The autumn of 2026 brings the busiest stretch of the Jewish calendar, from the solemn High Holy Days to the exuberant close of the festival season. Here are the key dates — each beginning at sundown the evening before — with live countdowns to follow along.
Rosh Hashanah — sundown September 11, 2026
The Jewish New Year opens the ten-day period of the High Holy Days. It is marked by the blowing of the shofar, apples dipped in honey and round challah, and wishes for a sweet year ahead. Follow the Rosh Hashanah countdown for the time remaining.
Yom Kippur — sundown September 20, 2026
The Day of Atonement is the holiest day in Judaism, observed with a roughly 25-hour fast, intensive prayer and reflection. It closes the High Holy Days that began at Rosh Hashanah. See the Yom Kippur countdown.
Sukkot — sundown September 25, 2026
Just five days after Yom Kippur, the mood turns joyful for the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, when families build a sukkah and wave the lulav and etrog. Watch the Sukkot countdown.
Simchat Torah — sundown October 3, 2026
The season ends with the "Rejoicing of the Torah", as congregations sing and dance with the scrolls to complete and restart the annual Torah-reading cycle. Follow the Simchat Torah countdown.
Follow every date
Bookmark the countdowns above, explore more festival countdowns, or create your own countdown to the dates that matter most to you.