Pagan festival
February 2nd | Imbolc |
March 20th | Vernal equinox / Ostara |
May 1st | Beltane |
June 21st | Summer solstice / Litha |
August 1st | Lammas |
September 22nd | Autumnal equinox / Mabon |
October 31st | Samhain |
December 21st | Winter solstice / Yule |
The exact date each year can vary slightly. The dates are different in the southern hemisphere. |
There are eight major pagan festivals. These are based upon the seasons. They are celebrated in different ways by different groups.
The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year, the Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. The equinoxes are the days equally between the solstices.
Neopagan Festivals
Samhain
Pronounced "SOW-FOOT" or "sow-heen". The start of the Pagan year), on or near October 31 or November 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio (adopted as Halloween by non-pagans)
Yule
The winter solstice, occurs when the sun reaches its southernmost point, between December 20 and December 23
Imbolc
Also known as Oimelc, Brigid, or Candlemas), February 1 or 2 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Aquarius
Ostara
The vernal equinox or Spring equinox, when the sun crosses the equator moving northward, occurs March 20-23
Beltane
May 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus
Litha
Midsummer. The summer solstice, when the sun reaches its northernmost point, June 20-23
Lammas
Also known as Lughnasadh, pronounced "loo-nuh-saa"). August 1 or when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo
Mabon
The autumnal equinox, when the sun crosses the equator moving southward, September 20-23
Southern Hemisphere Dates
The longest day in the northern hemisphere is the shortest in the southern, so the festivals are rotated by 180 degrees.
February 2nd | Lammas |
March 20th | Autumnul equinox / Mabon |
May 1st | Samhane |
June 21st | Winter solstice / Yule |
August 1st | Imbolc |
September 22nd | Vernal equinox / Ostara |
October 31st | Beltane |
December 21st | Summer solstice / Litha |