About Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. It is the climax of the High Holy Days that begin with Rosh Hashanah, the culmination of a ten-day period of repentance during which people seek forgiveness from God and from one another. The day is devoted entirely to atonement and spiritual cleansing — a chance to start the new year with a clean slate.
Observance centres on a complete fast lasting about 25 hours, from sundown to nightfall the following day, during which observant Jews abstain from food, drink and other comforts. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where five prayer services are held — beginning with the haunting Kol Nidre on the eve and ending with the Ne'ilah service as the gates of heaven are said to close. Many wear white as a symbol of purity, and the final shofar blast signals the end of the fast.
Yom Kippur falls on the tenth day of Tishrei, nine days after Rosh Hashanah, so its Gregorian date moves each year but always lands in September or October. Like other Jewish holidays it begins at sundown the evening before. Whether you observe the fast or simply want to know when it falls, add Yom Kippur to your own page and the counter above shows exactly how long remains.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, September 20, 2026next |
| 2027 | Sunday, October 10, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, September 29, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, September 18, 2029 |
FAQ
When is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur falls on the tenth day of Tishrei, nine days after Rosh Hashanah, usually in late September or October, and begins at sundown the evening before. The countdown above shows the time remaining.
Why is Yom Kippur important?
It is the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism — the climax of the High Holy Days, when people seek forgiveness from God and from one another and resolve to begin the new year renewed.
How is Yom Kippur observed?
With a roughly 25-hour fast from sundown to nightfall, intensive prayer across five synagogue services from Kol Nidre to Ne'ilah, the wearing of white, and a final shofar blast to close the fast.
What can you not do on Yom Kippur?
Observant Jews refrain from eating and drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes, applying lotions and marital relations, devoting the day fully to prayer and reflection.