Bahá'í holy days
Nine days each year mark the most sacred moments in the lives of the founders of the Bahá'í Faith. Communities gather to remember, pray, and celebrate together — all welcome.
Holy days are warmly open to friends of every faith and of no faith. Communities consider hosting their neighbours a joy.
Nine times each year, the Bahá'í community marks a holy day commemorating a turning point in the lives of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh — the two founders of the Bahá'í Faith.
Holy day gatherings are warm, accessible, and explicitly open to friends and neighbours. They blend prayer, storytelling, music, and shared food, often with reflection on the meaning of the day for the community's life today.
What to expect
First 10 minutes
Welcome
Hosts greet guests warmly, especially newcomers. Tea, coffee, and refreshments are usually offered.
About 45 minutes
Devotional programme
Prayers, readings, music and often a short telling of the story of the day — the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the declaration of the Báb, the festival of Ridván, and so on.
30+ minutes
Food and fellowship
A shared meal or sweet course, conversation, and unhurried time together. Children play; neighbours meet neighbours.
Who comes
- Bahá'ís of every age and the friends, family and neighbours they invite.
- People of every faith and of no faith — many come for the first time on a holy day.
- Often the most family-friendly events of the year, with children and elders present.
What to do
- Bring family and friends — holy days are designed to be shared.
- Ask about the meaning of the day; hosts love to tell the story.
- Offer to bring a dish or sweet to share.
What you don't need to do
- You don't need to know any prayers or rituals.
- No collection or donation is taken.
- There is no dress code, though some choose to dress a little more festively.
A sample programme
Every gathering has its own rhythm — this is one realistic outline.
- 7:00 pm
- Welcome, tea and refreshments
- 7:15 pm
- A short telling of the story of the day
- 7:25 pm
- Prayers and readings from the Bahá'í writings
- 7:45 pm
- Music or a sung prayer
- 8:00 pm
- Shared meal and fellowship
Origins & meaning
The nine Bahá'í holy days commemorate moments in the lives of the Báb (who announced the coming of Bahá'u'lláh in 1844) and Bahá'u'lláh (the founder of the Bahá'í Faith). They include the Twin Birthdays, Naw-Rúz (the Bahá'í New Year at the spring equinox), the Festival of Ridván, the Declaration of the Báb, and the Days of the Báb's and Bahá'u'lláh's martyrdom and passing.
Bahá'ís are asked to suspend work and school on these days, and communities mark them with gatherings that are intentionally welcoming to friends.
Frequently asked questions
How many Bahá'í holy days are there?+
Nine on which work is suspended, plus two more (the births of Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi) commemorated but without the suspension of work.
Can I bring my non-Bahá'í friends?+
Yes — please do. Holy days are designed to be hospitable and the community loves to share them.
When are they?+
Dates shift slightly each year because the Bahá'í calendar is solar but begins at the spring equinox. Check the upcoming events on this site for exact dates.
Do I need to bring anything?+
No, though a dish or sweet to share is always appreciated.
Are children welcome?+
Absolutely. Holy days are among the most family-friendly events of the year.
What's the difference between a holy day and a Feast?+
A holy day commemorates a specific event in Bahá'í history and is open to all. The Nineteen Day Feast is a regular gathering of the local Bahá'í community for prayer, consultation and fellowship.
Find one near you
The next upcoming holy days across Canada.
Loading upcoming gatherings…
Your first visit — a small checklist
- Check the date and start time
- Bring a friend or family member
- Optional: a dish or sweet for the shared table
- Be ready to learn the story behind the day
Other kinds of gatherings
Nineteen Day Feast
The heartbeat of Bahá'í community life: every nineteen days, the local Bahá'í community gathers for prayer, consultation, and fellowship.
Read the guide →
Devotional
A simple, prayerful hour where neighbours of every background read sacred writings, share music, and reflect together.
Read the guide →
Fireside
A relaxed evening in someone's home to explore the Bahá'í teachings with anyone curious — coffee, conversation, and real questions.
Read the guide →