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Jews celebrate the important events of Jewish history throughout the year. The Jewish Sabbath or Shabbat begins at sundown Friday night and ends at nightfall on Saturday. This day of rest is one of the most important holy days in the Jewish calendar and it's considered a holiday.

What and when are the main Jewish Festivals?
Passover
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.

It is a major eight day festival. A highlight is the Seder meal held in each family's home at the beginning of the festival, when the story of their deliverance is recounted as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, the Story). Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven. There is a great spring cleaning in the home before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the home during Pesach.

Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world.

This festival marks the Jewish New Year and begins with ten days of repentance and self examination, during which time God sits in judgement on every person. The festival is also known as the Day of Judgement, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, and the Day of Remembrance.

Over the two days of Rosh Hashanah, there are special services at the synagogue. A musical instrument, called a shofar, is blown. It makes a loud piercing sound like a trumpet and reminds Jews of God's great power.

People east slices of apple dipped in honey. This is a way of wishing each other a sweet and happy New Year.

Happy New Year - 'Leshanah Tovah Tikatev'

Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close.

As well as fasting for 25 hours, Jews spend the day in prayer, asking for forgiveness and resolving to behave better in the future.
Sukkot / Sukkoth
Sukkot commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land. Some lived in tents whilst others built huts out of leaves and branches. These huts were called sukkah.

During the festival, some Jews build their own sukkah in the garden or at the synagogue. Jews eat their meals in the sukkah for the eight or nine days of the festival.

There are rules to making the sukkah. Each sukkah must have at least three walls. The roof of the sukkah must be made of material referred to as sekhakh, which means "covering." Thie 'covering' must be something that grew from the ground and was cut off, such as tree branches, corn stalks, bamboo reeds or sticks. Sekhakh (the roof covering) should be sparse and left loose enough so that the stars can be seen.

There is a special Sukkot service in the synagogue. Everyone holds branches from three trees in their hands and a citron fruit in their right. They walk around the synagogue seven times, waving the branches.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It dates back to two centuries before the beginning of Christianity. It is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev

Hanukka celebrates the miraculous victory over religious persecution in the Holy Land and also commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the burning oil. This is where the oil of the menorah (the candelabrum in the temple) miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough oil for one day.

Tisha B'av
Tisha B'av is a solemn occasion because it commemorates a series of tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years

Tu B'Shevat
Tu B'Shevat is the Jewish 'New Year for Trees'. It is one of the four Jewish new years (Rosh Hashanahs).

Yom Hashoah
Yom Hashoah is a day set aside for Jews to remember the Holocaust.
Calendar of Religious Festivals

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Jews celebrate the important events of Jewish history throughout the year. The Jewish Sabbath or Shabbat begins at sundown Friday night and ends at nightfall on Saturday. This day of rest is one of the most important holy days in the Jewish calendar and it's considered a holiday.

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Jewish Festivals | Festivals and Celebrations of Jews | Judaism in Kerala

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Get the details of Jewish Festivals and celebrations in Kerala.

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- please read © Copyright
All the materials on these pages are free for homework and classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the author Mandy Barrow.

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please read© Copyright All the materials on these pages are free for homework and classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the author Mandy Barrow.

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Diwali and other Hindu Festivals for kids doing their homework.

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Ramadan (Ramadhan)-

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast (do not eat) during the hours of daylight.

The Muslim year is a lunar (moon) year, so Ramadan moves forward by ten or eleven days each year. The day Ramadan begins is decided by the sighting of the new moon.

Muslims believe that the gates of Heaven (Jannah) are open and the gates of Hell (Jahanam) are locked for the duration of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the time when the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

Every Muslim is expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. Muslims must not eat or drink during daylight hours. During Ramadan Muslims get up early before dawn (Fajr) and have a light meal. This time is known as Suhoor.

At the end of each day (Maghrib), Muslims traditionally break their fast with a meal called the iftar. Following the custom of Prophet Muhammad, the fast is often broken with dates, then followed by a prayer and dinner.

Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

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Ramadan (Ramadhan)- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast (do not eat) during the hours of daylight. The Muslim year is a lunar (moon) year, so Ramadan moves forward by ten or eleven days each year.

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Christmas is the time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Christmas in an English home

Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year ' Christmas' - we celebrate the ' Mass', or church service, for Christ. © copyright of projectbritain.com

Where does the word Christmas come from?

The word Christmas (or Christ's Mass) comes from the Old English name 'Cristes Maesse' - Christ's Mass - and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December. © copyright of projectbritain.com

How is Christmas Celebrated in Britain?

Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. Most people are on holiday in the UK and stay at home with their family on Christmas day, the main day for Christmas celebrations in Britain. © copyright of projectbritain.com
What day is the main Christmas celebration in Britain?
Christmas is celebrated on the 25th December, with a Christmas dinner at midday for the whole family. © copyright of projectbritain.com
How do the British prepare for Christmas?
During the weeks before Christmas Day, we send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. We put up Christmas decorations in our homes and churches.

