Feast of the Ass

The Feast of the Ass is an annual holiday with Christian origins that honors donkeys—animals frequently mentioned in biblical stories and valued for their service to people throughout history. It is observed on January 14.

History

One of the best-known references to donkeys in the Bible is the story of the donkey that carried Jesus and his family to Egypt after his birth. Jesus also rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. If you look closely at biblical accounts, you’ll find donkeys appearing in many important scenes.

The Feast of the Ass was especially popular in medieval France. However, by the 15th century, church authorities began to view the celebration negatively, and its popularity declined sharply. Like April Fools’ Day, it eventually fell out of favor with church leaders.

Interesting Facts

• Donkeys are incredibly hardy animals. They can carry a load equal to two-thirds of their own weight for more than half a day without food or water. However, if overloaded, a donkey will simply refuse to move, so it’s important to respect their limits.
• Donkeys have highly developed brains and are actually quite intelligent—so the phrase “stubborn as a donkey” is a myth.
• Donkeys are long-lived animals, with an average lifespan of 45 to 50 years.

How to Take Part

If you have the opportunity, The Feast of the Ass is a wonderful day to ride a donkey or visit a zoo or farm with family and friends to see these remarkable animals up close.

Read the Bible on this day and learn about the stories in which donkeys appear. Share what you discover with others to raise awareness of this little-known holiday.

Spread the word on social media to let more people know about The Feast of the Ass and the important role donkeys have played throughout history.

When is Feast of the Ass in 2026?

Feast of the Ass is observed on January 14 each year.

Observations