Category: 2017 Bank Holidays

India is one diverse country with a varying range of communities and religions. As expected, the holidays and festivals too will be diverse and celebrated with much pomp and splendor.

People of the country look forward to these dates and enjoy these festivities with their loved ones. Though the list of festivals in India is endless, not all of them are national holidays.

The list of India’s bank holidays 2017 is a group effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its respected readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and mythological history as well as an insight of how people in India celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of India’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in India	Date	Description
Republic Day	26th January 2017	This day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26th of January, 1950. It was a major finishing step on the part of the country to become an independent republic. All government offices, banks and post offices are closed on this day and there may be increased security especially in New Delhi as well as in the state capitals of the country. This day is lived in the true patriotic spirit of the country and includes military parades and display of the national flag. Representative members of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are seen taking part in the parades. New Delhi hosts a grand parade during which the prime minister of the country lays a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in remembrance of soldiers who had given up their lives for the country. The president of India also takes the military salute during the parade and awards and medals of bravery are given to worthy recipients.
Holi	13th March 2017	“This is the most colorful and vibrant festival of India and celebrates the arrival of Spring which is a season of mirth and hope. This festival dates back to the legends of Holika Dahan and Radha-Krishan. The tradition of Holika Dahan involves the lighting of bonfires which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Also known as Basant Utsav, this festival is all about putting ‘gulaal’ and color on each other’s loved ones. Sweets like gujiyas are eaten on this day. Temples are also seen to be beautifully decorated on this day with the idol of Radha being moved to and fro on a swing by devotees. People are also sanctioned to drink the famous concoction of ‘Mahadev’ known as ‘Bhaang’ on this occasion which is anyways filled with laughter, love, joy, frolic and colors. “
Rama Navami	5th April 2017	Rama Navami is a Hindu festival which celebrates the birth of Lord Rama who is also believed to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu. It falls on the 9th day of the month of Chaitra and is a very important festival for especially the Vaishnava sect of the Hindus. Temples are decorated along with recitals of the holy Ramayana taking place there and images and statues of Lord Rama is highly adorned. In Ayodha which is the birthplace of Lord Rama, a big fair is held on that day. In South India, this festival is led for nine days with devotees fasting and consuming only fruits and milk for this period. On the main day, a sacred fire ceremony or ‘havan’ is organized.
“Mahavir Jayanti	9th April 2017	“This is one of the most important festivals of the Jain community and commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavira who was the last Tirthanka and the founder of Jainism. It is always celebrated on the 13th day of the month of rising moon called Chaitra. The traditions of this day include visiting Tirthankar temples and shrines. Mahavir statues are bathed with milk and offered flowers, rice and fruits. Also, long processions leave with pictures of Mahavir and his life history and teachings are preached. Some followers also keep a fast on this day and kheer is prepared as custom.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	” Also known as Black Friday or Easter Friday, this day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a gazetted holiday in the country and Christians attend special church services or pray on this day. Some of them keep a fast or don’t consume meat on this day of mourning. Parades and public plays to portray the life of Jesus Christ are also held. After the afternoon service in churches, devotees have a bitter drink which is prepared from vinegar and bitter leaves.
May Day	1st May 2017	” This day employees are given a day off work in the purpose of paying a tribute to the numerous people who had fought for better rights of worker class decades ago. Also known as Labor day, people generally relax and spend time with family and friends on this day.
Id-Ul-Fitr	26th June 2017	“This is an important religious holiday for the Muslims of the country which marks the end of the holy month of fasting called Ramadan. This day begins with the Muslims offering Eid prayers in mosques after which they go to the graveyards and burial sites to honor and remember their deceased family members. Then they come home to greet each saying ‘Eid Mubarak’ and exchange gifts and give money (called Eidi) to the children. They wear new clothes on this day and women apply henna on their hands. The Eid feast comprises of a dish of toasted syrupy Vermicelli with milk and dry fruits called ‘sevaiyan’. Some of the most well-known masjids of India are Jama Masjid (Delhi), Aishbagh Idgah (Lucknow) and Mecca masjid (Hyderabad).
Independence Day	“15th August 2017	“This is an annual holiday to remember the date of 15th August, 1947 when India had become an independent nation. On this day, the people of India pay tribute to the leaders and freedom fighters for whom this independence had been possible. During this time, all the government buildings are illuminated with lights and the Indian flag is hoisted from buildings. The president of the country delivers the ‘Address to the Nation’ on the eve of this day and the prime minister hoists the Indian Flag and gives a speech at the Red Fort in the country capital. Cultural and flag hoisting programs are held in schools, colleges and other organizations. Movies about Indian freedom fighters are shown on the television and patriotic songs are sung.
Dussehra	30th September 2017	“Also known as Vijaya Dashami, this Hindu festival falls on the 10th of the month of Ashvin according to the Hindu calendar. It preaches the victory of good over evil and its believed that on this day Lord Rama killed Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The preceding nine days of Dussehra are jointly known as ‘Navratri’ and is devoted to the worship of mother goddess Shakti. On Vijaya Dashami, plays of Ramayana known as Ramleela is performed along with burning of huge effigies of Ravana known as ‘Dasha Hara’ in Northern India. In South India, Devi Durga is worshipped along with displays of colorful figurines called Golu. In Bengal, Devi Durga Idol is worshipped for five days and immersed in a river or pond on Dussehra. It is also auspicious to start a new business or purchase items like a car or home or jewellery on this day.
Muharram	1st October 2017	This day marks the Islamic New Year for both the sects the Sunnis and the Shias. The Shia Muslims consider this to be a time of mourning remembering the deadly battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. They wear black clothes and attend assemblies where incidents of the battle are narrated. They also avoid music, dance and no weddings take place during this period. They take out huge processions carrying taziyahs and walk barefoot with the sound of drums in the background. They weep loudly as an act of mourning and beat their chests known as matam. They also hit their bodies with chains or whips thus drawing out blood. The Sunni muslims on the other hand celebrate this day peacefully and keep fasts which are believed to be the most reward-able ones.
Gandhi Jayanti	2nd October 2017	This day marks the anniversary of the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2nd, 1869. Gandhi is considered to be the father of the nation and is remembered for his valuable contribution in India’s fight for freedom. Events like prayer services, ceremonies to commemorate and pay tribute to him, presentation of awards and showing of films and books on his life are held. People sing the song ‘ Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’ which used to be the favourite song of ‘Bapu’. The places which host major celebrations on this day are 1) The Martyr’s Column at the Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, 2)The Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna in New Delhi and 3) The Triveni Sangam i.e. the common meeting place of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
Diwali	19th October 2017	Popularly known as the festival of lights, it celebrates the concept of victory of good over evil and hope over despair. This festival ritualy extends over a period of five days but the main day coincides with the darkest new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. During this time people clean their houses and decorate them with lights and ‘diyas’. On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes and perform in family pujas. They also exchange gifts and sweets among friends and family.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	Christmas is the festival that marks the birthday of Jesus Christ and is a joyous occasion all over the world. India is no exception as Christians attend church services and prepare special Christmas treats for the big day. Malls are decorated in colors of red and white and green and Christmas trees are set up. Bakeries get filled with Christmas cakes and cookies. People also go shopping during this time to buy presents for their near and dear ones.

One of the best things about holidays are that you can take your sweet little time to enjoy each and every moment without any stress or time bound. People like to make the most of these with their family and friends and the people of America are no different.

They too spend each of their holidays as well as the extended holidays in case one of them falls on a weekend with utmost enthusiasm and energy.

One very unusual feature about the holidays that are celebrated in the United States is that none of the holidays observed are considered to be national holidays. The holidays of America are determined or decided by the federal laws of the nation and hence are known as federal holidays.

