Here are 40 holidays that start with C, running from “Calan Gaeaf” to “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti”. The list mixes religious feasts, national days, harvest festivals, and seasonal celebrations from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. You can use it to plan travel around local events, find ideas for classroom lessons, or learn how different cultures mark the year.
Holidays are special days set aside to honor a belief, a person, a season, or a moment in history. They can be very old. In Iran, people still leap over bonfires on “Chaharshanbe Suri,” a fire festival rooted in ancient Persian custom.
Below you’ll find the table with each holiday’s date, location, traditions, and a short description.
Holiday: The name of the celebration, so you can quickly spot the ones you know and discover new ones worth looking up.
Date: When the holiday takes place, including fixed dates, lunar calendar dates, and “floating” days, so you can plan around the right time of year.
Country/Region: The places where the holiday is observed, which helps you see whether it is local, national, or celebrated across many countries.
Traditions: The main customs, foods, and activities that people take part in, giving you a quick picture of how the day is celebrated.
Description: A short explanation of what the holiday marks and why it matters, so you understand its history and meaning at a glance.
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Country/Region | Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calan Gaeaf | November 1 (celebrated on the night of October 31) | Wales | Bonfires, costumes, ghost stories, apple games |
| Calan Mai | May 1 | Wales | Maypole dancing, bonfires, flower garlands, Mai singers |
| Canada Day | July 1 | Canada | Fireworks, parades, concerts, barbecues, wearing red and white |
| Canberra Day | Second Monday of March | Australian Capital Territory, Australia | Canberra Day festival, hot air balloons, concerts, community events |
| Candlemas | February 2 | Christian communities worldwide, especially Europe | Blessing of candles, church processions, crepes in France |
| Carnival | Late February or early March (the days before Lent) | Brazil, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, and other countries | Parades, masks, costumes, samba, street parties |
| Casimir Pulaski Day | First Monday of March | Illinois, United States | School closures, Polish American community events, parades |
| Cesar Chavez Day | March 31 | United States, mainly California, Texas, and Colorado | Marches, community service, school lessons |
| Chaharshanbe Suri | Evening of the last Tuesday before Nowruz (mid-March) | Iran and Persian communities worldwide | Jumping over bonfires, fireworks, sharing nuts and dried fruits |
| Chaitra Navratri | March or April (nine days) | India and Nepal | Fasting, prayers to goddess Durga, temple visits |
| Chakri Day | April 6 | Thailand | Wreath laying, royal ceremonies, government office closures |
| Chanukah | Eight days starting on 25 Kislev (usually late November to December) | Jewish communities worldwide, especially Israel and the United States | Lighting the menorah, spinning dreidels, eating fried foods, giving gifts |
| Chaul Chnam Thmey | April 13 to 16 | Cambodia | Building sand mounds, water splashing, temple visits, traditional games |
| Cheti Chand | March or April (first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra) | India, Pakistan, and Sindhi communities worldwide | Processions, community meals, prayers to Jhulelal |
| Cherry Blossom Festival | Late March to mid-April | Japan and Washington, D.C., United States | Picnics under blooming trees, parades, cultural performances |
| Cheung Chau Bun Festival | Late April to May (eighth day of the fourth lunar month) | Hong Kong | Bun towers, parades with costumed children, lion dances |
| Chhath Puja | October or November (four days after Diwali) | Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal | Fasting, standing in water at sunrise and sunset, offering fruit to the sun |
| Children’s Day | Varies by country (November 20 for Universal Children’s Day, June 1 in many countries) | Worldwide, including Japan, Turkey, and India | Gifts, school events, outings, family activities |
| Chilseok | 7th day of the 7th lunar month (July or August) | Korea | Ancestral rites, eating seasonal foods, stargazing |
| Chinese New Year | Between January 21 and February 20 (first day of the lunar year) | China, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Chinese communities worldwide | Red envelopes, lion dances, fireworks, family reunion dinners |
| Chongyang Festival | 9th day of the 9th lunar month (October) | China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan | Climbing mountains, drinking chrysanthemum tea, honoring elders |
| Christ the King Sunday | Last Sunday before Advent (late November) | Catholic and many Protestant churches worldwide | Church services, processions, special prayers |
