A list of 2023 holidays, feasts, and celebrations observed by Christians worldwide. Download our printable list, and hang it on the fridge, your desk, or wherever you want to remember these special dates.
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Free PDF Download - 2023 Christian Holidays |
January
Epiphany - Friday, Jan 6
The Epiphany marks the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) to the infant Jesus. It is also a time to reflect on the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.
The Baptism of Jesus - Sunday, January 8
Baptism of Jesus commemorates the event in which John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.
February
Candlemas - Thursday, February 2
Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem and the purification of the Virgin Mary, as well as the symbolism of Jesus as the light of the world.
St. Valentine's Day - Tuesday, February 14
St. Valentine's Day commemorates one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and has since become associated with romantic love and affection.
Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 22
The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of fasting, repentance, and reflection leading to Easter.
March
St. Patrick's Day - Friday, March 17
Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday commemorating the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
St. Joseph's Day - Sunday, March 19
Saint Joseph's Day is a feast day that honors Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and earthly Father of Jesus and celebrates his role as a model of fatherhood, a protector, and a provider.
The Annunciation - Saturday, March 25
Annunciation is a feast day commemorating the angel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, marking the beginning of Jesus' incarnation in the womb of Mary.
April
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 2
The Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when he was greeted with palm branches and cries of "Hosanna!"
Maundy (Holy) Thursday - Thursday, April 6
The Thursday before Easter, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples' feet and instituted the Eucharist.
Good Friday - Friday, April 7
The Friday before Easter, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
Easter - Sunday, April 9
The celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that falls on or after March 21. It can only occur on March 22 or after April 25.
Easter Monday - April 10
Easter Monday commemorates the day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is traditionally a day of rest and relaxation with family and friends.
St. George's Day - Sunday, April 23
Saint George's Day is a feast day that honors Saint George, the patron saint of England. It celebrates his bravery and martyrdom in defense of his faith.
St. Mark - Tuesday, April 25
Saint Mark's Day is a feast day that honors Saint Mark the Evangelist, one of the four Gospel writers and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity and his writings about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
May
Ascension of Jesus - Thursday, May 18
Ascension Day is when Jesus ascended into heaven and is celebrated forty days after Easter.
Pentecost - Sunday, May 28
Celebrated fifty days after Easter, Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church.
June
Trinity Sunday, June 4
Celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday is a day to reflect on the doctrine of the Trinity - that God is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Corpus Christi - Thursday, June 8
Corpus Christi is a feast day commemorating the presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and is celebrated with processions and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Saints Peter and Paul - Thursday, June 29
Saint Peter and Paul's Day is a feast day that honors the martyrdom of the apostles' Saint Peter and Saint Paul, their contributions to early Christianity, and their roles as pillars of the Church.
July
St. Vladimir - Saturday, July 15
Saint Vladimir is a Ukrainian Orthodox holiday that commemorates the life of Prince Vladimir the Great, who converted the Kievan Rus' to Christianity in 988 and helped establish the Eastern Orthodox Church.
St. Mary Magdalene - Saturday, July 22
Saint Mary Magdalene's Day is a feast day that honors Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus and witness to his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, and recognizes her as the "apostle to the apostles."
St. James the Great - Tuesday, July 25
Saint James, the Great's Day, is a feast day that honors James, the Son of Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles, and celebrates his missionary work, martyrdom, and his role as the patron saint of Spain.
August
Lammas - Tuesday, August 1
Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with the first grain harvest and bread baking.
The Assumption of Mary - Tuesday, August 15
Assumption of Mary is a feast day commemorating the belief that the Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven, both body and soul, at the end of her earthly life, and recognizes her as the Queen of Heaven.
St. Bartholomew the Apostle - Thursday, August 24
Saint Bartholomew's Day is a feast day that honors Bartholomew the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and celebrates his missionary work and martyrdom.
September
Holy Cross Day - Thursday, September 14
Holy Cross Day, also known as the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is a feast day commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, and celebrates the salvific power of the Cross in Christianity.
St. Matthew the Apostle - Thursday, September 21
Saint Matthew's Day is a feast day that honors Matthew the Evangelist, one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity and his writings about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
St. Michael & All Angels - Friday, September 29
Saint Michael and All Angels is a feast day that honors the archangel Michael and all other angels and celebrates their roles as messengers and protectors of God's people, as well as their presence and influence in Christian theology and spirituality.
October
St. Francis of Assisi - October 4
Saint Francis Day commemorates the patron saint of animals and the environment. Saint Francis of Assisi was a Catholic friar who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries and is known for his deep love of nature and his commitment to poverty and humility.
St. Luke the Evangelist - October 18
Saint Luke's Day is a feast day that honors Luke the Evangelist, one of the four Gospel writers, and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity, his writings about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and his role as a physician and healer.
