The year 2025 is set to be filled with a rich tapestry of festivals and holidays that reflect the diversity of cultures, traditions, and beliefs around the world. From religious observances to national holidays, this year offers a wide variety of occasions for people to come together, celebrate, reflect, and enjoy special moments with loved ones. Whether it’s the joyous celebrations of Diwali and Christmas, the spiritual observances of Ramadan and Guru Nanak Jayanti, or the cultural festivities like Onam and Raksha Bandhan, 2025 promises a vibrant array of occasions to mark throughout the year. This guide provides a comprehensive list of festivals and holidays across different months, offering a glimpse into the significant days that will shape the year for many communities worldwide.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- January 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- February 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- March 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- April 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- May 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- June 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- July 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- August 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- September 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- October 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- November 2025: Festivals and Holidays
- December 2025: Festivals and Holidays
January 2025 festivals and holidays
- English New Year (January 1, Wednesday)
The first day of the Gregorian calendar, celebrated globally with parties and fireworks.
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (January 6, Monday)
The birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, revered for his teachings on justice and courage.
- Tailang Swami Jayanti (January 10, Friday)
Celebrates the birth of Tailang Swami, a spiritual leader known for his contributions to spirituality and service.
- Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (January 12, Sunday)
Commemorates the birth of Swami Vivekananda, a key figure in introducing Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the West.
- National Youth Day (January 12, Sunday)
Celebrated in India in honor of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday, focusing on youth empowerment.
- Hazarat Ali's Birthday (January 13, Monday)
Marks the birth of Hazrat Ali, the first cousin of Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph of Islam.
- Lohri (January 13, Monday)
A popular harvest festival in Punjab, celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of the new harvest season.
- Makara Sankranti (January 14, Tuesday)
A major harvest festival celebrated across India, marking the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn.
- Pongal (January 14, Tuesday)
A four-day festival in Tamil Nadu, celebrating the harvest, particularly the rice harvest.
- Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti (January 21, Tuesday)
Commemorates the birth of Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Azad Hind Fauj.
- Republic Day (January 26, Sunday)
Celebrates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, marking India as a republic.
- Gandhi Punyatithi (January 30, Thursday)
Marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's non-violent independence movement.
February 2025 festivals and holidays
- Vasant Panchami (February 2, Sunday)
Celebrates the arrival of spring and honors Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.
- World Cancer Day (February 4, Tuesday)
A day to raise awareness and encourage prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.
- Guru Ravidas Jayanti (February 12, Wednesday)
Celebrates the birth of Guru Ravidas, a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, known for his teachings on equality and devotion.
- Valentine's Day (February 14, Friday)
A day to celebrate love and affection between intimate partners, traditionally marked by sending cards and gifts.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (February 19, Wednesday)
Commemorates the birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha king and founder of the Maratha Empire.
- Maha Shivaratri (February 23, Sunday)
A Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, involving night-long prayers and fasting.
March 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Ramakrishna Jayanti (March 1, Saturday)
Marks the birth of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, a revered spiritual leader and proponent of religious tolerance.
- International Women's Day (March 8, Saturday)
A global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
- Chhoti Holi (March 13, Thursday)
The first day of Holi celebrations, marked by bonfires and rituals symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- Holika Dahan (March 13, Thursday)
The ritual of burning Holika, symbolizing the victory of virtue over evil, held the night before Holi.
- Holi (March 14, Friday)
A vibrant Hindu festival marking the arrival of spring, celebrated with color, dance, and feasts.
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti (March 14, Friday)
Commemorates the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint and founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.
- Vernal Equinox (March 20, Thursday)
Marks the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere when day and night are of equal length.
- Parsi New Year (March 20, Thursday)
Celebrated by the Parsi community, it marks the beginning of the Iranian calendar year.
- Shaheed Diwas (March 23, Sunday)
Honors the martyrs of the Indian independence movement, especially those who died in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Ugadi (March 28, Friday)
Marks the beginning of the new year in the Deccan region, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
- Gudi Padwa (March 30, Sunday)
The Maharashtrian New Year, marked by the hoisting of the Gudi (flag) as a symbol of victory and prosperity.
