Bahá'í Calendar and Holy Days

The Bahá'í calendar is a solar calendar consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the remaining four days (five in leap years) assigned to a celebration called Ayyám-i-Há. A Feast is celebrated on the first day of each month, combining community worship, a business meeting, and socialization.

Bahá'ís celebrate eleven holy days each year. On nine of these, work should be suspended. With the exception of Naw-Rúz, all of these holy days commemorate key events in the lives of the Central Figures of the Faith. Here is a brief description of each holy day, with links to detailed articles for each:

Naw-Rúz, March 21
New year's day, celebrated in Persia for thousands of years.

First Day of Ridván, April 21
The Festival of Ridván is a 12-day period commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of His mission on the eve of His departure from Baghdad for Constantinople in 1863. This day in particular commemorates His arrival in the Najíbíyyih Garden, where His declaration took place. Local and National Spiritual Assemblies are elected on this day. Commemorations of this day should be held at about 3:00 P.M. Work should be suspended on this day.

Ninth Day of Ridván, April 29
This day commemorates the arrival of members of Bahá'u'lláh's family in the Najíbíyyih Garden. Work should be suspended on this day.

Twelfth Day of Ridván, May 2
This day commemorates the departure of Bahá'u'lláh for Constantinople and brings to a close the Festival of Ridván. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Declaration of the Báb, May 23
The Báb declared His mission to Mullá Husayn on this day in 1844, marking the inception of the Bahá'í era. Commemorations should be held at about two hours after sunset. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, May 29
Bahá'u'lláh passed from this life on this date in 1892. Commemorations should be held at 3:00 A.M. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Martyrdom of the Báb, July 9
The Báb was executed by firing squad on this date in 1850. Commemorations should be held at noon. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Birth of the Báb, October 20
This date commemorates the birth of the Báb in 1819. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Birth of Bahá'u'lláh, November 12
This date commemorates the birth of Bahá'u'lláh in 1817. Work should be suspended on this day.

The Day of the Covenant, November 26
'Abdu'l-Bahá did not permit the celebration of His birthday, as it falls on May 23, the same day as the Declaration of the Báb. However, after receiving numerous requests, He designated this day for the Bahá'ís to celebrate His life. Work is not suspended on this day.

The Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, November 28
This day commemorates the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on this day in 1921. Commemorations should be held at 1:00 A.M. Work is not suspended on this day.