Exact Dates for Tu BiShvat 2027 and Recent Years
Quick answer: If you want to know when is tu bishvat 2027, the holiday begins at sunset on Friday, January 22, 2027, and continues through Saturday, January 23, 2027. Known as the New Year for Trees, this festive day marks the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat. You can explore complete holiday schedules in our comprehensive jewish holidays guide.
Tu BiShvat is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. Because Jewish calendar days begin at sunset on the preceding evening, all observances start at dusk before the main calendar date. Knowing when the holiday falls helps families, schools, and communities prepare festive meals, tree planting events, and educational activities.
For those planning ahead and asking when is tu bishvat 2027, the celebration begins at sunset on Friday, January 22, 2027, and concludes at nightfall on Saturday, January 23, 2027. Because Tu BiShvat coincides with Shabbat in 2027, holiday meals and festive fruit platters are incorporated into traditional Shabbat table gatherings.
The table below provides verified dates for Tu BiShvat for 2026 and 2027 across both Hebrew and Gregorian calendar systems.
| Year | Hebrew Date | Holiday Begins (Sunset) | Main Holiday Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 / 5786 | 15 Shevat 5786 | Sunday, February 1, 2026 | Monday, February 2, 2026 |
| 2027 / 5787 | 15 Shevat 5787 | Friday, January 22, 2027 | Saturday, January 23, 2027 |
Comparing these dates shows how the holiday shifts on civil calendars. While the Hebrew date remains fixed at 15 Shevat every year, the corresponding civil date fluctuates based on lunar calendar math.
What Is Tu BiShvat? Meaning and Origins
The name Tu BiShvat literally translates to the 15th of Shevat. In Hebrew alphanumerical notation (gematria), the Hebrew letters Tet (valuing 9) and Vav (valuing 6) combine to form the number 15, pronounced “Tu.” Therefore, Tu BiShvat simply designates the 15th day of the month of Shevat.
Historically, Tu BiShvat originated in the Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1:1) as one of four new years in the Jewish calendar. Specifically, ancient rabbinic sages established 15 Shevat as the new year for agriculture and tree tithes. By mid-winter in Israel, the heaviest seasonal rains have typically fallen, sap begins to rise in the fruit trees, and early blossoms start to appear. Ancient farmers used this cutoff date to calculate annual fruit tithes for the Temple in Jerusalem.
While ancient agricultural tithes are no longer observed in the same manner, Tu BiShvat evolved over centuries into a beloved celebration of nature, environmental stewardship, and appreciation for the bounty of the earth. Today, Jewish communities across the world use the holiday to reflect on ecology, plant trees, and enjoy special fruits connected to the Land of Israel.
Why the Date Changes on the Civil Calendar
Like all Jewish holidays, Tu BiShvat moves around on the standard Gregorian calendar from year to year. This movement happens because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar, relying on 29-day and 30-day lunar months. A regular 12-month Hebrew year totals approximately 354 days, whereas the solar year lasts about 365 days.
Because of this annual 11-day disparity, holidays drift earlier on civil calendars during regular years. To keep seasonal holidays aligned with their proper climatic seasons, the Hebrew calendar inserts a leap month every few years. You can read more about how this system balances solar and lunar cycles in our detailed jewish calendar guide.
In 2026, Tu BiShvat occurred on February 2. In 2027, because Hebrew year 5787 is a leap year containing 13 months, the extra month pushes spring holidays slightly, placing Tu BiShvat on January 23, 2027. Despite these civil date changes, the holiday always occurs precisely on 15 Shevat on the Hebrew calendar.
Traditional Customs: Seven Species, Seder, and Trees
Tu BiShvat is celebrated with several joyful customs that bring family and community together around nature, song, and delicious food.
1. Eating the Seven Species of Israel
A central custom of Tu BiShvat is eating fruits and grains associated with the Land of Israel, particularly the Seven Species mentioned in the Torah (Deuteronomy 8:8): wheat, barley, grapes (wine or raisins), figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (honey). Serving fresh or dried varieties of these foods honors the agricultural heritage of the Jewish homeland.
2. The Tu BiShvat Seder
In the 16th century, Kabbalistic scholars in Tzfat (Safed), Israel, instituted a beautiful ritual known as the Tu BiShvat Seder. Modeled loosely after the Passover Seder, this gathering involves enjoying specific combinations of fruits and nuts alongside four cups of wine or grape juice. The four cups transition gradually from white wine to dark red wine, symbolizing the transition of nature from winter dormancy to full spring vitality.
3. Planting Trees
In modern times, planting trees has become one of the most prominent Tu BiShvat activities. In Israel, thousands of schoolchildren and families participate in tree-planting ceremonies organized by environmental groups. In the diaspora, many individuals purchase trees to be planted in Israel or support local conservation projects.
4. Reciting Special Blessings
Before partaking in fruits, participants recite the appropriate Hebrew blessings for tree fruits (“Borei P’ri HaAetz”). It is also customary to taste a new seasonal fruit that one has not eaten yet that season, accompanying it with the Shehecheyanu blessing to express gratitude for reaching a new milestone.
How Tu BiShvat Fits into the Hebrew Calendar Year
Tu BiShvat serves as an important bridge between the dark days of mid-winter and the upcoming springtime joy of Purim and Passover. Occurring in Shevat, it signals that spring renewal is quietly underway beneath the surface of the soil, even when winter cold remains outside.
In the Jewish calendar year, personal and seasonal observances are closely interconnected. Just as trees undergo invisible internal growth before producing visible blossoms, individuals use winter months for spiritual reflection and learning. Understanding your place within the Hebrew calendar year also extends to personal milestones, such as finding your Hebrew birth date using our guide on how to find your hebrew birthday.
By connecting with agricultural rhythms, Tu BiShvat reminds us of our responsibility to protect the environment and cherish natural resources. It offers a timely opportunity to evaluate personal ecological habits and incorporate sustainable choices into daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tu BiShvat considered a major religious holiday with work restrictions?
No, Tu BiShvat is categorized as a minor festive day on the Jewish calendar. There are no biblical work restrictions, so business activities, school, and regular work continue as normal, unless the day coincides with Shabbat.
What are the four cups of wine served during a Tu BiShvat Seder?
The four cups represent the four seasons and spiritual realms. The first cup is pure white wine, the second is white with a drop of red, the third is red with a drop of white, and the fourth is dark red wine.
Why do people eat dried fruit on Tu BiShvat?
Historically, communities in Europe and the Americas could not easily import fresh Israeli fruits during winter. Dried fruits like figs, dates, and raisins allowed diaspora Jews to preserve and enjoy Israeli produce on the holiday.
Do people fast on Tu BiShvat?
No, fasting is strictly prohibited on Tu BiShvat because it is a day of joy and thanksgiving. Public eulogies and penitential prayers (Tachanun) are omitted from synagogue services on this festive day.
The Bottom Line
Tu BiShvat is a rich and vibrant holiday that celebrates nature, environmental responsibility, and deep connection to the Land of Israel. Knowing when Tu BiShvat occurs allows you to gather loved ones, organize a traditional fruit Seder, or plant trees to mark the occasion. Whether you are enjoying fresh pomegranates or learning about biblical agriculture, the 15th of Shevat offers inspiring lessons for every generation.
To stay updated on upcoming dates and plan your annual holiday calendar, explore our free jewish holidays directory today for exact schedules, guides, and practical calendar tools.
