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  2. Major religious events

Major religious events

Last Updated
Wednesday, 09/03/2022
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Travelling for a religious event can be an important moment in your life. Read this page to learn about:

  • Christmas and Easter
  • Diwali
  • Hajj
  • Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr

This list isn't comprehensive. It doesn't aim to cover all religious events for all cultures. It discusses some of the key events around the world that can impact Australians overseas.

Christmas and Easter

Each year, 2 billion Christians around the world celebrate Christmas and Easter around the world.

In most countries that celebrate Christmas, it's a national holiday. The main celebration is Christmas day, each year on 25 December. In some countries, it's Christmas eve on 24 December. In others, it's 6 January.

Easter commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, then celebrates the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Easter is in March or April, with exact dates changing each year.

Christmas and Easter celebrations particularly impact Australians travelling in Europe and the Americas. It also impacts travellers in predominantly Christian countries in Africa and the Pacific.

Diwali

Each year, a billion Hindu, Sikh, and Jain people celebrate Deepavali (Diwali).

Also known as the 'Festival of Lights', Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali celebrations particularly impact Australians travelling to India, Nepal and the island of Bali in Indonesia.

  • Learn more about Diwali (Government of India).

Hajj

Over three million people perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah (Mecca) each year. If you're travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, it's important to be well prepared.

  • Read our information and advice about the Hajj.
  • See our travel advice for Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr

Most of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan each year.

You can expect to find nationwide Ramadan celebrations in countries where Islam is the national religion. You'll also come across Ramadan celebrations in other destinations with Muslim populations.

  • See our information and advice on Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr.

Read more

  • see our general advice for taking care of your health.
  • see our general advice about staying safe and avoiding danger.
  • Read our travel advisory for your destination.

Related content

Hajj

Explore this page for information about staying safe and secure during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah (Mecca).

View details
Ramadan

Ramadan is the most important month on the Islamic calendar. Explore this page to learn local laws and customs during Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, after Ramadan.

View details
Major sporting events
View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
        • Ramadan
        • Hajj
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement