Holidays & culture
Ethiopian New Year, Enkutatash
Enkutatash marks the Ethiopian New Year, at the end of the rainy season when the golden meskel daisies bloom across the highlands.
When it is
Enkutatash falls on September 11 in most years, and September 12 in the year before a Gregorian leap year. It opens the Ethiopian calendar year.
How it is celebrated
Families clean and prepare the home, wear new clothes, and gather for a big meal. Children sing and give small bouquets of daisies, and in the DMV there are New Year celebrations, concerts, and church services.
Frequently asked
When is Ethiopian New Year 2026?
Enkutatash falls on September 11, 2026. Check the events page for DMV celebrations around that date.
What does Enkutatash mean?
It is associated with the return of the Queen of Sheba and the gift of jewels, and it coincides with the blooming of the meskel daisies at the end of the rains.