The traditions of Druidry and Wicca in particular defined much of their practice in the 1960s. At that time there was also a movement to combine the seasonal festivals of the Druids (the solstices and equinoxes) with the ‘fire festivals’ into one system, resulting in the Wheel of the Year.
The Pagan Wheel of the Year (or Eightfold Cycle) consists of eight seasonal festivals- the Solstices and Equinoxes (for a total of four times during the year which are dictated by the relationship between the Earth and Sun), and the four ‘cross-quarter’ or ‘fire festivals’ which are not determined astronomically, but are related to the traditional pastoral calendar in the Northern Hemisphere.
The graphic on this page is a Druid version of the Wheel of the Year for the Northern Hemisphere; it uses modern researched Welsh names for the solstices and equinoxes, and shows some of the relationships between the holidays.
For Pagans that do celebrate the Wheel of the Year, these are the festivals in the Northern Hemisphere:
Festivals During Celtic Winter
Samhain
Other names: Samhuinn, Sauin, Nos Calan Gaeaf (First Day of Winter), All Hallow’s Eve
Dates: Oct 31– Nov 2
Samhain traditionally marks both the end and beginning of the Celtic Year. Considered by many Pagans to be the most important of the four ‘cross-quarter’ or ‘fire festivals’, Samhain is also the last harvest of the year and a faerie time.
Go to Samhain page 
Winter Solstice
Other names: Alban Arthan Light of the Bear), Alban Arthuan (Light of Arthur), Yule
Dates: Dec 19–23 (date will vary by year)
The winter solstice is the day with the shortest daylight and longest nights, but it also marks when this starts to reverse and the daylight increases. This solstice is celebrated as the return of the sun at the darkest time of winter.
Go to Winter Solstice page
Imbolc
Other names: Oimelc, La Fheile Bride, La Fheill Brighde, Brigid’s Day, Bride’s Day
Dates: Feb 1–2
Imbolc is the first of four “fire festivals” in the Wheel of the Year and is also considered the first of three spring festivals. Even in this coldest time of the year signs of spring appear, and daylight is noticeably longer.
Go to Imbolc page
Spring Equniox
Other names: Vernal Equinox, Alban Eilir (Light of Spring), Alban Eiler (Light of the Earth), Ostara
Dates: Mar 19–23 (date will vary by year)
The vernal equinox is one of two days in the year when daylight and night are about equal. This is the second spring festival, and the signs of new growth are now well underway.
Go to Spring Equinox page
Festivals During Celtic Summer
Beltane
Other names: Beltaine, Bealltainn, Calan Mai (First of May), Calan Haf (First of Summer), Boaldyn
Dates: May 1
Beltane occurs around May 1 in the northern hemisphere. It is the beginning of Celtic ‘Summer’, the second fire festival of the Celtic year, and the third and final spring festival of the year.
Go to Beltane page
Summer Solstice
Other names: Alban Hefin (Light of Summer), Alban Heruin (Light of the Shore), Midsummer, Litha
Dates: June 19–23 (date will vary by year)
The Summer Solstice is the day with the longest daylight and shortest nights, but it also marks when this starts to reverse and daylight decreases. This solstice celebrates the height of summer.
Go to Summer Solstice page
Lughnasadh
Other names: Lammas, Lunasdal, Luanys, Gwl Awst, Goel Est, Goeul an Eost, 1st Harvest
Dates: Aug 1–2
Lughnasadh is the first of the three Pagan autumn harvest festivals. It is an agrarian-based festival and feast of thanksgiving for grain and bread, which symbolizes the first fruits of the harvest.
Go to Lughnasadh page
Fall Equinox
Other names: Autumnal Equinox, Alban Elfed (Light of Autumn), Alban Elued (Light of the Water), Mabon
Dates: Sept 20–24 (date will vary by year)
The Fall Equinox is one of two days in the year when daylight and night are about equal. It is a time of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and is the second of the three pagan harvest festivals.
Go to Fall Equinox page
To find out more:
The Eightfold Wheel of the Year & the Druid Festivals (OBOD)
The Wheel of the Year – Valid or Not? (Damh the Bard April 2013)