1 May
(Fri)
Beltane (Pagan)
Also spelt Beltaine, this Pagan festival has its origins in an ancient Gaelic festival. This festival marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when the herds of livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. The lighting of bonfires on mountains and hills of ritual and political significance was one of the main activities of the festival.
9 May
(Sat)
Vesakha Puja/
Wesak/Buddha Day
The largest Buddhist festival, during which Theravada Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and final passing away of Buddha. (Mahayana Buddhists have separate days for each of these). During the festival houses are decorated with lanterns and garlands, and temples are ringed with oil lamps. Particular stress is placed on Buddha's enlightenment and lay people come together at monasteries to celebrate this.
9 May
(Sat)
Saga Dawa
Tibetan and Nepalese festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha. During this festival lamps are lit everywhere. In Tibet extended prostrations take place around Buddhist monuments and vows are made to fast and keep silent for seven days.
12 May
(Tue)
Lag B'Omer
The 33rd day of Omer. Omer is a period of 49 days, lasting from Pesach to Shavuot, and is a time of sadness. Lag B'Omer provides a temporary relief to this sadness, commemorating the end of a plague in Roman times. The prohibitions of the Omer period do not apply to Lag B'Omer and it is a time of dancing and singing. Families often go on picnics and outings. A large number of weddings occur on this day, since weddings are not permitted during other days of the Omer period.
21 May
(Thu)
Ascension Day
40th day after Easter, accept in the Catholic church, which celebrates the day on the 6th Sunday after Easter. The day commemorates the last earthly appearance of Jesus following his resurrection and his ascent into heaven before many witnesses.
23 May
(Sat)
Anniversary of the Declaration of the Bab
A Bahá'í holy day, during which work is suspended. It commemorates the date 23rd May, 1844, when the Bab (leader of the Bahá'ís during the early beginnings of the Bahá'í faith) foretold of the latest manifestation of God, the Promised One — namely Baha’u’llah.
24 May
(Sun)
Ascension Day (Catholic)
40th day after Easter, accept in the Catholic church, which celebrates the day on the 6th Sunday after Easter. The day commemorates the last earthly appearance of Jesus following his resurrection and his ascent into heaven before many witnesses.
27 May
(Wed)
Zartusht-No-Diso (Shenshai)
Festival commemorating the death (according to the Shensai calendar) of the prophet Zarathustra. On this day religious services are devoted to him and to the Fravashis (the spirits of the dead).
29 May
(Fri)
Anniversary of the Ascension of Baha'u'llah
Day in the Bahá'í calendar when followers of the faith commemorate the death of Baha'u'llah at Bahji, near Acre, on 29th May, 1892. A shrine to Baha'u'llah was built at Bahji and it is towards this shrine that Bahá'ís face when praying.
29 May
(Fri)
Shavuot
Shavout occurs at the end of the Omer period and celebrates the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the early harvest season in Israel. The festival is marked by decorating synagogues with flowers and the eating of dairy foods, such as blintzes and cheesecakes.
31 May
(Sun)
Pentecost/Whit Sunday
Also called Whitsuntide, this day commemorates when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus. Pentecost occurs on the seventh Sunday after Easter and is named after the Jewish festival day on which the event occurred. The alternative name comes from the custom of converts presenting themselves for baptism on this day dressed in white.
