Festivals in Ethiopia

Festivals

Season or date: January 19 (20th in leap years)

Water festival commemorating baptism, mainly celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Season or date: January 7

Celebrating the end of fasting with candlelight processions and traditional hockey.

Season or date: March 2

National holiday celebrating the 1896 victory against Italy.

Season or date: Movable date

Easter celebrated after 40 days of fasting.

Season or date: September 11

Ethiopian calendar New Year's Day when yellow Meskel flowers bloom.

Season or date: September 27

Celebrating the discovery of the True Cross by burning giant torches.

Season or date: Early October

Oromo people's thanksgiving harvest festival, dipping grass in lakes for prayer.

Season or date: Late August

Women's festival in Tigray region where girls sing and dance in ethnic costumes.

Season or date: Islamic calendar Shawwal 1

Major festival marking the end of Ramadan, families gather for feast.

Season or date: Islamic calendar Dhu al-Hijjah 10

Feast of Sacrifice, offering sheep and sharing with the poor.