Eid al Adha
This festival is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, and remembers the time that God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Ismael. During this time, many local people sacrifice sheep and other animals as a gesture to symbolise the sheep that Abraham offered after God declared Ishmael’s sacrifice to be unnecessary.

Islamic New Year
Islamic New Year is also known as Muharram and is celebrated in Syria with a number of religious ceremonies as well as total restraint from all things considered to be luxury.

Revolution Day
Revolution Day celebrates the day that the National Council of Revolution came to power in 1963.

Milad al-Nabi
This festival celebrates the birth of Muhammad and sees many street processions, religious ceremonies and feasts. All of these are complemented with festive decorations and a good-humoured yet reserved atmosphere.

Independence Day
Syria’s Independence Day is celebrated with a national holiday and a number of street processions and flag flying. It is a time when families get together and feast as well as listen to national songs and political speeches.

Martyrs’ Day
Is a national holiday that remembers all those who lost their lives in war. It is a time for reflecting and visiting mosques with family.

Cotton Festival, Aleppo
Aleppo is one of Syria’s main sites of cotton distribution. Over half of all cotton produced in the country comes from this town and there are many institutions and factories that make the fabric. Once a year, the town shows off its skills and opens the doors to many factories to demonstrate just what skills are required. Many people from across the country attend as there is also the opportunity to purchase genuine cotton at very reasonable prices.

Damascus International Fair August
The Damascus International Fair is essentially a trade fair, but a very important one for the country as it is a vital means of merging international commercial affairs and links between Syria and the participating foreign countries.

Damascus International Fair August
The Damascus International Fair is essentially a trade fair, but a very important one for the country as it is a vital means of merging international commercial affairs and links between Syria and the participating foreign countries.

Ramadan
This festival is the principal religious feast of the year, lasting for an entire month. During this period, devout Muslims across the country do not allow anything to pass between their lips during the hours of daylight. This includes food, drink and cigarettes. Many shops and offices have irregular opening hours as people tend to sleep during the afternoon. Although you are not expected to observe Ramadan, it is considered extremely impolite to eat or drink in public while the fast is taking place. Tourist hotels will be largely unaffected, but some restaurants may close for the entire month.

Arabic Book Fair, Damascus
This book fair celebrates Arabic literature and aims to promote local, national and international authors throughout the country. Lovers of literature will not want to miss this event which has Arabic readings, book reviews and prizes for outstanding authors and works.

Silk Road Festival
This festival commemorates the country's many nationalities and communities by transforming the capital into what it was like when it was the meeting place for the Silk Road caravans from around the world. All Syrian cities are awash with colour and cultural activities during this time.

Eid al Fitr
Eid al Fitr is the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan and is a huge event in the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated with great excitement in Syria and sees feasting, praying and gift-giving.

Eid al Adha
This festival is a repeat of the festival which is celebrated in January.

New Year's Day: 1 January
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): 10 January
Islamic New Year: date varies every year
Revolution Day: 8 March
Mothers Day: 21 March
Milad al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet): 11 April
Independence Day: 17 April
Labour Day: 1 May
Martyrs' Day: 6 May
Ramadan: date varies every year
October Liberation War: 6 October
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): date varies every year
Christmas Day: 25 December
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): 31 December