Dates and observance guide for Jewish holidays in 2026
Dates and observance details for Jewish holidays occurring in 2026, presented as Gregorian dates with typical sunset-to-sunset observance windows, community variations, and planning implications. The overview that follows highlights major festival and fast-day dates, how start and end times are determined, differences between Israel and the diaspora, workplace and school impacts, calendar file and print options, and the calculation methods commonly used for calendar generation.
Year overview and major festival dates
The calendar for 2026 includes the core cycle of festivals: Passover in spring, Shavuot six weeks later, the High Holy Days in autumn (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Sukkot and Simchat Torah, and Hanukkah in winter. Fast days such as Tisha b’Av and minor observances such as Tu BiShvat and Purim also appear on the yearly cycle. Many communities observe two-day festival boundaries outside Israel, which affects when work and services are adjusted.
Gregorian dates and sunset-to-sunset observance windows
Religious observance traditionally runs from sunset of the evening before a Gregorian date through the following sunset. The table below lists commonly observed Gregorian date ranges for 2026 with typical start (evening) and end (evening) markers. Local synagogue, municipal, or organizational calendars may shift start times by a few minutes to reflect local sunset times.
| Holiday | Hebrew date | Typical 2026 Gregorian observance (evening–evening) |
|---|---|---|
| Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees) | 15 Shevat | Evening of Jan 19 – Jan 20, 2026 |
| Purim | 14 Adar | Evening of Mar 14 – Mar 15, 2026 |
| Passover (Pesach) | 15–22 Nisan (first/last days observed) | Evening of Apr 22 – Apr 30, 2026 |
| Yom HaShoah (community observance) | 27 Nisan | Evening of Apr 29 – Apr 30, 2026 |
| Yom HaZikaron / Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel) | Iyar dates | Late Apr – May 2026 (varies by Israeli lunar alignment) |
| Shavuot | 6–7 Sivan | Evening of Jun 11 – Jun 13, 2026 |
| Tisha b’Av | 9 Av | Evening of Aug 2 – Aug 3, 2026 |
| Rosh Hashanah | 1–2 Tishri | Evening of Sep 13 – Sep 15, 2026 |
| Yom Kippur | 10 Tishri | Evening of Sep 22 – Sep 23, 2026 |
| Sukkot | 15–21 Tishri (first day and final days observed) | Evening of Sep 27 – Oct 4, 2026 |
| Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah | 22–23 Tishri | Evening of Oct 4 – Oct 6, 2026 |
| Hanukkah | 25 Kislev – 2 Tevet (8 days) | Evening of Dec 14 – Dec 22, 2026 |
Holiday-specific observance notes and community variations
Start and end times depend on local sunset and halachic (Jewish legal) definitions of nightfall. Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform communities may apply different rules for candle-lighting, end-of-day calculations, and whether to suspend work for certain days. Diaspora communities commonly observe two full festival days at the beginning and end of major holidays, while communities in Israel typically observe one. For example, Passover and Sukkot observance length varies between one and two additional days outside Israel. Purim observance can differ in walled cities (Shushan Purim) and communities that follow the Fast of Esther on the preceding day.
Implications for workplaces, schools, and public services
Many employers and schools plan staffing and academic calendars around major observances that affect attendance. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur often require multiple days away from routine operations. Passover and Sukkot include full-day observances that can overlap with work weeks, requiring leave planning or schedule adjustments. Public services with time-sensitive operations should account for early evening starts and staggered staffing on holiday eves when shorter workdays or early closures are common.
Calendar formats and download or print options
Common calendar formats compatible with scheduling tools include iCalendar (.ics), CSV, and printable PDF month views. An .ics file can import daily sunset-based start/end times into most digital calendars; CSV files are useful for bulk scheduling in HR or school-management systems. When producing printable calendars, include local sunset times and a note about two-day diaspora observance where relevant. For automation, ensure time-zone and daylight-saving offsets are handled so evening start markers align with each location’s sunset.
Sources and methodology for date calculations
Hebrew calendar dates derive from lunar months and a 19-year cycle that inserts a leap month in seven years to align the lunar year with the solar year. Standard computational sources include established ecclesiastical rules (molad calculations and postponement rules) and community-accepted conversion tables maintained by calendrical authorities. For planning, organizations commonly cross-check computed dates with local rabbinic bodies and synagogue calendars to account for community practice variations.
Constraints and accessibility considerations
Observance rules create practical trade-offs for planners. Sunset-based timings mean holidays begin on different Gregorian dates across time zones, so a single national calendar may not match local practice. Community-specific rulings can change start/end conventions by minutes or by a full extra day; conservative organizations may require more lead time for accommodations. Accessibility considerations include providing alternative scheduling for employees who observe holidays, offering remote participation when feasible, and ensuring communications are available in plain language and multiple formats for people with sensory or cognitive disabilities.
How to import a Jewish holiday calendar
Which calendar formats support scheduling integration
Will company time off follow Jewish holidays
Key planning implications: confirm local sunset times, note diaspora vs Israel observance lengths, and build leave or staffing solutions that respect sunset-based start/end windows. For authoritative scheduling, compare computed dates with synagogue and municipal calendars before finalizing professional or institutional timetables. Verifying with community calendars ensures accuracy for event planning, public services, and workplace accommodation policies.