- Eid al-Fitr (March 31, Monday)
The Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasts, and charity.
April 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Bank's Holiday (April 1, Tuesday)
A holiday for bank employees, typically observed as a financial year-end.
- Rama Navami (April 6, Sunday)
Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is revered for his ideals of virtue.
- Mahavir Swami Jayanti (April 10, Thursday)
Marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism, known for his teachings on non-violence.
- Solar New Year (April 14, Monday)
Marks the start of the Hindu Solar calendar, observed in various parts of India.
- Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14, Monday)
Commemorates the birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of Dalit rights.
- Baisakhi (April 14, Monday)
A harvest festival in Punjab, also celebrated as the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh.
- Good Friday (April 18, Friday)
A Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- Easter (April 20, Sunday)
The Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
- Earth Day (April 22, Tuesday)
A global event aimed at promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
- Vallabhacharya Jayanti (April 24, Thursday)
Marks the birth of Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Pushtimarg sect of Vaishnavism.
May 2025 Festivals and holidays
- International Workers' Day (May 1, Thursday)
A global celebration of workers' rights and the labor movement.
- Shankaracharya Jayanti (May 2, Friday)
Marks the birth of Adi Shankaracharya, the philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.
- World Laughter Day (May 4, Sunday)
Promotes the benefits of laughter for physical and emotional health.
- Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti (May 7, Wednesday)
Commemorates the birth of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet and philosopher.
- Mother's Day (May 11, Sunday)
A day honoring mothers and celebrating their influence on family and society.
- Buddha Purnima (May 12, Monday)
Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.
- Maharana Pratap Jayanti (May 12, Monday)
Honors the birth of Maharana Pratap, a Rajput king known for his resistance against Mughal invaders.
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31, Saturday)
A day to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and advocate for policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
June 2025 Festivals and holidays
- World Environment Day (June 5, Thursday)
A day to raise awareness about environmental protection and encourage global action.
- Eid al-Adha (June 7, Saturday)
An important Islamic festival commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
- Kabirdas Jayanti (June 11, Wednesday)
Celebrates the birth of Kabir, a saint and poet whose work emphasized devotion to God and the rejection of rituals.
- Father's Day (June 15, Sunday)
A day to honor fathers and father figures for their contributions to family and society.
- International Yoga Day (June 21, Saturday)
A global event promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through yoga.
- Jagannath Rathyatra (June 27, Friday)
A festival celebrating Lord Jagannath, with grand processions in Puri, Odisha.
July 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Day of Ashura (July 6, Sunday)
Observed by Muslims, Ashura marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It's a day of mourning, reflection, and fasting.
- Guru Purnima (July 10, Thursday)
Celebrated in honor of spiritual teachers (gurus), this day is observed with prayers, devotion, and gratitude, marking the full moon day in the month of Ashadha.
- Tulsidas Jayanti (July 31, Thursday)
Commemorates the birth of the famous Hindi poet and saint Tulsidas, known for his epic work Ramcharitmanas.
August 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Friendship Day (August 3, Sunday)
Celebrated on the first Sunday of August, it’s a day to honor friendships with gifts, greetings, and expressions of appreciation among friends.
- Raksha Bandhan (August 9, Saturday)
A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing protection and love.
- Janmashtami Smarta (August 15, Friday)
Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, marked by midnight worship, fasting, devotional singing, and dance, followed by feasts. It’s celebrated by various traditions, including the Smarta tradition.
- Independence Day (August 15, Friday)
India’s Independence Day commemorates the nation’s freedom from British rule on August 15, 1947, with flag-hoisting, parades, and cultural celebrations.
- Janmashtami ISKCON (August 16, Saturday)
A variation of Janmashtami, celebrated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), focusing on devotional singing and chanting in honor of Lord Krishna’s birth.
- Ganesh Chaturthi (August 27, Wednesday)
A major Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, celebrated with idol processions, prayers, and festive feasts.
