By IglesiaReligious denominations
Christianity
Origin: Israel
Celebrated in: Almost every country globally, with the largest concentrations in Europe, North and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia.
Islam
Origin: Saudi Arabia
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Muslim majority, such as those in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Judaism
Origin: Israel
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a significant Jewish population, such as Israel, the United States, and parts of Europe.
Hinduism
Origin: India
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Hindu majority or significant Hindu population, such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Buddhism
Origin: India
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Buddhist majority or significant Buddhist population, such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and among Buddhist communities worldwide.
Sikhism
Origin: India
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Sikh majority or significant Sikh population, such as India, and among Sikh communities worldwide.
Jainism
Origin: India
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Jain population, such as India, and among Jain communities worldwide.
Bahá’í Faith
Origin: Iran
Celebrated in: Countries with a Bahá’í population, such as the United States, India, and parts of Africa, and among Bahá’í communities worldwide.
Shinto
Origin: Japan
Celebrated in: Primarily in Japan and among Shinto communities worldwide.
Zoroastrianism
Origin: Ancient Persia (modern-day Iran)
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Zoroastrian population, such as India, Iran, and among Zoroastrian communities worldwide.
Confucianism
Origin: China
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Confucian population or influence, such as China, Korea, Vietnam, and among Confucian communities worldwide.
Taoism
Origin: China
Celebrated in: Primarily in countries with a Taoist population or influence, such as China, Taiwan, and among Taoist communities worldwide.
Cao Dai
Origin: Vietnam
Celebrated in: Primarily in Vietnam and among Cao Dai communities worldwide.
African Traditional Religions
Origin: Various regions in Africa
Celebrated in: Countries with a population practicing African Traditional Religions, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and among African diaspora communities worldwide.
Native American Spirituality
Origin: Various regions in North America
Celebrated in: Indigenous communities across North America and among Native American and First Nations communities worldwide.
Australian Aboriginal Spirituality
Origin: Australia
Celebrated in: Indigenous communities across Australia and among Aboriginal communities worldwide.
Paganism and Wicca
Origin: Various regions worldwide, with modern Paganism and Wicca originating in Europe and North America
Celebrated in: Countries with Pagan and Wiccan communities, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other parts of Europe.
New Religious Movements
Origin: Various regions worldwide
Celebrated in: Countries with communities practicing New Religious Movements, such as the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Bön
Origin: Tibet
Celebrated in: Tibet and among Bön communities worldwide.
Unitarian Universalism
Origin: United States and Europe
Celebrated in: Countries with Unitarian Universalist communities, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe.
Umbanda
Origin: Brazil
Celebrated in: Brazil and among Umbanda communities worldwide.
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Pastafarianism)
Origin: United States
Celebrated in: Countries with Pastafarian communities, such as the United States, New Zealand, and parts of Europe.
Church of the SubGenius
Origin: United States
Celebrated in: Countries with Church of the SubGenius communities, primarily in the United States.
Hare Krishna (ISKCON)
Origin: India, with the modern international movement founded in the United States
Celebrated in: Countries with Hare Krishna communities, such as the United States, India, Russia, and parts of Europe.
Eckankar
Origin: United States
Celebrated in: Countries with Eckankar communities, such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Soka Gakkai (Nichiren Buddhism)
Origin: Japan
Celebrated in: Countries with Soka Gakkai communities, such as Japan, the United States, and parts of Europe.
Druze
Origin: Lebanon, Syria, and Israel
Celebrated in: Primarily in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and among Druze communities worldwide.
Yazidism
Origin: Iraq and Syria
Celebrated in: Primarily in Iraq, Syria, and among Yazidi communities worldwide.
Zoroastrianism
Origin: Ancient Persia (modern-day Iran)
Celebrated in: Primarily in Iran, India, and among Zoroastrian communities worldwide.
Jainism
Origin: India
Celebrated in: Primarily in India and among Jain communities worldwide.
Shinto
Origin: Japan
Celebrated in: Primarily in Japan and among Shinto communities worldwide.
