Bahá'í Holy Days
Throughout the year Bahá'ís commemorate the key moments in the history of their Faith with prayer, joy and fellowship.
The Badí' Calendar
The Bahá'í year has nineteen months of nineteen days and begins at the spring equinox. On nine holy days work is suspended; the other two commemorations below are observed without that obligation. Dates start at sunset the evening before.
The Year
Holy Days and Commemorations
Naw-Rúz
March 20 or 21
The Bahá'í New Year, celebrated at the spring equinox after the Nineteen-Day Fast, as a festival of renewal and joy.
Riḍván
April 21 – May 2
The twelve-day “Most Great Festival” recalling when Bahá'u'lláh declared His mission in 1863. The first, ninth and twelfth days are holy days.
Declaration of the Báb
May 23
Commemorates the night in 1844 when the Báb announced that He was the herald of a new Messenger of God.
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh
May 29
Marks the passing of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892. Bahá'ís gather to pray and remember His life and teachings.
Martyrdom of the Báb
July 9
Commemorates the execution of the Báb in Tabriz in 1850 at the age of thirty.
Birth of the Báb
Varies each year (October or November)
Celebrates the birth of the Báb in 1819. It is observed together with the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh as the “Twin Holy Birthdays”.
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh
Varies each year (October or November)
Celebrates the birth of Bahá'u'lláh in Tehran in 1817 with prayers, music and festivities.
Day of the Covenant
November 26
Honours 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the Centre of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, which safeguards the unity of the Faith.
Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
November 28
Commemorates the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921, remembered as the perfect exemplar of the Bahá'í teachings.
The Nineteen-Day Feast
On the first day of every Bahá'í month, the community gathers for a Feast with three parts: devotions, consultation on community affairs, and fellowship.
It is a moment to strengthen bonds of friendship, to share news and to decide together how best to serve.
“Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.”
— Bahá'u'lláhThe Nineteen-Day Fast
Each year, from March 2 to 20, Bahá'ís between the ages of 15 and 70 abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. It is a time of prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal; exemptions apply for health, travel and other reasons.