Diverse Cultural and Religious Holidays Arrive in Central Ohio

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The week of February 16 marks the start of several major cultural and religious observances in central Ohio, including Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Ramadan. These holidays bring a diverse array of traditions, celebrations, and community events to the Columbus area.

Why it matters

As a multicultural hub, central Ohio upholds a reputation for embracing and celebrating the diverse cultural and religious identities of its residents. The arrival of these holidays highlights the region's vibrant diversity and the ways in which different communities come together to observe their traditions.

The details

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, marks the start of a new year based on the lunar calendar. Traditions often include family gatherings, special meals, red decorations symbolizing luck and prosperity, and community festivals featuring music and dance. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the final day of celebration before the Christian season of Lent begins, and is celebrated with parades, music, beads, and festive food. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection leading up to Easter, with churches offering services where ashes are placed on worshippers' foreheads. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, with communities hosting nightly prayers and communal iftars to break the fast.

• Lunar New Year is celebrated on a different date each year based on the lunar calendar.
• Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter.
• Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, leading up to Easter.
• Ramadan begins on February 18, 2026 and lasts approximately 30 days.