This page lists 17 holidays that start with Z, running from “Zaduszki” to “Zimbabwe Unity Day”. They come from Africa, Asia, and Europe, and include national days, religious observances, harvest fairs, and cultural festivals. You can use the list to plan travel around local celebrations, learn about other cultures, or find ideas for school projects and events.
Holidays are special days set aside to honor a person, a belief, a historic event, or a season. Some are very local, like “Zibelemärit,” a one-day onion market in Bern where people throw confetti in the streets.
Below you’ll find the table with each holiday, its date, where it is celebrated, its main traditions, and a short description.
Holiday: The name of the celebration as it is commonly used, so you can recognize it, search for it, and tell similar days apart.
Date: When the holiday takes place. Some dates are fixed, while others follow a lunar or religious calendar and change from year to year.
Country/Region: The country, city, or community where the holiday is observed, which helps you see where each celebration belongs and where you could join in.
Traditions: The customs people follow on the day, such as parades, special foods, prayers, or ceremonies, so you know what to expect when you take part.
Description: A short summary of what the holiday means, why it started, and how people mark it, giving you the background in a few sentences.
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Country/Region | Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaduszki | November 2 | Poland | Visiting cemeteries, lighting candles on graves, laying flowers and praying for the dead |
| Zamboanga Hermosa Festival | October 12 (celebrated through the month) | Zamboanga City, Philippines | Street dancing, fluvial parade, regattas, Chavacano cultural shows and religious processions |
| Zamenhof Day | December 15 | International (Esperanto community) | Esperanto gatherings, book events, readings and language-themed celebrations |
| Zambia Farmers’ Day | First Monday of August | Zambia | Agricultural shows, awards for top farmers, trade stands and livestock displays |
| Zambia Heroes’ Day and Unity Day | First Monday and Tuesday of July | Zambia | Wreath-laying ceremonies, national speeches, parades and community events |
| Zambia Independence Day | October 24 | Zambia | Flag-raising ceremonies, parades, speeches, music and family gatherings |
| Zambia Youth Day | March 12 | Zambia | Youth forums, sports events, cultural performances and community service |
| Zanzibar Revolution Day | January 12 | Zanzibar, Tanzania | Military parades, official speeches, cultural events and public gatherings |
| Zarthosht No Deeso | Around December 26 (varies by Zoroastrian calendar) | India (Parsi community) and Iran | Prayers at fire temples, remembrance ceremonies for the prophet and community meals |
| Zayed Humanitarian Day | 19th of Ramadan | United Arab Emirates | Charity drives, volunteering and community giving |
| Zibelemärit | Fourth Monday of November | Bern, Switzerland | Onion braids and market stalls, confetti fights, onion pie and onion soup |
| Zhongqiu Festival | 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September or October) | China and Chinese communities worldwide | Eating mooncakes, family reunions, moon gazing and lantern displays |
| Zhongyuan Festival | 15th day of the 7th lunar month | China, Taiwan and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia | Offerings to ancestors, burning joss paper, floating lanterns and Buddhist and Taoist rituals |
| Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day | Tuesday after Heroes’ Day (August) | Zimbabwe | Military parades, wreath-laying and commemorative speeches |
| Zimbabwe Heroes’ Day | Second Monday of August | Zimbabwe | Wreath-laying at National Heroes Acre, speeches, memorial events and processions |
| Zimbabwe Independence Day | April 18 | Zimbabwe | Flag-raising ceremonies, parades, speeches, concerts and sporting events |
| Zimbabwe Unity Day | December 22 | Zimbabwe | Official ceremonies, speeches and community gatherings |
Descriptions
Zaduszki
Zaduszki is the Polish name for All Souls’ Day, the day after All Saints’ Day. Families gather at graveyards after dark, and the candle-lit cemeteries are one of the most recognizable sights of Polish autumn.
Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
Zamboanga Hermosa Festival honors Our Lady of the Pillar and celebrates the city’s Chavacano heritage. Events include a river parade of decorated boats, music, food fairs and cultural performances.
Zamenhof Day
Zamenhof Day marks the birthday of Ludwik Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto. Speakers of the language around the world mark it with meetings, readings and Esperanto book displays.
Zambia Farmers’ Day
Zambia Farmers’ Day is a public holiday that recognizes the role of farmers in feeding the nation. Agricultural shows and exhibitions take place across the country.
Zambia Heroes’ Day and Unity Day
These two consecutive public holidays honor those who fought for Zambia’s independence and celebrate national unity. Official ceremonies are held in Lusaka, with wreaths laid at national monuments.
Zambia Independence Day
Zambia Independence Day commemorates the end of British rule in 1964. It is marked with official ceremonies and public celebrations across the country.
Zambia Youth Day
Zambia Youth Day celebrates the contribution of young people to national development. Activities focus on education, skills, sports and civic participation.
Zanzibar Revolution Day
Zanzibar Revolution Day commemorates the 1964 uprising that overthrew the Sultan of Zanzibar. It is a public holiday in Tanzania, with the main ceremonies held in Zanzibar.
Zarthosht No Deeso
Zarthosht No Deeso marks the death anniversary of the prophet Zoroaster. Zoroastrians honor his teachings with prayers at fire temples and gatherings.
Zayed Humanitarian Day
Zayed Humanitarian Day honors Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, who died on 19 Ramadan in 2004. It encourages charitable work and volunteering across the country.
Zibelemärit
Zibelemärit, or Onion Market, is a one-day fair in Bern where farmers sell onions arranged in decorative braids. Locals throw confetti and eat onion tarts, and the city center is packed from early morning.
Zhongqiu Festival
Zhongqiu Festival is the Chinese name for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Families gather under the full moon to share mooncakes and fruit and give thanks for the harvest.
Zhongyuan Festival
Zhongyuan Festival, also called the Ghost Festival, is when the gates of the underworld are believed to open. People make offerings of food and paper money to ancestors and wandering spirits.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day honors the country’s armed forces and takes place the day after Heroes’ Day. Ceremonies are held in Harare and other provinces.
Zimbabwe Heroes’ Day
Zimbabwe Heroes’ Day remembers those who died in the liberation struggle. The main ceremony takes place at National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Zimbabwe Independence Day
Zimbabwe Independence Day marks the country’s independence from Britain in 1980. It is celebrated with national ceremonies, military displays and public festivities.
Zimbabwe Unity Day
Zimbabwe Unity Day commemorates the 1987 Unity Accord between the country’s two main political parties. It is a public holiday marked by official speeches and events.