California declared the Lunar New Year a state
government holiday. Many communities
throughout California hold large celebrations taking
place in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los
Angeles.
Other cities in North America, whether large or
small, sponsor official parades for Chinese New
Year, and even small towns that are historically
connected with Chinese immigration, have been
hosting Chinese-themed events with colorful floats,
displays and costumes inspired by mythology and
folklore, lanterns and traditional zodiac imagery,
fireworks, music, dance, martial arts
demonstrations, and local beauty pageants.
These vibrant spectacles featuring iconic elements
are centered around themes of good fortune,
family, and renewal for the new year and are highly
appreciated by community members of all
nationalities with their diverse cultural and ethnic
heritage.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar
calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a
month of fasting (sawm), communal prayer (salah),
reflection, and community connections. It is also
the month in which the Quran is believed to have
been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as
one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine
to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent
moon to the next. In 2026, Ramadan starts around
February 17 and ends around March 18. Exact dates
depend on local moon sightings. The Islamic year
consists of 12 lunar cycles, and consequently it is
10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, thus
Ramadan changes throughout the seasons.
Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (fard) for
adult Muslims, with the exception of persons with
certain physical conditions. Children are not
required to fast either. Teenagers begin the
practice with shorter fasting times.
The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the
nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar.
Although rulings (fatawa) have been issued
declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a
midnight sun or polar night should follow the
timetable of Mecca, it is common practice to follow
the timetable of the closest country in which night
can be distinguished from day.
The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are
believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.
Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims
refrain not only from food and drink, but also from
all behavior deemed to be sinful in Islam, devoting
themselves instead to prayers, spiritual
development, self-reflection, charity, and study of
the Quran. Many Muslims aim to read the entire
text during this holy month.
In addition to the five daily prayers, special night
prayers (tarawih) are performed. Family gatherings,
community service, volunteering and donations are
all highlights of this spiritual observance. Muslims
continue to work during Ramadan, but working
hours are often shortened and religious
accommodations may change in various countries.
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr,
Ramadan
The holy month of Islam