Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the protective relationship between brothers and their sisters.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Hindu

Tradition/Practices: The festival celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters through the tying of a sacred thread, prayers for long life, and the exchange of gifts. It falls on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana (typically in August)

Mawlid al-Nabi celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Muslim

Tradition/Practices: Mawlid al-Nabi, the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, is observed with a variety of customs and festivities across the Muslim world. It’s a time for religious gatherings, reciting the Quran, and delivering sermons about the Prophet’s life and teachings.

Celebrates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Roman Catholic

Tradition/Practices: The Assumption of Mary is celebrated through church services, community processions, and special prayers.

Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Pagan and Wiccan

Tradition/Practices: Lughnasadh is celebrated on August 1st by baking fresh bread, hosting a community feast, and making crafts from grain. It marks the very first grain harvest of late summer.

Also known as Asalha Puja, it commemorates the historical Buddha’s first discourse following his spiritual awakening.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Buddhist

Tradition/Practices: It is observed primarily by visiting temples to make offerings, listen to sermons, and engage in candlelit processions around pagodas.

Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Christian

Tradition/Practices: Pioneer Day (observed annually on July 24) commemorates the arrival of Brigham Young and the first Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Primarily celebrated in Utah, the holiday features parades, rodeos, fireworks, and
historical reenactments.

Celebrates the birth of the Ethiopian Emperor, revered in Rastafarianism.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Rastafarian

Tradition/Practices: His legacy is honored through community gatherings, spiritual drumming, and cultural events centered around the Ethiopian flag and Pan-African principles.

Mourning of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Jewish

Tradition/Practices: Tisha B’Av is observed as a day of solemn mourning, fasting, and reflection to commemorate historical tragedies, primarily the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is not “celebrated” in the traditional sense but rather observed through specific customs and restrictions.

Dates: 7/22 sunset – 7/23 sunset

The Martyrdom of the Báb refers to the execution of Siyyid `Ali-Muhammad, the founder of the Bábí Faith, on July 9, 1850.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Baha’i

Tradition/Practices: The Martyrdom of the Báb is marked by the suspension of work or school. Communities gather, typically at noon, to read sacred scriptures and offer prayers.

The feast day of St. Peter & St. Paul is a solemnity, high ranking liturgical feast, honoring the martyrdom of these two apostles in Rome.

Religious/Ethnic Group: Christian

Tradition/Practices: St. Peter and St. Paul Day is celebrated with special Masses, liturgical services, and various traditions around the world, particularly in Rome.