Spiritualism
Origin: United States and the United Kingdom
Celebrated in: Countries with Spiritualist communities, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.
Rastafarianism
Origin: Jamaica
Celebrated in: Primarily in Jamaica and among Rastafarian communities worldwide.
Bahá’í Faith
Origin: Iran
Celebrated in: Countries with Bahá’í communities, such as the United States, Canada, India, and parts of Africa.
Cao Dai
Origin: Vietnam
Celebrated in: Primarily in Vietnam and among Cao Dai communities worldwide.
Tenrikyo
Origin: Japan
Celebrated in: Primarily in Japan and among Tenrikyo communities worldwide.
Alevism
Origin: Turkey
Celebrated in: Primarily in Turkey and among Alevi communities worldwide.
Santería (Lukumí)
Origin: Cuba
Celebrated in: Primarily in Cuba and among Santería communities worldwide, particularly in the Americas.
Raelian Movement
Origin: France
Celebrated in: Countries with Raelian communities, such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Mandaeanism
Origin: Iraq and Iran
Celebrated in: Primarily in Iraq, Iran, and among Mandaean communities worldwide.
Manichaeism
Origin: Persia (modern-day Iran)
Celebrated in: Historically in Persia, Central Asia, and the Roman Empire; currently among small Manichaean communities worldwide.
Wicca
Origin: United Kingdom
Celebrated in: Countries with Wiccan communities, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.
Native American Spirituality
Origin: Indigenous peoples of North America
Celebrated in: Various Native American communities across North America.
Romuva
Origin: Lithuania
Celebrated in: Primarily in Lithuania and among Romuva communities worldwide.
Kemetic Orthodoxy
Origin: United States (based on ancient Egyptian religion)
Celebrated in: Countries with Kemetic Orthodox communities, such as the United States and parts of Europe.
Umbanda
Origin: Brazil
Celebrated in: Primarily in Brazil and among Umbanda communities worldwide.
Zalmoxianism
Origin: Romania (based on ancient Dacian and Thracian religion)
Celebrated in: Primarily in Romania and among Zalmoxian communities worldwide.
Australian Aboriginal Spirituality
Origin: Indigenous peoples of Australia
Celebrated in: Various Aboriginal communities across Australia.
Russian Orthodox Christianity
Origin: Russia
Celebrated in: Russia and among Russian Orthodox communities worldwide.
Chinese Traditional Religions
Origin: China
Celebrated in: China and among Chinese communities worldwide.
African Traditional Religions
Origin: Various regions in Africa
Celebrated in: Countries across Africa and among African communities worldwide.
Mexican Traditional Religions
Origin: Mexico
Celebrated in: Mexico and among Mexican communities worldwide.
Argentine Traditional Religions
Origin: Argentina
Celebrated in: Argentina and among Argentine communities worldwide.
Ecuadorian Traditional Religions
Origin: Ecuador
Celebrated in: Ecuador and among Ecuadorian communities worldwide.
Colombian Traditional Religions
Origin: Colombia
Celebrated in: Colombia and among Colombian communities worldwide.
Venezuelan Traditional Religions
Origin: Venezuela
Celebrated in: Venezuela and among Venezuelan communities worldwide.
Candomblé
Origin: Brazil (with roots in Africa)
Celebrated in: Brazil and among Candomblé communities worldwide, including Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Tibetan Buddhism
Origin: Tibet
Celebrated in: Tibet, China, and among Tibetan Buddhist communities worldwide.
Russian Paganism (Rodnovery)
Origin: Russia
Celebrated in: Russia and among Russian pagan communities worldwide.
Yoruba Religion
Origin: Nigeria
Celebrated in: Nigeria, Africa, and among Yoruba communities worldwide, including the Americas.
Bolivia
Fiesta del Gran Poder (date varies, typically in May or June): A Bolivian festival in La Paz, honoring Jesus Christ as the Lord of Great Power. The celebration includes a colorful procession, traditional music, and dancing.
