June 6

Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese)

Tuan Yang Chien, on the 5th day of the fifth lunar month, marks the suicide by drowning of the poet Chu Yuan in 279 BCE. He had renounced the world in despair. The festival is commemorated in Hong Kong and Singapore with Dragon Boat racing and other big events.

June 9-10

Shavuot (Jewish)

The Festival of Weeks - seven weeks after Passover - is a Jewish holiday, celebrating the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people.

June 11

Pentecost (Christian)

Taken from the Jewish Shavuot and given a Christian meaning, Pentecost commemorates the gift of the Holy Spirit to Christ’s disciples. Often called “Whitsunday” or “Whitsuntide” as Christias used to be baptised in white robes on this day.

June 14

The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (August 20 570CE) (Muslim)

Muslims celebrate this event with songs, coloured flags, lights and special food, but it is not usually a public holiday.

June 16

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan (Sikh)

Celebrated throughout the Sikh religion this day commemorates Guru Arjan, tortured to death for refusing to compromise his beliefs. He is held up as an example of someone who kept his faith.

June 22

Corpus Christi (Christian)

The thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist is a major Roman Catholic Festival also commemorated in some Church of England churches. Most protestants place less emphasis on the Eucharist.