
The New Year of the Trees. We eat fruits, especially those of the Land of Israel and the Seven Species. Some hold a Tu BiShvat Seder with four cups of wine. Falls on the 15th of Shvat.
Tisha B'Av
The saddest day in the Jewish calendar, mourning the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies. A full 25-hour fast with restrictions similar to Yom Kippur. We read the Book of Lamentations (Eicha). Falls on the 9th of Av.
Tzom Gedaliah
A fast day on the 3rd of Tishrei mourning the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the Jewish governor of Judah after the destruction of the First Temple, which led to the final exile.
17th of Tammuz
A fast day marking the breach of Jerusalem's walls before the Temple's destruction. Begins the Three Weeks mourning period leading to Tisha B'Av.
Yom HaZikaron
Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Sirens sound across the country, and the nation stands in silence. Falls on the 4th of Iyar.
Yom HaAtzmaut
Israel's Independence Day celebrating the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Festivities include fireworks, barbecues, and ceremonies. Falls on the 5th of Iyar.
Lag BaOmer
The 33rd day of the Omer counting, celebrating the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva's students and the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Celebrated with bonfires, music, and first haircuts for boys. Falls on the 18th of Iyar.
Yom Yerushalayim
Jerusalem Day, marking the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty in 1967. Religious-Zionist communities recite Hallel and hold festive prayers. Falls on the 28th of Iyar.
Continue studying
Jewish calendar data provided with thanks to Hebcal.com