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How many days until Lag BaOmer?
🔥 Tuesday, May 25, 2027
296 days until Lag BaOmer
About Lag BaOmer
Unlike fixed-date holidays, Lag BaOmer follows the Hebrew lunisolar calendar, so its Gregorian date changes every year. It always falls on the 18th of Iyar, which usually corresponds to late April or May. Because the Hebrew calendar periodically adds an extra month to remain aligned with the seasons, the holiday stays in the spring despite shifting dates on the Gregorian calendar. Lag BaOmer is celebrated with bonfires, outdoor gatherings, music, weddings, picnics, and children's activities. In Israel, thousands of pilgrims travel to Mount Meron, where many gather at the traditional burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The day is notable because it temporarily lifts many of the mourning customs observed during the Omer period, making it a popular date for weddings and celebrations. A common misconception is that Lag BaOmer is solely a festival of bonfires. While bonfires have become one of its most recognizable customs, the holiday also carries historical, religious, and spiritual significance connected with Jewish scholarship, resilience, and the Counting of the Omer. For many Jewish communities, it represents a welcome pause in the solemn Omer season and an opportunity for joyful communal celebration.
Quick facts
- The word 'Lag' represents the Hebrew number 33, making Lag BaOmer the thirty-third day of the Omer.
- Lag BaOmer is one of the most popular wedding dates during the Omer because many mourning restrictions are suspended.
- Large bonfire celebrations in Israel often continue late into the night, especially around Mount Meron.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Lag BaOmer?
- Lag BaOmer is observed on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, so its Gregorian date changes every year.
- Why does Lag BaOmer have a different date each year?
- The holiday follows the Hebrew lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, causing its civil calendar date to vary annually.
- Why are bonfires lit on Lag BaOmer?
- Bonfires are a longstanding custom often associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and symbolize joy, remembrance, and spiritual light, although traditions vary among Jewish communities.
Upcoming Lag BaOmer dates
- Tue, May 25, 2027 (next)
- Sun, May 14, 2028
- Thu, May 3, 2029
- Thu, May 23, 2030
Dates on this page are checked against public calendar sources. Spot something wrong? Let us know.