Ethiopian Holidays & Celebrations

Explore the traditional festivals and celebrations of the Ethiopian calendar

Upcoming Holidays

Siklet (Ethiopian Good Friday)

Meyazya 10 (April 18, 2025)

Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus

Fasika (Ethiopian Easter)

Meyazya 12 (April 20, 2025)

Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus

Religious Holidays

Meskel (Finding of the True Cross)

Meskerem 17

Commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Helena

Hidar Tsion

Hidar 21

Feast of St. Mary of Zion

Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)

Tahsas 29

Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of the birth of Jesus

Timket (Epiphany)

Tir 11

Celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River

Siklet (Ethiopian Good Friday)

Meyazya 10

Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus

Fasika (Ethiopian Easter)

Meyazya 12

Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus

Buhe

Nehase 19

Festival of the Transfiguration

National Holidays

Constitution Day

Hidar 7

Commemorates the adoption of the Ethiopian Constitution in 1994

Adwa Victory Day

Yekatit 23

Commemorates Ethiopia's victory over Italian forces in 1896

Patriots' Victory Day

Meyazya 27

Commemorates the defeat of Italian forces in WW2 in 1941

Downfall of the Derg

Ginbot 20

Marks the end of the Derg regime in 1991

Cultural Holidays

Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year)

Meskerem 1

Ethiopian New Year celebration marking the end of the rainy season

Irreechaa (Oromo Thanksgiving)

Tikimt 15

Oromo people's thanksgiving festival for the blessings of the past year

Fiche Chambalala

Tahsas 10

Sidama people's New Year festival celebrating the new harvest season

Shadey (Gurage New Year)

Hamle 26

New Year celebration of the Gurage people

Ashenda

Nehase 16

Girls' festival celebrated in Tigray and Amhara regions

View Holidays in the Calendar

See these holidays and celebrations in context with our interactive Ethiopian calendar

Explore Full Calendar