The list of USA’s bank holidays 2017 is a combined effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its revered readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and  patriotic significance as well as an insight of how people in USA celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of USA’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in USA	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	2nd January 2017	The holiday is extended till Monday as New Year falls on a Sunday (1st of January 2017). This is one of the few occasions which is celebrated with immense joy and mirth all over the world including the United States. The first day of the Gregorian Calendar is welcomed at midnight with extravagant firework displays and parties. For many people, this day is spent in relaxation after the energized and eventful night before. Some towns and cities host special football matches and colorful parades. A common thing among the people is making New Year’s Resolutions which are promises they make to themselves to change their life for the better such as end smoking or the intake of alcohol or to lose weight in the upcoming year. Babies born on this day are celebrated with gifts to the baby and the parents along with their appearances on the local television and newspapers.
Martin Luther King Day	16th January 2017	This day marks the anniversary of the date of birth of the American Civil Rights leader of the name Martin Luther King. He was an influential leader and played an important role in campaigns to end racial discrimination and promote racial equality in the United States. This holiday is always observed on the 3rd Monday of the month of January and celebrates the life and achievements of this youngest bearer of Nobel Peace Prize. On this day, demonstrations are held to enlighten the people of America with the issue of equal rights for all the citizens irrespective of their race or background. During this time, educational institutions also teach their pupils about the contributions of Martin Luther King and his fight against racism. Also, many people of the U.S. volunteer in citizen action groups on this day.
Presidents’ Day	20th February 2017	“Also known as Washington’s Birthday, this holiday honors the work and lifetime achievements of George Washington who was the first president of the United States. Though his birthday officially falls on 22nd February, Presidents’ Day Is celebrated on the third Monday of the month of February every year. This day not only remembers Washington who is regarded as the Father of the Nation but also commemorates other presidents of America both past and present. In the week preceding this holiday, schools and colleges organize events and lessons about the presidents of the United States and Washington in particular. It is also a well-known day for the stores to start their sales for the season as well as to read out the “”George Washington’s Farewell Address”” at public gatherings.
“Emancipation Day	17th April 2017	“This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act which had taken place in 1862. The act was signed by then president Abraham Lincoln and it had ended slavery and serfdom especially of African background as well as promoted citizen’s rights. Therefore, a wide variety of events is held in Washington DC during this time and is often continued for the whole month of April. These celebrations include exhibitions, presentations, discussions, laying down of wreaths, concerts and poetry sessions. These events target to educate people about the history of slavery in Columbia as well as racial issues in America.
Memorial Day	29th May 2017	” Originally known as Decoration Day, this holiday commemorates all the men and women who died in military service for the United States. Celebrated on the last Monday of May each year, this holiday had started as an event to honor the Union soldiers who had died in the American Civil War but later on it was extended to include all men or women who died for the nation. On this day, it’s a tradition to fly the flag of United States at half-staff from dawn till noon. People also visit places like cemeteries and memorials to honor and pay tribute to the deceased military personnel. In national cemeteries, each grave is adorned with the national flag of America. This day is also regarded as the start of the summer season and people go on picnics, family get together and sport events.
Independence Day	4th July 2017	“It is annually celebrated on the Fourth of July and marks the day on which the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was published in 1776. It is a patriotic holiday and is a joyous event for the Americans worldwide. This is a day when families hold picnics and barbecues and emphasizes the American traditional way of celebrating political freedom. Programs consist of hotdog and watermelon eating competitions and sport events like baseball matches, swimming races and tug-o-war games. On this day, the American flag can be seen commonly outside many homes and buildings and firework displays accompanied by patriotic songs are hosted by the local communities. The Statue of Liberty is a national monument with is associated with this day. Many public events are held where political leaders appear to show their support for the heritage, culture and the people of the country.
Labor Day	4th September 2017	“It is observed on the first Monday of September every year and gifts the workers a day off work and celebrates their immense contribution to the American economy. This day celebrates the achievements of the labor unions and their efforts to protect the rights of the working class since 1882 but became a federal holiday in the US only in 1894. For many people it is utilized as a day of rest although some neighborhoods also organize fireworks displays, barbecues and art events on this day. Public celebrations are low key and the American football season starts around this time.
Columbus Day	“9th October 2017	“Falling on the second Monday of October every year, this day remembers the arrival of the 15th century explorer Christopher Columbus to America. He had first stepped on the land of America on the 12th of October, 1492 and is rightfully believed to be the day the American continent had been discovered. The celebration of this holiday is somewhat controversial because many people believe that the European settlement had led to the severe demise and downfall of the rich culture and heritage of the native or indigenous people living on the land. But nonetheless, this day is celebrated particularly in the Italian-American communities with special church services and large parades. The celebrations in New York and San Francisco are notable and popular.
Veteran’s Day	10th November 2017	This day annually falls on 11th November but as it’s a Saturday in the year 2017 this holiday is going to be observed on the preceding day. It is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice which had led to the end of the First World War hostilities between the allied nations and Germany back in 1918. Intended to honor and thank all the persons who served in the wars of the nation and particularly the living veterans, this day is celebrated with great pomp and splendor. This day is characterized with elaborate parades and church services. The American flag is hung and a period of silence may be observed for two minutes at 11 AM on this day. Many schools and colleges instead of staying shut hold special assemblies for the students on this day.
Thanksgiving Day	23rd November 2017	This day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and traditionally a festival to convey thanks for the food collected at the end of the harvest season. It is a federal holiday in the United States when friends and families come together for a sumptuous and grand meal. This meal consists of dishes like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and pumpkin pie. On this day, people give thanks to whatever they have and feel privileged. Special Thanksgiving Day parades are held on this day which gives way to a long four-day weekend of fun and frolic. It’s also the time which marks the opening of the shopping season for Christmas.
Black Friday	24th November 2017	It is the day right after thanksgiving and considered to be the busiest shopping day of the year. A North Carolina neighborhood is the most trafficked area of the United States on Black Friday. It is the unofficial starting day of Christmas shopping season and being a federal holiday people flock to the stores day and night. Great bargains and sales attract them and queues are seen from early morning before stores open.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	On this day people around the world celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. The traditional meaning of Christmas is a special church service or mass in order to celebrate the birth of Christ. Nowadays people celebrate this festival in many ways. When Christmas time is approaching, people go shopping for presents for their loved ones; decorate their houses, place a Christmas tree and families come together for the upcoming occasion. On the very day, a sumptuous and grand feast is laid out including dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes and a special custard pudding. Children hang stockings at the fireplace on Christmas Eve and receive it filled with gifts on Christmas morning. All this has led to Christmas to be a highly commercialized holiday with people spending a significant amount of their income during this festival. Many Sunday schools and churches organize special events like a Christmas display or carol performances. Charitable activities like arranging meals and shelter for the homeless people are also seen.

Going through the year planner and searching for all the holidays right at the start of a year is a common habit of people around the world.

Nothing makes them happy as an extra day off work. People of UK show these same characteristics as they enjoy a year filled with festivities and cultural events though not all are public holidays.

In case one of them falls on the weekend the holiday is extended to the next working day for the working population.

