June 24

Holidays & Observances - Religious Festivals

Christianfeast day:

María Guadalupe García Zavala, Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, June 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

A day of multiple Christian observances, including the feast of Blessed María Guadalupe García Zavala, the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, and various Eastern Orthodox commemorations.
June 24 is rich in Christian tradition, marking both the feast day of Blessed María Guadalupe García Zavala in the Catholic Church and the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist for many Western denominations. María Guadalupe García Zavala was a Mexican nun renowned for her charitable work and cofounding the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary. The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist celebrates the birth of John, the forerunner of Christ, with liturgies, processions, and traditional bonfires in some cultures. In the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, June 24 also honors a selection of saints and martyrs with special services held in churches worldwide. Together, these observances reflect the global diversity of Christian worship and the enduring significance of saints in spiritual life.
feast day María Guadalupe García Zavala Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Inti Raymi, a winter solstice festival and aNew Yearin theAndesof the Southern Hemisphere (Sacsayhuamán)

An ancient Inca festival honoring Inti, the sun god, and marking the winter solstice and New Year in the Andes.
Inti Raymi, meaning 'Festival of the Sun', is an Inca religious ceremony originally held at the winter solstice to honor Inti, the sun deity. The modern revival takes place on June 24 at the ruins of Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, Peru, drawing thousands of spectators each year. Actors in traditional Inca attire reenact sacred rituals, offerings of maize beer and coca leaves, and processions to the sun temple. Music, dance, and colorful costumes bring the ancient traditions to life while preserving the spiritual and cultural legacy of the Andean peoples. Inti Raymi highlights the enduring connection between indigenous communities and the cycles of nature and agriculture.
Inti Raymi New Year Andes Sacsayhuamán

St John's Dayand the second day of theMidsummer celebrations(although this is not the astronomical summer solstice, seeJune 20) (Roman Catholic Church,Europe), and its related observances:

Enyovden(Bulgaria), Catalan CountriesNational Day (Andorra,Balearic Islands,Catalonia,Northern Catalonia,Valencia), Jaanipäev(Estonia), Jāņi(Latvia), Jónsmessa(Iceland), Midsummer Day(England), Saint Jonas' FestivalorJoninės(Lithuania), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day(Quebec), Sânziene(westernCarpathian MountainsofRomania), Wattah Wattah Festival(Philippines)

St John's Day blends Christian reverence for John the Baptist with European midsummer traditions of bonfires, music, and regional festivities.
Observed on June 24, St John's Day honors the birth of Saint John the Baptist and coincides with midsummer celebrations across Europe. Christian communities hold church services and processions to commemorate John's role as the precursor to Christ. Secular traditions include lighting large bonfires, dancing, and feasting in countries such as England, Latvia (Jāņi), and Estonia (Jaanipäev). Regional observances like Enyovden in Bulgaria and Sânziene in Romania blend pre-Christian rituals with local folklore to celebrate nature and fertility. In Canada, Quebec marks the day as the national holiday of French Canadians, while Andorra and Catalan regions observe their own cultural celebrations. Across Iceland, Lithuania, the Philippines, and beyond, this day fosters community spirit and links humanity to ancient solar rites.
St John's Day Midsummer celebrations June 20 Roman Catholic Church Europe Enyovden Bulgaria Catalan Countries Andorra Balearic Islands Catalonia Northern Catalonia Valencia Jaanipäev Estonia Jāņi Latvia Jónsmessa Iceland Midsummer Day England Saint Jonas' Festival Lithuania Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day Quebec Sânziene Carpathian Mountains Romania Wattah Wattah Festival Philippines

Fors Fortuna,ancient Romanfestival toFortuna

An ancient Roman festival dedicated to Fortuna, the goddess of luck and fortune.
Fors Fortuna was celebrated by the Romans on June 24 to honor Fortuna, the deity believed to govern chance and prosperity. Rituals included offerings of wine, incense, and animal sacrifices performed at her temple in the Forum Boarium. Citizens and officials sought the goddess's favor for personal success, safe journeys, and the well-being of the state. Priests known as Flamen Fortunae played a central role in leading ceremonies and interpreting divine will through omens. Though it faded after the decline of Roman paganism, Fors Fortuna offers insight into ancient rituals centered on fate and communal worship.
Fors Fortuna ancient Roman Fortuna

María Guadalupe García Zavala

Feast day of Blessed María Guadalupe García Zavala, a Mexican nun celebrated for her humanitarian work.
María Guadalupe García Zavala (1878-1963) co-founded the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and dedicated her life to caring for the sick and poor. She established hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions throughout Mexico, earning widespread admiration for her compassion. Beatified by Pope Francis in 2013, her feast day on June 24 is observed with Masses and community service events. Religious communities and laypeople honor her legacy by volunteering in healthcare centers and supporting social outreach programs. Her life exemplifies selfless service and continues to inspire acts of kindness worldwide.
María Guadalupe García Zavala

