No matter what religion you are, you’ll also want to be sensitive to the religious observances of your guests.
Even if they are able to attend, they might be fasting, eating a restricted diet, or have other limitations that will prevent them from fully enjoying your event.
So ensuring that you are choosing the best date possible will exclude any religious reasons for your guests to decline!
To help with that, have a look at the 2017 – 2020 calendar below for which dates you should AVOID having a Simcha like a wedding or Bar/Bat mitzvah!
One you have sorted out the date for your special celebration make sure to visit our Kosher Package page which we created especially for families who want a Kosher function without breaking the bank. Or you could find out more about how we can help by visiting our page about themed events or our services.
| PURIM | |
| 11 March (sunset) – 12 March 2017 | 28 February (sunset) – 1 March 2018 |
| 20 March (sunset) – 21 March 2019 | 9 March (sunset) – 10 March 2020 |
| PASSOVER | |
| 10 April (sunset) – 18 April 2017 | 30 March (sunset) – 7 April 2018 |
| 19 April (sunset) – 27 April 2019 | 8 April (sunset) – 16 April 2020 |
| Traditionally, no Jewish celebrations are held between Passover and Shavuot except on Lag B’ Omer. | |
| LAG B’OMER | |
| 14 May 2017 | 3 May 2018 |
| 23 May 2019 | 12 May 2020 |
| SHAVUOT | |
| 30 May (at sunset) – 1 June 2017 | 19 May (at sunset) – 21 May 2018 |
| 8 June (at sunset) – 10 June 2019 | 28 May (at sunset) – 30 May 2020 |
| THREE WEEKS LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING TISHA B’AV | |
| 11 July (at sunset) – 31 July 2017 | 1 July (at sunset) – 21 July 2018 |
| 21 July (at sunset) – 10 August 2019 | 5 July (at sunset) – 25 July 2020 |
| Jewish celebrations are allowed in Reform communities but are unfortunately not allowed in United ones during the period of three weeks leading up and including to the Fast of Tisha B’av. | |
| ROSH HASHANAH | |
| 20 Sept (at sunset) – 22 Sept 2017 | 9 Sept (at sunset) – 11 Sept 2018 |
| 29 Sept (at sunset) – 1 Oct 2019 | 18 Sept (at sunset) – 20 Sept 2020 |
| YOM KIPPUR | |
| 29 Sept (at sunset) – 30 Sept 2017 | 18 Sept (at sunset) – 19 Sept 2018 |
| 8 Oct (at sunset) – 9 Oct 2019 | 27 Sept (at sunset) – 28 Sept 2020 |
| (Ends at sundown with a traditional ‘Break The Fast’ meal) | |
| SUCCOT | |
| 04 Oct (at sunset) – 11 Oct 2017 | 23 Sept (at sunset) – 30 Sept 2018 |
| 13 Oct (at sunset) – 20 Oct 2019 | 2 Oct (at sunset) – 9 Oct 2020 |
| SIMCHAT TORAH | |
| 13 October 2017 | 2 October 2018 |
| 22 October 2019 | 11 October 2020 |
| CHANUKAH | |
| 12 Dec (at sunset) – 20 Dec 2017 | 2 Dec (at sunset) – 10 Dec 2018 |
| 22 Dec (at sunset) – 30 Dec 2019 | 10 Dec (at sunset) – 18 Dec 2020 |
Also consider other events such as big sporting events and school holidays – you don’t want people to miss your special day!