Pembina Valley - Local Immigration Partnership

Orthodox New Year
2026-01-14

Makara Saṅkrānti (Hindu)
2026-01-14
This day marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara). As this transition coincides with the sun’s movement from south to north, the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new beginning. (Wikipedia)

Lailat al-Miraj (Islam)
2026-01-15 - 2026-01-16
Lailat al-Miraj is a significant Islamic observance commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey (Isra) from Mecca to Jerusalem and his subsequent ascension (Mi’raj) into heaven.

Imbolc (Gaelic/Pagan)
2026-02-01
Imbolc or Imbolg, also called Saint Brigid’s Day, is a Gaelic traditional festival on 1 February. It marks the beginning of spring, and in Christianity, it is the feast day of Saint Brigid, Ireland’s patroness saint.

Tu Bishvat (Jewish)
2026-02-01 - 2026-02-02
Tu Bishvat, or the “New Year for Trees,” is a Jewish holiday on the 15th of Shevat (usually Jan/Feb) marking the ecological awareness day in Israel, where trees are planted, and celebrated with fruit and a seder to reflect on nature and our connection to the land, symbolizing a new cycle for trees and a spiritual renewal.

Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
2026-02-15
Nirvana Day, also called Parinirvana Day, is a Buddhist holiday commemorating Buddha’s death and final passing into Parinirvana (complete liberation from the cycle of rebirth). It’s a solemn occasion for meditation, reflection on impermanence, and renewing commitment to Buddhist teachings, often involving reading sutras and pilgrimage to holy sites like Kushinagar.

Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
2026-02-15 - 2026-02-16
Maha Shivaratri is a notable festival in Hinduism, marking a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.

Ramadan (Islam)
2026-02-17 - 2026-03-19
Ramadan is the ninth, holiest month in the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a time for fasting from dawn to sunset, intense prayer, self-reflection, and community – commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.

Ash Wednesday (Christian)
2026-02-18
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.

Purim (Jewish)
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-03
Purim in 2026 begins at sundown on Monday, March 2, 2026, and concludes at nightfall on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, celebrating the Jewish people’s salvation from ancient Persia, with traditions including reading the Book of Esther, costumes, festive meals (Purim Seudah), and giving gifts of food (Mishloach Manot).

Holi (Hindu)
2026-03-03 - 2026-03-04
Holi is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Holi is considered as the second biggest festival on the Hindu calendar after Diwali. Holi is also known as the Festival of Colours, Love and Spring.

Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
2026-03-04 - 2026-03-06
The main celebrations occur at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India, featuring traditional martial arts (Gatka), horse riding, poetry, and music. It starts on the day after Holi, celebrating Sikh courage.

Laylat al-Qadr (Islam)
2026-03-15
Laylat al-Qadr, or the “Night of Power” or “Night of Decree,” is the holiest night in the Islamic calendar, commemorating when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Mothering Sunday
2026-03-15
Mothering Sunday is a day honouring mother churches – the church where one is baptised and becomes “a child of the church”. It is celebrated in the United Kingdom, Ireland and some Commonwealth countries on the fourth Sunday in Lent. The holiday is often known as “Mother’s Day” in the United Kingdom, and has become a secular celebration of mothers and motherhood.

Saint Patrick's Day
2026-03-17
Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations involve public parades and festivals, Irish traditional music sessions (céilithe), and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks.

Eid al-Fitr (Islam)
2026-03-19 - 2026-03-20
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as it marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting (sawm) during Ramadan. Also called ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’ it is the first of the two main festivals in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

Vesak – Buddha Day (Buddhist)
2026-03-24 - 2026-05-12
Vesak is the most important Buddhist festival. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism and Navayana.

Palm Sunday (Christian)
2026-03-29
Palm Sunday happens on the Sunday before Easter. The day commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honor Jesus as he entered the city.

Passover (Jewish)
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-09
Passover is a major Jewish holiday commemorating the story of the Israelite’s escape from slavery in Egypt. It specifically refers to God passing over the houses of the Israelites and killing the firstborn sons of the Egyptians.

Good Friday (Christian)
2026-04-03
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. For many it is a day of fasting and religious services.

Easter Sunday (Christian)
2026-04-05
Easter Sunday is a Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It brings an end to Holy Week which began with Palm Sunday. The western and eastern churches celebrate Easter on different days.

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Jain)
2026-04-10
One of the most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher).

Holy Pascha (Orthodox Easter)
2026-04-12
Holy Pascha, or Easter, is the supreme feast of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the “feast of feasts”. It marks the victory over death, concluding a 40-day fast, and is characterized by late-night services starting around midnight, the hymn “Christ is Risen,” and breaking the fast with festive foods.

Theravada New Year (Buddhist)
2026-04-13 - 2026-04-15
Theravada New Year is a major three-day Buddhist festival, usually beginning with the first full moon in April and celebrated in south and southeast Asia. It is known by different names in different regions. It marks a time for purification, merit-making, cleaning homes, visiting temples, and splashing water to symbolize renewal.

Vaisakhi (Sikh/Hindu)
2026-04-14
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a spring harvest celebration primarily in Punjab and Northern India. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a major festival marking the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism. For many Hindu communities, the festival is an occasion to ritually bathe in sacred rivers such as Ganges, Jhelum, and Kaveri, visit temples, meet friends, take part in other festivities, and perform a mandatory daan (charity) especially of hand fans, water pitchers and seasonal fruits.

Shavuot (Jewish)
2026-05-21 - 2026-05-23
Shavuot is a major Jewish holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the grain harvest, marked by dairy meals, studying Torah, and hearing the Ten Commandments.

Pentecost (Christian)
2026-05-24
Pentecost is the Christian holiday that happens 50 days after Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, mother of Jesus and the Apostles of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem.

Hajj (Islam)
2026-05-24 - 2026-05-29
The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. This is a mandatory duty for all capable Muslims.

Day of Arafah (Islam)
2026-05-26
The Day of Arafah is the second day of the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. The pilgrims move to Mt. Arafat where the Islamic prophet Muhammad gave one of his last sermons. It is often a day of fasting.

Eid al-Adha (Islam)
2026-05-27
Eid al-Adha is the second of the main holidays celebrated by Muslims. It honours Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, however God provided a lamb to sacrifice in his place.