The list of UK’s bank holidays 2017 is a combined effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its revered readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and religious beliefs as well as an insight of how people in UK celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of UK’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in UK	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	2nd January 2017	The holiday is extended as New Year falls on a Sunday. It marks the first day of the Gregorian Calendar and also the end of Christmas break before people head out to work again. New year’s eve is spent at parties in pubs and night clubs by many people so this day is often used to recover from the huge amount of energy spent the day before. In many regions around the coast of UK, people dress up in costumes and dive into the cold sea. Also, this is the time when people make new year resolutions to promise to themselves that they will take steps to make their life better in the upcoming year. There are also certain customs like people sing the song ‘Aud Lang Syne’ at midnight as well as the first person to enter a house (first-footer) on new year will bring good luck if it’s a male one or bad luck if it’s a female first-footer.
Pancake Tuesday	28th February 2017	Also known as Shrove Tuesday, it is the last day of gorging before the 40-day period of fasting during Lent. This holiday involves the consumption of high caloric and fatty food especially pancakes and thus the name. In England, mob football games are held on this day and pancake races are organized in several villages and towns of UK. This race involves people running with a frying pan in hand and tossing pancakes in the air and catching them while they run. The most famous pancake race takes place at Olney in Buckinghamshire.
St. David’s Day	1st March 2017	The Welsh culture and the life of the patron saint of the people of Welsh origin i.e. St. David is celebrated on this day each year. People generally attend special church services, choral recitals, parades and welsh literature readings on this day. Local schools arrange choirs with children dressed up in traditional costumes. Adults may pin the symbols of Wales i.e. a daffodil or a leek to their clothes. Also, the traditional meal on this day consists of ‘cawl’ which is a soup made of leek.
“St. Patrick’s Day	17th March 2017	“This holiday celebrates the Irish culture and commemorates the life of St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints. A large parade is held in Belfast on this day and many people go to celebrate in the local Irish pubs. Nottingham also hosts a weekend of celebrations which consist of a parade, arts and music festival, children’s workshops and stage performances by popular Irish musicians. Liverpool witnesses a three day Irish festival and London celebrates for an entire week including a parade to Trafalgar Square and Convent Garden and a festival too. These events help people understand and enjoy the Irish culture and their food, crafts, dance and music tastes.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	” Also known as Black Friday or Easter Friday, this day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and start of the Easter weekend. It is a bank holiday in the country and people will probably attend a special church service on this day. For some people, it is a day off work to enjoy the spring season and spend time with friends and family. Also, meat is generally not eaten on this day by the Catholics so consequently fish is preferred for this occasion. As per traditions, hot cross buns i.e. buns marked with a cross of flour and water paste on top are eaten on this day.
Easter Monday	17th April 2017	“Easter Monday is the day right after Easter Sunday and the last day of the 4-day Easter festivity. For some people, it is the perfect time to enjoy the spring season and work in the garden or relax before heading off to work the next day. Egg rolling competitions are arranged in some places along with special sport matches and Easter bonnet parades. The villages of Hallaton and Medbourne in Leicestershire hold a bottle kicking match every year since the early eighteenth century.
St. George’s Day	23rd April 2017	“This date marks the anniversary of the death of England’s patron saint. St. George. This day is considered to be the national day of England. St. George was a soldier in the Roman army and according to legends; he had killed a dragon to save a princess. Today, this festival is celebrated with parades and dances. Church services include the hymn ‘Jerusalem’ during this time. Flags bearing the St. George cross flutter on some buildings, pubs predominating along with people sporting a red rose on their lapel.
Early May Bank Holiday	“1st May 2017	“This holiday falls on the first Monday of May every year. In early times, this day originated as a Roman festival to honor and celebrate the start of the summer season. Then over the later years, it transformed into a day of paying tribute to the contributing union workers of the past and for the campaigning of worker rights. One of the most popular traditions is the Maypole Dancing which is the dance around a tall pole that has ribbons suspended from it. The aim of the dance is to create a beautiful and eye pleasing pattern on the pole using the ribbons. Another traditional performance takes place which is known as the Morris Dance. It involves men dressed in white with bells on their costumes, dancing with long wooden sticks. A May queen is also crowned who is considered to be the human avatar of roman God Flora. This day also celebrates and demands worker rights and hence large marches are organized by trade union members in London and other regions too.
Spring Bank Holiday	29th May 2017	“Also known as the late May Bank holiday, it falls on the last Monday of May. This holiday took the place of Whit Monday which was the Monday just after Pentecost. For some people it is a day spent in enjoying the spring season and taking a walk in the countryside or visiting parks and garden centers. There are a few customs associated with this holiday like the race down the steep Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth following a large round cheese weighing about 8 lbs. Another tradition is held in Endon, Staffordshire, where the villagers dress in their best clothes, and they organize a fair where the local med take part in a competition called ‘tossing the sheaf’. Also by the end of the event, a girl is crowned with the title of Well Dressing Queen.
Battle of the Boyne	12th July 2017	This holiday commemorates the Battle of Boyne which had taken place on Ireland’s east coast in 1690. This day is called by various names like “Orangemen’s Day”, “Glorious Twelfth” or just “Twelfth”. The northern Ireland towns host marches and walk accompanied by marching bands and organized with the help of Lodges of the Orange order. The people walking wear dark suits and collarette’s which are often made from orange cloth. A more traditional getup used to include black bowler hats and white gloves but those are not seen much nowadays. Lodges carry the Union flag in their hand also known as the Union Jack.
Guy Fawkes Day	5th November 2017	Also known as Bonfire Night, it marks the anniversary of the day in 1605 when the plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London was prevented successfully. Guy Fawkes was a catholic who was arrested, tortured and put to death for his contribution to the blowing up plot. People light bonfires and set off fireworks, some in their own gardens while others in big communal spaces. Also, the government organizes firework displays in parks. Popular eatables of this day are bonfire toffees, toffee apples and baked potatoes prepared in the fire of the bonfires.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	This holiday celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ all over the world with UK being no exception. During this time, people decorate their homes with fairy lights, the Christmas tree and mistletoe bunches. In many places, scenes illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ are shown and special services in churches also take place. Family members give presents to each other and children find a stocking filled with gifts supposedly from ‘Santa Claus’. The Christmas day feast comprises of dishes like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, mince pies and a heavy, dense pudding filled with nuts and dry fruits which is often served after pouring brandy on top.
Boxing Day	26th December 2017	This holiday is the day right after Christmas and a major day as it’s the start of the post-Christmas sales. Earlier this day had a tradition of employers distributing food and cloth to their employees but in recent times it is a day of important sporting events like horse racing and soccer. For a part of the population, this day is a resting day to recover from the events filled days spent the week before. Another portion especially the shopaholic ones take to the stores on this day queuing right from dawn to grab the best bargains.

The word “Holiday” originated from the word “Haligdaeg” which means “holy day” in Old English. On such days most of the institutions, offices and shops remain closed.

It is a day of leisure on which people can stay home and spend quality time with the loved ones. It also gives an opportunity to people to go on vacations and make memories. Such days are also the days of festivities which are filled with fun and frolic.

Needless to say, people all over the world look forward to such days and spend some time away from work and hectic routine. However if an employee works on this day, he is paid an extra amount or given a day off in lieu of the holiday. Days of holiday vary all over the world depending on the traditions and laws passed by the government in a particular place.

Singapore, also known as the Lion City, is the only island city-state in the world located in Southeast Asia. Their culture is a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and British to some extent.  Due to such varied range of culture and traditions, the list of holidays involves mix of days that are of particular significance and are celebrated in different communities.

Bank holidays are the days in which all the banks remain closed and the employees can stay back home without being answerable to anyone.

Here’s a list of Singapore’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in Singapore	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	1st Jan 2017	In the Georgian Calendar, New Year’s Day marks the beginning of a whole new year.  Just like in other places, New Year in Singapore is celebrated in a grand way. On the New Year’s Eve people usually stay up till the clock strikes 12 in order to wish each other. Especially on this day, huge crowd is seen celebrating the beginning of a year in Siloso Beach, Marina Bay and Clarke’s Quay. The festivities include beautiful firework shows, music concerts, feasting, competitions and many more activities. Many celebrities are also seen taking parts in shows organized for public and heating up the atmosphere.  Central Square is heavily decorated and acrobats and jugglers are seen performing on this special occasion. One of the traditions includes penning down one’s hopes and wishes on a white sphere called ‘wishing sphere’ and them onto the Singapore river. Even the Prime Minister is seen to take part in this event.
Chinese New Year	28th January 2017	“This is also called the ‘Spring Festival’ or the ‘Lunar New year’. The date keeps on varying since it depends on the lunar calendar. Arrangements start weeks before the arrival of this day and the whole of Singapore is in a festive mood during this time of the year.  Festivities include traditional lion dances, exotic processions and grand feasting.  It is a tradition to gift each other mandarin oranges as it believed to bring good luck. Children dress up in new clothes and receive money in scarlet envelopes from their relatives. Houses are cleaned and decorated.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	” It is a Christian Holiday which marks the crucifixion of their lord, Jesus Christ.  It is observed on the Friday which comes immediately before the Easter Sunday. It is a day of mourning as it remembers the death of Jesus Christ. People attend special church services on this day and the scene depicting the crucifixion is also enacted at many places.
Labor Day	1st May 2017	“Labor day is a public holiday which is also called the May Day. It is celebrated in the 1st of May every year.  Worker’s rights are celebrated on this day and it was marked as a public holiday in1960. It is celebrated in honor of all the workers for their day to day efforts. Earlier, workers would campaign for higher wages and better working conditions but now it’s more about enjoying the day with friends and family.
Vesak Day	10th May 2017	“Vesak Day is a public holiday and is a day of great significance in Buddhism.  In the Lunar Calendar (Chinese), it falls on the fifteenth day of the fourth month. This day marks the three major stages in Gautama Buddha’s life. Those stages are birth, enlightenment also known as “nirvana” and death which is also called “parinirvana”.  On this day the temples are adorned with flowers and Buddhist flags.  The people sing hymns and offers candles, flowers and incense stick at Buddha’s feet. They also believe that carrying out good deeds on this day will multiply their merits. Blood donation camps are organized by the youths and other acts of kindness are also carried out.  Candle-lit processions are also a part of celebration.
Hari Raya Puyasa	“25th & 26th June 2017	“This is a Muslim holiday and is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan which is a month of starving. As the date is dependent on the Lunar Calendar (Islamic), it varies year to year. It is a time to forgive and forget. Moreover it is also symbolic of purification. On this day homes are cleaned and decorated. Families wear traditional dresses usually of the same color to signify unity. The Muslims visit mosques to pray and also visit the graves of their deceased relatives and friends. Celebrations include afternoon feasts and children are gifted money in green colored envelopes.
National Day	9th August 2017	“This public holiday is celebrated in Singapore every year on 9thof August. It marks the independence of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965. The celebrations include the National Day Parade that takes place at the National Stadium. On this day the Prime Minister of Singapore addresses the citizens. Grand firework shows are also arranged for the people along with various other activities.
Hari Raya Haji	1st September 2017	“It is another public holiday in Singapore. It is observed all over the world by the Muslims. This day marks Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son, Ishmael, after Allah asked him to do so.  However Allah gave a ram to Ibrahim for sacrificing it in place of his son.  It is observed 70 days after the month of Ramadan and it is also the end of annual pilgrimage to Mecca. People go to the mosques to offer prayer and cows and goats are sacrificed whose meats are then distributed among the poor Muslim families.
Deepavali	18th October 2017	Deepavali also known as “diwali” or “the festival of lights” is a Hindu festival.  This day celebrates the light over darkness and the good over the evil. The date varies as it depends on the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day Lord Krishna defeated the Narakasura in a battle.  Homes are cleaned and decorated with lights. Burning fire crackers on this day is a common tradition. People dress up in new clothes and exchange gifts. The entire family comes together for feasting on various dishes.  Lord Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi are also worshipped on this day.  Five percent of Singapore’s population being Hindu, this festival is celebrated splendidly. The temples on the Serangoon Road are decorated with candles and flowers on this day.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	“This day is celebrated almost all over the world with the same amount of splendor and it marks the birth of baby Jesus.  One sixth of Singapore’s population being Christian, the Christmas day is celebrated in a grand manner. Many people go to churches on Christmas eve and attend special services. The streets are decorated especially for this day. People attend feasts which include traditional dishes like turkey roast, eggnog, gingerbread, fruit cake and many more dishes. Other festivities include concerts, parades and other performances. People also go for shopping on this day.

