Ethiopian Holidays — Dates, Celebrations & Cultural Events
Explore Ethiopian and Islamic holidays with dates in both Gregorian and Ethiopian calendars, including
Enkutatash, Meskel, Timkat, Fasika, and more.
- Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) — Meskerem 1 / September 11 (September 12 in the
year before a Gregorian leap year). Marks the start of the Ethiopian year at the close of the rainy season,
greeted with yellow Adey Abeba daisies, family meals, and children singing New Year songs.
- Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) — Meskerem 17 / September 27. Celebrates the
finding of the True Cross with the great Demera bonfire, candles, and hymns.
- Ganna (Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas) — Tahsas 29 / January 7. A quiet, prayerful
Christmas beginning with an all-night church service and the traditional ganna ball game.
- Timkat (Epiphany) — Tir 11 / January 19. The most colorful festival of the year,
honoring the baptism of Jesus with processions and the re-enactment of baptism in water.
- Fasika (Easter) — A movable date after a long fasting period, celebrated with
joyful church services and a festive breaking of the fast.
- Eid al-Fitr — A movable Islamic date marking the end of Ramadan with prayer and
feasting.
- Eid al-Adha — A movable Islamic date, the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorating
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice.
- Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid) — A movable Islamic date honoring the
birth of the Prophet.
- Derg Downfall Day — May 28 / Ginbot 20. Commemorates the fall of the Derg
government in 1991.
- Labor Day — May 1 / Ginbot 23. International workers' day.
- Patriots' Day — May 5 / Ginbot 27. Honors the Ethiopian resistance and
liberation from occupation.
Site navigation
© Ethiopia Time. Times are computed on your device from the UTC+3 offset. East Africa Time, UTC+3, no daylight saving.