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Faith, Tradition & Spirituality observances

Religious, spiritual, liturgical and tradition-based observances across communities and faiths.

Curated topic guide

About this topic

This domain covers observances whose meaning depends on a faith tradition, spiritual practice or community custom. Dates may be fixed, rule-based, lunar, edition-specific or locally determined.

The site preserves the named tradition and source boundary rather than flattening distinct practices into a single universal calendar.

Scope note: Descriptions should respect internal diversity and should not present one denomination, school or community practice as universal where sources do not support that claim.
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In-depth guides in Faith, Tradition & Spirituality

These pages include reviewed meaning, history, activities, facts and FAQs in addition to the underlying authority record.

Source-backedFixed AnnualIn-depth guide

International Day of Nowruz

21 March · United Nations-recognized cultural observance

A/RES/64/253

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Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon

Full moon in the month of May · United Nations-recognized religious observance

A/RES/54/115 (1999)

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Authority records

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Arrival of the Gospel / Arrival of the First Missionaries

5 March · French Polynesia / Protestant historical and civic observance

Air Tahiti materials repeatedly document March 5 as the anniversary of the first London Missionary Society missionaries arriving at Matavai Bay in 1797; one current Air Tahiti guide describ…

Source-backedVariable Custom

Asahna Bucha Day

Buddhist lunar-calendar observance; Gregorian date varies · Thai Buddhist religious observance and public-holiday tradition

Thailand Department of Tourism / government holiday guidance

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Asalha Puja Day

29 July 2026 in Thailand · Thailand / Buddhist observance and 2026 calendar context

Thailand.go.th lists an Asalha Puja Day event on 29 July 2026. Thailand’s Office of Buddhism explains that Asalha Puja follows the full moon of the eighth lunar month, so the Gregorian date…

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Ascension Day

14 May 2026 · Saint-Barthélemy / French legal-holiday calendar

France’s Service Public legal-holiday table lists Ascension on Thursday 14 May 2026 among the national legal holidays and explicitly treats Saint-Barthélemy within the overseas holiday fram…

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Ascension Day

14 May 2026 · Saint-Martin / French legal-holiday calendar

France’s Service Public legal-holiday table lists Ascension on Thursday 14 May 2026 among the national legal holidays and explicitly treats Saint-Martin within the overseas holiday framewor…

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Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

29 May 2026 in the Bahá’í calendar’s current civil mapping · Bahá’í Faith / global holy day

The official Bahá’í calendar lists the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh on 29 May 2026 and authoritative Bahá’í texts identify the holy day.

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Ash Wednesday

18 February in 2026 · Church of England / Christian liturgical calendar

The Church of England calendar identifies Ash Wednesday and its 2026 civil-calendar date

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Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram-ul-Haram)

25–26 June 2026 · Sindh, Pakistan / 2026 public-holiday notification

The Government of Sindh lists 25 and 26 June 2026 as public holidays for Ashura, corresponding to 9th and 10th Muharram-ul-Haram in its 2026 notification.

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Asunción de la Virgen

15 August annually · Spain / national labor-holiday framework

Spain’s national labor-holiday regulation lists 15 August as Asunción de la Virgen within the national holiday framework.

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Asunción de la Virgen

15 August 2026 · Chile / 2026 national holiday calendar

The Government of Chile’s official 2026 holiday calendar lists 15 August as Asunción de la Virgen.

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Aymara New Year / Andean-Amazonian and Chaco New Year context

21 June annually; 21 June 2026 with a substitute public day off reported on 22 June · Bolivian Indigenous/Andean New Year and winter-solstice public-holiday context

Bolivian public-holiday references consistently place Aymara New Year on 21 June; the page is scoped to Bolivia and Indigenous Andean traditions rather than a universal “New Year.”

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Ayudha Puja

Ninth day of Navaratri / Saraswathi Puja cycle; target-year Gregorian date varies · India / Hindu festival and occupational-tool worship tradition

India's Ministry of Tourism describes Ayudha Puja within the ninth-day Saraswathi Puja/Navaratri observance in Tamil Nadu and notes the September/October festival window.

