The Ethiopian calendar is marked by a number of Christian festivals reminiscent of the colorful fiestas common to catholic Latin America. These include the celebration of Christ’s baptism at the festival of Timkat (Epiphany), which takes place on the 19th of January every year. The festival, which runs for three days, is marked by massive Masses and late-night picnics. Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on 7 January. The Ethiopian New Year, which is called Enkutatash and is celebrated on 11 September, is a colorful affair, with lots of singing and dancing on the streets. 27 September is the date for another Christian festival, Maskal, (The Finding of the True Cross), celebrated by burning giant bonfires in town squares. And also, Hidar Tsion which is celebrated in Aksum is fascinating.

Among those, Ethiopia owns three impressive and awe-inspiring cultural and religious festivals that which are inscribed by UNESCO on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These unique street festivals include Meskel, Irreechaa the Thanksgiving Day of the Oromo people, Timket and Fichee-Chambalaalla, a New Year festival celebrated among the Sidama people.