Holidays bring a lot of excitement and enjoyment for people all around the world including those residing in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has a diverse culture and the festivals there speak of traditions in loud volumes. The festivals are based on the lunisolar calendar and the dates keep changing every year though one favorable aspect for the population of Hong Kong is that if a public holiday falls on a weekend then the following day is declared a holiday too.

The list of Hong Kong’s bank holidays 2017 is a group effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its respected readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and roots of origin as well as an overview of how people in Hong Kong celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of Hong Kong’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in Hong Kong	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	2nd Jan 2017	The holiday is extended till Monday as the New Year falls on a Sunday (1st of Jan 2017). Just like the rest of the world, Hong Kong welcomes the first day of the Gregorian Calendar with much pomp and splendor. One spectacular sight during the final moments of the present year is the countdown firework display that takes place over Victoria Harbor. All nightclubs and discos host grand parties to receive the incoming year in style. Another act of celebration is the light display and sound shows that are held over the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Chinese New Year	28th January 2017	“Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is the biggest holiday in China and falls on the 1st day of the 1st Lunar month every year. The holiday is continued till the 31st of January 2017 and is also known as the Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong have earned a place in the list of ‘World’s 10 best festival extravaganzas’ by Forbes. On the 1st day there is a big international parade on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. There are dozens of bands and groups performing in the parade as people hop to the beating music. The second day is scheduled with a giant display of fireworks with synchronized lights and laser light show over the Victoria Harbor. And on the final day, the greatest of horse races ‘The Chinese New Year Cup’ is held in the Sha Tin racecourse where the Jockey Club which is a nonprofit charity group performs a full traditional event.  Even during this festival, the malls stay open for longer hours to manage the shopping rush.
Ching Ming Festival	4th April 2017	“This festival also known as the Quing Ming Festival falls in the third lunar month and is a day when the people of Hong Kong pay tribute to their ancestors. On this day, public transport companies arrange trips from the city to the hillside cemeteries. The translation of Ching Ming is clean and bright so people on this day often clean and sweep their ancestors tombs and even burn paper offerings of commodities that they believe will be needed in the afterlife on that spot.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	” Good Friday is celebrated on the day right after Maundy Thursday and is the start of the Easter weekend. It commemorates the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ by the Christians. This day is a public holiday in Hong Kong and people enjoy it just as any other holiday.
Easter Monday	17th April 2017	” Easter in Hong Kong as a trickledown tradition from the British Legacy is a long weekend of holiday time from Good Friday to Easter Monday which is the final day. Majority people will be relaxing and spending quiet time with their friends and family on this day before heading off to work the next day. Special services will be held in churches. People may also host or attend Easter egg (chocolate eggs decorated with colorful Easter scenes) hunts or picnics or afternoon teas or brunches etc.
Labor Day	1st May 2017	“Also known as May Day, this is a public holiday in many countries of the world including Hong Kong. This day remembers the struggles, efforts and triumph of the union workers who had fought so hard for the eight-hour-work-a-day law for all the workers during which several people had lost their lives too. On this day in Hong Kong, workers and union members and activists march to government offices and organizations from Victoria Park.
Buddha’s Birthday	3rd May 2017	“The birthday of Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama who was the founder of Buddhism is one of the most cultural and spiritual festivals celebrated in Hong Kong. The legend goes that at birth, baby Buddha had been bathed with water sprayed by nine dragons. So till today, on his birthday, devotees of Buddha gather at Buddhist temples to bathe his statues in order to purify one’s soul through this ceremony. Also, before and after the birthday of Buddha, people eat green bitter cookies which signify the hardships one has to take in order to acquire rewards and happiness in life. A very elaborate ceremony is held at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island which is the home of the Big Buddha.
Dragon Boat Festival	“30th May 2017	“Also known as the Tuen Ng Festival, it started about 2000 years ago and revolves around a folk lore about Qu Yuan who was a famous chinese poet and minister during the Zhou Dynasty. This festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar and commemorates the death of Qu Yuan. It is said that when Ying was captured, Qu Yuan couldn’t accept it and committed suicide by drowning in the Miluo River. The local people who used to admire him had gone out to save him or at least his body in boats that had fronts shaped like dragons to scare away the fish. Since then it has become a tradition to host dragon boat races in Hong Kong on this day and hence the name. These races which have now evolved into major international events are held in about 10 sites of Hong Kong. The local ones are Stanley dragon Boat Championships held at the town of Stanley and others held at locations like Aberdeen, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Cheung Chau, Discovery Bay and Tai O. The greatest of all the races is the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Race held along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near the Avenue Of Stars at Victoria Harbor. People also eat glutinous rice dumplings called zongzi on this day.
Special Administration Region (SAR) Day	1st July 2017	“This holiday commemorates the shift of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the Republic of China and the establishment of SAR. It is being celebrated in Hong Kong every year since 1997. On this day, there is a pageantry including Hong Kong’s guards of honor, Police and military bands and helicopters making rounds overhead while the flag of Hong Kong is raised at Golden Bauhinia Square which was the original place of the handover back in 1997. There are also carnivals including cultural performances, lion and dragon dances, marching bands etc. at Chater Road Central. Along with these, a march is also led by the Civil Human Rights Front and a fireworks display at the evening in Victoria Harbor.
National Day	1st October 2017	The holiday is extended till the 2nd of October as 1st of the month is a Sunday. It is a public holiday to mark the anniversary of the date when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was ceremoniously founded back in 1949 at Tiananmen Square. There are a variety of government organized events on this day including fireworks and concerts along with public display of portraits of respected political leaders. One of the notable events of this day is the fireworks display of over 20 minutes long at the Victoria Harbor accompanied by synchronized music. Others include the flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square and the National Day Horse Race at the Sha Tin race course.
Mid-Autumn Festival	4th October 2017	The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar and is being celebrated since the Tang Dynasty (618-907 BC). The round shape symbolizes unity according to the Chinese culture, roundness relating to the shape of the moon and thus this festival always falls on a full moon night. This festival is also celebrated to pray for a good harvest and as well as enjoy a reunion with distant relatives. In the earlier years, families would reunite to make offerings of osmanthus flavored wine and spherical fruits like grapes and pomegranates. During this festival, it is a tradition to eat moon cakes. Programs like fire dragon dances, lantern exhibitions and carnivals are also organized.
Chung Yeung Festival	28th October 2017	This festival occurs on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month and hence is also known as the Double ninth Festival. Similar to the Ching Ming Festival, this festival also engages in the practice of ancestor worship. People go to the cemeteries and graveyards to burn incense sticks and make offerings like a roast suckling pig and fruits to their ancestors.  On this day, people in Hong Kong also go outdoors to enjoy the weather and engage in picnics with their loved ones. Also, they eat special cakes called ‘Ko’ or ‘Chongyang’ meaning high or top which is believed to get them promotions or higher positions in life.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	Just like the rest of the world, Hong Kong celebrates the birth date of Jesus Christ with a lot of extravagance. People during this time come together to spend time with friends and family, buy gifts for their loved ones and prepare and eat sumptuous Christmas food. On Christmas evening, you can see Christmas lights on 40 buildings along the Victoria Harbor which is a choreographed light show. There are also special services in Chinese at the churches for the Chinese Christians. Every year during this season there is a ‘winter fest’ which is a huge winter party with lots of shops, food stalls, music, theme parks and much more.

