This page lists 57 holidays that start with H, from “Hajj” to “Hug a Tree Day.” They include religious festivals, national days, seasonal celebrations, regional traditions, and a few fun fan observances. Use the list to plan travel around local events, find ideas for school or cultural projects, or learn how people mark special days around the world.
Holidays are days set aside to remember an event, honor a belief, or celebrate a season. Some are very old: “Hogmanay,” the Scottish New Year’s Eve party, has roots going back many centuries and still brings neighbors together for first-footing at midnight.
Below you’ll find the table with the holiday name, date, country or region, traditions, and description.
Holiday: The name of the celebration, including a country in brackets when the same name belongs to more than one event, so you can find the one you need.
Date: When the holiday takes place. Some dates are fixed, while others follow lunar or religious calendars and shift every year, so check the current year before you plan.
Country/Region: Where the holiday is mainly observed. This helps you spot celebrations near you or choose events to visit on your next trip.
Traditions: The main customs, foods, and activities that people take part in. You can use these to picture what the day looks like or to plan your own celebration.
Description: A short summary of what the holiday is, why it matters, and where it comes from, so you understand the meaning behind each event.
Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Country/Region | Traditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hajj | 8-13 Dhu al-Hijjah (shifts yearly) | Saudi Arabia (Mecca); observed by Muslims worldwide | Pilgrimage to the Kaaba, circling it seven times, standing at Arafat, stoning pillars at Mina |
| Halloween | October 31 | United States, Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, worldwide | Trick-or-treating, costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, haunted houses |
| Hallowmas | November 1 (All Hallows’ Day) | Christian countries worldwide | Church services, prayers for the saints, lighting candles |
| Hanami | Late March to early April (varies with bloom) | Japan | Picnics under cherry trees, drinking sake, evening lantern viewing |
| Hanamatsuri | April 8 | Japan | Pouring sweet tea over a Buddha statue, flower decorations, temple visits |
| Hangul Day | October 9 | South Korea | Calligraphy contests, speeches, museum events, flag displays |
| Hanukkah | 25 Kislev, lasting eight days (usually December) | Israel and Jewish communities worldwide | Lighting the menorah, spinning dreidels, eating latkes and sufganiyot, giving gifts |
| Hanuman Jayanti | Full moon of Chaitra (usually March-April) | India, Nepal, Hindu communities worldwide | Temple visits, chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, fasting, offering sweets |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 1 Shawwal (shifts yearly) | Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia | Open houses, ketupat and rendang, visiting relatives, asking forgiveness, green packets |
| Hari Raya Haji | 10 Dhu al-Hijjah (shifts yearly) | Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei | Prayers at the mosque, sacrificing livestock, sharing meat with the poor |
| Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival | Early January to February | Harbin, China | Giant ice sculptures, illuminated ice buildings, ice lanterns, winter sports |
| Harvest Festival | Late September to October (varies) | United Kingdom, Canada, Christian communities worldwide | Decorating churches with produce, donating food, singing hymns, shared meals |
| Harvest Home | Late summer to early autumn | England and rural Europe | Last sheaf ceremony, feasting, singing, dancing |
| Hartalika Teej | Third day of Bhadrapada (August-September) | India, Nepal | Fasting without water, wearing green and red, singing folk songs, praying to Shiva and Parvati |
| Hariyali Teej | Shravana (July-August) | North India, Nepal | Swings in gardens, green clothing, henna, folk songs |
| Hawaii Statehood Day | Third Friday in August | Hawaii, United States | Government and community events, cultural performances |
| Heritage Day (South Africa) | September 24 | South Africa | Braais (barbecues), traditional dress, cultural performances |
| Heritage Day (Canada) | Third Monday in February (varies by province) | Alberta, Nova Scotia, Yukon, Canada | Museum visits, community events, cultural showcases |
| Heroes’ Day (Zimbabwe) | Second Monday in August | Zimbabwe | Wreath laying, speeches, memorial ceremonies at National Heroes Acre |
| Heroes’ Day (Uganda) | June 9 | Uganda | Official ceremonies, speeches, military parades |
| Heroes’ Day (Mozambique) | February 3 | Mozambique | Wreath laying, speeches, public ceremonies |
| Hijri New Year | 1 Muharram (shifts yearly) | Muslim-majority countries worldwide | Quiet reflection, prayers, reading about the Hijra, family gatherings |
