Baha’i holy days · Twin Birthdays begin at sunset Monday, November 9, 2026
Holy Days of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh
Two birthdays kept as one festival, and three solemn anniversaries: the holy days that remember the two founders of the Baha’i Faith.
Say it like a neighbor
Allah-u-Abhá
Say: ah-LAH-oo-ab-HAH · “God is Most Glorious”
Or say: Happy Twin Holy Birthdays
Allah-u-Abhá is the greeting Baha’is use with one another, and you do not need to know it. On the Twin Holy Birthdays, “Happy birthday” or “Happy Twin Holy Birthdays” is warmly received. The Declaration of the Báb is also joyful, while the Ascension of Baha’u’llah and the Martyrdom of the Báb are solemn, so a quiet word of respect fits best.
Nov 9
Two birthdays, kept as one festival. Tap to light the lamps of the Twin Holy Birthdays.
When is the Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days? Key dates and days to know
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Baha’i days begin at sunset, so each holy day starts the evening before the date shown. Work and school are suspended on all five. Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Baha’u’llah and Martyrdom of the Báb fall on fixed dates in the Baha’i calendar. The Twin Holy Birthdays follow a lunar calculation, the first and second days after the eighth new moon following Naw-Rúz, so they move between mid-October and mid-November. In 2028 they fall on October 19 and 20.
What are the Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days and what do they mean?
Five of the nine holy days on which Baha’is suspend work and school remember the two founders of the Baha’i Faith. The Báb, whose title means “the Gate,” was born in Shiraz in 1819. He announced in 1844 that he was the herald of a new messenger of God, and he was executed by firing squad in Tabriz in 1850. Baha’u’llah, the messenger he foretold, was born in Tehran in 1817, and he died in 1892.
The two births are known as the Twin Holy Birthdays. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Baha’i book of laws, Baha’u’llah wrote that his birthday and the Báb’s “are accounted as one in the sight of God.” The two days are among the happiest of the Baha’i year. The other three holy days mark the Declaration of the Báb, the Ascension of Baha’u’llah and the Martyrdom of the Báb, and the Declaration is joyful, while the Ascension and the Martyrdom are quiet commemorations.
The Baha’i Faith has no clergy. Holy days are usually observed in the local community, and the gatherings are generally open to all. Ridván, the most sacred Baha’i festival, has a toolkit of its own.
How are the Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days observed? Customs and traditions
Prayers and readings
Gatherings usually open with prayers and readings from the writings of Baha’u’llah and the Báb. A collection called Days of Remembrance gathers writings for each of the holy days.
Joy on the Twin Birthdays
Expect music, songs, stories, flowers and refreshments. Many communities hold a celebration on each evening, or a single festive gathering that joins the two days.
The Declaration of the Báb
Baha’is remember the night in 1844 when the Báb declared his mission to his first follower, Mullá Husayn. It is observed about two hours after sunset, and the evening is usually joyful.
The Ascension of Baha’u’llah
The anniversary of his passing in 1892 is marked at 3 a.m. in the quiet of the night. Some communities gather for early-morning prayers, and others observe it with a reading during the day.
The Martyrdom of the Báb
Baha’is remember his execution at noon with a reflective gathering of prayers and readings.
Work and school set aside
Baha’is suspend work and school on all five days, so they may take time off for these dates.
Open to friends
Baha’i gatherings are generally open to friends and neighbors. There are no sermons and no collections.
Being a good neighbor on Baha’i holy days
Tap each one as you go.
The Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days in Houston: how neighbors can take part
Work and school are set aside on all five holy days
The Baha’i Faith has been part of Houston since the 1930s. The Baha’i community gathers at 2419 Fannin Street in Midtown, and the city’s first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in 1942. Baha’i holy days are usually observed in the local community and are open to all, so neighbors and friends are generally welcome.
The community holds devotional gatherings and has taken part in interfaith events, including a Baha’i meditation hosted by the Rothko Chapel.
We did not find a posted program for the Twin Birthdays or the 2027 holy days when we checked, so please contact the community to confirm times and places.
The Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days events in Houston
The Houston Baha’i community sets its own program. Please contact the community before you go. Gatherings are generally open to friends and neighbors.
Questions neighbors ask about the Twin Holy Birthdays and Bahá’í Holy Days
When are the Bahá’í Twin Holy Birthdays in 2026?
The Birth of the Báb is November 10 and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh is November 11, 2026. Bahá’í days begin at sundown, so the celebrations start at sunset on Monday, November 9.
What do you say on a Bahá’í holy day?
“Allah-u-Abhá,” which means “God is the Most Glorious,” is a common Bahá’í greeting. “Happy Holy Day” is also welcome from friends and neighbors.
How many Bahá’í holy days are there?
There are nine holy days in the year, on which Bahá’ís pause work and school where they can. Gatherings usually include prayers, readings and music, and many are open to friends.
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