Chile
Fiesta de la Tirana (July 16): A Chilean festival honoring the Virgin of Carmen, the patroness of Chile. The celebration includes a procession, traditional music, and dancing in the town of La Tirana.
Colombia
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8): Celebrated in Colombia and other Catholic countries, this holiday honors the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. Festivities include processions and religious services.
Costa Rica
Feast of Our Lady of Los Ángeles (August 2): A Costa Rican celebration honoring the Virgin of Los Ángeles, the patroness of Costa Rica. Pilgrims from across the country travel to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Cartago to pay their respects and ask for blessings.
Cuba
Feast of San Lázaro (December 17): A Cuban syncretic celebration that honors both the Catholic Saint Lazarus and the Yoruba deity Babalú-Ayé. Devotees participate in pilgrimages, make offerings, and attend religious services to seek healing and protection.
Dominican Republic
Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia (January 21): A national holiday in the Dominican Republic honoring the Virgin of Altagracia, the country’s patroness. The celebration includes religious services, processions, and cultural events.
Ecuador
Feast of Corpus Christi (date varies, 60 days after Easter): A Catholic holiday celebrated in Ecuador with processions, religious services, and traditional dances to honor the Eucharist.
El Salvador
Feast of El Salvador del Mundo (August 5-6): A Salvadoran celebration honoring Jesus Christ as the Divine Savior of the World, the patron of the country. The festivities include processions, religious services, and cultural events.
Guatemala
Semana Santa (Holy Week, dates vary, the week before Easter): A significant religious event in Guatemala, featuring elaborate processions, religious services, and traditional rituals to commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Honduras
Feast of the Virgin of Suyapa (February 3): A Honduran celebration honoring the Virgin of Suyapa, the patroness of Honduras. The festivities include pilgrimages, religious services, and cultural events in Suyapa, near Tegucigalpa.
Mexico
Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12): A major Mexican holiday celebrating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an indigenous man, in 1531. The celebration includes processions, religious services, and cultural events.
Nicaragua
Feast of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (August 1-10): A Nicaraguan festival honoring the patron saint of Managua, Santo Domingo de Guzmán. The celebration includes processions, traditional music, and dancing.
Panama
Feast of the Black Christ of Portobelo (October 21): An important Panamanian religious event honoring the Black Christ statue in Portobelo. Devotees participate in a procession, make offerings, and attend religious services.
Paraguay
Feast of Caacupé (December 8): A Paraguayan celebration honoring the Virgin of
Caacupé, the patroness of Paraguay. The festivities include pilgrimages, religious services, and cultural events in the town of Caacupé.
Peru
Inti Raymi (June 24): A Peruvian Inca festival honoring the sun god Inti, celebrated in Cusco and other areas of Peru. The celebration includes reenactments of traditional Inca ceremonies, music, and dancing.
Uruguay
Feast of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three (November 19): A national holiday in Uruguay honoring the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, the country’s patroness. The festivities include religious services, processions, and cultural events in the town of Florida.
Venezuela
Feast of the Divina Pastora (January 14): A Venezuelan celebration honoring the Divine Shepherdess, the patroness of the city of Barquisimeto. The celebration includes a massive procession, one of the largest religious events in Venezuela, as well as religious services and cultural events.
Haiti
Rara Festival (dates vary, during Lent): A Haitian festival that combines elements of Vodou and Christianity. The celebration includes processions, traditional music, and dancing to honor the spirits and ask for their protection.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua Carnival (dates vary, typically in late July and early August): A major festival in Antigua and Barbuda that celebrates the island’s emancipation from slavery. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events.
Bahamas
Junkanoo (December 26 and January 1): A traditional Bahamian festival featuring music, dancing, and elaborate costumes. The celebration has roots in West African traditions and is similar to other Caribbean carnivals.
Barbados
Crop Over Festival (dates vary, typically between June and August): A Barbadian harvest festival that celebrates the end of the sugar cane season. The festivities include music, dancing, and cultural events, culminating in the Grand Kadooment Day parade.