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Año Nuevo Andino Amazónico Chaqueño

21 June annually; in 2026 the public-holiday suspension moved to 22 June · Bolivia national holiday and Indigenous cultural observance

Bolivia Ministry of Labour / national government

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Baba Marta / Martenitsa tradition

1 March · Bulgaria / cultural tradition

Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism cultural material describes the Baba Marta/Martenitsa spring custom and the March 1 tradition of wearing or exchanging martenitsi.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Basant Panchami

23 January in 2026; the lunar-calendar date varies by year · Hindu festival recognized in Government of India and state holiday calendars

Prime Minister of India / Government of India holiday calendar

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Bathukamma festival opening day

11 October 2026; 2026 festival listed 11–18 October · Telangana, India / 2026 Bathukamma festival

India’s official tourism portal lists the Telangana Bathukamma festival for 11–18 October 2026 and says it is organized by the Government of Telangana.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Beginning of Ramadan

1 Ramadan 1447 AH; expected first fasting day 18 February 2026 in cited UK guidance, subject to moon sighting · Islamic religious calendar / local-community moon-sighting practice

Islamic Relief’s 2026 calendar places 1 Ramadan 1447 on February 18, with Ramadan beginning the preceding evening, while explicitly noting that lunar months depend on moon sighting.

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Behdienkhlam Festival

Annual July festival; 2026 government holiday listed on 9 July · Pnar/Jaintia cultural and religious festival in Meghalaya

Government of Meghalaya

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Beltane / Beltane Fire Festival

30 April 2026 for Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival; traditional Beltane marks the start of summer around 1 May · Scottish/Celtic seasonal tradition and modern Edinburgh festival

Forever Edinburgh documents the 30 April 2026 Beltane Fire Festival as a modern reinterpretation of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual celebrating the first signs of summer.

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Bible Sunday (Philippines)

Last Sunday of January (25 January in 2026) · Philippines / National Bible Month framework led by the Philippine Bible Society

The Philippine Bible Society explains that Presidential Proclamation No. 124 established January as National Bible Month with the final week as National Bible Week and the last Sunday as Bi…

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Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche

24 June 2026 · Bhutan / gazetted public-holiday and religious observance

A Bhutan government-linked hydropower authority’s 2026 holiday list marks the Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche on 24 June 2026 as a gazetted holiday, and a Bhutan Dzongkhag Administration…

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Blue Christmas Service

Advent/Christmas season; often 21 December or around the winter solstice · Christian pastoral worship tradition for people experiencing grief, loss, loneliness, or difficulty during Advent and Christmas

The Church of England describes Blue Christmas services as often marked on 21 December but explicitly allows churches to choose another date; the Methodist Church describes the same traditi…

Source-backedVariable Custom

Bonalu

Ashada-season festival; Gregorian dates vary by temple and year · Telangana Hindu festival and cultural tradition

The Government of Telangana’s Hyderabad district portal describes Bonalu as a major Telangana festival, and the state publishes current annual calendar information.

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Bright Monday

13 April 2026 in the Orthodox Church in America calendar · Orthodox Church in America / 2026 liturgical calendar

The Orthodox Church in America’s daily readings identify 13 April 2026 as Bright Monday, the Monday after Pascha.

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Bring Your Bible to School Day

1 October 2026; first Thursday in October · United States / Focus on the Family student campaign

Focus on the Family’s current campaign page gives 1 October 2026, and its student materials describe the event as the first Thursday in October.

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Buddha Purnima

1 May 2026 · India / Government of India 2026 gazetted-holiday calendar

The Government of India holiday calendar published by IIRS/ISRO lists Buddha Purnima as a gazetted holiday on 1 May 2026.

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Calan Gaeaf

1 November traditionally; 2026 heritage programming may span late October through 1 November · Welsh seasonal folklore and heritage tradition marking the beginning of winter

Welsh heritage programming from the National Trust continues to use the Calan Gaeaf identity, while the traditional date is 1 November.

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Calan Mai

1 May traditionally · Welsh seasonal folk tradition associated with the traditional beginning of summer

Wales.com, the official Welsh destination site, identifies Calan Mai on 1 May and describes its traditional seasonal customs.

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Calennig

1 January traditionally · Welsh New Year custom

Wales.com identifies Calennig as a traditional Welsh custom on 1 January, involving children singing or reciting rhymes in exchange for small gifts.

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Chanukah (Hanukkah)

Begins sunset 4 December; ends nightfall 12 December 2026 · Jewish calendar / Chabad 2026 dates

Chabad’s 2026 Jewish holiday calendar lists Chanukah from sunset on 4 December through nightfall on 12 December 2026.

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Cheesefare Sunday / Forgiveness Sunday

22 February 2026 · Orthodox Church in America / 2026 pre-Lenten cycle

OCA’s Paschal-cycle table identifies Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday on 22 February 2026.

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Chinese New Year

17–18 February as Singapore public holidays in 2026 · Singapore public-holiday context / Chinese New Year celebration

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower lists Chinese New Year on 17 and 18 February in the 2026 public-holiday calendar

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Ching Ming Festival

5 April 2026; substitute general holiday 6 April and additional general holiday 7 April 2026 · Hong Kong / 2026 statutory and general-holiday calendar

Hong Kong’s Labour Department lists Ching Ming Festival on 5 April 2026. GovHK explains that because it falls on Sunday, 6 April is the substitute general holiday and, because that collides…

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Christmas Card Day

9 December · Informal Christmas-season greeting-card observance

Hallmark’s December observance calendar and timeanddate both identify December 9 as Christmas Card Day.

