1 November (Friday) ALL SAINTS’ DAY Christian (Western Churches)

This day provides a chance to offer thanks for the work and witness of all saints, recognising that not all are known or specially celebrated. Many churches stress this day by holding events especially designed for children.

1 November (Friday) DIVALI / DEEPAVALI Jain

Divali has a special significance for Janis, as on this day in 527 BCE Mahavira gave his last teachings and at midnight attained ultimate liberation. Today temples and shrines are decorated, often with toys and images of animals, and Jains meditate on the teaching he gave on this day.  Many devout followers fast for the two days of Divali, following the example of Mahavira. Lamps are lit and children are given sweets by their parents, though the songs, dances and noise of Hindu celebrations are not common amongst the Jain communities. Jain business people traditionally start their accounting year from the day after Divali.

1 November (Friday) DIVALI / BANDI CHHOR DIVAS Sikh

Sikhs also celebrate Divali since Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, was released from Gwalior prison on this day. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated and firework displays take place there.  It is a time for new clothes, presents and sweets.

2 November (Saturday) ANNIVERSARY OF THE CROWNING OF HAILE SELASSIE I Rastafarian

One of the holiest days of the Rastafarian year; it celebrates Haile Selassie’s accession to the Ethiopian throne.

2 November (Saturday) ALL SOULS’ DAY Christian

The departed are remembered on this day and prayers are offered on their behalf.

2 November (Saturday) ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAB Baha'i

The Bab (the title means ‘Gate’) called people to religious renewal and to await the coming of a messenger from God, believed to be Baha’u’llah (a title that means ‘Glory of God’).

3 November (Sunday) ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAHA’U’LLAH Baha'i

Founder of the Baha’i faith, he was born the eldest son of a Persian nobleman in Tehran, Persia, in 1817.

10 November (Sunday) REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY National

The Sunday nearest to Armistice Day, devoted to remembering the dead of the two World wars and subsequent wars.

10 November (Sunday) - 17 November (Sunday) INTER-FAITH WEEK

Held in the second week of November Inter-Faith week seeks to strengthen good inter-faith relations, increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities, and increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.

15 November (Friday) BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK (1469 CE) Sikh

This is the birthday of Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. To celebrate it, Sikhs gather at the gurdwara to hear sermons and sing hymns about the life of the first Guru. The congregation will share a free meal (langar).

15 November (Friday) SHICHI-GO-SAN (Seven-Five-Three) Japanese

Girls of seven, boys of five and girls of three are dressed up in new clothes and taken to a Shinto shrine to pray for their future well-being.

16 November (Saturday) ANAPANASATI DAY Buddhist

Anapanasati day, which is observed by monks in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, is marked by two different ceremonies: one falls on the day after the final day of the three months long Rains Retreat; the other falls on the same day or at some time during the month that follows.

24 November (Sunday) MARTYRDOM OF GURU TEGH BAHADUR (1675 CE) Sikh

Under orders from the Moghul emperor, the ninth Guru was executed in public opposite the Red Fort in Delhi, so sacrificing his head rather than his faith, on behalf of Kashmiri Hindus, who had turned to him for help.

25 November (Monday) DAY OF THE COVENANT Baha'i

The Day of the Covenant is the day when Baha'i's' celebrate the appointment of Abdu'l-Baha as the Centre of the Baha'u'llah's Covenant. It occurs yearly on the 4th day of Speech (Qawl) which coincides with either November 25 or 26 depending on when Naw Ruz falls on that year.

27 November (Wednesday) ASCENSION OF ABDU'L-BAHA Baha'i

The Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha is a holy day that commemorates the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It is observed on 6 Qawl. Work is not suspended on this day as it is on some holy days. The typical observance consists of devotional readings and is held at 1:00 AM, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away about 1:00 AM on 28 November, 1921

28 November (Tuesday) LOY KRAYTONG Buddhist

Loy Kratong is celebrated in most of the village and town temples in Thailand and often coincides with a temple's Kathina Day. Degradable baskets are made and filled with carefully folded banana leaves, incense sticks, a candle and sometimes a coin. These are then launched on rivers, canals ponds or the sea, while a wish for good fortune is offered to the spirits of the water.

30 November (Friday) ST ANDREW’S DAY National / Christian

The patron saint of Scotland since the 8th century. Andrew was an apostle and brother of St Peter. In the Anglican communion he is associated with missionary activity.