Religious/Spiritual Holidays
The following holidays are listed to avoid potential schedule conflicts involving large numbers of students. In some traditions, on some holidays adherents are not allowed to work, or attend class. All such holidays are marked with an asterisk (*) to so indicate. All students are responsible for negotiating their religious/spiritual practice needs with their professor(s).
Please Note:
- Muslim holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date given. Muslim holidays are based on a lunar calendar, and the actual dates are determined by direct observation of the moon and announced by the mosque. (The most observant Muslims will observe all days; others may observe the first two days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Ahda.)
- Orthodox Christian holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date given.
- All Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date given.
- The Chinese/Lunar New Year festivities begin the evening before the date given.
- On some holidays (marked with * below), no work can be done.
DATE | RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY | RELIGION |
---|---|---|
June 12–13 | * Shavuot | Jewish |
June 17 | * Eid al-Adha | Muslim |
June 21 | Litha (Summer Solstice) | Pagan |
July 21 | Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day) | Theravada Buddhism |
Aug 1 | Lammas or Lughnasdah | Pagan |
Sep 21 | Mabon (Autumnal Equinox) | Pagan |
Oct 3–4 | * Rosh Hashanah | Jewish |
Oct 3–12 | Navaratri | Hindu, Jain, Sikh |
Oct 12 | * Yom Kippur | Jewish |
Oct 15–23 | * Sukkot | Jewish |
Oct 24 | * Shemini Atzeret | Jewish |
Oct 25 | * Simchat Torah | Jewish |
Oct 31 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain, Sikh |
Oct 31 | Samhain | Pagan |
Nov 2 | * Birth of the Báb | Baha'i |
Nov 3 | * Birth of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i |
Dec 21 | Yule (Winter Solstice) | Pagan |
Dec 25 | Christmas | Christian |
Dec 26 – Jan 2, 2025 | * Hanukkah | Jewish |
DATE | RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY | RELIGION |
---|---|---|
Jan 7 | * Christmas | Orthodox Christian |
Jan 29 | Chinese New Year | Lunar New Year |
Feb 2 | Imbolc | Pagan |
Feb 15 | Parinirvana Day | Mahayana Buddhist |
Feb 28 | Losar | Tibetan New Year (Celebrations last for 15 days, with emphasis on the first three) |
Mar 1 – Mar 30 | * Ramadan | Muslim |
Mar 3 | * Great Lent begins | Orthodox Christian |
Mar 5 | Ash Wednesday | Christian |
Mar 14 | * Purim | Jewish |
Mar 14 | Holi | Hindu |
Mar 20 | * Naw-Rúz | Persian/Zoroastrian/Baha'i New Year |
Mar 21 | Ostara (Spring Equinox) | Pagan |
Mar 31 | * Eid al-Fitr | Muslim |
Apr 8 | Vesak | Theravada Buddhism |
Apr 13–15 | South and Southeast Asian New Year | |
Apr 13 | * Passover begins | Jewish (Orthodox Jews observe the first and last two days of Passover as no-work holidays.) |
Apr 14 | Vaisakhi | Sikh |
Apr 18 | * Good Friday | Orthodox Christian |
Apr 18 | Good Friday | Christian |
Apr 20 | Passover ends | Jewish |
Apr 20 | * Easter (Pascha) | Orthodox Christian |
Apr 20 | Easter | Christian |
Apr 21 | * Ridvan begins | Baha'i |
Apr 29 | 9th Day of Ridvan | Baha'i |
May 1 | Beltane | Pagan |
May 2 | 12th Day of Ridvan | Baha'i |
May 12 | Buddha's Birthday | Mahayana Buddhism |
June 2–3 | * Shavuot | Jewish |
June 7 | * Eid al-Adha | Muslim |
June 21 | Litha (Summer Solstice) | Pagan |
July 10 | Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day) | Theravada Buddhism |
Aug 1 | Lammas or Lughnasdah | Pagan |
Sep 21 | Mabon (Autumnal Equinox) | Pagan |
Sep 22 – Oct 1 | Navaratri | Hindu, Jain, Sikh |
Sep 23–24 | * Rosh Hashanah | Jewish |
Oct 2 | * Yom Kippur | Jewish |
Oct 7–13 | * Sukkot | Jewish |
Oct 14 | * Shemini Atzeret | Jewish |
Oct 15 | * Simchat Torah | Jewish |
Oct 20 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain, Sikh |
Oct 22 | * Birth of the Báb | Baha'i |
Oct 23 | * Birth of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i |
Oct 31 | Samhain | Pagan |
Dec 21 | Yule (Winter Solstice) | Pagan |
Dec 25 | Christmas | Christian |
Dec 15–22 | * Hanukkah | Jewish |