Religious Holy Days
Memorandum of Religious Holy Days (Academic Impact)
This is a list of Religious Holy Days that may impact our students, faculty, and staff during the academic year. This is NOT a complete list for every religious tradition and does not guarantee exemption from work or school obligations.
Word Document: Memo – Religious Holy Days 2023 – 2024 (for internal use only)
RSL Interfaith Center List of Religious Holy Days
Please see below for a more complete list of religious holidays by date. All multi-day holidays are listed on the day they begin with duration included.
*Dates may vary, either by region or country or depending on the lunar calendar.
**Begins at sunset
2023
| Date(s) | Holiday | Religious Tradition | Restrictions / Accommodations | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUGUST | ||||
| 1 | Lughnasadh | Pagan/ Wiccan | Also known as Lammas, is a Celtic festival that marks the beginning of the harvest season and celebrates the bounty of the earth. | |
| 1-14 | Dormition Fast | Christian (Orthodox) | Fast from red meat, poultry, diary products, fish, oil, and wine | Two week fast from red meat, poultry, meat products, dairy products (eggs and milk products), fish, oil, and wine in preparation for the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th. |
| 13-15* | Obon | Buddhist/Shinto | Includes sacred site visit | Commemorates and honors the spirits of ancestors through family gatherings, visiting gravesites, and performing rituals and dances. |
| 15 | Dormition of the Theotokos | Christian (Orthodox) | Celebrates the "falling asleep" (death) of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her assumption (assecension to heaven). | |
| 30 | Raksha Bandhan | Hindu | Annual rite where the act of tying the rakhi, a woven bracelet, symbolizes a unique and cherished bond of unity and affection shared between two individuals. | |
| SEPTEMBER | ||||
| 7* | Krishna Janmashtami | Hindu | Includes observing a 24 hour fast, abstaining from grains, garlic, onion, meat, and liquor | The birthday of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the God Vishnu. Commemorates the presence of divine love and bravery in human form, as Krishna reveals His true nature while imparting wisdom to Prince Arjuna. |
| 11-18* | Paryushana Parva | Jain | Includes fasting, adhereing to a vegetarian diet. Although others may only do a partial fast, limiting certain foods. Jains emphasize the importance of consuming pure, Satvik (wholesome and pure) vegetarian food during this period | The holiest period of the year for the Shvetambara sect. This sacred observance spans eight days and is marked by fasting, worship, and the reading of Lord Mahavira's life story from the Kalpasutra. The eight days end on Samvastsari, the Day of Forgiveness. |
| 15-17** | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish | Work is prohibited from sundown on the 15th until nightfall on the 17th. Includes sacred site visit | Jewish New Year and the beginning of the High Holy Days. |
| 19* | Ganesh Chaturthi | Hindu | Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, characterized by vibrant processions, the installation of Ganesha idols, devotional rituals, and the immersion of the idols in water at the end of the festivities. | |
| 21-29 | Mabon | Pagan/ Wiccan | Celebrates the autumn equinox, the midpoint of the harvest cycle, highlighting the celebration of balance and harmony. | |
| 24-25** | Yom Kippur | Jewish | Work is prohibited. Fasting from both food and drink begins at sundown on the 24th and lasts until nightfall on the 25th | Holiest day in Judaism. Otherwise known as the Day of Atonement, characterized by fasting, prayer, and repentance, offering individuals a time for introspection, seeking forgiveness, and reconciliation. |
| 26-27 | Mawlid al-Nabi | Islam | Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. | |
| 29 - Oct. 6** | Sukkot | Jewish | Work is prohibitted the first two days | Known as the Feast of Tabernacles, during which people build and dwell in temporary shelters called sukkahs to commemorate the Israelites' journey in the wilderness. |
| OCTOBER | ||||
| 6-8** | Shemini Atzeret | Jewish | Work is prohibited | Concludes Sukkot and marks the start of winter. |
| 8** | Simchat Torah | Jewish | Work is prohibited | Celebrates the end of the Torah reading cycle and beginning of the new cycle. |
| 15-23 | Navratri | Hindu | Fasting is observed, known as vrat or upvaas, for all nine days or certain selected days. The most common practice is to abstain from consuming meat, eggs, alcohol, onion, garlic, and certain grains and lentils. Instead, devotees typically focus on consuming satvik (pure) vegetarian food | Nine-day festival worshipping the Goddess Ma Durga through prayer, fasting, music, and dance. |
| 16* | Birth of the Báb | Bahá’í | Celebrates the birth of the Báb, a founder of the Bahá’í faith. | |
| 24 | Dussehra | Hindu | Festival that commemorates the triumph of good over evil, symbolized by the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. | |
| 27* | Birth of Bahá’u’lláh | Bahá’í | Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, a founder of the Bahá’í faith. | |
| 31 | Samhain | Pagan/ Wiccan | Includes sacred site visit | Festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrating beginnings, endings, and the dead |
