Jewish Holidays 2025 | Your Complete Guide to Dates, Traditions, and Observances
Plan your year with our complete guide to Jewish holidays in 2025. This comprehensive resource includes Gregorian and Hebrew dates, detailed explanations of each holiday’s significance, traditions, and practical tips for observance. Whether you’re in Israel or the Diaspora, this guide has everything you need to celebrate Jewish holidays in 2025.
The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar system, meaning it follows both the moon and the sun. This unique system ensures that holidays always fall in the same season. In 2025, Jewish holidays will span from January to December, each with its own traditions, customs, and spiritual significance.
Jewish Holidays 2025: Dates and Observances
1. Fast of Tevet 10 (Asarah B’Tevet)
- Gregorian Date: Begins at sunrise on Friday, January 10, 2025, and ends at nightfall on the same day.
- Hebrew Date: 10 Tevet 5785.
- Significance: Commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar in 425 BCE, which led to the destruction of the First Temple.
- Observance: A minor fast day observed from dawn to nightfall. No eating or drinking is permitted.
- Work Restrictions: Work is permitted.
- Tip: Use this day for introspection and repentance.
2. Tu B’Shevat (The New Year for Trees)
- Gregorian Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 15 Shevat 5785.
- Significance: Marks the beginning of the agricultural cycle for trees in Israel.
- Observance: Celebrate by eating fruits from the Land of Israel (e.g., dates, figs, pomegranates) and planting trees.
- Work Restrictions: Work is permitted.
- Tip: Host a Tu B’Shevat Seder with family and friends.
3. Purim
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Thursday, March 13, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Friday, March 14, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 14 Adar 5785 (15 Adar for Shushan Purim).
- Significance: Celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot, as told in the Book of Esther.
- Observance:
- Megillah Reading: Listen to the Book of Esther.
- Mishloach Manot: Exchange gifts of food.
- Matanot La’Evyonim: Give charity.
- Festive Meal: Enjoy a celebratory meal.
- Work Restrictions: Work should be avoided.
- Tip: Dress up in costumes and host a Purim party!
4. Passover (Pesach)
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Saturday, April 12, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 15–22 Nisan 5785.
- Significance: Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery.
- Observance:
- Seder Nights: Held on the first two nights (outside Israel).
- Matzah: Eat unleavened bread.
- Chametz: Remove all leavened products from your home.
- Work Restrictions: No work permitted on April 13–14 and April 19–20. Work is allowed on April 15–18 with restrictions.
- Tip: Use our free Passover checklist to prepare for the holiday.
- For a detailed guide on preparing for Passover, check out our How to Prepare for Passover 2025 Guide
5. Lag B’Omer
- Gregorian Date: Friday, May 16, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 18 Iyar 5785.
- Significance: Celebrates the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students and the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
- Observance: Light bonfires, sing, and dance.
- Work Restrictions: Work is permitted.
- Tip: Attend a community bonfire or host one in your backyard.
6. Shavuot
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 6–7 Sivan 5785.
- Significance: Marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
- Observance:
- Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Stay up all night studying Torah.
- Dairy Foods: Enjoy cheesecake, blintzes, and other dairy dishes.
- Work Restrictions: No work is permitted.
- Tip: Decorate your home with flowers and greenery to symbolize Mount Sinai.
7. The Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av
- Gregorian Dates:
- Three Weeks: Sunday, July 13, 2025, to Sunday, August 3, 2025.
- Tisha B’Av: Begins at sunset on Saturday, August 2, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
- Significance: A period of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
- Observance:
- Fast of Tisha B’Av: No eating, drinking, or wearing leather.
- Restrictions: Avoid music, celebrations, and haircuts during the Three Weeks.
- Tip: Use this time for introspection and spiritual growth.
8. Tu B’Av (The Holiday of Love)
- Gregorian Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 15 Av 5785.
- Significance: A day of joy and matchmaking in ancient times.
- Observance: Celebrate love and relationships.
- Work Restrictions: No work is permitted due to Shabbat.
- Tip: Plan a romantic evening or write a letter to a loved one.
9. Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Monday, September 22, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 1–2 Tishrei 5786.
- Significance: Marks the creation of the world and the start of the High Holidays.
- Observance:
- Shofar Blowing: Hear the sound of the ram’s horn.
- Festive Meals: Enjoy apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year.
- Work Restrictions: No work is permitted.
- Tip: Attend synagogue services and reflect on the past year.
10. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 10 Tishrei 5786.
- Significance: The holiest day of the year, dedicated to repentance and forgiveness.
- Observance:
- Fasting: No eating or drinking for 25 hours.
- Prayer: Attend synagogue services.
- Work Restrictions: No work is permitted.
- Tip: Use this day to repair relationships and seek forgiveness.
11. Sukkot (Festival of Booths)
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Monday, October 6, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Monday, October 13, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 15–21 Tishrei 5786.
- Significance: Commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert and G-d’s protection.
- Observance:
- Sukkah: Dine and sleep in a temporary booth.
- Four Species: Wave the lulav and etrog.
- Work Restrictions: No work permitted on October 7–8. Work is allowed on October 9–10 and October 12–13 with restrictions.
- Tip: Decorate your sukkah with homemade crafts and invite guests.
12. Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Monday, October 13, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 22–23 Tishrei 5786.
- Significance: Shemini Atzeret is a day of prayer for rain, and Simchat Torah celebrates the completion of the Torah reading cycle.
- Observance:
- Hakafot: Dance with the Torah scrolls.
- Yizkor: Memorial prayer for the departed.
- Work Restrictions: No work is permitted.
- Tip: Join a community celebration with music and dancing.
13. Chanukah (Festival of Lights)
- Gregorian Dates: Begins at sunset on Sunday, December 14, 2025, and ends at nightfall on Monday, December 22, 2025.
- Hebrew Date: 25 Kislev–2 Tevet 5786.
- Significance: Celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple and the miracle of the oil.
- Observance:
- Lighting the Menorah: Add one candle each night.
- Fried Foods: Enjoy latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
- Work Restrictions: Work is permitted, except on Shabbat.
- Tip: Host a Chanukah party with games and gifts.
FAQs About Jewish Holidays
- What is the difference between Purim and Shushan Purim?
Purim is celebrated on 14 Adar, while Shushan Purim is observed on 15 Adar in walled cities like Jerusalem. - Can I work during Passover?
Work is restricted on the first two and last two days of Passover. Work is permitted on the intermediate days with certain limitations. - Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot?
Dairy foods symbolize the Torah, which is compared to milk in the Song of Songs. - What is the significance of the Four Species on Sukkot?
The lulav, etrog, myrtle, and willow represent unity and G-d’s omnipresence.
Conclusion
Jewish holidays in 2025 offer a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and spirituality. Whether you’re observing in Israel or the Diaspora, this guide provides everything you need to celebrate each holiday with meaning and joy. let us know how you plan to celebrate!