| Christmas | December 25 (January 7 in some Orthodox churches) | Worldwide | Decorated trees, gift giving, family meals, carols, church services |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | Worldwide | Midnight Mass, family dinners, opening gifts, carols |
| Chulalongkorn Day | October 23 | Thailand | Laying wreaths, ceremonies at the Royal Plaza, student tributes |
| Chuseok | 15th day of the 8th lunar month (September or October) | South Korea and North Korea | Ancestral rites, songpyeon rice cakes, family visits, folk games |
| Cinco de Mayo | May 5 | Mexico and the United States | Parades, mariachi music, Mexican food, folkloric dancing |
| Civic Holiday | First Monday of August | Canada | Long weekend, festivals, picnics, travel |
| Clean Monday | 48 days before Orthodox Easter (February or March) | Greece and Cyprus | Kite flying, picnics, meat-free meals, lagana bread |
| Cold Food Festival | One or two days before Qingming (around April 4 to 5) | China and Korea | Eating cold dishes, no cooking fires, visiting graves |
| Coming of Age Day | Second Monday of January | Japan | Wearing kimono and formal suits, ceremonies, parties |
| Colorado Day | August 1 | Colorado, United States | Parades, historical events, local festivals |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday of October (October 12 in some countries) | United States, Spain, Italy, and parts of Latin America | Parades, school lessons, ceremonies |
| Commonwealth Day | Second Monday of March | Commonwealth of Nations countries | School events, multi-faith services, flag raising |
| Constitution Day | September 17 in the United States (varies by country) | United States, and many countries worldwide | School lessons on the constitution, reading of the document, ceremonies |
| Corpus Christi | Thursday after Trinity Sunday (60 days after Easter, in May or June) | Catholic countries including Poland, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil | Street processions, flower carpets, church services |
| Crop Over | Early July to the first Monday of August | Barbados | Costumes, calypso music, parades, Kadooment Day |
| Culture Day | November 3 | Japan | Award ceremonies, art exhibits, museum visits |
| Cyril and Methodius Day | May 24 in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, July 5 in Czechia and Slovakia | Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Czechia, and Slovakia | Parades, school celebrations, church services |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti | February 19 | Maharashtra, India | Processions, folk songs, fort visits, tributes |
Descriptions
Calan Gaeaf
The Welsh first day of winter and the Celtic start of the dark half of the year. Folklore says spirits roam the night, including a tailless black sow said to chase stragglers.
Calan Mai
A Welsh May Day festival marking the first day of summer. Communities welcome spring with dancing, singing, and flowers, and the day is tied to Celtic traditions older than Christianity.
Canada Day
Canada’s national day, marking the 1867 union of three colonies into the Dominion of Canada. Celebrations are held in every province, with big events in Ottawa.
Canberra Day
A public holiday in Australia’s capital territory marking the naming of Canberra in 1913. It is celebrated with the Canberra Festival and outdoor family events.
Candlemas
A Christian feast marking the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, forty days after Christmas. Candles are blessed for the year ahead, and in some places the day is tied to weather lore.
Carnival
A festive season of parades and revelry held before the fasting of Lent. Famous versions include Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and Trinidad, each with its own music, costumes, and food.
Casimir Pulaski Day
A state holiday honoring Casimir Pulaski, the Polish cavalry commander who fought for American independence. It is observed mainly in Illinois, home to a large Polish American community.
Cesar Chavez Day
A holiday honoring Cesar Chavez, the labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers. Many people mark it with service projects and educational events about farmworker rights.
Chaharshanbe Suri
An ancient Persian fire festival held before the Persian New Year. People leap over small bonfires while saying a phrase that trades their sickness and sorrow for the fire’s warmth and energy.
Chaitra Navratri
A nine-day Hindu festival honoring the goddess Durga in her many forms. It begins the Hindu lunar new year in many regions, and devotees often fast and visit temples.
Chakri Day
A Thai public holiday remembering the founding of the Chakri dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I. Wreaths are laid at statues of the Chakri kings in Bangkok.
Chanukah
The Jewish Festival of Lights, which recalls the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. A new candle is lit on each of the eight nights.
