Religious Observances Academic Year 2024-2025

Please note that individual practices may vary.
“*” denotes holidays that start sundown the day before

Fall 2024 Semester

August 25* – Arbaeen: This day marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after Ashura for Shia Muslims. It marks the day that God delivered Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea where they could safely cross.

August 26 – Krishna Janmashtami: This annual Hindu festival celebrates Krisha, a supreme God in the faith. This celebration includes the reading of religious texts, reenactments of his life, and dance. It is celebrated primarily in India. Also known as Gokulashtami, Janmashtami, or Krishanashtami.

September 21-29 – Mabon: Both Wiccans and Pagans use this day to celebrate the autumnal equinox, a day when the amount of sunlight and darkness is the same. This represents both balance and harmony.

September 15* – Mawlid al-Nabi: Muslims celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday today. They honor this day as they believe he is a messenger of God.

October 3 – Navratri: This ten-day Hindu festival celebrates the Goddess Durga and is a major crop season event. Each day a new goddess is worshiped and changing of Hindu scriptures occurs as well as a period of fasting.

October 3-4* – Rosh Hashanah: These two Jewish holy days remember the time that the world was created. It marks the 10 Days of Awe that focuses on repenting and reflection.

October 12* – Yom Kippur: This is one of the most important Jewish high holy days. The 10 Days of Awe period commemorates Yom Kippur which focuses on asking for forgiveness for your sins. During biblical times, this was the only day that a high priest could enter the most sacred part of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Also known as the Day of Atonement.

October 17 – 23 – Sukkot: This 7-day holiday commemorates when Jewish peoples journeyed through the desert to the promised land.

October 31 – November 4 – Diwali: This Hindu Festival of Lights symbolizes the fight of good over evil and its victory. It is celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, and mostly Newar Buddhists.

November 1 – All Saints’ Day: This day honors all holy men and women who the Catholic Church has canonized.

November 3 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: This holy day for the Baha’i faith honors its founder’s birthdays. He challenges people to fight back against racial prejudice and to be one human family.

November 25 – Day of the Covenant: This Baha’i Holy Day celebrates the day that Abdu’l-Baha was appointed the Covenant. His role is to safeguard the faith from any division.

November 27 – Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha: This day honors the day that Abdu’l-Baha, the Servant of Baha, died. His funeral was attended by over 10,000 people of different religious backgrounds. He is believed to be an exemplary example of living Baha’i principles to its fullest for its followers.

November 30 – St. Andrew’s Feast Day: This day celebrates the patron saint of Romania, Ukraine, Barbados, Greece, Russia, and Scotland by remembering his accomplishments and canonization in the Catholic Church.

December 8 – Bodhi Day: This Buddhist holiday remembers the day that Gautama Buddha is believed to attain enlightenment. Also celebrated on the lunar date January 18, 2024.

December 21 to January 1 – Yule: Pagans and Wiccans celebrate the winter solstice today.

December 25 – Christmas: This important Christian remembers the birth of their Lord and Savior.

December 26 – January 1 – Kwanzaa: This seven-day cultural celebration focuses on seven main principles, Nguzo Saba. They all correspond to values that they believe help a person, their family, and their community to prosper.

December 26 – January 2* – Hanukkah: The 8-day Jewish celebration of the victory of Jews over Syrian Greeks begins today.

Spring 2025 Semester

January 6 – Christian: Epiphany: Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.

January 7 – Coptic Orthodox Christian: Christmas: Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.

January 13 – Jewish: Tu Bishvat*: The New Year for Trees, celebrating nature and agriculture.

January 14 – Hindu: Pongal: A harvest festival thanking the Sun God for the agricultural abundance.

January 14 – Buddhist: Mahayana New Year: Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.

January 29 – Lunar New Year: Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars or, informally but more widely, lunisolar calendars. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.

February 2 – Pagan and Wiccan: Imbolc*: Celebrates the beginning of spring and the goddess Brigid.

February 2 – Christian: Candlemas: Commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.

February 8 – Islamic: Lailat al Miraj: Commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and ascension to heaven.

February 15 – Buddhist: Parinirvana: Marks the death of Buddha and his attainment of final Nirvana.

February 26 – Hindu: Maha Shivaratri: A major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva.

March 1 – Islamic: Ramadan begins*: A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.

March 5 – Christian: Ash Wednesday: Marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

March 14 – Hindu: Holi: The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring. This is one of the most known Hinduism holy days.

March 14 – Sikh: Hola Mohalla: A Sikh festival featuring martial arts, poetry, and community gatherings.

March 20 – Baha’i: Naw-Ruz*: The Baha’i New Year, celebrated with joy and festivities.

March 29 – Christian: Good Friday: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

March 31 – Christian: Easter: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

March 31 – Islamic: Eid al-Fitr*: Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with a feast and prayers. On one of the most important Islamic holy days.

April 10 – Jain: Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.

April 12 – Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Memorial of Jesus’ Death: Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.

April 13-20 – Jewish: Passover*: Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

April 14 – Sikh, Hindu: Vaisakhi: Marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest.

April 20 – Christian: Easter: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May 1 – Pagan and Wiccan: Beltane*: Celebrates the peak of spring and the coming of summer.

May 5 – Buddhist: Buddha’s Birthday: Celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

May 12 – Buddhist: Vesak: Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.

May 16 – Jewish: Lag BaOmer*: A festive day marking the end of a plague during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime.

May 28 – Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah*: Commemorates the passing of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.