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The world of Wicca is governed by the Wheel of the Year–our annual cycle of eight major holidays (sometimes called sabbats). Each of these holidays highlights a sacred aspect of our magickal craft, and they’re honestly one of the best parts about being a Wiccan.
However, some of these holidays don’t fall on the same day every year, since they correspond with the sun and moon cycles and not our modern calendar. Figuring out when exactly a holiday occurs can be a pain, but we’re here to help!
Below, you’ll find the specific dates for Wiccan holidays in 2021. You’ll also find some information about how each one is celebrated so that you can join in on the fun yourself!
Let’s explore the witchy world of 2021!
Imbolg
Imbolg is the first Wiccan holiday of 2021, and it always falls on February 1st. This year, that date is a Monday.
As the first holiday of the new year, Imbolg is a time for renewal and new beginnings, whether that’s spiritual or physical. It’s the perfect time to turn over a new leaf.
For some Wiccans and other pagans, Imbolg is also the time to honor the goddess Brigid. So, you might also see this holiday referred to as Brigid’s Day or even simply just Brigid.
Ostara
Ostara will fall on Saturday, March 20th in 2021.
We Wiccans (and other pagans) might call this holiday Ostara, but it’s more commonly known around the world as the spring equinox. This means it’s one of two days in the year when daytime and nighttime are the same length.
For some Wiccans, this is the principal holiday for worshipping the Triple Goddess, while others focus on specifically worshipping the Maiden–since she is principally associated with the spring.
Beltane
Beltane always falls on May 1st. In 2021, that will be a Saturday.
In Wicca, we refer to May 1st as Beltane, but you may hear others call it by it’s more famous name–May Day.
Beltane marks the midpoint between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the summer solstice (Litha). Wiccans will sometimes celebrate the day with traditional rites and decor (like dancing around the maypole), but this is also a popular time for fertility magick.
Litha
Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, will occur on Monday, June 21st 2021. This holiday marks the time when daylight is longest and nighttime is shortest.
Bonfires and raucous celebrations are typical for Litha, so don’t be afraid to go all out for this holiday. This is also the time when we honor the Horned God at the height of his powers.
Lammas
Lammas is a Wiccan holiday that always falls on August 1st. In 2021, that date will be a Sunday.
Lammas is the first of three harvest festivals on the Wiccan calendar. For farmers, many crops are still growing at this point in the year, so Lammas is about petitioning the gods for a good upcoming harvest.
For modern-day Wiccans, the harvest might not be as important as it once was, so we use this time to seek abundance and growth in our lives in other ways, such as spiritually.
In Ireland, you might also hear Lammas referred to as Lughnasadh.
Mabon
In 2021, Mabon will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 22nd.
Mabon is a Wiccan holiday, but it’s also the date of the fall equinox. This is the second of two days each year (Ostara is the other) when daytime and nighttime are equal length.
Mabon is the second of the three harvest festivals on the Wheel of the Year. During this celebration, we express thanks for the gifts that the God and Goddess have blessed us with during the year. Traditionally, these would be thanks for a good harvest, but we thank the Lord and Lady for all sorts of things these days.
Samhain
Samhain always falls on October 31st. In 2021, that date will be on a Sunday.
It’s perfectly fine for Wiccans to celebrate Halloween, but we also have our own holiday that we celebrate on the 31st.
As with similar celebrations around this time (Dia de Los Muertos, All Saints’ Day, etc.), Samhain is a time of reflection about the loved ones who have passed on. We use a wide range of rites and spells to help honor the dead.
Additionally, Samhain is the time of year when some witches will attempt to communicate with or work magick with the dead.
Yule
This year, Yule falls on Tuesday, December 21st.
Yule is a holiday that’s celebrated by more than just Wiccans, and in fact, it’s probably more commonly known as the winter solstice. It’s the day of the year when nighttime is at its longest.
Yule is a time for meditating on the year behind you, as well as life itself. We honor the ever-turning wheel of birth, life, death, and rebirth during Yule. We also use this time to look ahead to the coming spring and the new cycle of life that it will bring with it.
Here’s to a Magickal 2021
Eight holidays a year might seem like a lot, but these sacred days are some of the best to be a Wiccan. By following the Wheel of the Year, our lives become more in sync with the rhythms of nature and the universe. Plus, the eight Wiccan sabbats offer a wonderful overview of the world of Wicca.
How will you be celebrating in 2021?
This can seem like a strange time in our society to talk of holiday cheer and celebrations, but I think that commemorating the good in life is now more important than ever.
If you’re interested in learning more about Wiccan holidays or Wicca in general, be sure to sign up for the Explore Wicca mailing list. You’ll be first to know about any new content or offers from us when you sign up!
Blessed be.