Chaul Chnam Thmey
The Khmer New Year, a three-day celebration at the end of the harvest season. People clean their homes, make offerings at temples, and play games, with plenty of splashing water.
Cheti Chand
The Sindhi New Year, celebrated in honor of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhi Hindu community. Devotees offer prayers, hold processions, and share festive meals.
Cherry Blossom Festival
A spring celebration of the short-lived cherry blossom bloom. In Japan, the custom is called hanami, while Washington, D.C. holds a festival marking a 1912 gift of trees from Tokyo.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
A Hong Kong festival on Cheung Chau island featuring towers covered in sweet buns and a colorful parade. It began as a ritual to ward off ghosts and ill fortune.
Chhath Puja
A Hindu festival dedicated to the sun god Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya. Devotees fast and make offerings at riverbanks, thanking the sun for sustaining life.
Children’s Day
A day devoted to the well-being and happiness of children. The date differs across countries, such as May 5 in Japan and April 23 in Turkey.
Chilseok
A traditional Korean festival based on the legend of two star-crossed lovers, the weaver girl and the cowherd, who meet once a year. People also eat seasonal foods like wheat pancakes.
Chinese New Year
The most important holiday in Chinese culture, marking the start of the lunar new year. Families gather for a reunion dinner, give red envelopes, and decorate with red for good luck.
Chongyang Festival
Also called the Double Ninth Festival, this day is associated with long life and respect for older people. Families traditionally climb hills and enjoy chrysanthemum flowers.
Christ the King Sunday
A Christian feast celebrating the kingship of Christ. It closes the church year and was introduced by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
Christmas
The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, also widely observed as a cultural holiday. Traditions include gift giving, decorated trees, and festive meals, which vary by country.
Christmas Eve
The evening before Christmas Day. In many countries, such as Germany, Poland, and Spain, it is the main night of celebration, with special meals and gift opening.
Chulalongkorn Day
A Thai holiday honoring King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who ruled from 1868 to 1910. He is remembered for modernizing the country and abolishing slavery.
Chuseok
Often called Korean Thanksgiving, this harvest festival is one of Korea’s biggest holidays. Families travel to their hometowns, honor ancestors, and share foods like songpyeon.
Cinco de Mayo
A holiday commemorating Mexico’s 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. It is a regional observance in Mexico and a large cultural celebration in the United States.
Civic Holiday
A holiday in much of Canada that goes by different local names, such as Heritage Day or Simcoe Day. It is not a statutory holiday in every province.
Clean Monday
The first day of Lent in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Families head outdoors to fly kites and enjoy fasting-friendly foods like lagana bread and seafood.
Cold Food Festival
An ancient East Asian observance in which people avoid lighting fires and eat only cold food. It honors the memory of Jie Zitui, an loyal official in Chinese legend.
Coming of Age Day
A Japanese holiday celebrating young people who have turned 20 or have reached adulthood that year. Many attend local ceremonies in traditional dress.
Colorado Day
A state holiday marking Colorado’s admission to the Union in 1876. It is observed with local events, though it is not a day off for most people.
Columbus Day
A holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus’s 1492 arrival in the Americas. Some US states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead or in addition.
Commonwealth Day
A yearly celebration of the Commonwealth, a group of 56 countries with historical ties to Britain. A theme is chosen each year, and the King delivers a message.
Constitution Day
A holiday marking the signing or adoption of a country’s constitution. In the United States, it honors the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Corpus Christi
A Catholic feast honoring the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Towns hold processions, and some decorate streets with elaborate carpets of flowers.
Crop Over
A Barbadian festival that began as a celebration of the end of the sugar cane harvest. Today it features calypso competitions, street parties, and a grand costume parade.
Culture Day
A Japanese public holiday promoting the arts, culture, and academic achievement. The Order of Culture is awarded by the Emperor, and many museums offer free entry.
Cyril and Methodius Day
A holiday honoring the two Byzantine brothers who created the Glagolitic alphabet and spread Christianity among the Slavs. In Bulgaria, it also celebrates education and culture.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
A holiday celebrating the birth of Shivaji, the 17th century founder of the Maratha Empire. It is marked with parades, speeches, and tributes across Maharashtra.