| Hina Matsuri | March 3 | Japan | Displaying tiered dolls, eating hishimochi and chirashi sushi, drinking amazake |
| Hmong New Year | Late November to December | Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, United States, Hmong communities worldwide | Traditional dress, ball-tossing games, singing, dancing, feasting |
| Hobbit Day | September 22 | Fan communities worldwide | Reading Tolkien, themed meals, costume gatherings |
| Hocktide | Second Monday and Tuesday after Easter | England | Binding passers-by with ropes for a kiss or payment, community fundraising |
| Hogmanay | December 31 | Scotland | First-footing, fireworks, Auld Lang Syne, street parties, torchlight processions |
| Hola Mohalla | Day after Holi (March) | Punjab, India (Anandpur Sahib) | Mock battles, martial arts displays, horse riding, poetry, music |
| Holi | Full moon of Phalguna (March) | India, Nepal, worldwide Hindu communities | Throwing colored powder, bonfires, water balloons, sweets, dancing |
| Holika Dahan | Evening before Holi | India, Nepal | Lighting bonfires, circling the fire, offering grain, singing |
| Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) | 27 Nisan (April-May) | Israel and Jewish communities worldwide | Siren moment of silence, memorial ceremonies, lighting candles, reading victims’ names |
| Holy Innocents’ Day | December 28 | Christian countries, especially Spain and Latin America | Church services, pranks in Spanish-speaking countries, remembrance of children |
| Holy Saturday | Saturday before Easter | Christian countries worldwide | Easter Vigil, lighting the paschal candle, baptisms, blessing Easter baskets |
| Holy Thursday | Thursday before Easter | Christian countries worldwide | Foot washing, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, visiting several churches |
| Holy Week | Week before Easter | Christian countries worldwide | Palm Sunday processions, Good Friday services, Easter Vigil |
| Homowo | August (during the Ga calendar’s harvest season) | Ghana (Ga people, Accra) | Eating kpokpoi, drumming, dancing, ban on noise-making before the festival |
| Hop-tu-Naa | October 31 | Isle of Man | Carving turnip lanterns, singing traditional songs, door-to-door visits |
| Hornbill Festival | December 1-10 | Nagaland, India | Tribal dances, folk music, traditional sports, craft stalls, food |
| Hosay | Month of Muharram (10th day) | Trinidad and Tobago | Parades of decorated tadjahs, drumming, mourning processions |
| Hoshana Rabbah | 21 Tishrei (September-October) | Israel and Jewish communities worldwide | Circling the synagogue seven times with willow branches, all-night study, beating willow branches |
| Human Rights Day | December 10 | Worldwide (United Nations) | Educational events, speeches, campaigns, exhibitions |
| Hungry Ghost Festival | 15th day of the 7th lunar month (August-September) | China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam | Burning joss paper, food offerings, street operas, lanterns |
| Hurricane Supplication Day | Fourth Monday in July | U.S. Virgin Islands | Prayers for protection, church services, hurricane preparedness |
| Hemis Festival | 10th day of Tibetan lunar month (June-July) | Ladakh, India | Masked cham dances, monastery processions, giant thangka unveiling |
| Hakata Gion Yamakasa | July 1-15 (climax July 15) | Fukuoka, Japan | Racing heavy floats through the streets at dawn, shrine rituals, men in loincloths |
| Hadaka Matsuri | Usually February (Saidaiji Eyo is the third Saturday) | Okayama and other places across Japan | Men in loincloths, scrambling for sacred sticks, purification rituals, cold water |
| Haitian Independence Day | January 1 | Haiti | Eating soup joumou, family gatherings, flag ceremonies |
| Haitian Flag Day | May 18 | Haiti | Parades, flag displays, school ceremonies, speeches |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony | August 6 | Hiroshima, Japan | Moment of silence at 8:15 a.m., floating lanterns, peace declaration, bell ringing |
| Hug Day | February 12 | India and online communities | Giving hugs, sending messages, exchanging cards |
| Himachal Day | April 15 | Himachal Pradesh, India | Cultural programs, folk dances, parades |
| Haryana Day | November 1 | Haryana, India | Cultural programs, exhibitions, folk performances |
| Hari Kartini | April 21 | Indonesia | Women wearing traditional kebaya, school parades, speeches |
| Hari Merdeka | August 31 | Malaysia | Parades, flag raising, fireworks, cultural performances |
| Hallowe’en in Ireland (Oíche Shamhna) | October 31 | Ireland | Bonfires, barmbrack cake, costumes, fireworks |
| Harvest Moon Festival | Mid-autumn full moon (September-October) | China, Vietnam, Korea, East Asian communities | Eating mooncakes, lanterns, moon gazing, family reunions |
| Hug a Tree Day | April 3 | United States and online communities | Hugging trees, planting saplings, outdoor walks |
Descriptions
Hajj
The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are able. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and draws millions of people each year.
