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: 2021

Asian

Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures come together in the Newcastle Mela 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.

Vesak or 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 12th

Christian

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

Epiphany January 6th
Ash Wednesday February 17th (beginning of Lent to 4th April)
Good Friday April 2nd
Easter Sunday April 4th
Ascension May 13th
Pentecost May 23rd
Trinity Sunday May 30th
Advent Sunday November 28th
Christmas Day December 25th

Christian Orthodox

Christmas Day (Russian) January 7th
Pascha (Easter day) May 2nd

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 11th
Holi March 29th
Shri Ram Navami April 21st
Vijay Dashmi October 14th
Diwali November 4th

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) March 27th
Shivuat (Pentecost) May 16th
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) September 6th
Yom Kipppur (Day of Atonement) September 15th
Succot (Feast of Tabernacles) September 20th

LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans)

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

Local

The Late Shows – May 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

Jum’uah (Jummah) – Friday Prayers at the time of Zuhar
Eid al fitr – Celebration that marks the end of Ramadan May 12th (Ramadan begins 12 April)
Eid-ul Adha- The festival of sacrifice July 19th
Al- Hijra- Islamic New Year August 9th
Ramadan – The month of fasting April 12th begins

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 20th
Baisakhi (Birthday of Khalsa) April 14th
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev June 16th
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev November 19th
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur November 24th

Wales

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

War

Remembrance Sunday November 14th
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: March 22, 2021