✅ Ethiopian Calendar — One-Page Overview (Full
Year, No Dates)
The Ethiopian calendar is one of the world’s oldest timekeeping systems,
featuring 13 unique months, deep religious heritage, national identity, and
culturally rich celebrations. Many events follow the Ethiopian Orthodox
Tewahedo Church traditions, including major feasts, fasting periods, and
saints’ days. Ethiopia also observes national public holidays tied to
independence, resistance movements, and modern political milestones. A number
of international days and awareness events are recognized as well, alongside
cultural celebrations and family-centered traditions. Overall, the Ethiopian
calendar blends ancient Christian practice, national pride, historical
commemoration, seasonal harvest cycles, and global awareness observances.
✅ Ethiopia — Full Year
Events (No Dates)
(Organized by month, with NO dates; covers: Public
Holidays, International Days, Religious Days, Cultural Events, Historical
Events, Awareness Days, Family Days.)
September (መስከረም)
• Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) — Public Holiday /
Cultural
• Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) — Public Holiday / Religious
• International Literacy Day — International
• World Peace Day — Awareness
• International Day of Democracy — International
October (ጥቅምት)
• Irreecha Thanksgiving (Oromo Cultural Festival) —
Cultural
• World Teachers’ Day — International
• International Day of the Girl Child — Awareness
• United Nations Day — International
November (ህዳር)
• Eid Milad un Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday) — Religious
(Varies)
• World Children’s Day — Family
• International Men’s Day — Awareness / Family
• African Industrialization Day — International
December (ታህሳስ)
• Ethiopian Christmas Fast (Tsome Nebiyat) — Religious
• International Human Rights Day — International
• World AIDS Day — Awareness
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities — Awareness
January (ጥር)
• Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) — Public Holiday /
Religious
• Timkat (Epiphany) — Public Holiday / Religious
• Orthodox Epiphany Festivities — Religious
• World Braille Day — International
• Ethiopian Epiphany Season Cultural Events — Cultural
February (የካቲት)
• Adwa Victory Day — Public Holiday / Historical
• World Cancer Day — Awareness
• International Mother Language Day — International
• Rare Disease Day — Awareness
March (መጋቢት)
• International Women’s Day — Awareness
• Patriots’ Victory Day (Arbegnoch Day) — Historical
• Earth Hour — Awareness / Cultural
• World Water Day — Awareness
April (ሚያዝያ)
• Ethiopian Good Friday — Religious
• Ethiopian Easter (Fasika) — Religious / Public Holiday
• World Health Day — International
• Earth Day — Awareness
• International Book Day — Cultural
May (ግንቦት)
• International Workers’ Day — Public Holiday
• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) — Public Holiday / Religious
• Downfall of the Derg Day — Public Holiday / Historical
• African Day — International
• International Nurses Day — Awareness
• Families Day — Family
June (ሰኔ)
• Patriots Memorial Day — Historical
• Eid al-Adha — Public Holiday / Religious
• World Environment Day — Awareness
• World Refugee Day — International
• International Day Against Child Labour — Awareness
July (ሐምሌ)
• Kulubi Gabriel — Religious
• World Population Day — Awareness
• International Justice Day — Historical
August (ነሐሴ)
• Buhe — Cultural / Religious
• Ashenda / Shadey / Solel Festival — Cultural (Tigray, Amhara, Afar)
• International Youth Day — Awareness
• World Humanitarian Day — International
Pagume (ጳጉሜ)
(Ethiopia’s 13th month)
• Enkutatash Preparations & Religious Fasting — Cultural / Religious
• International Day of Charity — Awareness
• African Union-related observances — Regional / International
✅ Ethiopian Holidays
🎄 Ethiopian
Christmas (Gena) – January 7
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.
People attend church services, enjoy traditional music, and gather with family.
💧 Timket
(Ethiopian Epiphany) – January 19
Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Known for colorful
processions, water blessings, and joyful public celebrations.
🇪🇹 Adwa
Victory Day – March 2
Honors Ethiopia’s historic victory over Italy in 1896. A symbol of
independence, national pride, and African resistance to colonialism.
🌙 Eid al-Fitr
(End of Ramadan) – Date varies
Marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate with prayers,
charity, and family gatherings. Date may vary.
✝️ Siklet (Good Friday) –
Date varies
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A day of fasting, prayer, and
religious reflection for Ethiopian Christians.
✝️ Tinsae (Fasika /
Easter) – Date varies
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of Ethiopia’s most important
Christian holidays, marked with overnight worship and festive meals. Date
may vary.
🛠️ International
Labour Day (May Day) – May 1
A global holiday recognizing workers’ rights and contributions, celebrated in
Ethiopia with official events and labor-focused activities.
🇪🇹 Patriots’
Victory Day – May 5
Commemorates Ethiopian patriots who resisted the Italian occupation during
World War II. A day honoring bravery and national unity.
🕊️ Derg Downfall
Day – May 28
Marks the end of the Derg regime. A national reflection on freedom, peace, and
the rebuilding of Ethiopia.
🐐 Eid al-Adha
(Arafa) – Date varies
The “Festival of Sacrifice,” honoring the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim. Observed
with prayers, charity, and shared meals. Date may vary.
🌙 Mawlid (Birth
of the Prophet Muhammad) – Date varies
Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad with prayers, teachings, and
community gatherings. Date may vary.
🌅 Enkutatash
(Ethiopian New Year) – September 11
Marks the arrival of the Ethiopian New Year and the end of the rainy season.
Celebrated with family meals, gift-giving, and traditional customs.
🔥 Meskel (Finding
of the True Cross) – September 27
One of Ethiopia’s oldest festivals, commemorating the discovery of the True
Cross. Celebrated with large bonfires known as “Demera.”