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Celebrates the birth of John the Baptist, a major Christian feast marked by liturgies and cultural customs.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is one of the oldest Christian feasts, recognizing John's birth as the herald of Christ. Churches hold special liturgies, readings, and hymns focused on his role in announcing the Messiah. Traditional customs in various countries include lighting bonfires, blessing waters, and hosting communal feasts. In many cultures, this day also marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice, linking spiritual and seasonal cycles. John's message of repentance and renewal continues to resonate in sermons and devotional practices on June 24.
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

June 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

A date in the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorating the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist and other saints.
June 24 in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar honors the Nativity of the Forerunner, Saint John the Baptist, alongside numerous martyrs and confessors. Orthodox believers attend Divine Liturgy with special hymns and readings recounting John's life and prophetic mission. Local churches may also commemorate other saints whose feast days fall on this date, fostering community-wide devotion. In jurisdictions following the Julian calendar, the celebrations occur on July 7 by the Gregorian calendar. This observance links the faithful to ancient traditions and underscores the continuity of Orthodox worship.
June 24 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Enyovden(Bulgaria)

Enyovden marks the summer solstice in Bulgaria with bonfires, herb-gathering rituals, and celebrations of nature.
Enyovden, celebrated on June 24th in Bulgaria, is a folk festival rooted in ancient pagan traditions dedicated to the sun and healing herbs. People light bonfires at dusk and jump over the flames to bring health and fortune. Herb-gathering plays a central role as participants collect plants believed to possess magical properties. Songs, dances, and communal feasting accompany the rituals, connecting communities and nature. Over time, the celebration merged with Christian Saint John's Day, adding religious blessings at sunrise. Today, Enyovden remains a vibrant display of Bulgaria's cultural heritage and reverence for the natural world.
Enyovden Bulgaria

Jónsmessa(Iceland)

An Icelandic midsummer festival blending church mass, folklore, and bonfire traditions.
Jónsmessa, or St. John's Mass, falls on June 24th and marks the height of the midnight sun in Iceland. Historically centered around a church service, the day also embraces folkloric customs and superstitions. Locals light bonfires in rural areas to celebrate light and ward off the darkness of winter months ahead. Legends speak of hidden elves and huldufólk emerging on this night, and people perform rituals to honor them. Traditional foods like smoked lamb and skyr are shared during communal gatherings under the endless twilight. The festival is a unique blend of Christian observance and Icelandic folklore, showcasing the island's mystical heritage.
Jónsmessa Iceland

Midsummer Day(England)

England's traditional midsummer celebration with historical roots in St. John's Day festivities.
Midsummer Day in England, observed on June 24th, originates from medieval St. John's Day church services. Communities once decorated churches with greenery and flowers, symbolizing fertility and renewal. Maypole dancing, once tied to this day, accompanied seasonal fairs featuring music, games, and feasts. Though no longer a public holiday, many villages still light bonfires and hold local gatherings. Folklore associates the day with magical herbs and protective charms, often collected at dawn. This celebration offers a glimpse into England’s historical customs blending Christian and pagan traditions.
Midsummer Day England

Saint Jonas' FestivalorJoninės(Lithuania)

Lithuania's vibrant midsummer festival featuring bonfires, folk rituals, and wreath ceremonies.
Saint Jonas' Festival, known as Joninės, is celebrated on June 24th to honor the summer solstice. Revelers gather in fields and forests to light bonfires, sing folk songs, and dance around the flames. A highlight is the crafting and floating of flower wreaths on rivers, believed to reveal one's true love. Traditional foods, including cheese, beer, and honey cakes, are shared during all-night vigils. Ancient pagan rites emphasize the cleansing power of fire and water, complemented by modern concerts and fairs. Joninės brings communities together in a fusion of historical beliefs and national festivity.
Saint Jonas' Festival Lithuania

Sânziene(westernCarpathian MountainsofRomania)

A Romanian midsummer festival invoking ancient fairies (Sânziene) through bonfires and flower crowns.
Sânziene is a traditional Romanian celebration held on June 24th, rooted in pagan midsummer rituals. On this night, communities weave crowns of Sânziene flowers, believed to bring health and protect against evil. Bonfires are lit at dusk, and participants dance around the flames to ensure fertility and abundant harvests. Legend says that fairies awaken in the meadows, and young women perform rites to foresee future fates. Herbs gathered during Sânziene are prized for their healing properties and used in traditional medicine. The festival fuses folklore, nature worship, and pre-Christian beliefs, preserving Romania’s ancestral heritage.
Sânziene Carpathian Mountains Romania