Jewish holiday · Thursday evening, June 10 – Saturday, June 12, 2027

Shavuot

The Festival of Weeks: Torah, harvest, flowers and cheesecake, seven weeks after Passover.

Say it like a neighbor

Chag Shavuot Sameach

Say: KHAG shah-voo-OHT sah-MAY-akh · “Happy Shavuot”

If that is hard to say, “Happy Shavuot!” is warmly received, and so is a simple “Chag Sameach” (KHAG sah-MAY-akh, “happy holiday”). Some families say “Shavuos” (shah-VOO-iss). Pronunciations vary.

Jun 10

Shavuot comes seven weeks after Passover. Tap to see how it is kept.

When is Shavuot? Key dates and days to know

Wed

Jun 9

Last night of the Omer

The 49th and final day of counting

Thu

Jun 10

Shavuot begins

At sundown: candles, dinner and night study

Main day

Fri

Jun 11

First day

The Ten Commandments are read

Main day

Sat

Jun 12

Second day

Memorial prayers; ends at nightfall

Shavuot is on 6 Sivan, fifty days after Passover begins its counting. Jewish days begin at sundown, so the holiday begins on the evening of Thursday, June 10 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, June 12 outside Israel. In Israel and in many Reform congregations it is observed for one day. The Jewish year 5787 is a leap year, which is why Shavuot falls later than usual this year.

What is Shavuot and what does it mean?

Shavuot, the “Festival of Weeks,” takes place seven weeks after Passover. According to Jewish tradition, it marks the day the Jewish people received the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Sukkot.

It is also a farm festival. In ancient times farmers brought the first fruits of the wheat harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem. The name means “weeks” because of the seven weeks, 49 days, counted between Passover and Shavuot, a journey from freedom to purpose.

Shavuot is a quiet, studious joy. It has few fixed rituals, and most of its practices are customs that grew up over time: staying up to study, reading the Book of Ruth, eating dairy and decorating with flowers and greenery.

TorahHarvestStudy

How is Shavuot celebrated? Customs and traditions

Counting the Omer

From the second night of Passover, Jews count each of 49 days aloud with a blessing. Shavuot comes on the 50th day, which is also what the Greek name Pentecost means.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Many Jews stay up all night, or for several hours, studying Torah, a custom called Tikkun Leil Shavuot. One explanation is that it makes up for the Israelites who overslept on the morning of the revelation at Sinai. Study sessions are often open to the whole community.

The Ten Commandments

In synagogue on the first day, the Ten Commandments are read from the Torah scroll, and many congregations stand for the reading.

The Book of Ruth

The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot. It is a story of loyalty, kindness and the barley harvest. Ruth chose to join the Jewish people and became an ancestor of King David.

Dairy foods

Cheesecake, blintzes, cheese kreplach, kugel and ice cream are on many holiday tables. There are many explanations. One says the Torah is compared to milk and honey.

Flowers and greenery

Homes and synagogues are decorated with flowers, branches and plants, a reminder of the spring harvest and of a tradition that Mount Sinai bloomed when the Torah was given.

Confirmation

Many Reform and some Conservative congregations celebrate teenagers who have completed religious school at a Confirmation ceremony on Shavuot.

Being a good neighbor on Shavuot

Tap each one as you go.

Say “Chag Sameach” or “Happy Shavuot.”
Observant coworkers will likely be away and offline from Thursday evening, June 10 through Saturday night, June 12. They do not work, drive or use phones, computers or other electronics on the holiday.
Avoid scheduling big deadlines, exams or events on June 11 and 12 if you can. Many will also be tired after staying up for study on Thursday night.
Hosting? Offer dairy or vegetarian options, and look for a kosher symbol. Many observant Jews keep kosher and may only eat food prepared in a kosher kitchen.
Do not assume everyone stays up all night or keeps two days. Practices differ across Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and secular Jews, and Israelis keep one day.
Invited to a Tikkun or a festive meal? Say yes. Guests are welcome, and no one expects you to know the customs.

Learn about Shavuot →

Shavuot in Houston: how neighbors can take part

A community-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Houston

Houston’s Jewish community includes Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Chabad and unaffiliated families, and Shavuot is a season of shared learning.

In recent years Houston has held a community-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an evening of short, 18-minute sessions led by rabbis, cantors and educators from across the city. It was hosted at Congregation Brith Shalom in 2024 and listed by Congregation Emanuel in 2025. United Orthodox Synagogues has also organized a 14-hour community learnathon.

Chabad of Houston lists holiday service and candle-lighting schedules for its locations around the city. The 2027 schedules had not been posted when we checked.

Chabad of Houston →

Shavuot events in Houston

Wed, Jun 9, evening

Last night of the OmerThe 49th and final day of counting is said at the evening service.

Thu, Jun 10, sundown

Shavuot beginsCandle lighting, evening services and a festive dairy meal.

Thu, Jun 10, night

Tikkun Leil ShavuotAll-night or late-night study at synagogues and community programs.

Fri, Jun 11

First dayMorning services with the reading of the Ten Commandments, then a festive meal.

Sat, Jun 12

Second day and YizkorMemorial prayers are recited. The holiday ends at nightfall.

Houston congregations set their own schedules, and some keep only one day. Please check with the synagogue or Chabad center before you go. Community programs are often open to anyone.

Chabad of Houston →