Welcome to TIO’s Religious Calendar

march 2026

For Native Americans, March marks Pooní, the Moon of Snow Blindness or Worm Moon, when the ground begins to soften and the first signs of renewal appear. It is the time when winter’s cold weakens, and the people prepare for planting and new beginnings. Thanksgiving ceremonies are held to honor the returning light, the flowing rivers, and the awakening Earth. Among the Plains and Woodland tribes, this is a season of cleansing, renewal, and gratitude for the balance between rest and rebirth. 

March 2026

Sunday, March 1

  • Saint David of Wales Day – Christian 
    This day is a celebration of not only St. David, but also Wales as a whole. St. David was revered for his teachings, founded several monastic settlements and churches, and is believed to have performed miracles during his life. Traditional festivities include wearing daffodils and leeks, recognized symbols of Wales and Saint David, respectively, eating traditional Welsh food including cawl and Welsh rarebit, and women wearing traditional Welsh dress.  

Monday, March 2

  • ‘Alá – Bahá’í 
    The beginning of the nineteenth and final month, meaning “loftiness,” and also of a 19-day fast in preparation for Naw Rúz [through March 20].  Adult believers in good health abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. 

  • Purim [through March 3] – Judaism 
    Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It is a celebration of the Jews’ rescue from an evil plot to destroy them while they were living in Persia, the events of which are recorded in the Hebrew biblical book of Esther. The holiday includes reading the Megillah (the scroll of Esther), exchanging gifts, and special pastries called hamantashen. 

Tuesday, March 3

  • Lantern Festival – Taoism 
    This festival marks the end of the new year’s celebration in China, with the entrance of the first full moon.  Children venture out to temples with paper lanterns, solving riddles written on the lanterns. 

Wednesday, March 4

  • Hola Mohalla — Sikhism  
    "Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival that takes place on the first of the lunar month of Chet. It follows Holi by one day; Hola is the masculine form of the feminine sounding Holi. In contrast to Holi, when people shower each other in colored powder Hola Mohalla is an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in simulated battles. 

Saturday, March 14

  • Memorial of Shan-tao (Zendō) – Buddhism 
    Anniversary of the death of a Chinese Pure Land Buddhist priest who died in 681 C.E. He taught that enlightenment could occur simply through repetition of the name of Amitabha or Amida Buddha (nianfo or nembutsu), and is honored as the Fifth Patriarch of that Buddhist school. 

Monday, March 16

  • Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem, Fravardegan, or Muktad [through March 2o] – Zoroastrianism  
    A celebration of the creation of human beings and a commemoration of souls who have died. Prayers are offered to the fravashis (the divine spark within each human, which lives forever), asking for their blessings and protection. 

Tuesday, March 17

  • Saint Patrick’s Day – Christianity (Western churches) 
    A commemoration of the missionary bishop who evangelized Ireland in the fifth century C.E. 

Thursday, March 19 

  • Feast of Saint Joseph– Christian 
    Celebrated every year on March 19th, this is the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary and earthly father of Jesus Christ. It has the rank of a solemnity in the Catholic Church. It is also the day Italy celebrates Father’s Day and when those with the name is Joseph or Josephine, celebrate their onomastico. 

Friday, March 20

  • Ostara — Pagan 
    Ostara takes place on the Spring Equinox. In 2024, this is March 20th in the Northern hemisphere and September 21st in the Southern hemisphere. Ostara marks the moment in the wheel of the year where the balance between light and dark is restored. Pagan celebrations during this holiday have themes of balance, renewal, and rebirth. 

Wednesday, March 25

  • Feast of the Annunciation – Christianity (Western and Eastern churches) 
    This festival marks the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary of Nazareth and Mary’s faithful response to God’s plan by consenting to be Jesus’ mother.    

Thursday, March 26

  • Rama Navami – Hinduism 
    Rama Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is observed on the ninth day of the Chaitra month, typically in March or April. It's a time for devotion, rituals, and remembering Rama's virtues and the triumph of good over evil. He is often held as an emblem within Hinduism for being an ideal king and human through his righteousness, good conduct, and virtue. 

Sunday, March 29

  • Palm Sunday – Christian 
    Palm Sunday always occurs one week before Easter Sunday. However, the day of Easter depends upon the movement of the moon. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the Full Moon, occurring on or after March 21. If the Full Moon is on a Sunday, Easter is observed on the following Sunday.