Halloween
A night of costumes, candy, and spooky decorations with roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain. It is now one of the biggest holidays in the United States.
Hallowmas
Also called All Saints’ Day, this Christian feast honors all saints, known and unknown. It falls the day after Halloween, which takes its name from the “eve” of this day.
Hanami
The Japanese custom of enjoying cherry blossoms in bloom. Friends, families, and coworkers gather in parks to eat and celebrate the arrival of spring.
Hanamatsuri
The Japanese celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. Temples are decorated with flowers, and visitors ladle sweet hydrangea tea over a small statue of the baby Buddha.
Hangul Day
A South Korean holiday honoring the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul, by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century. It celebrates the script’s simplicity and role in national identity.
Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. A candle is added to the menorah each night for eight nights.
Hanuman Jayanti
A Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Hanuman, the monkey god known for devotion, strength, and loyalty to Lord Rama. Devotees gather at temples before dawn for prayers.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
The Malay name for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Families dress in new clothes, visit relatives, and share large festive meals.
Hari Raya Haji
The Malay name for Eid al-Adha, which honors Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Muslims pray together and share meat with family, neighbors, and people in need.
Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival
A huge winter festival where artists build enormous buildings and sculptures from ice and snow. They glow with colored lights at night in the freezing northern Chinese city.
Harvest Festival
A thanksgiving celebration for the gathering of crops at the end of the growing season. Churches and schools often collect food donations for people in need.
Harvest Home
A traditional English celebration marking the end of the harvest. Villagers gathered the final sheaf of grain, then shared a big meal with music and dancing.
Hartalika Teej
A Hindu festival where women fast and pray for marital happiness and a good husband. It honors the devotion of Parvati, who won Shiva as her husband.
Hariyali Teej
A monsoon festival celebrating the union of Shiva and Parvati. Women wear green, apply henna, and enjoy swings decorated with flowers.
Hawaii Statehood Day
Also called Admission Day, it marks Hawaii becoming the 50th U.S. state in 1959. It is observed as a state holiday with many state offices closed.
Heritage Day (South Africa)
A national day celebrating South Africa’s many cultures, beliefs, and traditions. Many people mark it with outdoor barbecues, earning it the nickname “National Braai Day.”
Heritage Day (Canada)
A provincial holiday in parts of Canada, observed in different ways depending on the region. It encourages people to learn about local history and cultural traditions.
Heroes’ Day (Zimbabwe)
A national holiday in Zimbabwe honoring those who fought in the liberation struggle. It is paired with Defence Forces Day the following day.
Heroes’ Day (Uganda)
A national holiday honoring Ugandans who fought for freedom and the country’s development. The date also recalls the Bush War that brought the current government to power.
Heroes’ Day (Mozambique)
A public holiday remembering the country’s heroes of the independence struggle, including Eduardo Mondlane, the founder of the Mozambique Liberation Front, killed in 1969.
Hijri New Year
Also known as the Islamic New Year, it marks the start of the Hijri calendar. The calendar counts from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
Hina Matsuri
Also called Girls’ Day or the Doll Festival, families display ornate dolls dressed in ancient court clothing. It expresses wishes for the health and happiness of daughters.
Hmong New Year
A celebration of the harvest and the year’s end in Hmong communities. Young people toss balls in courtship games, and families wear bright embroidered clothing.
Hobbit Day
A fan holiday marking the shared birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Fans celebrate with readings, second breakfasts, and themed parties.
Hocktide
A medieval English custom where villagers, especially women, would catch men with ropes and demand a small payment. A version survives in Hungerford, Berkshire.
Hogmanay
The Scottish celebration of New Year’s Eve. Neighbors visit after midnight carrying gifts like coal, shortbread, and whisky for good luck in the year ahead.
Hola Mohalla
A three-day Sikh festival of martial skill held after Holi. Founded by Guru Gobind Singh, it features mock battles, horse riding, and processions at Anandpur Sahib.
Holi
The Hindu festival of colors celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. People throw bright powder and water at each other in joyful street celebrations.
