Major Jewish Holidays Calendar List in 2024 and 2025

Major Jewish holidays are an integral part of the Jewish faith, and each year, they bring with them a rich tapestry of traditions, culture, and faith. They are also important to Christians for whom the Biblical holidays provide a deeper understanding into the Bible. The Hebrew calendar is filled with significant festivals and observances, each with its unique meaning and customs that are important to Jewish life and Jewish community. This comprehensive guide to Jewish holidays with their dates in both the Gregorian and Hebrew calendar can be useful for planning your upcoming celebrations.

Jewish Holidays in 2025

  • Rosh Hashanah: Tishrei 1-2, 5786 — September 22nd and 23rd, 2025
  • Yom Kippur: Tishrei 10, 5786 — October 1st, 2025
  • Sukkot: Tishrei 15-22, 5786 — October 6th to October 13th, 2025
  • Shemini Atzeret: Tishrei 23, 5786 — October 14th to October 15th, 2025
  • Simchat Torah: Tishrei 23-24, 5786 — October 15th to October 16th, 2025

Rosh Hashanah: Head of the Year

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is also one of two Jewish High Holidays, part of the yamim noraim (Days of Awe). It falls on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Jews around the world observe this holiday by attending synagogue services, sounding the shofar (ram’s horn), wishing one another “Shanah Tovah,” and sharing festive meals with family and friends. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar.

Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year and follows ten days after Rosh Hashanah. It is a solemn day of fasting and repentance. Jews seek forgiveness for their past deeds and sins through prayer and self-reflection. Many spend the entire day in synagogue engaging in intense prayer services and introspection. It is the second of the High Holy Days (High Holidays).

Sukkot: The Feast of Booths

Sukkot, often called the Feast of Tabernacles, is a joyful harvest festival celebrated from Tishrei 15 to 22. During this holiday, Jews remember the story of the exodus and build temporary huts (sukkot). It is a joyous holiday, where meals are eaten in the sukkah, and people wave the “Four Species” (etrog, lulav, myrtle, and willow), symbolizing the unity of the Jewish people.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are overlapping holidays that directly follow Sukkot. Shemini Atzeret is a day of assembly and reflection when Jews pray for rain in the upcoming agricultural year, remembering biblical times and the dependence on seasonal rain for crops. In Israel, this day also marks the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle. Simchat Torah, celebrated after Shemini Atzeret, marks the completion of the Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new cycle. Jews around the world celebrate with joyous dancing, singing, and reading the last portion of Deuteronomy, followed by the beginning of Genesis.

Resources for Learning and Celebration

One of the best resources for learning more about Jewish life, traditions AND current events is Chabad.org. For additional aid to worship, a 16-month Jewish/Christian calendar (September 2024 through December 2025) provides notation of all the Jewish holy days, Christian holidays, and U.S. holidays. Such resources often include:

  • Details on Biblical Festivals
  • The Parashot (Torah Readings) for Each Sabbath
  • Thorough Explanation of the Lunar Jewish Calendar

Furthermore, educational materials can enhance the experience for the family:

  • Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: With Honey, Prayers, and the Shofar by Deborah Heiligman
  • The Feasts of the Lord by Kevin Howard and Marvin Rosenthal
  • Once Upon An Apple Cake: A Rosh Hashana Story by Elaina Rubinstein
  • Zoe Discovers the Day of Atonement by Rene Annette Wallace
  • Zoe Discovers the Feast of Booths: Understanding Sukkot for Christian Kids by Rene Annette Wallace