Jewish Religious Holidays 2026

March 3

Celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot as recorded in the Book of Esther. Observed with the reading of the Megillah, festive meals, sending gifts of food, and giving to the poor.

April 1 – April 9

A seven- or eight-day festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. The first and last days (two days in the Diaspora) are full holidays. The Passover Seder is held on the first two nights.

May 21 – May 22

Celebrated 50 days after Passover, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Observed with all-night Torah study, dairy foods, and synagogue services.

July 23

The saddest day of the Jewish calendar, commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and other national tragedies. A 25-hour fast with mourning practices similar to Yom Kippur.

September 11 – September 12

The Jewish New Year (Year 5787), marking the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance. Observed with synagogue services, the blowing of the shofar, and symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year.

September 20

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism. A 25-hour fast with five synagogue prayer services. Jews seek forgiveness from God and from those they have wronged during the past year.

September 25 – October 2

A seven-day harvest festival during which Jews dwell in temporary booths (sukkot) to recall the 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Four Species (lulav and etrog) are waved during synagogue services.

October 2

Shemini Atzeret is a separate festival immediately following Sukkot. In the Diaspora it is followed by Simchat Torah, celebrating the completion and restart of the annual Torah reading cycle with joyful dancing.

December 4 – December 12

The eight-day Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil. Jews light the Hanukkah menorah (chanukiah) each evening, adding one candle per night.