Dominica
World Creole Music Festival (October): A Dominican music festival celebrating Creole culture and traditions. The event features a variety of musical genres, including zouk, kompa, and reggae, as well as cultural exhibitions and traditional dancing.
Grenada
Grenada Carnival (dates vary, typically in August): A major festival in Grenada that celebrates the island’s culture and traditions. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events, such as the Jab Jab J’Ouvert.
Jamaica
Reggae Sumfest (July): An annual music festival in Jamaica celebrating reggae and other Jamaican music genres. The event features live performances by local and international artists, as well as cultural exhibitions and traditional dancing.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis National Carnival (December 18-January 2): A major festival in Saint Kitts and Nevis that celebrates the island’s culture and traditions. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events, such as calypso competitions and masquerades.
Saint Lucia
La Rose and La Marguerite Festivals (August 30 and October 17): Two separate Saint Lucian cultural festivals that celebrate the island’s French heritage. The events feature traditional music, dancing, and parades, as well as friendly competitions between the two flower societies.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Vincy Mas (dates vary, typically in June and July): A Vincentian carnival that celebrates the island’s culture and traditions. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events, such as the Mardi Gras street party and J’Ouvert.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival (dates vary, typically in February or March): One of the most famous carnivals in the Caribbean, this festival is known for its elaborate costumes, music, and dancing. The festivities include calypso and soca competitions, steel pan performances, and cultural events such as J’Ouvert and the Parade of Bands.
Belize
Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19): A national holiday in Belize celebrating the arrival of the Garifuna people, an Afro-Caribbean ethnic group, to the country in 1802. The festivities include traditional Garifuna music, dancing, and cultural events.
Guyana
Mashramani (February 23): A Guyanese festival celebrating the country’s Republic Day. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events such as calypso competitions and masquerades.
Suriname
Holi Phagwa (date varies, typically in March): A Surinamese Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The festivities include the throwing of colored powders, music, dancing, and traditional rituals.
French Guiana
French Guiana Carnival (dates vary, typically between January and March): A major festival in French Guiana that combines elements of French, Creole, and Brazilian traditions. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events such as the Touloulou Balls and Vaval King’s Parade.
Montserrat
Montserrat St. Patrick’s Festival (March 17): A unique Montserratian celebration that combines St. Patrick’s Day traditions with a commemoration of an 18th-century slave uprising. The festivities include music, dancing, parades, and cultural events.
Venezuelan Native Traditions
Indigenous peoples in Venezuela, such as the Wayuu, Pemon, and Warao, have their own unique religious and cultural celebrations, which often revolve around the cycles of nature and ancestral traditions. While specific holidays and rituals may vary among different indigenous groups, some examples of these celebrations include:
Indigenous harvest festivals: Many Venezuelan native communities celebrate harvest festivals to give thanks to nature and their ancestors for the abundance of food. These events may include music, dancing, and traditional rituals.
Shamanic ceremonies: In some indigenous communities, shamans or spiritual leaders may hold ceremonies to honor the spirits, ask for protection or healing, and maintain a connection with the natural world.
Surinamese Indigenous and Maroon Celebrations
Suriname is home to various indigenous and Maroon (descendants of escaped African slaves) communities, each with their own unique religious and cultural celebrations. Some examples include:
Indigenous festivals: Surinamese indigenous peoples, such as the Arawak, Carib, and Wayana, celebrate traditional festivals related to the cycles of nature, ancestral veneration, and rites of passage. These events may include music, dancing, and traditional rituals.
Maroon celebrations: Surinamese Maroon communities, such as the Saramaka and Ndyuka, have their own unique cultural and religious practices that blend elements of West African, Amerindian, and Christian traditions. Celebrations may include traditional music, dancing, and rituals to honor ancestors and maintain a connection with their cultural heritage.
Dugú: A religious ceremony practiced by the Ndyuka Maroons that involves ancestral veneration and spirit possession. The event is held to resolve conflicts, maintain social harmony, and seek guidance from the spirits of deceased community members.
