Welcome to TIO’s Religious Calendar
november 2025
For Native Americans, November marks Gwilatkw, the blanket season of the first snow, when the Earth covers herself for her winter sleep. This month also carries themes of remembrance and gratitude across traditions: Christians honor the departed with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, while Latino/a/x communities celebrate Día de los Muertos. Sikhs observe Guru Nanak’s Birthday, Shinto followers give thanks at Niiname-no-Matsuri, and Bahá’ís mark Qudrat, Qawl, the Day of the Covenant, and the Ascension of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Nativity Fast begins for Orthodox Christians, and the U.S. observes Native American Heritage Day, celebrating Indigenous cultures and contributions.
november 2025
Saturday, November 1
All Saints Day – Christianity [Western churches]
A commemoration of the lives of people, known and unknown, whose holiness and compassion toward others represent the best Christian virtues. In some Christian traditions, the following day is reserved for intercessions for the dead and is known as All Souls’ Day. Latino/a/x people in North and Central America mark these days in connection with celebrations of Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
Día de los Muertos – Cultural/Christian [Ends November 2]
Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations.
Sunday, November 2
All Souls Day
A holy day set aside for honoring the dead. The day is primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church, but it is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and a few other denominations of Christianity. The Anglican church is the largest protestant church to celebrate the holy day. Most protestant denominations do not recognize the holiday and disagree with the theology behind it.
Monday, November 3
Qudrat – Bahá’í
The beginning of the thirteenth month of the Bahá’í year meaning “power.”
Wednesday, November 5
Gurū Nanak’s Birthday – Sikhism
Sikhs commonly celebrate the birthday of their founder, Gurū Nanak Dev Ji, on the full moon day of Kartik, even though the guru’s biographers record his birth on April 15, 1469 C.E. A poet and mystic, Guru Nanak wrote 974 hymns that are included in the Sikh scriptures, known as the Gurū Granth Sahib.
Saturday, November 15
Nativity Fast – Orthodox Christian [Ends December 24]
“The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. The Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and almsgiving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God.” -- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Sunday, November 23
Niiname-no-Matsuri – Shinto
“On November 23, the Emperor of Japan will perform one of the most important Shinto rituals in Japan, Niiname-sai. Niiname-sai, also celebrated non-religiously as Labor Thanksgiving Day, is a thanksgiving celebration in its own right. During the ritual, the Emperor shows gratitude to the gods for Japan’s harvest through offerings. One of the key offerings in this ceremony is Japan’s national drink, made from freshly harvested rice, sake.” -- Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association
Christ the King Sunday – Christianity
This feast day commemorates Jesus’ teaching that he will return at the end of time to judge humanity. In the Western Christian liturgical year, this is the last Sunday; the following Sunday (i.e., the first Sunday of Advent) marks the beginning of a new year.
Tuesday, November 25
Qawl – Bahá’í
The beginning of the fourteenth month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “speech.”
Day of the Covenant – Bahá’í
A celebration of the appointment of ’Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, as the Center of the Covenant in New York City in 1912 C.E. Devout followers begin their remembrance the preceding evening and do not suspend work on this day.
Thursday, November 27
Ascension of ’Abdu’l-Bahá – Bahá’í [Ends November 28]
The commemoration of the death of the Center of the Covenant in Haifa, Palestine, in 1921 C.E. Devout followers begin their remembrance the preceding evening and are allowed to work on this day.
Friday, November 28
Native American Heritage Day – Civil Holiday
The Native American Heritage Day encourages Americans of all backgrounds to appreciate the indigenous cultures appropriately, with ceremonies and activities. The Native American Heritage Day Bill encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance student understanding of Native Americans by providing classroom instructions focusing on their history, achievements, and contributions.
Sunday, November 30
Saint Andrew's Day – Christianity
Saint Andrew's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle. Saint Andrew is the disciple in the New Testament who introduced his brother, the Apostle Peter, to Jesus, the Messiah
Advent – Christianity [Ends December 24]
Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs Christian hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of his birth on Christmas.