In the last blog we listed the major festivals celebrated during the first quarter of the year globally. Here’s a comprehensive list of major festivals celebrated worldwide during the second quarter of the year (April–June) — including their dates (2025), importance, attire, and traditional cuisines:
🌸 APRIL 2025 FESTIVALS
1. Easter – April 20, 2025
- Region: Christian – Global
- Importance: Celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
- Attire: “Sunday best” – suits, pastel dresses, church hats.
- Cuisine: Roast lamb, hot cross buns, Easter eggs, chocolate.
2. Songkran – April 13–15, 2025
- Region: Thailand
- Importance: Thai New Year and water festival; cleansing of bad luck.
- Attire: Bright floral shirts, traditional Thai dress.
- Cuisine: Mango sticky rice, green curry, pad Thai, som tum.
3. Baisakhi – April 14, 2025
- Region: India (Punjab)
- Importance: Sikh New Year and harvest festival; formation of Khalsa.
- Attire: Colorful turbans, kurta-pajamas, Punjabi suits.
- Cuisine: Sarson da saag, makki di roti, lassi, jalebi.
4. Passover (Pesach) – April 12–20, 2025
- Region: Jewish – Global
- Importance: Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
- Attire: Formal, modest clothing.
- Cuisine: Matzah, brisket, charoset, gefilte fish.
5. Ramadan Begins – Evening of March 29, 2025 (ends April 27, 2025)
- Region: Islam – Global
- Importance: Month of fasting, prayer, reflection.
- Attire: Modest traditional wear (abayas, thobes).
- Cuisine (Iftar): Dates, kebabs, biryani, samosas, sweet vermicelli.
🌼 MAY 2025 FESTIVALS
1. Eid al-Fitr – April 28 or 29, 2025 (depends on moon sighting)
- Region: Islam – Global
- Importance: Celebration marking end of Ramadan.
- Attire: New traditional clothing; festive and modest.
- Cuisine: Sheer khurma, kebabs, biryani, maamoul, baklava.
2. Vesak (Buddha Purnima) – May 12, 2025
- Region: Buddhist – South & Southeast Asia
- Importance: Commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
- Attire: White clothing; monks in robes.
- Cuisine: Vegetarian offerings – rice, fruits, lentils.
3. May Day / Labour Day – May 1, 2025
- Region: Global
- Importance: Honors workers and labor movements.
- Attire: Casual or symbolic attire (red, political slogans).
- Cuisine: Varies by region – often street food or local dishes.
4. Cinco de Mayo – May 5, 2025
- Region: Mexico & USA
- Importance: Mexican victory over France at Battle of Puebla.
- Attire: Traditional Mexican costumes; Puebla dresses, sombreros.
- Cuisine: Tacos, guacamole, enchiladas, churros.
5. Africa Day – May 25, 2025
- Region: African Union nations
- Importance: Commemorates founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
- Attire: Traditional African dress (dashiki, kente cloth).
- Cuisine: Jollof rice, injera, bobotie, grilled meats.
🌞 JUNE 2025 FESTIVALS
1. Dragon Boat Festival – June 1, 2025
- Region: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong
- Importance: Honors Qu Yuan; promotes patriotism and health.
- Attire: Traditional Hanfu; casual in modern times.
- Cuisine: Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), herbal teas.
2. Corpus Christi – June 19, 2025
- Region: Catholic – Latin America, Spain, parts of Europe
- Importance: Celebrates the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
- Attire: Religious robes, white for children in processions.
- Cuisine: Varies; includes pastries, tamales, empanadas.
3. Inti Raymi – June 24, 2025
- Region: Peru (Cusco)
- Importance: Inca Festival of the Sun – winter solstice in Southern Hemisphere.
- Attire: Incan ceremonial wear; vibrant woven patterns.
- Cuisine: Corn dishes, cuy (roasted guinea pig), quinoa.
4. Midsummer / Summer Solstice – June 21, 2025
- Region: Scandinavia, Baltic countries
- Importance: Pagan-rooted celebration of light, fertility, and nature.
- Attire: Floral crowns, white clothing, traditional folk costumes.
- Cuisine: Pickled herring, boiled potatoes, salmon, strawberries.
5. Pride Month – Entire month of June
- Region: Global
- Importance: Celebrates LGBTQ+ identity, rights, and diversity.
- Attire: Rainbow-themed and expressive outfits.
- Cuisine: Themed desserts, cocktails, and local fair food at parades.
Which of the above festivals do you like the most and how do you celebrate, let the world know through comments.
To refer to the blog highlighting the major festivals celebrated during the first quarter of the year, please click below:
https://globequill.com/festivals-celebrated-globally-during-the-first-quarter-of-the-year/