Colombian Native Traditions
Colombia is home to diverse indigenous communities, each with its own unique religious and cultural celebrations. Some examples of these festivities among Colombian natives include:
Carnival of the Blacks and Whites (January 2-7): Celebrated by the Pasto people in southern Colombia, this carnival features parades, music, dancing, and theatrical performances. The event represents the blending of indigenous, European, and African cultures in the region.
Kamentsá and Inga’s Fiesta de San Juan (June 24): This festival, celebrated by the Kamentsá and Inga indigenous communities in Sibundoy Valley, commemorates Saint John the Baptist. The event includes a blend of indigenous and Catholic rituals, including traditional music, dancing, and ceremonies.
Wiwa and Kogui’s Mamü Festival (dates vary): Celebrated by the Wiwa and Kogui peoples in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, this festival is a spiritual gathering that strengthens the community’s connection with the natural world and ancestral spirits. The event includes traditional rituals, storytelling, and community bonding.
Mexican Native Traditions
Mexico has a rich indigenous heritage, with numerous native communities preserving their cultural and religious practices. Some examples of indigenous celebrations in Mexico include:
Huichol’s Peyote Pilgrimage (dates vary): The Huichol people embark on a spiritual journey to Wirikuta, their sacred land, to collect peyote, a hallucinogenic cactus used in religious ceremonies. The pilgrimage is a vital aspect of their religious beliefs and an essential part of their cultural identity.
Day of the Dead (November 1-2): Though celebrated throughout Mexico, the Day of the Dead has deep roots in indigenous cultures, such as the Aztecs and Maya. The event honors deceased loved ones through altars, offerings, and rituals that blend indigenous and Catholic traditions.
Guelaguetza (July, dates vary): A cultural festival celebrated by the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples in Oaxaca, Mexico. The event showcases traditional music, dancing, and costumes, as well as offering an opportunity for communities to share their unique cultural practices with one another.
Zulia, Venezuela
Zulia is a region in northwestern Venezuela, where both indigenous communities, such as the Wayuu, Bari, and Anu, and the broader population celebrate various religious and cultural events. Some examples include:
Festival de la Chinita (November 18): A popular religious festival in Maracaibo, Zulia’s capital, honoring Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, the patroness of Zulia. The event features processions, religious services, music, and dancing.
Wayuu’s Yonna Dance (dates vary): A traditional dance performed by the Wayuu people during cultural and religious celebrations. The Yonna is characterized by its fast pace, rhythmic movements, and the involvement of both men and women in the dance.
Bari and Anu traditional rituals: Both the Bari and Anu communities in Zulia have unique religious practices and ceremonies that honor their ancestral spirits and maintain a connection with the natural world.
Zulia, Venezuela – San Benito
San Benito is an important religious figure in the Venezuelan state of Zulia, and several celebrations are dedicated to him throughout the year. The following are some examples of festivities that honor San Benito in Zulia:
Feast of San Benito de Palermo (December 27): This religious celebration honors Saint Benedict the Moor, known as San Benito de Palermo in Spanish. The festivities are especially popular in the towns of Mucuchíes and Santa Lucia in Zulia. The event features processions, traditional music, dancing, and the prominent use of drums. Devotees of San Benito dress in colorful clothing and perform dances in honor of the saint.
Fiestas de San Benito in Bobures and Gibraltar (dates vary): In the towns of Bobures and Gibraltar in Zulia, devotees of San Benito organize unique celebrations that include processions, traditional music, dancing, and the use of African-inspired instruments like the chimbanguele drum. These events are a blend of indigenous, African, and Catholic influences, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Tamunangue Festival (June 13): Also known as the Feast of San Antonio, the Tamunangue Festival is celebrated in various parts of Zulia, such as Lara and Barquisimeto. Although the festival honors Saint Anthony of Padua, it shares some similarities with the San Benito celebrations, including the use of traditional music and dancing. Participants perform a series of dances called “siete tambores” or “seven drums,” which have African and indigenous roots.
These celebrations in Zulia, Venezuela, demonstrate the syncretism and cultural richness of the region, where indigenous, African, and Catholic traditions have blended to create unique religious and cultural practices.