You can read more about our Christmas customs and traditions by selecting a link on the left of this page.

History of British Christmas Customs and Traditions

Many of our Christmas customs began long before Jesus was born. They came from earlier festivals which had nothing to do with the Christian church. Long time ago people had mid-winter festivals when the days were shortest and the sunlight weakest. They believed that their ceremonies would give the sun back its power. The Romans, for example, held the festival of Saturnalia around 25 December. They decorated their homes with evergreens to remind them of Saturn, their harvest god, to return the following spring.

Some of these customs and traditions were adopted by early Christians as part of their celebrations of Jesus' birthday.

In Victorian times some new ideas such as Father Christmas, Christmas cards and crackers were added to the celebrations.
Click on a link on the left to begin exploring our Christmas pages.
Click here to read the Christmas Story (The story of Jesus' birth)

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Christmas Traditions in England, Scotland and Wales (A British Christmas)

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Christmas is the time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas in an English home Why do we celebrate Christmas? Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year ' Christmas' - we celebrate the ' Mass', or church service, for Christ.

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What is Lent?

Lent is a Christian Festival. In the past it was a long, strict religious fast when people gave up all rich food. The day before Lent starts is known as Shrove Tuesday.

Lent is the time when Christians prepare for the greatest of the Christian festivals known as Easter, by thinking of things they have done wrong.

It was a time for spring-cleaning lives, as well as homes.
What happens during Lent today?
The Christian church no longer imposes a strict fast. Lent is a time when some Christians try to overcome their own faults because they believe that it was man's sin which led Jesus to be crucified.

Some Christians try to follow the example of Jesus in the desert by giving up luxuries and practising self-discipline. And they try to put aside more time to prayer and religious acts so that they can really let God into their lives.

Bible Study
Many churches hold special Lent services. In some towns the churches of different denominations join together in groups to discuss and share their Christian faith.
When does Lent begin?
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts for six and a half weeks.

Lent is a moveable feast which means the date changes from year to year. We explain more on our Easter main page.

2016 - 10 February
2017 - 01 March
2018 - 14 February
2019 - 06 March
2020 - 26 February
2021 - 17 February
2022 - 02 March

When does Lent end? When is Lent over?

Lent ends at Easter when Christians remember the execution of Jesus and then celebrate his rising from death.

The last week of Lent begins with Palm Sunday, which celebrates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and the people lay down palms at his feet. The last day of Lent is Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday (Easter Day)copyright of projectbritain.com

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), with the beginning of the mass of the Lord's Supper.

The period of forty fast days and Sundays before Easter are known as Lent.

Calendar 2010
Why are Sundays not counted in the 40 days?
Sundays are always a day of celebration in the Christian church and so they cannot be included in the 40 fast days of Lent. Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. c
Why does Lent last for 40 days?
Lent is a time when Christians remember the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the desert without food being tempted by the Devil. Jesus used this time to prepare for His work by fasting and praying.

Luke's Gospel says:

'Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.'

So, as in the Bible, Christians spend forty days in preparing themselves to rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.

Interesting fact

The rain lasted for 40 days in the mighty flood - Noah

Moses stayed on the Mount Sinai forty days (Ex 24:18)

Jonah gave the people of Ninevah forty days to repent (Jon 3:4)

Jesus, before starting his ministry, spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting (Matt 4:2)

opyright of projectbritain.com

Fasting in different Religions

There are many special days in Lent leading up to Easter, the most important of all Christian festivals.

Click here to download this page (pdf)
Back to the top

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What is Lent? Lent is a Christian Festival. In the past it was a long, strict religious fast when people gave up all rich food. The day before Lent starts is known as Shrove Tuesday. Lent is the time when Christians prepare for the greatest of the Christian festivals known as Easter, by thinking of things they have done wrong.

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Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights Starts Tonight | National Geographic

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Dipal's Diwali | Twinkl Originals - Diwali for Kids! - Twinkl Kids TV

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Diwali - Festival of Lights | National Geographic

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Rameena's Ramadan | Twinkl Originals | What is Ramadan? | Twinkl Kids Tv

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Makar Sankranti Story | Pongal Sankranthi 2026 Celebrations | Kite Festival English Story

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CBeebies: Celebrating Holi - Let's Celebrate

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What is the Vesak Festival & What Does it Mean to Buddhists? - Behind the News

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Parinirvana Day is linked to Wesak as it is concerned with the Buddha’s death. It is commonly celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists on 15 February and it commemorates when the Buddha achieved final nibbana.

Parinirvana Day is a more reflective festival than Wesak as it allows Buddhists the opportunity to think about their own immortality and death. Mahayana Buddhists may go on a pilgrimage to Kushinagar. This is believed by many Buddhists to be the site of the Buddha’s death. When Buddhists go to Kushinagar, they visit the temple and give thanks to the Buddha.

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CBeebies | Celebrating Easter | Let's Celebrate

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What is Lent? The Christian Festival Before Easter - Behind the News