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Christmas Eve

24 December 2026 · India / 2026 restricted-holiday calendars

Government office calendars for 2026 list Christmas Eve on 24 December as a restricted holiday in the cited scope.

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Chung Yeung Festival

18 October 2026; substitute general holiday 19 October 2026 · Hong Kong / 2026 statutory and general-holiday calendar

Hong Kong’s Labour Department lists Chung Yeung Festival on 18 October 2026; because it falls on Sunday, the following day is used as the substitute holiday under the published 2026 arrange…

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Chuseok

24–26 September 2026; Chuseok day 25 September · Republic of Korea; major traditional holiday

The Korea Tourism Organization’s official VisitKorea material lists the 2026 Chuseok holiday from 24 to 26 September, with Chuseok day on 25 September.

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Clean Monday

23 February 2026; movable Orthodox-calendar holiday · Greece — official public holiday

Hellenic Aviation Service Provider / Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport official 2026 holiday circular

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Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day)

2 November annually · Catholic Church / remembrance and prayer for the dead

The U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults states that November 2 each year is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), a day for special remembrance and prayer for the d…

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Commemoration of St. Vitus

15 June · Orthodox Christian / saint commemoration

The Orthodox Church in America lists Martyrs Modestus, Crescentia, and Vitus among the saints commemorated on June 15.

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Corpus Christi public holiday (Colombia)

Monday 8 June 2026 · Colombia / transferred public-holiday rule

Colombia’s labour-law framework transfers Corpus Christi observance to the following Monday when applicable; government 2026 mobility planning identifies the Corpus Christi holiday bridge e…

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Dassain (Dashain)

21 October 2026 · Bhutan / 2026 government holiday calendar

Bhutan’s Ministry of Home Affairs 2026 calendar lists “Dassain” on 21 October 2026.

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Declaration of the Báb

24 May in the official Bahá’í calendar for 2026 · Bahá’í Faith; holy day

The official Bahá’í calendar lists the Declaration of the Báb on 24 May 2026.

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Deepavali

8 November 2026 in Singapore’s gazetted 2026 calendar · Singapore / Ministry of Manpower public-holiday calendar

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower lists Deepavali on 8 November 2026 among the 11 gazetted public holidays for 2026.

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Dev Deepawali / Dev Diwali in Varanasi

24 November 2026 · Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India / tourism and festival context

Incredible India lists the 2026 Dev Deepawali celebration in Varanasi for 24 November 2026. The date is an edition-specific festival date rather than a fixed Gregorian annual date.

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Dia de Meritxell / Mare de Déu de Meritxell

8 September annually · Andorra / national holiday and patronal observance

The Government of Andorra identifies 8 September as the feast of the Virgin of Meritxell and a national holiday in the Andorran labor calendar.

Source-backedRule Based Annual

Divine Mercy Sunday

Second Sunday of Easter; 12 April in 2026 · Catholic Church

The Holy See identifies the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday in the 2026 papal calendar

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Diwali (Deepawali)

8 November 2026 · India / Government of India 2026 gazetted-holiday calendar

The Government of India holiday calendar published by IIRS/ISRO lists Diwali (Deepawali) as a gazetted holiday on 8 November 2026.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Dolyatra / Dol Yatra

3 March in the cited 2026 Government of India office calendar; lunar date varies · Hindu festival and Indian government holiday-calendar context

Government of India Controller of Communication Accounts holiday information lists Holika Dahan/Dolyatra on 3 March 2026, providing a current official calendar anchor for the movable festiv…

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Dragon Boat Festival

19–21 June 2026 public-holiday period · China / State Council 2026 public-holiday schedule

The General Office of China’s State Council sets the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival public-holiday period at 19–21 June.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Drukpa Tshezhi

4th day of the 6th Bhutanese lunar month; Gregorian date varies · Bhutan Buddhist religious and national-holiday context

Bhutan’s Ministry of Education identifies Drukpa Tshezhi as a national holiday observed on the fourth day of the sixth Bhutanese lunar month, commemorating the Buddha’s First Sermon.

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Dussehra (Maha Ashtami)

19 October 2026 · Government of India / 2026 restricted-holiday calendar

Government of India office calendars list Dussehra (Maha Ashtami) on 19 October 2026.