At the beginning of each year we find ourselves looking at the calendar and searching for holidays. The more holidays we get the better.

Yes, that’s how much they mean to us. Each and every person requires a break from their daily routine and busy schedule. Holiday provides that much needed break. People either spend such days relaxing at home or they go on trips.

Bank holidays are public holidays in which all the banks remain officially closed by the law passed by state legislation. The workers are allowed to stay back home without being answerable to anyone. Usually those who choose to work even on a holiday are paid an extra amount.

According to the German Constitution, the banks and post offices in Germany are bound to remain closed on every Sundays and public holidays. Just like the people in other countries, Germans too celebrate their holidays lavishly and in a grand manner.

Here’s a list of Germany’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in Germany	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	1st Jan 2017	The New Year’s Day is also known as “Neujahr”   or “Neujahrstag” in Germany.  This day is the first day of a year in the Georgian Calendar and is a public holiday. Many people celebrate the starting of a whole new year by going to pubs and parties at midnight. Most of these parties last till the wee hours. Many people prefer to spend the rest of the day relaxing at home with their family which is usually followed by family lunch or evening meal. The celebrations also include firework shows for the citizens, concerts and many more.
Epiphany	6th January 2017	“Epiphany, also known as “Epiphanias” or “Erscheinung des Herrn” is a public holiday. On this very day, the three wise men or the Magi’s visited baby Jesus Christ. People attend church services. The backyards of houses are decorated with idols and cribs in order to portray the scene. Children dressed as Magi’s visits houses and chant hymns to collect money for charities. People also drink a special beer called bockbier on this day.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	” Good Friday or “Karfreitag” marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This day is observed on the Friday which comes just before the Easter Sunday. It is a day of mourning. People attend special church services on this day. Plays narrating the story leading to the crucifixion are enacted in many areas. It is a Tradition to have fish instead of meat on this day. It is also the beginning of a long weekend. Many people take this opportunity to go on a small vacation.
Easter Monday	17th April 2017	” Easter Monday, also known as “Ostermontag” is a public holiday in Germany. It is observed on the Monday that comes right after the Easter Sunday. This day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. People take part in early morning candle-lit parades which is followed by church services. In villages, egg races are held on this day. The mourning period comes to an end with festivities. Huge meals are arranged. Eating Easter eggs and bunnies made out of candy and chocolate is a common tradition. Moreover people who had gone on vacations return home on this day as the weekend comes to an end.
Labor Day	1st May 2017	“In Germany this day is also known as “Tag der Arbeit”. This day celebrates the worker’s rights. Labor Day coincides with the May Day in Germany. Festivities include preparing of Maypoles which are branches wrapped in ribbons. Other festivities include bonfires and spending the night out. People also take part in rallies to campaign for worker’s rights.
Mother’s Day	14th May 2017	“Mother’s Day also known as “Tag der Mutter” in Germany was declared to be a public holiday in 1933. It is celebrated to acknowledge the endless efforts and support of mothers and mother figures. It is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday of May. However if Pentecost happens to be on the same day, it gets pre-phoned to the first Sunday. People usually gift cards, flowers, chocolates and various gifts to their mother in order to convey their love.
Father’s Day	25th May 2017	“This day is also known as “Vatertag” in Germany and is celebrated in the honor of fathers and father figures. People gift cards, chocolates, pieces of clothing, watches, wine bottles, story books and various other gifts to their father in order to convey their appreciation for providing constant support.
Ascension Day	25th May 2017	“Ascension Day is also known as “Christi Himmelfahrt” in Germany. It is a public holiday that marks the day on which Jesus Christ had ascended into Heaven. It is celebrated 39 days after the Easter Sunday. People are seen to attend special church services on this day and in rural areas people take part in religious processions.  On this day the International Charlemagne Prize is given to someone who had made a significant contribution towards humanity and world peace. It is presented in the city of Aachen.  It coincides with the Father’s Day.
Whit Monday	5th June 2017	Whit Monday also known as “Pfingstmontag” comes two days after Pentecost which is also known as Whit Sunday. As per Bible, it commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost on the disciples of Jesus Christ. Traditionally celebrations take place in church throughout the week. On this day young men nail branches of birch on the walls of young women’s house that they want to marry. The night before this day is known to be a night of unrest and it was believed that evil spirits became powerful on this night.
Corpus Christi	15th June 2017	“This day is also called “Fronleichnam” is celebrated in the honor of the Eucharist. It is a public holiday and is celebrated 60 days after the Easter Sunday. Many people attend special church services. After that, blessed sacrament which consists of breads or wafers is paraded outside. Since 1435 processions by ships take place on the Rhine river in Cologne. This is called “Muelheimer Gottestracht”. People can even take a ride on a few ships in this procession.
Assumption Day	15th August 2017	Assumption day, also known as “Maria Himmelfahrt” is another Christian holiday.  The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated in honor of the moment when the soul and body of Mary went to heaven. People attend special church services on this day and religious parades are also held in some parts. It is a tradition to give ripe walnuts and hazelnuts to children. People are also seen collecting various herbs that has medicinal properties and are also used in cooking. Some of these herbs are also placed by alters.
German Unity day	3rd October 2017	“Also known as the “Tag der Deutschen Einheit” is held annually to mark the unification of the nation. On this day the Democratic Republic of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany came together to create Federal Germany on 3rd October, 1990. The festivities include concerts, firework shows, speeches by leaders and communal meals. Many mosques are open to the general public on this day.
Day of Reformation	31st October 2017	“This holiday is also called the “Reformationstag” in Germany. It marks the religious reformation that took place all over Europe. On this day in 1517, Marin Luther, the German monk and theologian, had nailed a list of his proposals on the church doors. This event marked the beginning of social and religious changes in Europe.  Special church services are attended by the members of Lutheran churches while others use this day to visit places and go shopping.
All Saint’s Day	1st November 2017	“Also known as “Allerheiligen”, the All Saints Day is celebrated to honor the lives of Christian saints. People pay tributes to their deceased relatives and also light candles in church remembering them. They also visit the graves which are often decorated with flowers and candles on this day. People also attend special church services to pray for the eternal peace of their deceased friends and relatives. People also pray for the peace of martyrs who do not have family of their own.
Repentance Day	22nd November 2017	“This day is called the Day of Prayer and Repentance or “Buss-und Bettag” and is a public holiday in Saxony, Germany. It is celebrated 11 days before the beginning of the Advent.  Protestant Christians spend the whole day praying and engaging their minds in deep and quite thoughts.  While people of Saxony spend this holiday with their friends and family. However this day is not a holiday for rest of the Germany.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	Christmas Day is also known as “Weihnachtstag” is a public holiday all over Germany and celebrates the birth of baby Jesus. This day is filled with fun and frolic. The whole family comes together for a large meal and the tables are set with traditional delicacies which include Roasted goose or duck with stuffing, boiled potatoes, dumplings and many more dishes. Houses are decorated which includes nut crackers, Christmas trees, cribs and Christmas pyramids. People attend church services and sing Christmas carols.
St. Stephen’s Day	26th December 2017	“This holiday is also known as “Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag” and is celebrated remembering St Stephen who is considered to be the very first Christian martyr.  People usually spend this day relaxing at home with friends and family. Some people also attend special church services on this day.

Days of enjoying with friends and family as well as attending religious and patriotic events is the main definition of holiday for the people of France.

Starting from the New Year right till Christmas, the people have a lot of events to look forward to every year. Some events have much to be learned from them as well as events which are just there to be enjoyed.

But all in all, France sure has many activities happening every year with the presence of quite a few national holidays.

