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Countries and important holidays at a glance
Europe
Asia
Middle East
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Germany
United Kingdom |
New Year
(1 Jan) |
Easter1
(TBA2 ) |
Christmas3
(24/25 Dec) |
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Orthodox countries4
Greece
Russia
Bulgaria
Serbia and others |
New Year5
(1 Jan) |
Easter
(TBA) |
Orthodox
Christmas
(6 Jan) |
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Notes:
1 Easter is less significant than Christmas but one exchanges good wishes.
2 TBA = to be announced
3 Catholic Christmas and Easter: the Orthodox
Church doesn't celebrate these holidays but they are acknowledged.
4 Countries with Orthodox Church: Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Cyprus, Ukraine,
Montenegro, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
5 New Year 1 Jan: an international holiday also in Orthodox countries
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China
Hongkong
Taiwan |
Chinese New Year1
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Moon Festival
(TBA Sep) |
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Japan |
Japanese New Year |
Obon-Festival
(Middle of July or
middle of August) |
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South Korea2 |
Korean New Year3
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Chuseok
(Moon Festival)
(TBA Sep) |
Christmas
(24/25 Dec) |
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Vietnam |
Tet Festival
(New Year)
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Moon Festival
(TBA Sep) |
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Philippines4 |
New Year
(1 Jan) |
Christmas
(24/25 Dec) |
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Singapore5 |
Chinese New Year
(Chinese)
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Moon Festival
(Chinese)
(TBA Sep) |
Ramadan
(Muslim)
(TBA Sep) |
Festival of Lights
(Indian)
(TBA Oct) |
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Malaysia |
Chinese New Year(Chinese)
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Moon Festival
(Chinese)
(TBA Sep) |
Ramadan
(Muslim)
(TBA Sep) |
Festival of Lights
(Indian)
(TBA Oct) |
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Indonesia |
Chinese New Year(Chinese)
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
Moon Festival
(Chinese)
(TBA Sep) |
Ramadan
(Muslim)
(TBA Sep) |
Festival of Lights
(Indian)
(TBA Oct) |
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Thailand |
Songkran
(Water Festival)
(13-15 Apr) |
Chinese New Year(Chinese)
(TBA Jan/Feb) |
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India |
Festival of Lights
(Indian)
(TBA Oct) |
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Notes:
1 The day of the Asian New Year is determined by the moon; therefore the exact dates
vary from year to year.
2 After the Philippines South Korea has the second largest number of avowing Christians
(about 26 percent) and it is the only East Asian country which acknowledges Christmas as a national holiday.
Christian and non-Christian Koreans take a break from daily life and create an overall festive atmosphere
similar to Europe. The rituals of celebration include exchanging gifts and Christmas cards with business
partners and friends (Wikipedia)
3 Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival on the same day.
4 The Philippines: from 1521 to the end of the 19th century when the country was a Spanish
colony Filipinos were converted to Christianity. Today the majority (81%) are Catholics. The Spanish influence
can be observed everywhere starting with various Spanish names and surnames. Filipinos master the English
language best amongst all Asians due to the American occupation force which is present since the beginning
of the 20th century up to now.
5 In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia there are different ethnic groups with diverse
religious orientation.
Please note that the economic power in East Asian countries is mainly in the hands of Chinese; 80% in Thailand,
60% in Malaysia, 70% in Indonesia and 60% in the Philippines. 80% of the Singapore population is of Chinese
origin which means that your Southeast Asian business partners and colleagues are possibly Chinese. They will
therefore appreciate greetings at the Chinese New Year's Festival and the Moon Festival as well as Indian
colleagues at Diwali. How can you find out if colleagues and partners are Chinese? Names are a good indicator.
The composition of Chinese names is different to names in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Burma and
Indonesia. Chinese surnames are e.g. Li, Lin, Chang, Liu, Xia and others.
New Year 1 Jan has developed into an international holiday. Asian
countries don't celebrate European Christmas (24/25 Dec) and Easter but the days are commercially acknowledged.
However don't hesitate to send your Asian partners Christmas and Easter greetings - they will appreciate it.
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UAE (United Arab Emirates)
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Turkey |
Ramadan1
(Muslim)
(TBA Sep) |
Festival of Sacrifice
(Muslim)
(TBA Nov) |
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Jordan
Syria
Lebanon
Palestine² |
Ramadan
(Muslim)
(TBA Sept) |
Festival of Sacrifice
(Muslim)
(TBA Nov) |
Christmas
(Christian)
(25 Dec) |
Orthodox Easter
(Christian Orthodox)
(TBA) |
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Notes:
1 The Islamic calendar calculates in lunar years. The observation of the moon determines
the dates of the calendar. Due to geographic circumstances the calendar might vary by one or two days in
different Islamic countries. A new month starts after new moon as soon as the crescent moon is visible (new light).
2 In Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine there are different ethnic groups with diverse
religious orientation such as Islam and Christianity. Christians celebrate Christmas (25 Dec) according to
the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. Easter however is determined by the calendar of the Orthodox Church.
New Year 1 Jan has become an international holiday in Turkey, Morocco,
Tunisia, Algeria, UAE Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine but not in Libya, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Due to religious reasons it is not recommended to send Christmas and Easter greetings to Muslims .
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