Yom Kippur 2024 - October 11 to October 12

Yom Kippur 2024 begins on Friday, October 11th at sundown and ends at the evening of Saturday, October 12th
Yom Kippur 2025: October 1st on Wednesday to October 2nd on Thursday

The date of the festival is determined by the Jewish lunisolar calendar, and so it varies each year. But is always in September or October. Jews spend about 25 hours fasting, repentance, and praying during the festival. In Israel, people have a one-day holiday on October 12, 2024.

When Does Yom Kippur 2024 Start?

Yom Kippur 2024 will begin at sunset on October 11th. The festival starts once the sun has officially gone down locally, and practicing Jews then observe all the festival traditions such as fasting from any food and drinks, even water, attending a synagogue for prayers, performing acts of repentance, etc.

The next day is a full day of holiday. Jewish people do not eat anything and do not go to work or even go out. They will spend a whole day reading holy scriptures, reflecting, and praying, usually in a synagogue.

When Does Yom Kippur End?

Yom Kippur 2024 will end during the evening of October 12th. Once the sun goes down, the festival day officially ends. All the festival observances finish then, and Jews will break the fast. There is usually a closing prayer called Ne'ila ('Closing') shortly before sunset.

It is a common tradition for people to break their fast with a big dinner as soon as Yom Kippur ends. The meal is known as 'break-fast'. Many families and communities gather together to share this special meal, which often includes a variety of traditional and comforting dishes. It is seen as a time of celebration and renewal after the solemn observance of Yom Kippur.

When is Erev Yom Kippur 2024?

Erev Yom Kippur 2024, which is the day before Yom Kippur, will begin at sundown on October 10th and continue until sundown on October 11th.

On Erev Yom Kippur, people typically engage in various preparations for the holy day. They do a lot of activities that are not allowed during the festival itself.

They may have a festive meal, known as the 'pre-fast meal', to sustain themselves during the day of fasting. They put on white clothes and take a bath. Also, they may also ask forgiveness from those whom they have sinned against, as, according to the Talmud, on Yom Kippur, sins between a person and their fellow cannot be forgiven unless they have reconciled with that person.

Yom Kippur Date 2024, 2025...

Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (the 7th month of the Jewish calendar). It falls in late September to mid-October. See Yom Kippur dates in 2024, 2025...

Year	Yom Kippur Start Date	Yom Kippur End Date (Public Holiday)
2024	October 11th	October 12th
2025	October 1st	October 2nd
2026	September 20st	September 21st
2027	October 10th	October 11th
2028	September 29	September 30
2029	September 18	September 19
2030	October 6	October 7

Why Does the Date for Yom Kippur Change Every Year?

Yom Kippur's date is based on the Jewish calendar, which is based on a lunar-solar system, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is purely solar in determination.

The date of Yom Kippur falls in late September to mid-October. It is observed on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (7th month of the Jewish calendar), which is 9 days after the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) on 1st of Tishrei. The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is considered the holiest season in the Jewish calendar, with the climax of the '10 days of repentance' occurring at Yom Kippur.

In 2024, Yom Kippur begins on October 11th at sundown and ends at the evening of October 12th. The Rosh Hashana 2024 begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2nd and lasts 2 days, ending at sundown on Friday, October 4th.

How Long is the Yom Kippur Public Holiday in Israel?

In Israel, Yom Kippur comes with a day's public holiday. In 2024, the holiday takes place on Saturday, October 12th (which happens to be a day of Sabbath rest anyway).

During the Yom Kippur holiday, in Israel the whole country will come to a pause. There is no publication of newspapers, and there are no television or radio broadcasts. Public transportation is suspended, and all government offices, businesses, schools, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues are closed. Streets are empty and quiet as people refrain from driving and going out.