The list of France’s bank holidays 2017 is a group effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its respected readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and history as well as an overview of how people in France celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of France’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in France	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	1st Jan 2017	This day is the first day of the Gregorian Calendar and is celebrated by the people in France with their friends and family. Post offices, stores and banks are kept closed on this day. After the huge amount of celebration and partying the night before, people generally tend to spend this day quietly and relaxing before heading off to work the next day. There are some specific kinds of cakes and tarts that are specially made and eaten on this day which consist of heart shaped cakes and log shaped cakes made of ice cream. Often these cakes are decorated with symbols of winter and good luck charms for the incoming year namely golden bells, evergreen trees, chocolate coins and birds. Another cake that is a custom to eat on New Years Day is the King’s Cake which is actually a puff pastry filled with frangipane (eggs, sugar, butter and ground almonds). These are sold with a paper crown on top and there is a dried bean or coin or ceramic figure hidden in the cake. The person who finds the hidden item is the ‘king’ for the day and gets to wear the paper crown.
Easter Monday	17th April 2017	“Easter Monday is the last day of the Easter weekend and is a public holiday in France. People spend this day outdoors to enjoy the essence of spring and greenery all around. Some families may have a tradition of organizing Easter egg hunts in their gardens. There is a wide range of local customs and events on this day throughout the country. The inhabitants of Bessieres which is a village in the Pyrenees mountains near the Spanish border have a custom of making a gigantic omelet with 15,000 eggs in a huge pan about 13 feet wide in diameter. Then a communal meal is held in order to eat it. The village of Cargese on the island of Corsica hosts a colorful parade on this day. Also, on the boundary regions of Paris and in the Chateaux Vaux le Vicomte, a famous Easter egg hunt is hosted that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Labor day	1st May 2017	“Also known as May Day, this holiday is spent celebrating and campaigning for workers’ rights. A tribute is paid to all those Union workers who had fought for better working conditions of laborers decades ago. It is also an occasion when the people of France present to their loved ones a typical flower called the lily-of-the-valley or dog rose. This practice started centuries ago when King Charles The Ninth of France was presented with lily of the valley flowers on 1st of May, 1561. Since then the king used to give a bouquet of these flowers to the ladies of his court on the 1st day of the month May every year. Around the 1900’s, the men of the country followed suit and started giving these flowers to their loved ones to express their affection and it has been so since then. There are special regulations and laws in France that allow people to buy these flowers without paying taxes on this day. On this day, trade unions and similar organizations set up parades, demonstrations and presentations regarding workers’ rights and human rights in general.
Victory Day	8th May 2017	“This day marks the anniversary of the date on which the World War Two had been officially declared over i.e. 8th of May, 1945. The French flag is the symbol of this day as it signifies the freedom of France from Nazi oppression years ago. Flags of all the European nations are displayed at ceremonies highlighting the presence of peace and unity in Europe since then. People are also found to wear clothes in colors of the French flag i.e. Red, blue and white. Many people attend parades and church services on this day along with recital of patriotic songs. Even though this is a joyous occasion, the people and veterans of the army who have given their lives for the freedom of their motherland are also remembered.
Ascension Day	25th May 2017	” This is a public holiday in France occurring on the 40th day of Easter, 10 days prior to Pentecost Sunday. This is regarded as one of the holiest days by Christians on which Jesus was said to ascend to heaven after his crucifixion and resurrection. On this day, some people attend special services in churches while some spend this day with their family and friends enjoying the spring season. Also, some may take a leave on the next day that’s a Friday and enjoy a long weekend by going on a short trip.
Whit Monday	5th June 2017	” Also known as the Solidarity Day, it is the day right after Pentecost Sunday and is a public holiday in France. According to Christianity, Pentecost is the time when the Holy Spirit was said to descend on the disciples of Jesus. Whit Monday was a public holiday until 2005 when a massive incident of 15,000 elderly people lost their lives due to the heat wave of summer that year. After that the holiday was reinforced from 2008 after many demonstrations and efforts by the people of France. Nowadays, people spend this day in the company of close friends and family by going to the countryside for picnics and camping trips. Sporting and cultural events are also held in some local villages and towns.
Bastille Day	14th July 2017	” This day is an occasion to honor the French Republic and celebrate French culture. It commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution that had started on the 14th of July, 1789 with the Storming of the Bastille. Also known as the French National Day, this day sees military air shows being held in Paris along with communal meals, dances, parties, musical performances and firework displays. There is also a large military parade that takes place in Paris in the morning of Bastille day where service men and women from different units including cadets from military school, the French Navy and the French Foreign Legion participate. The parade is opened by the French president and ended by the Paris fire brigade unit. People of France either attend these large scale public events or spend quiet time with their families.
Assumption Day	15th August 2017	“This day is celebrated to honor the Christian belief that the spirit and body of Virgin Mary who was the mother of Jesus had ascended into heaven. It is an important occasion for the Christians and church festivals are held in the villages. Numerous Catholics in France attend church services on this day. Also various festivals are held in the villages which include sport events, communal meals, parades and markets. A village south-west of France called Lourdes became a pilgrimage destination of the Christians after a girl claimed to see Mother Mary here on February 11th, 1858. It is also believed that if one drank the water from the spring inside a specific cave in Lourdes, the person will be cured of all illnesses and so many people visit Lourdes on the Assumption of Mary day.
All Saint’s Day	1st November 2017	“This day celebrates all Christian saints especially those who don’t have a feast to their name. It is a day of mourning and people remember and honor their deceased relatives. People in France visit special services held in churches as well as visit the graves of their loved ones on this day. It is customary for people to present chrysanthemum or wreaths on the graves of their relatives or friends when they visit the cemeteries on that day.
Armistice Day	11th November 2017	“This day is a public holiday in France and is the anniversary of the end of the First World War. It is a solemn occasion and on this day, the people of France remember and pay tribute the ones who had given up their lives in the war. The French flag is displayed at half-mast or on flag poles by the military personnel. There are special memorial services held every year in the churches as well as military parades to war memorials occur where the president of France lays down wreaths and flowers. People generally don black and dark colored clothes. At exactly 11 AM on the clock in the morning of Armistice Day, the entire country observes a one minute silence to pay respect to all those people who gave up their lives to obtain the freedom that they enjoy today.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	This day celebrates the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ and is also known as Noel. On this day, the people of France decorate their homes and the Christmas tree, spend time with their family members, give each other presents and eat elaborate meals. Special services at churches are also attended. The Christmas Day feast which is called Le Reveillon includes dishes like Rabbit terrine, Brouillade de Truffle, Roasted Capon, Aigo- Boulido and Papillottes. Children hang up stocking in hope of getting presents from the loved Papa Noel or Santa Claus.

Holidays a.k.a. merriment days are something that all human beings love. These are the days when they can take a break from their otherwise regular laborious life and do things that make them relaxed and happy.

The same goes for the people of Europe who go through the list of holidays at the beginning of each year to make plans for an enjoyable future.

A particular custom here though makes it a very suitable place for the working class which allows them to enjoy an extended holiday on a Monday if the original one falls on a Saturday or Sunday which are anyways non-working days of Europe. 

The list of Europe’s bank holidays 2017 is a group effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its respected readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its origin and history as well as an overview of how people in Europe celebrate these holidays.

