This page lists 17 holidays that start with Q, from “Qingming Festival” to “Quirinalia”. They come from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas, and include national days, religious observances, and seasonal festivals. Some are still celebrated today, while others, like “Queen’s Day” in the Netherlands, are now part of history. You can use the list to plan a trip around a local festival, find ideas for a school project, or learn how different cultures mark special days.
Holidays are days set aside to honor a person, event, belief, or season, often with shared customs. Some have ancient roots. The “Quebec Winter Carnival”, for example, has welcomed crowds to Quebec City since 1894 with ice sculptures and a snowman mascot.
Below you’ll find the table with the holiday name, date, country or region, traditions, and description for each entry.
Holiday: the name of each celebration, as it is commonly known. You can use it to search for more details or spot a festival you already know.
Date: when the holiday takes place, whether it is a fixed day, a lunar calendar date, or a movable day. It helps you plan ahead.
Country/Region: the place where the holiday is mainly observed. This shows you where each celebration belongs and where you could travel to see it.
Traditions: the customs, foods, ceremonies, and activities people take part in. You get a quick picture of what the day looks like in practice.
Description: a short summary of the holiday’s meaning, origin, and background. It gives you the context to understand why people celebrate it.
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Country/Region | Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qingming Festival | April 4-6 | China, Taiwan, Hong Kong | Sweeping family graves, offering food and incense, burning joss paper, flying kites |
| Qixi Festival | 7th day of the 7th lunar month (August) | China | Gifts between couples, stargazing, weaving and needlework contests, folk romance tales |
| Quebec National Day | June 24 | Quebec, Canada | Bonfires, parades, concerts, fireworks, blue-and-white fleur-de-lis flags |
| Quebec Winter Carnival | Late January to mid-February | Quebec City, Canada | Ice sculptures, night parades, snow canoe races, Bonhomme Carnaval mascot, ice palace |
| Queensland Day | June 6 | Queensland, Australia | Community events, awards for local achievements, flag raising, school activities |
| Queen’s Birthday | Second Monday in June (most Australian states) | Australia, other Commonwealth realms | Day off work, honours list announcements, parades, local events |
| Queen’s Day | April 30 (until 2013) | Netherlands | Orange clothing, nationwide flea markets, street parties, boat parades in Amsterdam |
| Quaid-e-Azam Day | December 25 | Pakistan | Flag hoisting, speeches, tributes at his mausoleum in Karachi, school programs |
| Quezon Day | August 19 | Philippines | Wreath-laying, school programs, local ceremonies, historical talks |
| Quit India Day | August 9 | India | Flag hoisting, tributes to freedom fighters, speeches, school events |
| Quds Day | Last Friday of Ramadan | Iran, parts of the Middle East | Mass rallies, marches, political speeches, prayers |
| Quan Am Festival | 19th day of the 2nd lunar month | Da Nang, Vietnam | Pilgrimages to Marble Mountains, incense offerings, prayers, folk games |
| Quito Foundation Festival | Around December 6 | Quito, Ecuador | Bullfights, street dances, chivas (party buses), parades, music |
| Quasimodo Sunday | Sunday after Easter | Catholic countries | Mass, First Communion celebrations in some regions, readings about Thomas the Apostle |
| Quinquagesima Sunday | Sunday before Ash Wednesday | Christian countries | Mass, pre-Lenten feasting, carnival celebrations |
| Quadragesima Sunday | First Sunday of Lent | Christian countries | Mass, fasting, prayer, readings about the temptation of Christ |
| Quirinalia | February 17 | Ancient Rome | Public sacrifices, offerings at the Quirinal Hill temple, rites for Quirinus |