The Bahá'í year is based on the solar year of 365 days. Each year is divided into nineteen months of nineteen days each with four Intercalary Days (five in a leap year), called Ayyám-i-Há which should precede the nineteenth month. New Year's Day (Naw Rúz) falls on the Spring Equinox. This usually occurs on 21 March but if the Equinox falls after sunset on 21 March, Naw Rúz is to be celebrated on 22 March because the Bahá'í day begins at sunset.
The Bahá'í months (named after different attributes of God) are: | Splendor - 21 March - 8 April | Will - 27 September - 15 October | Glory - 9 April - 27 April | Knowledge - 16 October - 3 November | Beauty - 28 April - 16 May | Power - 4 November - 22 November | Grandeur - 17 May - 4 June | Speech - 23 November - 11 December | Light - 5 June - 23 June | Questions - 12 December - 30 December | Mercy - 24 June - 12 July | Honor - 31 December 18 January | Words - 13 July - 31 July | Sovereignty - 19 January - 6 February | Perfection - 1 August - 19 August | Dominion - 7 February - 25 February | Names - 20 August - 7 September | Loftiness - 2 March - 20 March | Might - 8 September - 26 September | |
There are twelve Holy Days which Bahá'ís celebrate. They are listed in chronological order according to the Bahá'í calendar.
Ayyám-i-Há:
The four intercalary days (five in a leap year) before the last month of the Bahá'í year, Loftiness, which is the month of fasting. The time of Ayyám-i-Há are to be devoted to spiritual preparation for the fast, hospitality, feasting, charity and gift giving. The Bahá'í New Year (Naw Rúz): March 21
The festival of the New Year, Naw Rúz, marks the end of the month of fasting and is a joyous time of celebration.
The Festival of Ridván (Paradise): April 21 - May 2
The Ridván (pronounced "riz-vawn") festival has three significant days and commemorates the first public declaration by Bahá'u'lláh of his mission, (in 1863).
First Day: April 21
Ninth Day: April 29
Twelfth Day: May 2 Declaration of the Báb: May 23
Commemorates the date in 1844 when the Báb first declared His mission
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh: May 29
Commemorates the date in 1892 when Bahá'u'lláh ascended to heaven (i.e., passed away) Martyrdom of the Báb: July 9
Commemorates the date in 1850 when the Báb was executed by a 750-man firing squad in Tabríz, Iran Birth of the Báb: Oct. 20
Commemorates the date in 1819 when the Báb was born in Shíráz, Iran Birth of Bahá'u'lláh: Nov. 12
Commemorates the date in 1817 when Bahá'u'lláh was born in Tehran, Iran Day of the Covenant: Nov. 26
This day is celebrated in lieu of the Birth of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, which falls on the same day as the Declaration of the Báb. Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Nov. 28
Commemorates the day in 1921 when 'Abdu'l-Bahá ascended to heaven (i.e., passed away)
| 