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Dussehra (Mahanavami)

20 October 2026 · Government of India / 2026 restricted-holiday calendar

Government of India office calendars list Dussehra (Mahanavami) on 20 October 2026.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Dussehra (Mahanavami)

20 October in the 2026 Government of India restricted-holiday calendar; date varies by year · Hindu festival observance in India

Government of India

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Dusshera (Mahanavami)

20 October 2026 · India / 2026 Central Government office holiday calendar reference (Assam)

The 2026 Government of India office calendars cited for Assam place Dusshera (Mahanavami)/Mahanavami on 20 October 2026.

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Dusshera (Saptami)

18 October 2026 · India / 2026 Central Government office holiday calendar reference (Assam)

The Controller of Defence Accounts Guwahati lists Dusshera (Saptami) on 18 October 2026 among restricted holidays for Central Government administrative offices in Assam.

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Dydd Santes Dwynwen / St Dwynwen’s Day

25 January every year · Wales / Welsh cultural tradition

Visit Wales states that Dydd Santes Dwynwen is celebrated on 25 January every year and identifies St Dwynwen as the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

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Día de la Cruz

3 May annually · El Salvador cultural-religious tradition

El Salvador’s Ministry of Culture describes Día de la Cruz on 3 May as an important Salvadoran celebration with syncretic Christian and Indigenous elements.

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Día de la Virgen de Caacupé

8 December · Paraguay / national holiday

Paraguay Law No. 7544/2025 lists December 8, Día de la Virgen de Caacupé, among national holidays and states that holidays outside the movable list remain on their dates each year.

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Día de la Virgen de los Ángeles

2 August · Costa Rica / statutory holiday

Costa Rica's Ministry of Labour states that August 2 commemorates the Virgen de los Ángeles under article 148 of the Labour Code and that the holiday is not moved to another day.

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Día de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia

21 January 2026; not moved · Dominican Republic / 2026 national holiday calendar

The Dominican Ministry of Labor’s official 2026 holiday notice lists 21 January, Día de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, and states that it is not moved.

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Día de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes

24 September 2026; not moved · Dominican Republic / 2026 national holiday calendar

The Dominican Ministry of Labor’s official 2026 holiday notice lists 24 September, Día de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, and states that it is not moved.

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Día de Reyes / Epiphany

6 January; nationwide non-working holiday in Spain in the cited 2026 calendar · Spain national holiday context for Three Kings / Epiphany

Spain’s official tourism guidance lists 6 January, Día de Reyes, among nationwide non-working holidays in 2026.

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Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day)

1 November; Colombian paid-rest treatment moves qualifying non-Monday holidays to the following Monday under Law 51 of 1983 · Colombia / national labor-holiday framework

Colombia’s Law 51 of 1983 includes Todos los Santos among the religious holidays in the national paid-rest framework and applies Monday-transfer treatment when the holiday does not fall on…

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Early May bank holiday

4 May 2026; 3 May 2027; 1 May 2028 — re-check the official UK calendar for later years · UK bank-holiday calendar; exact dates are published by nation

GOV.UK official bank-holiday calendar

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Easter Monday

6 April 2026 in the cited UK calendars · England and Wales; Northern Ireland / 2026 bank-holiday calendars

GOV.UK lists Easter Monday on 6 April 2026 for England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Easter Saturday

4 April 2026 · Assam, India / 2026 restricted-holiday calendar

The Government of Assam/NIC 2026 calendar lists Easter Saturday on 4 April as a restricted holiday.

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Easter Sunday

5 April 2026 · Government of India / 2026 holiday calendar

Government of India holiday calendars list Easter Sunday on 5 April 2026.

Source-backedVariable Custom

Eid al-Adha

10 Dhu al-Hijjah; Gregorian date varies by lunar-calendar authority/community (27 May in the cited 1447 AH/2026 calendars) · Islam / Eid al-Adha (also called Eid-e-Ghorban/Qurban), beginning on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah

Islamic calendar authorities place Eid al-Adha on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah; the corresponding Gregorian date may differ by community because lunar-calendar determinations can vary.

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Eid al-Adha (Hari Raya Haji in Singapore)

27 May 2026 in Singapore; subject to further confirmation on the current MOM calendar · Singapore public-holiday calendar / globally variable Islamic observance

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower lists Hari Raya Haji on 27 May 2026 and marks the date subject to further confirmation. This verifies the Singapore 2026 public-holiday mapping, not a unive…

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Eid al-Fitr (Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore)

21 March 2026 in Singapore; subject to further confirmation on the current MOM calendar · Singapore public-holiday calendar / globally variable Islamic observance

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower lists Hari Raya Puasa on 21 March 2026 and marks the date subject to further confirmation. This verifies the Singapore 2026 public-holiday mapping, not a un…