September 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Onam (September 5, Friday)
A harvest festival celebrated mainly in Kerala, with grand feasts (Onasadya), dance (Thiruvathira), and the famous Vallam Kali (boat races), welcoming the mythical King Mahabali.
- Milad un-Nabi (September 5, Friday)
The birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, celebrated by Muslims with prayers, feasts, and acts of charity.
- Teachers' Day (September 5, Friday)
A day dedicated to teachers, honoring their role in shaping the future of students. It is celebrated in India on the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- Hindi Diwas (September 14, Sunday)
Celebrates the adoption of Hindi as the official language of India, promoting its use and importance across the country.
- Visvesvaraya Jayanti (September 15, Monday)
Honors the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a renowned engineer and statesman in India, with celebrations in engineering institutions.
- Engineer's Day (September 15, Monday)
A day to celebrate and honor the contributions of engineers, marking the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
- Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti (September 22, Monday)
Marks the birth of Maharaja Agrasen, a legendary king known for his contribution to the welfare of society and the establishment of the Agrahar community.
- Autumnal Equinox (September 22, Monday)
An astronomical event where day and night are of equal length, signifying the official start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Durga Ashtami (September 30, Tuesday)
The eighth day of Durga Puja, dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrated with prayers, rituals, and the worship of her nine forms.
October 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Maha Navami (October 1, Wednesday)
The ninth day of the Navaratri festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
- Dussehra (October 2, Thursday)
Celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and marks the end of Navratri with grand processions, burning effigies of Ravana, and prayers.
- Madhvacharya Jayanti (October 2, Thursday)
The birth anniversary of the philosopher and theologian Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta.
- Gandhi Jayanti (October 2, Thursday)
Marks the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement. It's observed with prayer ceremonies and reflection on his principles.
- Valmiki Jayanti (October 7, Tuesday)
Celebrates the birth of the sage Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, one of the most revered Hindu epics.
- Meerabai Jayanti (October 7, Tuesday)
Commemorates the birth of the saint-poet Meerabai, a devotee of Lord Krishna, known for her bhajans and her devotion.
- Karwa Chauth (October 10, Friday)
A fasting ritual observed by married women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
- Lakshmi Puja (October 20, Monday)
Part of Diwali celebrations, this puja is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with prayers for prosperity and success.
- Narak Chaturdashi (October 20, Monday)
Also known as Choti Diwali, it marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura and is celebrated with early morning rituals and preparations for Diwali.
- Diwali (October 20, Monday)
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness with the lighting of lamps, bursting of fireworks, and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Govardhan Puja (October 22, Wednesday)
Commemorates the lifting of the Govardhan Hill by Lord Krishna to protect the villagers from the wrath of Indra, celebrated with offerings of food and prayers.
- Bhaiya Dooj (October 23, Thursday)
A festival honoring the bond between brothers and sisters, where brothers visit sisters' homes to receive gifts and sweets.
- Chhath Puja (October 27, Monday)
A festival dedicated to the Sun God, where devotees offer prayers for the well-being of family members, particularly focusing on health and prosperity.
November 2025 Festivals and holidays
- Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 5, Wednesday)
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, hymns, and community service in Gurudwaras.
- Nehru Jayanti (November 14, Friday)
Marks the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, celebrated as Children’s Day with various programs for children.
- Children's Day (November 14, Friday)
In honor of Jawaharlal Nehru's love for children, this day celebrates the significance of children in society with events and educational programs.
December 2025 Festivals and holidays
- World AIDS Day (December 1, Monday)
A global observance to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, encourage prevention, and honor those affected by the disease.
- Shortest Day of Year (December 21, Sunday)
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, an astronomical event.
- Merry Christmas (December 25, Thursday)
A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed with family gatherings, gifts, and feasts.
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (December 27, Saturday)
Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, who established the Khalsa Panth and fought for justice.
- Tailang Swami Jayanti (December 30, Tuesday)
Commemorates the birth of the 19th-century saint Tailang Swami, known for his spiritual wisdom and miracles.
