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In the state of Victoria, people practice more than 130 faiths, which means there are many significant holy days and festivals each year that are acknowledged. These significant moments, celebrated each so differently, all converge in their shared belief in something both within and transcendent of this world.

In this context, the Faith Communities Council of Victoria has put together a 2016 Multifaith Calendar honoring major holy days and festivals for the following faiths: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.  To view this Calendar click here.

Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80. It is also known as Parinirvana Day.

What is the program?

The Victorian Government is committed to promoting the social, cultural and economic benefits of cultural diversity to all Victorians.

The Multicultural Festivals and Events program encourages participation of the whole Victorian community in festivals and events to celebrate and embrace our vibrant multicultural diversity.

On Sunday 22nd of November 2015, approximately 250 people from a diverse range of religious and spiritual backgrounds gathered at Kingston City Hall to participate in the 2015 Victorian Interfaith Networks Conference (VINC). This annual conference aims to help build the capacity and sustainability of existing interfaith networks and to bring people up-to-date with current multifaith and interfaith matters.

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria has issued the following statement on the eve of world leaders meeting in Paris for the United Nations climate summit (Nov 30-Dec 11), and the People’s Climate March scheduled in Melbourne @ 5.30pm Friday 27 November at the State Library:

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) endorses the following statement in response to preventing family violence:

Diwali is perhaps the most well-known of the Hindu festivals. The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas.

Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It dates back to two centuries before the beginning of Christianity.