Your Guide to International Celebrations
When is Shemini Atzeret?
Shemini Atzeret literally means the Eighth day of Assembly. This holiday follows the seven days of Sukkot but is a separate holiday in its own right. As the seven days of Sukkot are over, pleasant weather is no longer needed. So, on this holiday, the Tefilat Geshem (prayer for rain) is performed. This holiday marks the beginning of the raining season.
Shemini Atzeret Dates
| Year | Starts on Sunset on | Ends at Sunset on |
| 2013 | Wednesday, September 25th | Thursday, September 26th |
| 2014 | Wednesday, October 15th | Thursday, October 16th |
| 2015 | Sunday, October 4th | Monday, October 5th |
| 2016 | Sunday, October 23rd | Monday, October 24th |
| 2017 | Wednesday, October 11th | Thursday, October 12th |
| 2018 | Sunday, November 30th | Monday, October 1st |
| 2019 | Sunday, October 20th | Monday, October 21st |
| 2020 | Friday, October 9th | Saturday, October 10th |
Note: some consider Shemini Atzeret a two-day holiday which includes the following Simchat Torah holiday, while others consider Simchat Torah a unique and separate holiday on its own.
Other Jewish Holidays
When is Rosh HaShanah?
When is Yom Kippur?
When is Sukkot?
When is Shemini Atzeret?
When is Simchat Torah?
When is Hanukkah?
When is Tu B'Shevat?
When is Purim?
When is Passover (Pesach)?
When is Lag B'Omer?
When is Shavuot?
When is Tisha Bav?