Religious and cultural festivals

There are a number of religious and cultural festivals and observances which take place throughout the UK and some specific dates which are observed in Newcastle. Each year, this list will be updated to give an ‘at a glance guide’. The list is alphabetical.

Year: 2019

Asian

Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures come together in the Newcastle Mela 25 and 26 August

Includes a parade from Grey’s monument and a variety of artists and music.

Buddhist

The Tripițaka is the formal term used for a Buddhist canon of scriptures.

Buddha day May 19th

Chinese

Chinese New Year is the Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The festival is usually referred to as the Spring Festival in mainland China, and is one of several Lunar New Years in Asia.

Yuan Tan (New Year) February 5th

Christian

The Christian scripture is known as the Bible and contains the Old Testament and New Testament.

Epiphany January 16th
Ash Wednesday March 6th
Good Friday April 19th
Easter Sunday April 21st
Ascension May 30th
Pentecost June 9th
Trinity Sunday June 16th
Advent Sunday December 1st
Christmas Day December 25th

Christian Orthodox

Christmas Day (Russian) January 7th
Pascha (Easter day) April 28th

Disability

International day for People with disabilities December 3rd The observance of this aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

England

St George’s Day Patron saint of England. April 23rd

Hindu

Hinduism is the ancient religion of India. It encompasses a rich variety of traditions that share common themes but do not constitute a unified set of beliefs or practices. Texts include : Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana

Maha Shivrati March 5th
Holi March 25th
Shri Ram Navami April 14
Vijay Dashmi October 8th
Diwali October 27th

Jewish/Judaism

Holocaust Memorial Day January 27th This day the world remembers the six million Jews and millions of other minorities who were killed by the Nazis during WW2.

Jews believe that there is a single God who created the universe and with whom every Jew can have an individual and personal relationship. The Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible.

Pesach begins (Passover) April 20th
Shivuat (Pentecost) January 9th
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) Sepember 30th
Yom Kipppur (Day of Atonement) October 9th
Succot (Feast of Tabernacles) October 13th to 20th

LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans)

Northern Pride Festival (formerly Newcastle Pride) 19th – 21st July Takes place on the Town Moor and Exhibition Park. Includes Stonewall Remembrance March.

Local

The Late Shows – 17 and 18 May 2019 Newcastle Gateshead late openings – design, craft, theatre and fun in venues that have opened their doors for Friday and Saturday night.

Men

International Men’s Day November 19th Its objectives include focusing on men’s and boys’ health, promoting gender equality, improving gender relations, and highlighting male role models. There is a theme each year.

Muslim

The Muslim scripture is the Quran written in Arabic.

Jum’uah (Jummah) – Friday Prayers at the time of Zuhar
Eid al fitr – Celebration that marks the end of Ramadan June 5th
Eid-ul Adha- The festival of sacrifice August 10 – 15th
Al- Hijra- Islamic New Year August 30 – 31st
Ramadan – The month of fasting 6 May to 3rd June

Scotland

Burns Night January 25th A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, the author of many Scottish poems.
St Andrew’s day. Patron Saint of Scotland November 30th

Sikh

The Holy Scriptures are known as the Adi Granth or the Guru Granth Sahib.

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh January 5th
Baisakhi (Birthday of Khalsa) April 14th
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev June 16th
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev November 12th
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur November 24th

Wales

St David’s Day Patron saint of Wales March 1st

War

Remembrance Sunday November 10th
Armistice day November 11th (end of WW1)

Remembrance Day is a memorial day. On this day we honour the achievements and sacrifices that were made in past wars. The most important observance takes place on the second Sunday in November.

Women

International Day of Women March 8th This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Last updated: October 17, 2019