Here’s a list of Europe’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in Europe	Date	Description
New Year 2017	2nd Jan 2017	As New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday (1st of Jan 2017) the holiday is extended till Monday and people can welcome the year with more glee. Different countries have different customs all over the continent but all of them have happiness and enjoyment as the common factors. As New year’s eve is spent partying and drinking all night people tend to utilize this holiday by resting and having a laid back day with family and friends.
Good Friday	14th April 2017	“This day marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and hence is considered to be holy for the Christians. Churches hold long ceremonies and services for the common people. It is also considered to be a day of mourning and hence many people keep fasts or have simple small meals throughout the day without the consumption of liquor and meat.
Easter Sunday	16th April 2017	“In the traditionally Christian European countries, this is the perfect time to come face to face with decades old rituals and customs like extravagant religious processions through the streets. In Spain, there is a magnificent procession consisting of brass bands, candlelit floats and hundreds of church Penitents clad in satin robes marching together. Another spectacular sight that takes place is the Scoppio del Carro in Florence. This event involves fireworks being lit or exploded on a 30 foot tall antique cart dated 500 years ago with bands and musicians all around. Thus, there are different traditions in different countries with their own respective glories.
Labor Day	1st May 2017	“Labor Day or also known as May Day is celebrated each year to pay a tribute to laborers all over the world and their achievements. For most countries it is celebrated on the first of May with some exceptions like Canada and the United States. This day has its roots in the Labor Union Movement which was targeted to provide laborers with eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation and eight hours of sleep each day. This date, people generally get a day off from work and they can relax and spend some valuable time with their family and friends. Also many parades and marches take place with Union members as their recognized contributors.
Europe day	9th May 2017	” This day also goes by the name Schuman Day as it celebrates the anniversary of Robert Schuman’s Declaration which happened in 1950. This day symbolizes peace and unity in Europe as the first European community, the European Coal and Steel Community was first founded on this date 67 years back. To celebrate Europe Day, the EU (European Union) institutions including the Parliament allows the common public to enter them in Strasbourg while many local EU officials organize many kinds of events and programs in the different countries
Ascension Day	25th May 2017	“This day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven and is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter or more precisely 39 days after Easter Sunday as Jesus was said to spend 40 days with his disciples after he came back from the dead. It is a public holiday in many countries including the ones in Europe and also marks the end of Easter season. Services are held in churches. Many traditional customs are also performed in different parts of England like the Well Dressing in Derbyshire and planting of the Penny Hedge at Whitby which is a small town in Yorkshire. Another custom known as Beating the Bounds which involves beating young boys with willow branches in order to purify them of evil is also seen.
Whit Monday	5th June 2017	” Also known as Pentecost Monday this is the day right after Pentecost (4th June) which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. It gets its name from the white clothes worn by the newly baptized on the auspicious occasion of Pentecost. Customs include cheese rolling and throwing competitions in some regions of England. In many places, ‘Whit Walks’ or parades along with bands, musicians, organizations and officials are held along with various kinds of food and games and competitions
Corpus Christi	15th June 2017	“This is a Christian festival where Christians honor the blood and body of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated differently in different regions of Europe the common tradition being offering wine and bread during Communion. The feast that takes place on this day is known as the Feast of Corpus Christi. In France, this day is called the Day of Wreaths as the cities and towns are decorated with wreaths of beautiful flowers and boughs. In Germany, it is performed with colorful processions throughout the villages carrying the holy cross and sacrament and other holy symbols.
Day of German Unity	3rd October 2017	“This date marks the unification of the nation Germany.  It was on this date in 1990 when the Federal Republic of Germany and Democratic Republic of Germany united to create the one and only Federal Germany. On this day, elaborate public celebrations take place which include speeches by eminent political leaders, communal feasts, firework displays and cultural and historical exhibitions and presentation of Germany.
All Saint’s Day	1st November 2017	“Also known as the All Hallows Day, this day is celebrated in the remembrance of saints. Along with services held in churches, many families visit the graves of their loved ones on this day and leave chrysanthemums and light candles there. One of the most notable cemeteries is the Pere Lachaise on the east of Paris with graves of personalities like Moliere and Frederic Chopin. Tradition goes that All Saints Day lunch includes lamb and a midnight supper of bacon, black grain, pancakes and cider to honor the dead.
Christmas Day	25th December 2017	“Christmas is celebrated all around the world with different customs and traditions. It is yet another very important festival of the Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in Europe is characterized by families coming together for shopping of presents for each other, decorating houses, hosting parties. In Germany, a special feature are the Christmas markets from Munich to Berlin that sell traditional art and craft items, decorative trinkets, chocolates, pastries and more.
New Year’s Eve	31st December 2017	New Year’s Eve is celebrated in nothing less than a grandeur style in Europe. Come midnight and fireworks bathe the sky as people in Amsterdam assemble on a large grassy square in front of the Rijksmuseum on Museumplein for the countdown. There are concerts, dancing, partying and drinking in merriment all over different countries as the first day of the Gregorian Calendar is welcomed.

Holidays refer to times of enjoyment and reuniting with friends and families and China is no exception. It is a country rich of heritage and traditions and splendid festivals occur throughout the year.

An interesting feature of China’s cultural festivals is that their date is determined by the lunar calendar and so they keep changing every year.

In case a holiday falls on the weekend which are anyways non-working days for the Chinese population then the next working day is also declared a holiday so that the people can enjoy better.

The list of China’s bank holidays 2017 is a group effort by the members of 123NewYear to bring to its respected readers a compiled list of holidays over the year with their respective dates and a brief idea about its traditions and history as well as an overview of how people in China celebrate these holidays. 

Here’s a list of China’s bank holidays in 2017:

Holidays in China	Date	Description
New Year’s Day	2nd Jan 2017	As New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, (1st January 2017) the holiday is extended till Monday for the people to enjoy wholeheartedly. This is the 1st day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar and people in china like the rest of the world celebrate it with great pomp and splendor. Even though it’s not their traditional new year, they enjoy this day partying, having sumptuous meals and having fun with near and dear ones. This day is also called ‘Yuan Dan’ where Yuan means beginning and Dan means day.
Chinese New Year’s Eve	27th January 2017	“This day is the eve to one of the most important and longest festivals of Chinese communities all throughout the world. The most crucial dinner for the people of China is the New Year’s Eve or better known as reunion dinner during which serving fish is a must. In Northern China, dumplings are given utmost priority. The reason being fish and dumplings signify prosperity for the rest of the year. It is also believed by the Chinese that fireworks drive away evil. So right after 12:00 AM on new year’s eve fireworks are launched to welcome the coming year. The houses are also given a thorough cleaning and decorated with lanterns, year paint, paper cutting, door gods etc.
Chinese New Year	28th January 2017	“This day marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese Calendar which predates the Gregorian Calendar. It is also known as the Lunar New Year as this day is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar month in accordance with the traditional Chinese calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival as it falls between the December Solstice and the March Equinox. The Gregorian calendar is followed for daily chores and events but traditional festivals are followed according to the Chinese Calendar. Each year of the calendar is represented by a zodiac animal sign. The signs repeat every twelve years as there are twelve zodiac animals. There are various activities performed during the Chinese new year like offerings to household deities, hosting grand banquets for friends and family and enjoying as well as taking part in lion and dragon dances in festive parades. Also common is wearing new clothes with the color red predominating as this color is believed to symbolize happiness, good luck, success and prosperity. The children in the family are given ‘red packets’ or red envelopes with money in them by the elders of the family which is believed to ward off evil and give them a healthy life. Houses are decorated with flowers especially with Plum Blossom (signifying courage and hope) and the Water Narcissus (signifying good luck and fortune). The main doors are kept open so as to let good luck in and tangerines and oranges are also stores at homes as symbols of luck and wealth. Thus, the Chinese New Year is a treasure chest of traditions and customs passed down generations among the people of China.
Women’s Day	8th March 2017	“Along with the rest of the world, China celebrates the International Women’s day on 8th of March every year since 1975. This day is celebrated to pay a tribute to all the women in the world for all the sacrifices and hard tasks they undertake for their families. On this day, all the women employees of China get a half-day holiday from work and like to spend that time with their loved ones. Women receive special treatment on this day like shopping trips or a day at the spa or a day off household chores or breakfast in bed. Taking them out for dinner or lunch on this day is also a very important responsibility of the opposite gender.
Ching Ming Festival	5th April 2017	” Also known as the Qing Ming festival, it is a traditional Chinese festival that takes place on the first day of the fifth solar term of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. During this festival, the Chinese people visit the Columbaria, graves and burial grounds of their ancestors to remember and honor them. Often the tombs are swept and items like food, tea, wine and chopsticks are offered to the ancestors and thus another name of this festival is Tomb-Sweeping day. This holiday is also associated with the consumption of food like ‘qingtuan’ green dumplings made of glutinous rice and barley grass which is known as ‘caozaiguo’ in Taiwan. On this day, people in china also celebrate the on-set of spring and activities like spring outings, kite flying and firework displays are prevalent. According to traditions people tie willow branches on gates and front doors as doing is said to ward off evil spirits. In some places people have the custom of using no fire and eating only cold food on this day. The traditional eateries of this 2500 year old festival are peach blossom porridge, crispy cakes, Qingming snails and eggs.
Labor Day	1st May 2017	“Better known as May Day, this is an international public holiday in most of the countries around the world including China. This day celebrates the essence of the dawn of spring as well as pays a tribute to the achievements and hard work of workers all over the world. On this day all the workers get a day off work to relax and spend some quality time with loved ones. This day has its origins in the efforts of the union workers in the 1880’s to improve the economic and social conditions of workers. Traditionally, the customs of May Day symbolized the concept of rebirth of nature as well as human fertility. Thus activities like crowning a May queen, dancing around a decorated tree or pole (May Pole) and gathering flowers and branches are also common.
Dragon Boat Festival	30th May 2017	” This is a traditional festival occurring near the summer solstice on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar and hence an alternative name of the festival is Double Fifth Festival. As the Chinese calendar is lunisolar in nature, the date varies from year to year. History dates back to the death of Chinese poet and minister Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) who had committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo river when his country had been captured by Qin. It is believed that the local people who admired him had gone out in their boats to save him or retrieve his body at the least. It is said they scared the fishes away from the body with boats that had fronts designed like dragons. This is the origin of dragon boat races in China. A traditional dish called Zongzi made with wild rice leaves to wrap millet flour dumplings in the shape of ox horns and then cooked in bamboo is eaten during the dragon boat festival. During this festival, it is a highly favorable time to acquire diseases and plagues and hence people of China especially the children make incense bags and hang them on their necks to keep away diseases and other evils. Incense bags are made from powders of calamus, wormwood, realgar and other fragrant items and are hung in homes too to purify the air and keep away pests.
National Day	1st October 2017	“The National Day of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is celebrated as the National Day in China as the PRC was founded on October 1st in 1949. In ancient days, the national day was celebrated when an emperor ascended the throne or was born. This holiday continues for seven consecutive days from October 1st to the 7th and is also known as the golden week. On this day, there is a special flag raising ceremony exactly at sunrise in the Tiananmen Square. During the Golden Week, around 70k people climb the great Wall at Badaling each day. There are firework displays and light shows held in the cities by the government and shops attain the highest profit of the year during this week.
Mid-Autumn Festival	4th October 2017	“This festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and is a traditional harvest festival. It is also called the moon festival because the celebrations are carried out under the full moon as well as because of customs like moon worship and moon gazing. This festival highlights three concepts: 1) Gathering of family and friends for harvesting crops as the full moon signifies family reunion, 2) Thanksgiving to pay thanks to the harvest and 3) Praying for a good future or a spouse or  baby etc. Today, the festival is celebrated eating and sharing typical lotus bean-filled moon cakes symbolizing completeness and reunion. Also, brightly lit lanterns are carried or blown in the sky as well as lion and dragon dances are performed in several countries of south China.
Chung Yeung Festival	28th October 2017	“This festival is observed on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese calendar and hence it’s also called the Double Ninth Festival. Folk people have the tradition of climbing a mountain on this day which started during the East Han Dynasty and so it’s also called Height Ascending Festival. The term double ninth also signifies ‘forever’ and ancestors are worshipped on this day. People eat Chongyang (Five-Color) Cake which is a nine-layer cake shaped like a tower on this day. On the top of the cake, two sheep are made from flour and a small red flag is also placed. Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine is also prevalent during this festival as well as hanging Zhuyu branches on doors and windows to ward off evil.

