KS2 RE: World Religions Festivals Guide

Why festivals matter

Religious festivals mark important events, beliefs or times of year, and often bring communities together through shared worship, food and traditions.

Festivals of light and new beginnings

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Hanukkah, in Judaism, also celebrates light, remembering a miracle where oil lasted far longer than expected.

Festivals of reflection

Ramadan is a month of fasting and reflection for Muslims, ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a solemn day of fasting and reflection in Judaism.

Comparing festivals

Many festivals share similar themes — light overcoming darkness, thankfulness, or new beginnings — even though they belong to different religions with different beliefs and stories behind them.

Common mistakes

• Assuming festivals with similar themes are "the same" — each has its own distinct story and meaning.
• Mixing up which religion a festival belongs to.
• Forgetting that not every follower of a religion celebrates every festival in the same way.