The Most Celebrated Holidays Around the World

Scott Ingram
WRITTEN BY
Scott Ingram

What holiday is the most celebrated holiday around the world? It’s New Year’s Eve, a major holiday for almost everyone on earth.

Read on for our guide to seasonal holidays around the world.

Most Celebrated Holidays Around the World

New Year’s Day: January 1

Celebrated By: ~5 – 6 billion

New Year’s Day is widely celebrated secular holiday in many countries. New York’s Times Square countdown is famous for its concerts and television spectacle, but the celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Sydney, Australia may be larger.

Lunar New Year (January/February)

Celebrated By: 1.5 billion

Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) marks the start of the year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars. The lunar calendar follows the phases of the moon, while lunisolar calendars follow both moon phases and the solar year.

  • Vietnam calls Lunar New Year Tết and celebrates with sticky rice cakes wrapped with banana leaves.
  • Koreans refers to the holiday as Seollal. During traditional festivities and celebrations, Koreans visit family, perform ancestral rites, wear traditional hanbok clothing, eat traditional food at festive meals, and play folk games.

Learn more about Chinese zodiac signs

Easter (March/April)

Celebrated By: 2.3 billion

Easter is a Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in many countries children know it as the time for coloring eggs and Easter Egg hunts. Nothing quite beats the thrill of finding the one special egg, filled with the most cady or other small treats!

Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon during or after the spring equinox. It’s complicated.  In 2025, Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20th, 2025.

Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr (March/April)

Celebrated By: 1.9 billion

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for Muslims. Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of fasting and is a time for family gatherings with food, drinks, presents, and new clothes. During this time, Muslims are encouraged to forgive and seek forgiveness.

Hassan II Mosque

Some Rustic students have had the opportunity to visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca while traveling through the country. Copyright: © 2013 Rustic Pathways

The Islamic lunar calendar, or Hijri calendar, is based on moon phases. Each month starts with the sighting of a new moon. Islamic holidays are set by this calendar, so their dates change every year compared to the Gregorian calendar.

  • Eid al-Fitr: Celebrated at the end of Ramadan, it’s a day of feasting and joy.
  • Eid al-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice, marking the end of Hajj and commemorating Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

These holidays are celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Their exact dates depend on the moon’s sighting, making them hard to predict in advance. In 2024, Hajj is estimated to begin on Thursday, June 13, leading up to Eid al-Adha.

Holi (February/March)

Celebrated By: 1.2 billion

Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and Nepal, marking the arrival of spring and symbolizing the victory of good over evil on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February/March). It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the Hindu calendar. Holi involves several rituals:

  1. Holika Dahan: On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit to signify the burning of the demoness Holika.
  2. Color Play: On Holi, people joyfully throw colored powders (gulal) and water at each other, celebrating with music and dance.
  3. Festive Foods: Special sweets like gujiya and other festive dishes are prepared and shared.

Vaisakhi: April 13 or 14

Celebrated By: 30 million

This Sikh New Year festival is celebrated by millions of Sikhs in India and elsewhere in the world and marks the start of the Punjabi New Year. It also celebrates the year when Sikhism was born as a practiced faith in 1699. Farmers use this day to give thanks for a plentiful harvest and pray for a good one in the future. Many Sikhs also use this day to be baptized.

Vesak (Buddha’s Day) (May – Early June)

Celebrated By: 500 million

This is the most sacred day for Buddhists around the world. The full moon in the ancient lunar month of Vesakha (typically May or Early June) marks the day that Buddha was born. During this holiday, Buddhists arrive at the temple before dawn and have a time of meditation and observing the eight precepts of the faith. Also known as Wusak or Buddha’s Day, it is celebrated on different days depending on the exact region.

Wat Chedi Luang in Thailand with Rustic Pathways

Copyright: Rustic Pathways

Yom Kippur (September/October)

Celebrated By: 14 million

This day of atonement is the holiest holiday on the Jewish calendar. It comes after a period of introspection called the 10 Days of Awe and after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. During Yom Kippur, Jews are encouraged to ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday includes a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.

Summer Solstice (June 20/21)

Celebrated By: 50 – 60 million

The June solstice signifies change, nature, and new beginnings. It is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere as summer solstice and as Winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere with feasts, bonfires, picnics, and traditional songs and dances.

In Scandinavia, midsummer celebrations on or around St. John’s Day on June 24, include dancing around Maypoles, lighting bonfires, and decorating homes with flowers and greenery. Baltic States celebrations involve traveling to the countryside, lighting bonfires, and staying up all night.