‘Holiday’ – this one little word is enough to brighten our day and lift our spirits. Be it a kid in kindergarten or a working employee everyone eagerly waits for a holiday to arrive.

Holidays provide a much needed break from the same old routine and allow people to spend some quality time with their near and dear ones.

It also allow people to go on short trips which rejuvenates one’s mind and soul. Bank holidays are public holidays when all the banks remain officially closed and almost all the employees working in banks are allowed to take a day off; although those who work on such days are usually paid an extra amount for their service.  

The Bank Holidays Act was passed in 1871 which was introduced by Liberal politician and banker Sir John Lubbock.  This Act established the first bank holidays in the United Kingdom.

In Canada, the public holidays are known as “statutory holidays”, “stat holidays” or just “stats”. These holidays are legislated at the federal, provincial and territorial level. Many of these holidays are observed throughout the entire nation however each province has its own holidays as well.

Majority of the working employees, both public and private, are granted leave on these days however due to any emergency if an employer needs any of his employee to work on a statutory holiday, the employee must receive a day off in lieu of the holiday or should be paid one and a half or twice the regular pay for working on that day. Moreover if a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, the following working day is considered as a statutory holiday.

Now let us take a quick look at the bank holidays in Canada-

Holidays	Dates	Description
New Year’s Day	1st  Jan  2017	New Year’s Day in Canada is celebrated with a bang just like it is done in other countries. People often go to clubs, bars and other people’s home to celebrate the beginning of a whole new year. Making new resolutions which people swear to abide by throughout the upcoming year is common among people.  These are accompanied by beautiful firework shows which are put up for the citizens. In some rural areas, particularly in the province of Quebec, people spend the night ice fishing with friends and family.
Day after New Year’s Day	2nd  Jan  2017	This day marks the end of the festivity that starts with Christmas and ends with the New Year’s Day. People are usually seen relaxing on this day spending the day with their family and loved ones. Those who had gone on a vacation returns home on this day. This day serves as a transition and help people’s mind to go from party mode to work mode.
Family Day	13th  February 2017	Family Day is a statutory holiday celebrated in various parts of Canada. This day is also known as Louis Riel Day, Nova Scotia Heritage Day and Islander Day in some parts. British Columbia began observing this day 2013 onwards on second Monday of February.
Family Day	20th  February  2017	This holiday is observed in Canada with the intention that every worker should take time off  their busy schedules and spend some valuable time with their family and loved ones and work on strengthening the bonds between the family members. This holiday is gaining more popularity with the passage of time since people understand the importance of having firmly rooted bonds and closely knitted family.
Good Friday	14th  April  2017	Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday which comes immediately before the Easter Sunday. Christians commemorate the crucifixion of their Lord, Jesus Christ. People are seen attending special church services and it is a day of mourning. During this time, people enjoy having hot cross buns which is a traditional treat and it is also a time when people go on vacations which serves as a break from their mundane life.
Easter Monday	17th  April  2017	Easter Monday is celebrated on the Monday which comes right after Easter Sunday. On this day the Christians commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This day also marks the end of the four day weekend and people who had gone on small trips return home while others just stay at home enjoying their delicious Easter eggs. Easter eggs which are mainly made out of chocolate and candy serves as a common gift during this time of the year.
Mother’s Day	14th  May  2017	Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year. Canadians celebrate this day in order to show gratitude and appreciate the unimaginable efforts of their mothers or mother figures. People give cards, flowers, chocolates and various other gifts to convey their love to their mothers on this special occasion. Going on movies or to restaurants are also common nowadays.
Victoria Day	22nd  May  2017	This day is celebrated in Canada on the Monday preceding 25th May in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday. Canada is the only country that commemorates Queen’s birthday with an official holiday. On this day the Royal Union Flag is flown at all federal government buildings throughout the day. On this day parades are held in various cities along with evening fireworks show.
National Patriots’ Day	22nd  May  2017	This day is celebrated on the same day as Victoria Day and this day marks the rebellion against the British back in 1873.Celebrations mainly include marches, music concerts and public speeches along with special commemorative dinner.
Father’s Day	18th  June  2017	This day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year to show gratitude towards fathers and father figures for constant support. People gift cards, various pieces of clothing, chocolates, books, bottles of wine as a token of appreciation. Activities like fun runs and various events take place on such day in which the proceeds go towards charity and prostate cancer research.
Discovery Day	26th  June  2017	This day is celebrated in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the honor of Giovanni Caboto’s discovery of the province’s island portion. It is also known as Cabot 500 Day.
National Holiday of Quebec	24th  June  2017	Also known as the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, it is the feast day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The festivities are organized and publicly financed by the organizing committee of the National Holiday. It includes parades, fireworks, bonfires and feasts.
Canada Day	1st  July 2017	On this day in 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces. It was called the Dominion Day until 1982.The celebrations include having pancakes as breakfast, parades, concerts and firework displays.
Civic Day	7th  August  2017	This is a statutory holiday in Canada and also known as “August Holiday”, “Provincial Holiday” or ” Terry Fox Day”. It is celebrated on the very first Monday of August and it celebrates the local culture and history. The festivities include organizing sport events, breakfast, barbecues, lunches, suppers and making birthday cakes. Fireworks show, road races are also a part of the festivity. It also helps the employees to take a day off during the summer break.
Discovery Day	21st  August  2017	Discovery Day is a public holiday celebrated in the territory of Yukon. It commemorates the anniversary of the discovery of gold in 1896 which started the Klondike Gold Rush. Various events takes place on this day which includes fun runs, golf tournaments and many more. People also visit Dawson City to photograph Royal Canadian Mounted Police in their uniforms and watch historical street theatre.
Labor Day	4th  September  2017	This day is celebrated on the first Monday of September. It originally marks the campaign carried out by workers for better working conditions and higher wage. Worker’s right was traditionally celebrated on Labor day and along with campaigns picnics would be organized by trade union. Nowadays people use this holiday as an opportunity to go on a  trip.
Thanksgiving	9th  October  2017	Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Canada on the second Monday of October since 1957. On this day the people thank for a good harvest or other fortunes they have received in the previous year. Special meals are prepared which typically includes turkey roasts, corn ears, pumpkins and many more delicacies. Most of the people spend this day with their family and many go on a vacation on this three days weekend.
Remembrance Day	13th  November  2017	Remembrance Day is celebrated in the honor of the martyrs and commemorates their sacrifices in the armed conflicts, including World War I and World War II. Many people use artificial poppy flowers to decorate their clothes before the arrival of this day. The red poppies signify the memory of the martyrs and the white poppies stand for non military invention in conflict situation. Special church services mark this occasion on 11th November after which wreaths are laid as a mark of respect on the local war memorials. Canadian flags are seen to fly high on all government buildings on this day.