Holiday Wishes: A Year-Round Calendar

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New Year and Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Women’s Day, Independence Day — every year we look for words for dozens of holidays. This calendar collects more than 70 of our greeting articles for state, church, family and themed holidays, with dates and short tips on the right tone for each group. Other big moments — a new home, a new job, an engagement — are in our collection of wishes for life events.

More on this topic: New Year, Easter, Women’s Day.

How to send holiday wishes

• The holiday sets the tone. State holidays call for gratitude and faith in the future, church feasts for warmth, peace and blessings, family days for personal words and memories. Themed days like Coffee Day or Hug Day are a reason for a light, playful message.
• We have separate calendars for professional dates — the professional holidays calendar, for name days — name day wishes, and for personal occasions — birthday wishes and wedding wishes.

State and memorial days

• State holidays are a chance to remember history and thank those who defend the country today. Sincere, restrained words without too much pathos work best.
• Unity Day of Ukraine Wishes — 22 January; Ukrainian Women’s Day Wishes — 25 February; Constitution Day of Ukraine Wishes — 28 June; Ukrainian Statehood Day Wishes — 15 July; National Flag Day of Ukraine Wishes — 23 August; Ukraine Independence Day Wishes — 24 August.
• Day of Defenders of Ukraine Wishes — 1 October; Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language Wishes — 9 November; Day of Dignity and Freedom Wishes — 21 November; Vyshyvanka Day Wishes — third Thursday of May; Europe Day Wishes.

Church holidays

• Since 2023 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church follow the Revised Julian calendar, so most fixed feasts moved 13 days earlier. Dates below follow the new style.
• Holy Eve Wishes — 24 December; Merry Christmas Wishes — 25 December; Generous Eve and Malanka Wishes — 31 December; Epiphany — 6 January; Candlemas Wishes — 2 February; Annunciation Wishes — 25 March.
• Maslyana Wishes — the week before Lent; Forgiveness Sunday Messages — the last Sunday before Lent; Palm Sunday Wishes — a week before Easter; Clean Thursday Wishes — the Thursday before Easter; Happy Easter Wishes — movable date; Ascension Day Wishes — 40 days after Easter; Trinity and Pentecost Wishes — 50 days after Easter.
• Ivana Kupala Wishes — 24 June; Honey Savior Day Wishes — 1 August; Apple Savior Day and Transfiguration Wishes — 6 August; Dormition of the Theotokos Wishes — 15 August; Nut Saviour Day Wishes — 16 August; Nativity of the Theotokos Wishes — 8 September; Exaltation of the Cross Wishes — 14 September; Faith, Hope and Love Name Day Wishes — 17 September; Pokrova — 1 October; Presentation of the Theotokos Wishes — 21 November; St. Nicholas Day Wishes — 6 December.

New Year and winter holidays

• The winter season is the merriest time for greetings, from corporate cards to warm wishes for family.
• Happy New Year 2027 Wishes — 31 December — 1 January; Old New Year Wishes; First Day of Winter Wishes.

Love and family days

• Days dedicated to those closest to us — mothers, fathers, children, partners and friends. The warmest, most personal words work here.
• Valentine's Day Wishes — 14 February; Women's Day Wishes — 8 March; Mother's Day Wishes — second Sunday of May; Father's Day Wishes — third Sunday of June; Family Day Wishes — 15 May; Children’s Day Wishes — 1 June; International Men's Day Wishes — 19 November.
• Friendship Day Wishes — 30 July; Hug Day Messages — 21 January; Kissing Day Messages — 6 July; World Smile Day Messages — first Friday of October; World Kindness Day Messages — 13 November; Older Persons Day Wishes — 1 October.

Study, youth and seasons

• School and student events and the first days of the seasons are easy reasons to send a short wish for new beginnings.
• First Day of School Wishes; Last Bell Wishes; Graduation Wishes; University Admission Congratulations; Thesis Defence Congratulations; Students Day Wishes — 17 November; Youth Day Wishes — 12 August.
• First Day of Spring Wishes; First Day of Summer Wishes; First Day of Autumn Wishes.

International and themed days

• These are not days off, but they are perfect for a friendly message, a social media post or a nice surprise for a colleague.
• Ukrainian Volunteer Day Wishes — 14 March; Volunteer Day Messages — 5 December; World Writers’ Day Wishes — 3 March; World Book Day Wishes — 23 April; International Dance Day Wishes — 29 April; International Jazz Day Wishes — 30 April; Earth Day Wishes — 22 April; Environment Day Wishes — third Saturday of April; International Bird Day Wishes — 1 April.
• Coffee Day Wishes — 1 October; International Music Day Wishes — 1 October; World Animal Day Wishes — 4 October; Halloween Wishes — 31 October; Happy Friday Wishes.

Universal holiday verses

Happy holiday to you and yours!
May peace and joy come through your doors,
May every day be warm and bright
And fill your home with love and light!

May this holiday bring you
A warmth to fill your heart,
May all your wishes come true
And every dream take part!

Flowers for the holiday

On Women’s Day, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day flowers are the main gift, while at Christmas or Easter a bouquet complements the festive table. Choose blue-and-yellow arrangements for state holidays, tender pastel bouquets for family days and bright mixes for friends. You can add a card with your wish to the order.

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See flowers for mum and flowers for women.

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FAQ

Why have church holiday dates changed?

Since 2023 the OCU and UGCC follow the Revised Julian calendar, so Christmas is now on 25 December and most fixed feasts moved 13 days earlier.

How do I congratulate colleagues on a state holiday?

Briefly and with dignity: thank the defenders, express faith in victory and wish for peace. No jokes or excessive pathos.

Are flowers appropriate for church holidays?

Yes, a bouquet is a lovely addition to the festive table at Christmas, Easter or Trinity.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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