| 31 | Reformation Day | Christian (Protestant) | Celebrates the beginning of the reformation initiated by Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. | |
| NOVEMBER | ||||
| 1 | All Saints’ Day | Christian | Holiday honoring the saints. | |
| 2 | All Souls' Day | Christian | Holiday praying for the souls of the dead. | |
| 4 | Buddha's Descent | Buddhist | Otherwise known as Lhabab Duchen, commemorates the return of Gautama Buddha from the heavenly realm of Tavatimsa after delivering a sermon to his mother, Queen Mahamaya, following his enlightenment. | |
| 12 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain, Sikh | Includes sacred site visit | Festival of Lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil. |
| 15 | Shichi-go-san | Shinto | Includes sacred site visit | Celebrates the growth and well-being of children through shrine visits and prayers for their health and prosperity. |
| 23 | Niinamesai | Shinto | Harvest festival that involves the offering of newly harvested rice to the deities, expressing gratitude for the year's bounty and praying for a successful harvest in the coming year. | |
| 25-26** | Day of the Covenant | Bahá’í | Commemorates the covenant established by Bahá'u'lláh and honors 'Abdu'l-Bahá's role as His appointed successor. | |
| DECEMBER | ||||
| 3 | First Sunday of Advent | Christian | First of four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a time of waiting and anticipation for the birth of Jesus. | |
| 7-15** | Hanukkah | Jewish | Celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt | |
| 8 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Christian (Catholic) | Celebrates the immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. | |
| 8 | Bodhi Day | Buddhist | Includes sacred site visit | Commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama (the historical Buddha) attained enlightenment. |
| 21 | Yule | Pagan/ Wiccan | Celebrates the winter solstice and the return of longer days, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the cycle of life. | |
| 23 | Joseph Smith's Birthday | LDS (Mormon) | Celebrates the birth of LDS founder Joseph Smith. | |
| 25 | Christmas | Christian | Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. | |
| 26 | Zarathosht Diso | Zoroastrian | Commemorates the death of the prophet Zarathustra. | |
2024
| Date(s) | Holiday | Religious Tradition | Restrictions / Accomodations | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JANUARY | ||||
| 1 | Oshogatsu | Shinto | Includes sacred site visit | Celebration of the New Year. Involves temple visits, prayers for blessings and prosperity, making ceremonial offerings, and participating in traditional rituals to welcome the arrival of the new year. |
| 6 | Epiphany | Christian | Also known as Three Kings Day, celebrates, in the Western Church, the visit of Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Jesus. | |
| 7 | Orthodox Christmas | Christian (Orthodox) | Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ for Orthodox Christians. | |
| 15 | Makara Sankranthi | Hindu | Marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signifying the arrival of longer days, new beginnings, and expressing gratitude for the harvest season. | |
| 17 | Birth of Guru Gobind Singh | Sikh | Birthday of the tenth and final Guru. | |
| 24-25** | Tu B’shevat | Jewish | Also known as the Jewish New Year for Trees. Celebrates the ecological and agricultural significance of trees, promoting environmental awareness and the importance of caring for the natural world. | |
| FEBRUARY | ||||
| 1 | Imbolc | Pagan/ Wiccan | Marks the onset of spring, symbolizing purification, renewal, and the awakening of nature. | |
| 6-7** | Lailat al Miraj | Islam | Commemorates the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens, marked by prayers, reflection, and recitation of the Qur'an. | |
| 14 | Vasant Panchami | Hindu | Marks the arrival of spring and honors the goddess Saraswati, symbolizing knowledge, learning, and the arts. | |
| 14 | Ash Wednesday | Christian | Fasting practices vary across denominations. On Ash Wednesday practitioners tend to abstain from meat (as well as on Fridays leading up to Easter). Fasts throughout Lent can also vary person to person. Lent ends at Easter. | Marks the beginning of Lent, an observance that spans approximately 40 days, characterized by fasting, prayer, and repentance, serving as a period of spiritual preparation and reflection leading up to Easter. |
| 15 | Parinirvana Day (Buddha's Passing) | Buddhist | Commemorates the final passing away (parinirvana) of the Buddha, signifying his ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death. | |
| 24 | Sangha Day | Buddhist | Honors and expresses gratitude to the monastic community (Sangha) for their contributions to the propagation of the Dharma and the spiritual guidance they provide to followers. | |
| 26-29* | Ayyám-i-Há | Bahá’í | A period of charity characterized by acts of service, generosity, and expressions of love and unity among family and community members. | |
| MARCH | ||||
| 1-19* | Nineteen Day Fast | Bahá’í | Fasting from food and water from sunrise to sunset | A period of spiritual preparation and renewal. It is a time for introspection, self-discipline, and prayer, fostering a closer connection with God and promoting spiritual growth. |