Holika Dahan
A bonfire ritual held the night before Holi. It recalls the story of Prahlad, who survived the fire that killed the demoness Holika, and symbolizes good defeating evil.
Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)
A day of mourning for the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. In Israel, a siren sounds and the country stops for two minutes of silence.
Holy Innocents’ Day
A Christian feast remembering the children killed by King Herod in the Nativity story. In Spain and Latin America, it is celebrated with pranks similar to April Fools’ Day.
Holy Saturday
The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when Christians reflect on Jesus lying in the tomb. Many churches hold an evening vigil that welcomes Easter with candles.
Holy Thursday
Also called Maundy Thursday, it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. Many churches hold foot-washing ceremonies in memory of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
Holy Week
The final week of Lent, running from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It recalls Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his crucifixion, and his resurrection, with special services each day.
Homowo
A harvest festival of the Ga people of Ghana, whose name means “hooting at hunger.” It recalls a time of famine overcome by a bountiful harvest.
Hop-tu-Naa
The Manx Halloween celebrated on the Isle of Man, based on the old Celtic New Year. Children carve lanterns from turnips and sing songs while going door to door.
Hornbill Festival
A festival in northeastern India that showcases the culture of Nagaland’s tribes. It is named after the hornbill, a bird important in local folklore, and is nicknamed the “Festival of Festivals.”
Hosay
A Shia Muslim commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. In Trinidad, huge hand-built miniature tombs are carried through the streets with drumming.
Hoshana Rabbah
The seventh day of Sukkot, in which Jewish worshippers make seven circuits of the synagogue holding willow branches. It is considered a day of final judgment and forgiveness.
Human Rights Day
An international day marking the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. Organizations around the world hold events to promote equality and justice.
Hungry Ghost Festival
A Chinese tradition in which the gates of the afterlife are said to open and ghosts roam the world. Families make offerings of food and burn paper money for departed relatives.
Hurricane Supplication Day
A public holiday in the U.S. Virgin Islands when residents pray for safety during hurricane season. It is a reminder to prepare for storms before the peak of the season.
Hemis Festival
A Buddhist festival at Hemis Monastery honoring the birth of Guru Padmasambhava. Monks perform colorful masked dances, and a giant embroidered thangka is displayed every twelve years.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa
A 700-year-old festival in Fukuoka where teams of men in loincloths race giant floats through the city at dawn. It began as a prayer to ward off disease.
Hadaka Matsuri
The Naked Festival is held at shrines across Japan, where crowds of men in loincloths compete for lucky sacred objects in the cold of winter. It is believed to bring good fortune.
Haitian Independence Day
Haiti celebrates its independence from France, declared in 1804, making it the first Black republic. People traditionally eat pumpkin soup (soup joumou), once forbidden to enslaved people.
Haitian Flag Day
A national holiday celebrating the Haitian flag, created in 1803 when Jean-Jacques Dessalines tore the white from the French tricolor. It is also Haitian University Day.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
An annual remembrance of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Thousands gather at the Peace Memorial Park, and lanterns are floated down the Motoyasu River in the evening.
Hug Day
An informal celebration during Valentine’s Week in India, where people show affection with hugs. It falls on the sixth day of the week, just before Kiss Day and Valentine’s Day.
Himachal Day
A state celebration commemorating the formation of Himachal Pradesh in 1948, when about 30 princely states were merged. Cultural events highlight the state’s folk music and mountain traditions.
Haryana Day
A state holiday celebrating the formation of Haryana in 1966, when it separated from Punjab. Events feature traditional music, dance, and displays of local culture.
Hari Kartini
An Indonesian holiday honoring Raden Ajeng Kartini, a pioneer for women’s education and rights. Women and girls often dress in traditional kebaya to mark the day.
Hari Merdeka
Malaysia’s Independence Day, marking independence from British rule in 1957. Celebrations feature a large parade in Kuala Lumpur, fireworks, and flags flying across the country.
Hallowe’en in Ireland (Oíche Shamhna)
Ireland is widely seen as the birthplace of Halloween, which grew from the ancient festival of Samhain. People light bonfires and eat barmbrack, a fruit bread with trinkets baked inside.
Harvest Moon Festival
A harvest celebration held under the autumn full moon, known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Families gather to admire the moon, share mooncakes, and give thanks for the harvest.
Hug a Tree Day
A casual observance encouraging people to appreciate trees and their environmental benefits. It often goes together with tree planting and nature walks.