All Jewish Holidays: The Complete Reference Table
Every Jewish holiday in one comprehensive table — name, Hebrew date, approximate Gregorian dates, type, duration, key customs, foods, and traditional greeting.
The Jewish Year at a Glance
The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar of twelve months (thirteen in leap years). Here is every holiday, organized by the month in which it falls.
Major Holidays (Yom Tov — Work Restrictions Apply)
| Holiday | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Range | Duration | Key Customs | Special Foods | Greeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosh Hashanah | 1-2 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | 2 days | Shofar, tashlich, new year prayers | Apples & honey, pomegranate, round challah | Shanah Tovah! |
| Yom Kippur | 10 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | 1 day (25-hour fast) | Fasting, Kol Nidre, confession, white clothing | Pre-fast meal, break-fast | G’mar Chatimah Tovah |
| Sukkot | 15-21 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | 7 days | Sukkah, lulav & etrog, ushpizin | Stuffed foods, fall harvest | Chag Sameach! |
| Shemini Atzeret | 22 Tishrei | Oct | 1 day | Prayer for rain, Yizkor | — | Chag Sameach! |
| Simchat Torah | 23 Tishrei | Oct | 1 day | Torah dancing, completing/restarting Torah cycle | — | Chag Sameach! |
| Passover | 15-22 Nisan | Mar-Apr | 7-8 days | Seder, no chametz, Haggadah | Matzah, charoset, matzo ball soup | Chag Pesach Sameach! |
| Shavuot | 6-7 Sivan | May-Jun | 2 days | All-night Torah study, reading Book of Ruth, dairy meals | Cheesecake, blintzes, dairy | Chag Sameach! |
High Holidays Season
| Observance | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selichot | Before Rosh Hashanah | Sep | Penitential prayers in preparation |
| Rosh Hashanah | 1-2 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | Jewish New Year |
| Fast of Gedaliah | 3 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | Minor fast day |
| Yom Kippur | 10 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | Day of Atonement |
Minor Holidays (No Work Restrictions)
| Holiday | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Range | Duration | Key Customs | Special Foods | Greeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanukkah | 25 Kislev - 2 Tevet | Nov-Dec | 8 days | Menorah lighting, dreidel, gifts | Latkes, sufganiyot | Chag Hanukkah Sameach! |
| Tu BiShvat | 15 Shevat | Jan-Feb | 1 day | Seder of fruits, tree planting | Fruits of Israel, dried fruits | Chag Tu BiShvat Sameach! |
| Purim | 14 Adar | Feb-Mar | 1 day | Megillah reading, costumes, gifts | Hamantaschen | Chag Purim Sameach! |
| Lag BaOmer | 18 Iyar | Apr-May | 1 day | Bonfires, haircuts, weddings resume | — | — |
| Tu B’Av | 15 Av | Jul-Aug | 1 day | Love and matchmaking (Jewish Valentine’s) | — | — |
Fast Days
| Fast | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Range | Duration | Commemorates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yom Kippur | 10 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | 25 hours | Atonement |
| Fast of Gedaliah | 3 Tishrei | Sep-Oct | Dawn to nightfall | Assassination of Gedaliah |
| 10th of Tevet | 10 Tevet | Dec-Jan | Dawn to nightfall | Siege of Jerusalem |
| Fast of Esther | 13 Adar | Feb-Mar | Dawn to nightfall | Esther’s fast before approaching the king |
| 17th of Tammuz | 17 Tammuz | Jun-Jul | Dawn to nightfall | Breach of Jerusalem’s walls |
| Tisha B’Av | 9 Av | Jul-Aug | 25 hours | Destruction of both Temples |
Modern Israeli Observances
| Observance | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Range | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yom HaShoah | 27 Nisan | Apr-May | Holocaust Remembrance Day |
| Yom HaZikaron | 4 Iyar | Apr-May | Israel Memorial Day |
| Yom HaAtzmaut | 5 Iyar | Apr-May | Israel Independence Day |
| Yom Yerushalayim | 28 Iyar | May-Jun | Jerusalem Day |
Every Week
| Observance | When | Key Customs |
|---|---|---|
| Shabbat | Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall | Candle lighting, Kiddush, challah, rest, synagogue |
Special Shabbatot
Several Shabbatot throughout the year have special Torah readings or themes. See Four Parshiyot for details.
Monthly
| Observance | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rosh Chodesh | Beginning of each Hebrew month | Hallel, special Torah reading, celebration |
For the complete calendar with Hebrew month details, see our Jewish Calendar Months guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Jewish holidays are there?
There are approximately 20+ distinct holidays and observances in the Jewish calendar, including major festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot), High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur), minor holidays (Hanukkah, Purim, Tu BiShvat), fast days, and modern observances (Yom HaShoah, Yom HaAtzmaut).
Why do Jewish holidays change dates every year?
Jewish holidays are fixed on the Hebrew calendar, which is lunisolar — based on both the moon and the sun. Because the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars don't align exactly, Jewish holidays appear to 'move' on the Gregorian calendar, though they always fall on the same Hebrew date.
What is the difference between a major and minor holiday?
Major holidays (Yom Tov) involve restrictions similar to Shabbat — no work, special services, festive meals. These include the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) and the High Holidays. Minor holidays (like Hanukkah and Purim) do not carry work restrictions, though they have their own special observances.
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