Holidays
Passover
Passover (or Pesach) is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Celebrated for eight days (seven in Israel), Passover usually falls in March or April. The holiday begins with the Seder meal, a ritual dinner where families read the Haggadah, a book that tells the story…
Songkran Festival
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated annually from April 13th to 15th in Thailand. It is best known for its lively water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck. Families gather to pay respects to elders, visit temples for merit-making, and participate in traditional rituals such as pouring scented water over…
Choul Chnam Thmey, Cambodia
Choul Chnam Thmey, the Cambodian New Year, is celebrated from April 14th to 16th. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and festive activities. The holiday is divided into three days: Maha Sangkran (welcoming the new year), Virak Vanabat (honoring elders and doing good deeds),…
Easter
Easter, a significant Christian holiday, is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. It is marked by religious services, festive meals, and the tradition of egg hunting and decorating.
Orthodox Easter
The Orthodox church uses the Julian calendar for the calculation of Easter, whereas the Western churches use the Gregorian calendar. This difference can often mean that Orthodox Easter falls later than Easter observed elsewhere. The earliest date it can fall is 4 April and the latest is 8 May. Learn more HERE.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a national holiday in many countries and is a time to get outside and spend time with family. In some places it is called Ball Monday, Bright Monday, Renewal Monday, Wet Monday, and Dingus Day.
Çocuk Bayrami, Turkey
Çocuk Bayrami is a Turkish holiday also known as National Sovereignty and Children's Day. It honors the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and is dedicated to children, symbolizing the importance of the younger generation in the country's future.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives in conflicts and wars. The day is marked by memorial services, dawn vigils, and parades to honor the bravery and contributions of these servicemen and women.
Koningsdag (King’s Day), Netherlands
Koningsdag, or King's Day, is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands marking the birth of King Willem-Alexander. Koningsdag is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt (free market) where secondhand items are sold. It's also a chance for oranjegekte (orange madness) for the national color, when people dye their hair orange for the celebration.
Freedom Day, South Africa
Freedom Day in South Africa commemorates the first democratic elections held in 1994, which marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a free and equal society.