St. James of Jerusalem - October 23
Saint James of Jerusalem's Day is a feast day that honors James the Just, also known as James of Jerusalem, who served as the first bishop of Jerusalem and was a leader of the early Christian Church and celebrates his contributions to the growth and spread of Christianity.
St. Simon and St. Jude - October 28
Saint Simon and Jude's Day is a feast that honors Simon and Jude, two of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, and celebrates their contributions to early Christianity and their missionary work, particularly in spreading the Gospel message worldwide.
All Hallows Eve - Tuesday, October 31
All Hallows' Eve, also known as Halloween, is a holiday observed on the night of October 31 and is traditionally associated with remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and loved ones, and is often celebrated with costumes, decorations, and festive activities.
November
All Saints' Day - Wednesday, November 1
All Saints' Day is a day to remember and honor all the saints, both known and unknown.
All Souls' Day - Thursday, November 2
All Souls' Day is a day to remember and pray for the souls of all the faithful departed.
Thanksgiving (USA) - Thursday, November 23
Thanksgiving is a holiday primarily observed in the United States and Canada, traditionally associated with giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest season and expressing gratitude for the good things in life, often celebrated with family gatherings, feasting, and expressions of thanks.
Christ the King - Sunday, November 26
Christ the King Sunday is a day to reflect on the kingship of Christ and his sovereignty over all creation.
St. Andrew's Day - Thursday, November 30
Saint Andrew's Day is a feast that honors Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles and the patron saint of Scotland, and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity and his role in spreading the Gospel message throughout Scotland and beyond.
December
The First Sunday of Advent - December 3
The four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Advent is a season of preparation and reflection as Christians await the birth of Jesus.
St. Nicholas Day - Wednesday, December 6
Saint Nicholas Day is a feast day that honors Saint Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop known for his kindness and generosity, and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity, his reputation as a protector of children and sailors, and his role as the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus figure.
St. Thomas the Apostle - December 21
Saint Thomas the Apostle is a feast day that honors Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity, including his famous doubting of the resurrection of Jesus until he saw and touched the wounds of Jesus himself, and his missionary works in spreading the Gospel message throughout the world.
Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24
Christmas Eve is observed on December 24, traditionally associated with the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, and is often celebrated with special church services, festive gatherings, and the exchange of gifts.
Christmas - Monday, December 25
Christmas is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus.
St. Stephen, Apostle and Evangelist - December 26
Saint Stephen's Day is a feast that honors Saint Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs, and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity, his steadfast faith, and his martyrdom by stoning, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist - December 27
Saint John's Day is a feast day that honors Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and celebrates his contributions to early Christianity, his writings in the New Testament, and his role in spreading the Gospel message throughout the world.
Holy Innocents - Thursday, December 28
Holy Innocents is a feast day commemorating the infants in Bethlehem who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to eliminate the infant Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, and honors their martyrdom and innocence.
Watch Night - Sunday, December 31
Watch Night is a Christian New Year's Eve service that began in the Methodist tradition and is now observed by various Protestant denominations, which includes prayers, hymns, and devotions, as well as reflection on the year that has passed and anticipation for the year to come.
What Is The Liturgical Calendar?
The liturgical calendar, also known as the Christian calendar or church calendar, is used by many Christian churches to organize and schedule their religious observances throughout the year. It typically follows a yearly cycle that reflects the significant events of the life of Jesus Christ, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, as well as the lives and contributions of saints and other religious figures.
The calendar helps to structure worship, teaching, and prayer in Christian communities and provides a framework for reflection, celebration, and spiritual growth.
What Are Feast Days?
Feast days are special occasions on the liturgical calendar of Christian churches that commemorate significant events or persons in the history of Christianity, such as the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ or the lives and contributions of saints and other religious figures.
These celebrations typically include prayers, Mass or worship services, scripture readings, and other rituals or customs that vary by denomination and culture. Feast days are an essential part of the Christian tradition. Depending on the occasion, they are often observed with solemnity, joy, or both.
Why Are There 40 Days In Some Christian Observances?
The number 40 is significant in Christianity because it is associated with important events and themes in the Bible. In the Old Testament, for example, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the story of Noah's Ark. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after being freed from slavery in Egypt. In the New Testament, Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. After his resurrection, he remained on earth for 40 days before ascending to heaven.
Many Christian celebrations have a period of 40 days to symbolically connect with these biblical stories and themes. For example, the season of Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance that lasts for 40 days leading up to Easter, mirroring Jesus' time in the wilderness.
Similarly, the season of Advent is a period of preparation and waiting that lasts for 40 days leading up to Christmas, symbolizing the Israelites' time of wandering and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Other Christian celebrations, such as the Ascension and the Assumption of Mary, also have 40 days associated with them to connect with biblical themes and stories.
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