Over 5 billion people are engaging in a cultural or religious tradition merely days apart as lunar and solar calendars align for the first time in decades.
What are these upcoming dates and why are they so important?
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival in its native language, occurs on February 17th 2026.
An estimated 1.5 billion people will take part in celebrations for the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Sometimes known as Lunar New Year, festivities take place not just in China, but all across Asia in South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, as well as the many towns and cities throughout the world with Chinese diaspora.
People returning to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year with their family is the largest annual human migration pattern on Earth.
Ramadan
Two billion Muslims worldwide will begin to observe Ramadan on February 18th.
The sighting of the crescent moon, the religion’s most recognisable symbol, will mark the start of the holiest month in Islam.
As per religious custom, Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset, with certain exemptions based on age, health, and other factors.
They must abstain from all food, drink – including water – as well as smoking and sex throughout the day during this period.
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is observed by the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, as well as many others across Christian sects.
For many, February 18th this year will mark the beginning of lent, where Christians commit to fasting and the sacrifice of a personal pleasure.
This period of fasting occurring at the same time as Ramadan means almost 40 per cent of the planet will be engaging in some form of religious dietary restriction.
Mardi Gras
Ash Wednesday follows on from Shove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras.
Latin America is especially famous for its large carnivals which are held before the more sombre practices begin on Ash Wednesday.
In the UK and parts of the Commonwealth, Tuesday’s celebrations are known as Pancake Day and people are encouraged to eat pancakes.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival celebrating the deity Shiva.
It is one of the most important, alongside Diwali and Holi, for the 1.2 billion Hindus across the Indian subcontinent.
In 2026, it will be held across February 15th and 16th.
Fasting, as well as prayers and vigils, is a feature of this celebration too.
Friday the 13th & Valentines Day
All these major traditions come immediately after two other important dates: ‘unlucky’ Friday the 13th and romantic Valentine’s Day.
It may well be another few decades before such a calendar alignment occurs again.
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