Diwali (October/November)

Celebrated By: 1.2 billion

This festival of lights is one of the traditional celebrations of the Hindu, Jain, Sikh and some Buddhist people. It usually lasts five days. Various lights are often illuminated during the festivities, including candles, firecrackers and clay lamps called diyas. They symbolize an inner light over spiritual darkness. Like other celebrations, people often gather for the holiday for family dinners and other festivities.

Winter Solstice (December 21/22)

Celebrated By: 1.05 – 1.1 billion

The Winter Solstice, also known as Midwinter, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It typically falls around December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. This astronomical event has been celebrated in various cultures for centuries, often associated with themes of rebirth, renewal, and the return of the light.

Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World

  • Yule: In many Northern European cultures, the Winter Solstice is celebrated as Yule. This ancient festival involves lighting bonfires, feasting, and the symbolic burning of a Yule log to welcome the return of longer days.
  • Dongzhi Festival: In China and East Asia, the Dongzhi Festival marks the Winter Solstice. Families gather to make and eat tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), symbolizing reunion and harmony.
  • Soyal: The Zuni and Hopi tribes in North America celebrate Soyal with ceremonies and rituals to welcome the sun’s return, including the making of prayer sticks and ceremonial dances.

Overall, winter is a busy time of year as many winter holidays are celebrated during and around winter solstice. Watch our video below for some of the most popular winter holidays celebrated around the world.

Halloween (October 31)

Celebrated By: 1 billion +
Halloween (All Hallows Eve) is a holiday on October 31, celebrated around the world. It is a time to celebrate the dead, saints and martyrs. In modern culture, it is associated with horror and the supernatural, the Marvel superheroes and the princess dresses. Halloween traditionally kicks off the beginning of the holiday season in the United States.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24-25)

Celebrated By: 2.3 billion

Christmas traditions vary but celebrations of the Christmas season begin on Christmas Eve and extend. In Costa Rica, many Catholics attend midnight Mass or Misa de Gallo (Mass of the rooster). Afterwards, they eat their main Christmas meal.

Christmas celebrations may last until Boxing Day on December 26, and others continue with parades and carnivals that continue until January.

In Iceland, residents begin celebrating Christmas much earlier. The Yule Lads leave gifts for children in their shoes on the 13 days before Christmas, unless they misbehave. When that happens, they’ll end up with rotten potatoes.

Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In Thailand, where about 90% of the population is Buddhist, many locals still adore Santa Claus and exchange gifts on December 25.

Hanukkah (November/December)

Celebrated By: 14 million

Judaism celebrates its holiest religious holiday in September, but in November and/or December Jewish people spend eight days and eight nights observing Hanukkah (Chanukah) which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C. following the Maccabean Revolt.

The modern version of Hanukkah often includes gift giving and eating potato pancakes (latkes). In Morocco, many Jews eat citrus doughnuts called sfenj instead, which are made using oranges that come into season in early winter. The exact date varies year to year.

Kwanzaa: December 26: –January 1

Kwanzaa is a new traditional holiday that celebrates Black American culture, culminating with a feast called Karamu. The holiday started in 1966 and is centered around seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Complete list of the most celebrated holidays