| 8* | Maha Shivaratri | Hindu | Fasting occurs from the morning of the 8th to the morning of the 9th. Fasting can either include both food and water or be a partial fast with practioners opting to consume only milk and fruits. Includes sacred site visit | Festival honoring Lord Shiva, known as the destroyer and transformer, associated with spiritual asceticism, meditation, and the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. |
| 10- April 9th** | Ramadan | Islam | Abstinence from food, liquids, and other fasting invalidators from dawn to sunset | Commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad and focuses on self-discipline and God-consciousness. |
| 19-20** | Ostara | Pagan/Wiccan | Celebrated during the vernal equinox, symbolizing the rebirth of nature and the arrival of spring. | |
| 20* | Nowruz | Bahá’í, Zoroastrian | Celebrates the New Year and the arrival of spring. | |
| 23-24** | Purim | Jewish | Commemorates the story of Esther. | |
| 24 | Memorial of Jesus’ Death | Jehovah's Witnesses | Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. | |
| 24 | Palm Sunday | Christian | Fasting for lent is ongoing | Commemorates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem the week prior to the crucifixion. |
| 24-25** | Holi | Hindu | Includes sacred site visit | Spring festival, also known as the Festival of Colors. |
| 28 | Maundy Thursday | Christian | Fasting for lent is ongoing | Commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal before Jesus' crucifixion. Includes the tradition of foot washing. |
| 29 | Good Friday | Christian | Includes sacred site visit | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. |
| 31 | Easter | Christian | Includes sacred site visit | Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
| APRIL | ||||
| 9-10** | Eid al-Fitr | Islam | Celebrates the end of Ramadan. | |
| 11-17** | Six-day Fast of Shawwaal | Islam | Abstinence from food, liquids, and other fasting invalidators from dawn to sunset | Additional time of fasting following Ramadan. |
| 13 | Vaisakhi | Sikh | Marks the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa, a religious community of Sikhs established by Guru Gobind Singh. | |
| 20 - May 2** | Ridván | Bahá’í | Celebrates the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh as the Manifestation of God. | |
| 21 | Mahavir Jayanti | Jain | Both partial (only vegetarian) and complete (abstaining from food and water) fasting are common practices. Various forms of austerity such as limiting activities and minimizing worldly indulgence are practiced. Includes sacred site visit | Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. |
| 22-30** | Pesach (Passover) | Jewish | Chametz prohibition, referring to any food product that is made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt and has come into contact with water and leavened (risen). Includes sacred site visit | Commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. |
| 24 | Hanuman Jayanti | Hindu | Includes sacred site visit | Celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, a revered deity known for his loyalty, devotion, and strength. |
| MAY | ||||
| 1 | Beltane | Pagan/Wiccan | Includes sacred site visit | Marks the beginning of the warmer months and fertility in nature. |
| 5 | Pascha (Orthodox Easter) | Christian (Orthodox) | Fasting Thursday evening after supper until Saturday night from meat, eggs, cheese, fish with backbone, olive oil, and alcohol, eating no full meals but only collations (small meals for health) until after the final Resurrection Liturgy (late Saturday) | Celebrates the ressurection of Jesus Christ. |
| 5-6 | Yom Ha’shoah | Jewish | Practitioners may opt out of festive or celebratory activities | Observance dedicated to remembering and honoring the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. |
| 9 | Ascension Day | Christian | Commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. | |
| 15 | Buddha’s Birthday | Buddhist | Commemorates the birth of the Buddha. | |
| 19 | Pentecost | Christian | Celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church. | |
| 22-23 | Declaration of the Báb | Bahá’í | Commemorates the momentous day in 1844 when the Báb announced His divine mission as a forerunner to Bahá'u'lláh and the herald of a new spiritual age. | |
| 25-26** | Lag B’Omer | Jewish | Honors the life and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. | |
| 27-28 | Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh | Bahá’í | Commemorates the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. | |
| JUNE | ||||
| 11-13** | Shavuot | Jewish | Customary that only dairy-based foods are consumed | Commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. |
| 16** | Eid al-Adha | Islam | Additional early morning prayer included | Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. Commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to Allah. |
| JULY | ||||
| 9 | Martyrdom of the Báb | Bahá’í | Commemorates the execution of the Báb who was martyred in 1850. | |
| 16-17** | Ashura | Islam | Shia: Fast from dawn to sunset on the 17th. May opt out of festive or celebratory activities. Sunni: Fast from dawn to sunset on the 17th, with an option to fast the 16th and 18th. | Shia: A significant day of mourning and remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. Sunni: Commemorating the Prophet Musa. |