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.

Summer/Fall 2024 Religious Holidays
DATERELIGIOUS HOLIDAYRELIGION
June 12–13* ShavuotJewish
June 17* Eid al-AdhaMuslim
June 21Litha (Summer Solstice)Pagan
July 21Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)Theravada Buddhism
Aug 1Lammas or LughnasdahPagan
Sep 21Mabon (Autumnal Equinox)Pagan
Oct 3–4* Rosh HashanahJewish
Oct 3–12NavaratriHindu, Jain, Sikh
Oct 12* Yom KippurJewish
Oct 15–23* SukkotJewish
Oct 24* Shemini AtzeretJewish
Oct 25* Simchat TorahJewish
Oct 31DiwaliHindu, Jain, Sikh
Oct 31SamhainPagan
Nov 2* Birth of the BábBaha'i
Nov 3* Birth of Baha'u'llahBaha'i
Dec 21Yule (Winter Solstice)Pagan
Dec 25ChristmasChristian
Dec 26 – Jan 2, 2025* HanukkahJewish
2025 Religious Holidays
DATERELIGIOUS HOLIDAYRELIGION
Jan 7* ChristmasOrthodox Christian
Jan 29Chinese New YearLunar New Year
Feb 2ImbolcPagan
Feb 15Parinirvana DayMahayana Buddhist
Feb 28LosarTibetan New Year (Celebrations last for 15 days, with emphasis on the first three)
Mar 1 – Mar 30* RamadanMuslim
Mar 3* Great Lent beginsOrthodox Christian
Mar 5Ash WednesdayChristian
Mar 14* PurimJewish
Mar 14HoliHindu
Mar 20* Naw-RúzPersian/Zoroastrian/Baha'i New Year
Mar 21Ostara (Spring Equinox)Pagan
Mar 31* Eid al-FitrMuslim
Apr 8VesakTheravada Buddhism
Apr 13–15South and Southeast Asian New Year
Apr 13* Passover beginsJewish (Orthodox Jews observe the first and last two days of Passover as no-work holidays.)
Apr 14VaisakhiSikh
Apr 18* Good FridayOrthodox Christian
Apr 18Good FridayChristian
Apr 20Passover endsJewish
Apr 20* Easter (Pascha)Orthodox Christian
Apr 20EasterChristian
Apr 21* Ridvan beginsBaha'i
Apr 299th Day of RidvanBaha'i
May 1BeltanePagan
May 212th Day of RidvanBaha'i
May 12Buddha's BirthdayMahayana Buddhism
June 2–3* ShavuotJewish
June 7* Eid al-AdhaMuslim
June 21Litha (Summer Solstice)Pagan
July 10Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)Theravada Buddhism
Aug 1Lammas or LughnasdahPagan
Sep 21Mabon (Autumnal Equinox)Pagan
Sep 22 – Oct 1NavaratriHindu, Jain, Sikh
Sep 23–24* Rosh HashanahJewish
Oct 2* Yom KippurJewish
Oct 7–13* SukkotJewish
Oct 14* Shemini AtzeretJewish
Oct 15* Simchat TorahJewish
Oct 20DiwaliHindu, Jain, Sikh
Oct 22* Birth of the BábBaha'i
Oct 23* Birth of Baha'u'llahBaha'i
Oct 31SamhainPagan
Dec 21Yule (Winter Solstice)Pagan
Dec 25ChristmasChristian
Dec 15–22* HanukkahJewish