The Wiccan calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. In 2023, Wiccans will celebrate eight main holidays, also known as Sabbats. These holidays are celebrated to honor and connect with the natural world and the changing energies of the Earth. The first holiday is Imbolc, which falls on February 2nd. It marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Imbolc is a time for purifying, cleansing, and laying the groundwork for new beginnings.

Statement on Academic Accommodations for Religious Holidays

This religious holidays calendar is not an exhaustive list of all religious traditions or of the holidays observed in those traditions. If we have not included a major religious holiday of significance to you, please notify Religious and Spiritual Life via email [email protected].

While we have made an effort to verify the accuracy of the information included here, some inaccuracies may remain. The dates of some holidays, particularly those that are calculated according to a lunar calendar (e.g., Islamic holidays), vary from region to region, and other observances and dates (e.g., Buddhist holidays) vary across cultures.

(language adapted from Harvard Divinity School's Multifaith Calendar webpage)

Religious Holiday Calendar 2023-24

Find more information & schedules for Jewish High Holidays click here.

Fall 2023

Mabon

Rosh Hashanah

Navaratri

Yom Kippur

Sukkot

Shemini Atzeret

Simchat Torah

Diwali

Twin Holy Birthdays:
Birth of Bab/ Báha'u'lláh

Winter 2024

Christmas

Imam Ali's Birthday

Lunar New Year

Ash Wednesday

Mid-Sha'baan

Purim

Holi

Naw-Rúz
(New Year’s Day)

Spring 2024

Ramadan

Palm Sunday

Pesach (Passover)

Imam Ali's Martyrdom

Vaisakhi
(New Year’s Day)

Eid al-Fitr

Imam Ja'far Sadiq's Martyrdom

Yom HaShoah

Shavuot

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The 8 Pagan Sabbats

Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.

Eight sabbats, or seasonal celebrations, form the foundation of many modern pagan traditions. While there's a rich history behind each one, every sabbat is observed by connecting to nature in some way. From Samhain to Beltane, the annual cycle of seasons known as the Wheel of the Year has been influenced by folklore, history, and magic.

Imbolc is a time for purifying, cleansing, and laying the groundwork for new beginnings. Ostara, also known as the spring equinox, is celebrated on March 21st. It is a time to celebrate the arrival of spring and the awakening of the Earth.

Samhain

The fields are bare, the leaves have fallen from the trees, and the skies are going gray and cold. It is the time of year when the earth has died and gone dormant. Annually on October 31, the sabbat called Samhain presents pagans with the opportunity to once more celebrate the cycle of death and rebirth.

In many pagan and Wiccan traditions, Samhain marks a chance to reconnect with our ancestors and honor those who've died. This is the period when the veil between the earthly world and the spirit realm is thin, allowing pagans to make contact with the dead.

Wiccans often honor the balance between light and dark during this holiday. Beltane is celebrated on May 1st. It is a joyous celebration of fertility, growth, and the coming of summer. Many Wiccans perform rituals to honor the union of the god and goddess and to promote abundance and prosperity. Midsummer, also known as Litha, is celebrated on June 21st. It is the longest day of the year and a time of great power and energy. Wiccans often gather to celebrate the everlasting sun and to honor the bountiful harvest to come. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st. It is a time to give thanks for the first harvest of the year and to honor the god Lugh. Wiccans often bake bread during this holiday and share it as a symbol of abundance. Mabon, also known as the autumn equinox, is celebrated on September 21st. It is a time to honor the changing of the seasons and the turning of the wheel of the year. Wiccans often gather to give thanks for the harvest and to prepare for the coming winter. Samhain, also known as Halloween, is celebrated on October 31st. It is a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, and Wiccans often honor their ancestors and communicate with spirits during this holiday. Finally, Yule, also known as the winter solstice, is celebrated on December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year and a time of darkness and introspection. Wiccans often light candles and celebrate the return of the sun as a symbol of hope and renewal. In summary, Wiccan holidays in 2023 will celebrate the changing seasons and the cycles of the moon. These Sabbats provide opportunities for Wiccans to connect with nature, honor the Earth, and celebrate the different energies and aspects of life..

Reviews for "Connecting with Nature: Wiccan Outdoor Celebrations in 2023"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I was looking for information on Wiccan holidays in 2023, but this book fell short of my expectations. The content was shallow and lacked depth. It barely scratched the surface of each holiday, providing minimal details and explanations. The author failed to engage the reader and make the holidays come alive. Overall, I found the book to be superficial and unsatisfying.

2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Wiccan Holidays 2023" was a complete letdown. The book promised a comprehensive guide to Wiccan holidays in the upcoming year, but it delivered anything but. The information provided was sparse, and I felt like I could have found more detailed explanations with a simple internet search. The lack of depth in this book was disappointing, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking thorough information on Wiccan holidays.

3. Andrew - 2/5 stars - I was excited to dive into "Wiccan Holidays 2023" as a beginner Wiccan, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The book provided a brief overview of each holiday, but it lacked the practical aspects I was looking for. I was hoping to find rituals, traditions, and suggestions on how to celebrate each holiday, but these were barely touched upon. The book may be suitable for someone just starting to explore Wiccan holidays, but it offers little value for those seeking a deeper understanding and guidance.

4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Wiccan Holidays 2023" had some useful information, it failed to meet my expectations overall. The book touched on the various Wiccan holidays but provided limited details about their origins and significance. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dry and lacking the enthusiasm that usually accompanies discussions of spiritual practices. It felt more like a textbook than an engaging guide. I would recommend looking for alternative resources to gain a better understanding of Wiccan holidays.

Honoring the God and Goddess in Wiccan Holidays 2023