Holiday Date Religion/Country/Region Description Celebrated By
New Year’s Day January 01 Worldwide First day of the Gregorian calendar year. Unknown
Chinese New Year January/February Buddhism/China, Worldwide Lunar New Year, celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and fireworks. 1.5 billion
Maha Shivaratri February/March Hinduism Night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. 1.2 billion
Valentine’s Day February 14 Worldwide Celebrates love and affection between intimate partners. 1 billion+
Independence Movement Day March 01 South Korea The March 1st Movement against Japanese colonial rule. 51 million
St. Patrick’s Day March 17 Christianity/Ireland, USA, Worldwide Patron saint of Ireland with parades and cultural events. 70 million
Nowruz March 21 Zoroastrianism Persian New Year, celebrated with family gatherings and cultural events. 300 million
Passover (Pesach) March/April Judaism Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. 14 million
Holi March/April Hinduism/India, Nepal, Worldwide Hindu festival of colors celebrating spring and the victory of good over evil. 1.1 billion
Easter March/April Christianity Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 2 billion
Ramadan March/April Islam/Muslim Countries, Worldwide Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. 1.9 billion
Khordad Sal March/April Zoroastrianism Celebrates the birth of Prophet Zoroaster. 200 thousand
April Fool’s Day April 01 Worldwide A day for playing practical jokes and hoaxes. 1 billion+
Songkran April 13-15 Buddhism/Thailand Thai New Year, celebrated with water fights and cultural events. 60 million
Ridván April 21 – May 2 Bahá’í Festival commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of his mission. 8 million
Vesak (Buddha’s Day) Varies by region (May/Early June) Buddhism Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. 0.5 billion
International Workers’ Day May 01 Worldwide Labor and the working classes. 2 billion+
Children’s Day May 05 South Korea, Japan Happiness and welfare of children. 180 million
Declaration of the Báb May 23 Bahá’í Announcement of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. 8 million
Eid al-Fitr May/June Islam/Muslim Countries, Worldwide End of Ramadan with feasts and prayers. 1.9 billion
Dragon Boat Festival June Buddhism/China, Taiwan The ancient poet Qu Yuan with boat races and rice dumplings. 1.5 billion
Independence Day July 04 United States Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1776. 332 million
Martyrdom of the Báb July 09 Bahá’í Execution of the Báb in 1850. 8 million
Eid al-Adha August Islam/Muslim Countries, Worldwide Willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. 1.9 billion
Assumption of Mary August 15 Christianity Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. 1 billion
Liberation Day August 15 South Korea Liberation from Japanese rule in 1945. 51 million
Paryushana August/September Jainism Most important Jain religious observance, marked by fasting and prayer. 4-5 million
Yom Kippur September/October Judaism Day of Atonement, marked by fasting and prayer. 14 million
Rosh Hashanah September/October Judaism Jewish New Year, marked by prayer, reflection, and festive meals. 14.5 million
Navaratri September/October Hinduism Nine nights festival celebrating the goddess Durga. 1.2 billion
Mid-Autumn Festival September/October Buddhism/China, Vietnam, Worldwide Harvest and full moon with mooncakes and family gatherings. 1.5 billion
National Day October 01 China Founding of the People’s Republic of China. 1.4 billion
Halloween October 31 Worldwide Costume, trick-or-treating, and spooky decorations. 1 billion+
All Saints’ Day November 01 Christianity Honors all saints, known and unknown. 1 billion
Guru Nanak Gurpurab November Sikhism Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. 30 million
Diwali November Hinduism/India, Nepal, Worldwide Hindu festival of lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness. 1.1 billion
Bandi Chhor Divas November Sikhism Release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes. 30 million
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh November Bahá’í Birth of the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. 8 million
Hanukkah November/December Judaism Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple. 14.5 million
Christmas Day December 25 Christianity Birth of Jesus Christ. 2 billion
New Year’s Eve December 31 Worldwide End of the year with parties, fireworks and bad decisions. 5 – 6 billion

What calendar systems are most popular in the world?

Calendar Name Number of Users Description
Gregorian 7.5 billion+ The calendar most people use every day around the world.
Islamic (Hijri) 1.9 billion+ Calendar that follows the moon, used by Muslims for their holidays.
Lunar (Chinese) 1.5 billion+ Calendar that follows the moon and the sun, used for Chinese festivals.
Indian National (Saka) 1.4 billion+ Calendar used in India along with the regular calendar.
Buddhist 200 million+ Calendar used in some Asian countries for Buddhist holidays.
Ethiopian (Ethiopia) 120 million+ Calendar used in Ethiopia, which has 13 months.
Solar Hijri (Iran) 85 million+ Calendar of Iran, based on the sun’s movements.
Solar Hijri (Afghanistan) 38 million+ Calendar of Afghanistan, based on the sun’s movements.
Vikram Samvat (Nepal) 30 million+ Calendar used in Nepal for traditional and religious events.
Juche (North Korea) 26 million+ Calendar used in North Korea, starting from the birth year of their leader, Kim Il-sung.
Hebrew 14.5 million+ Calendar used by Jewish people for their religious holidays.

What four countries do not use the Gregorian calendar?

The four countries that do not use the Gregorian calendar are Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan.

  • Afghanistan – Solar Hijri calendar.
  • Ethiopia – Ethiopian calendar.
  • Iran – Solar Hijri calendar.
  • Nepal – Vikram Samvat calendar.

About the Author
Scott Ingram

Scott is the Director of Admissions at Rustic Pathways. He has spent the last 15 years in the student travel and experiential education world. Before helping families find the perfect Rustic Pathways program, he led gap year programs that took students around the world and spent three years teaching English in Japan.