Start of Baha’i
This celebration marks the start of the fasting month, where Baha’is 15 years and older abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Intercalary or Ayyam-i-ha
Tradition/Practices: This celebration and period of fasting celebrate giving back to the community and giving gifts to loved ones, which honors the Divine Essence of God.
Dates: February 25- March 1, 2026
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Muslim
Tradition/Practices: After the sunset prayer, Muslims gather in their homes or mosques to break their fast with a meal called ifṭār that is often shared with
friends and extended family. The ifṭar usually begins with dates, as was the custom of Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Dates: February 17 – March 19, 2026
Known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, this day honors the death of Buddha and his attainment of final nirvana.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Buddhist
Tradition/Practices: Buddhists may celebrate Nirvana Day by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries. In monasteries, Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes.
Hindu celebration of the birth of Lord Shiva.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Hindu
Tradition/Practices: On the day of Maha Shivratri, people fast the whole day and night. Almost all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva see a huge congregation of devotees from the early hours of the morning. Pujas are performed before the lingam (idol), after which people take a bath in the holy water of the Ganga River.
Dates: February 15 – February 16, 2026
Occurring 40 days after Christmas, Candlemas celebrates the birth of light. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, which occurs in Luke 2:22-40.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Catholic
Tradition/Practices: On this day, all candles to be used in the church for the next year are blessed. Also known as the Feast of the Holy Encounter, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ.
Pagans and Wiccans celebrate this festival as the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, which honors light, fire, and the return of life after a long winter.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Pagan/Wiccan
Tradition/Practices: Imbol means “in the belly” and celebrates the pagan Celtic goddess Brigid, who is the goddess of inspiration and creativity, healing, smithcraft, and poetry.
Tu BiShvat is a Jewish holiday occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat.
Religious/Ethnic Group: Jewish
Tradition/Practices: Tu BiShvat is an environmental holiday. Jews consider this day to remind themselves of their duty to care for the natural world. Many Jews take part in a tree-planting ceremony or collect and send money to Israel to plant a tree there.
Dates: February 1 – February 2, 2026
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African American History Month.
Religious/Ethnic Group: African American
Tradition/Practices: National and local events and online celebrations will take place throughout the month to focus attention on Black people’s achievements and history.
Dates: February 1 – March 1, 2026
Black writers have long transformed lived struggle into powerful art—illuminating truth, inspiring action, and imagining new futures.
The 18th National Black Writers Conference brings together voices from across the African diaspora whose words challenge boundaries and empower change. Their stories, poems, scholarship, screenplays, and plays explore the struggle for civil and human rights, confronting injustice while inspiring hope, strength, and transformation. Join us as we celebrate the writers who use literature to spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and sustain us through challenging times.
Honoree
Honoree
Honoree
Dates: March 25 – March 28, 2026
Location: 1650 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Join the Center for Black Literature this Women’s History Month for an evening in conversation with authors Venise Berry, The Black Superwoman, and Marita Golden, The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women. Together, we will delve deeper into—and center—Black women’s mental health and well-being. The conversation is moderated by Dr. Makeba Pinder, Director, The Office of Counseling and Psychological Services, Medgar Evers College, CUNY.