Religious Holy Days

2022

Days

Holiday

Religion

Aug. 18
Aug. 30

Thursday
Friday

**Sri Krishna Jayanti (date may vary)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that Hindu students will be operating on very little sleep. Some may fast during the first day.

Hinduism

Aug. 24
Aug. 31

Wednesday
Wednesday

Paryushan Mahaarva
Religious accommodations:
Jain students and employees may be fasting. 8 day festival.

Jainism

Aug. 29

Aug. 30

Sundown- Fri

Sundown- Sat

Hijri

Also known as Islamic New Year, this is the start of the Islamic Lunar Calendar.

Islam

Sep. 23

Friday

Mabon

This day marks the autumnal equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions

Pagan

Sep. 25
Sep. 27

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Tues

**Rosh Hashanah (first 2 days)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Sept. 26
Oct. 5

Monday
Wednesday

Navaratri

9 night celebration
Note: Some Hindus will pray and fast.

Hinduism

Oct. 4
Oct. 5

Sundown-Tues
Sundown-Wed

**Yom Kippur
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.

Judaism

Oct. 7
Oct. 8

Sundown-Fri
Sundown-Sat

Mawlid al-Nabi (dates can vary by a day)
Muslim students and employees may be fasting.

Islam

Oct. 9
Oct. 16

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Sun

**Sukkot 
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. Eve and first day are non-working for Reform Jews; Eve, first and second days are non-working for Orthodox Jews.

Judaism

Oct. 16
Oct. 18

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Tues

**Shemini Atzeret
**Simchat Torah
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Oct. 24

Monday

Diwali (Deepavali)
Religious Accommodation:.
Hindu employees will likely request the day off on this date.

Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism

Oct. 25
Oct. 26

Sundown-Tues
Sundown-Wed

**Birth of the Báb
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off.

Bahá’í

Oct. 26
Oct. 27

Sundown-Wed
Sundown-Thurs

**Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off.

Bahá’í

Oct. 31

Nov. 1

Evening- Mon

Evening -Tue

Samhain

Festival within Pagan / Wiccan religions that marks the end of the harvest season

Pagan

Nov. 1

Tuesday

All Saints Day

Also known as the Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos, this day honors the saints who have attained heaven in the Christian Faith

Christian

Nov. 8

Tuesday

Gurpurab
Religious accommodations:
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak.

Sikhism

Dec. 18
Dec. 26

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Mon

Hanukkah/Chanukah
Recommended Accommodations:
Academics and work permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).

Judaism

Dec. 21

Jan. 1

Wednesday

Sunday

Yule

A Pagan observance of the Winter Solstice

Dec. 25

Sunday

Christmas
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Christian employees will likely request to have this day off.

Christianity (RC, P, O)

Dec. 26
Jan. 1

Monday
Sunday

**Kwanzaa
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. African American employees will likely request to have this day off.

African American

2023

Days

Holiday

Religion

Jan. 1

Sunday

Gantan-sai
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date (work holiday)

Shintoism

Jan. 7

Saturday

Feast of the Nativity (Christmas)
Religious accommodations: Many Eastern Orthodox employees will probably request this day off.

Christianity (O)

Jan. 15

Sunday

World Religion Day

This date is celebrated in the Baha’i faith and highlights the common themes across various religious traditions.

Baha’i

Jan. 22

Sunday

**Chinese New Year
Year of the Rabbit. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Chinese employees may request this day off.

Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism

Feb. 1

Wednesday

Imbolc

Pagan festival celebrating halfway point between winter and spring.

Pagan

Feb. 15

Wednesday

Parinirvana Day

Celebrates Buddha’s final nirvana.

Buddhism

Feb. 22

Wednesday

Ash Wed, Lent begins
(food accommodation as requested)

Christianity (RC, P)

Feb. 27
Apr. 8

Monday
Saturday

Great Lent begins/Clean Monday
Note: Students and employees may be fasting.

Christianity (O)

Mar. 2
Mar. 20

Thursday
Monday

**‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 19-day fast, sunrise to sunset each day.

Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date. Bahá’ís students and employees may be fasting.

Bahá’í

Mar. 6
Mar. 7

Sundown-Mon
Sundown-Tues

Purim
Recommended Accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays;  however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Mar. 8

Wednesday

Holi – Festival of Colors (date may vary)
Note: Celebrated over 2 days by people throwing colored powder and colored water.

Hinduism

Mar. 8

Mar. 10

Wednesday

Friday

Hola Mohalla

This is a 3-day festival in which Sikhs enjoy communal meals, religious prayer, and martial arts performances

Sikhism

Mar. 20

Monday

Ostara

Wiccan holiday celebrating spring equinox

Wiccan

Mar. 20
Mar. 21

Sundown-Mon
Sundown-Tues

Naw-Rúz
The Baha’i New Year’s Day coincides with the spring equinox. Naw-Rúz is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the “new day” and for Baha’is it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast and is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.

Bahá’í

Mar. 22
Apr. 21

Sundown-Wed
Sundown-Fri

**Ramadan begins
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Islam

Apr. 2

Sunday

Palm Sunday
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Orthodox Christian employees that work on Sundays may ask for this day off.

Christianity (RC, P, O)

Apr. 5
Apr. 13

Sundown-Wed
Sundown-Thurs

**Pesach/Passover (first two and last two days)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—the use of leavening is prohibited so, for example, matzah is eaten in place of bread.)

Judaism

Apr. 7

Friday

Good Friday
Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested. Meat (fish not considered meat) is prohibited during meals for many.

Christianity (RC, P)

Apr. 9

Sunday

Easter
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Christian employees that work on Sundays may ask for this day off.

Christianity (RC, P)

Apr. 14

Friday

Mahavira-Jayanti, Vaisakhi
Religious accommodation may be requested.

Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism

Apr. 14

Friday

Holy Friday
Recommended Accommodations: Great Fri is a strict day of fasting for many Greek Orthodox Christians in the United States. It is suggested to avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities.

Christianity (O)

Apr. 16

Sunday

Easter/Pascha
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Orthodox Christian employees that work on Suns may ask for this day off.

Christian (O)

Apr. 17
Apr. 18

Sundown-Mon
Sundown-Tues

Yom HaSho’ah
Recommended Accommodations:
Academics and work are permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Apr. 21

Friday

Ridván (1st day) of Most Great Festival
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the 1^st day, 9^th day, and 12^th  day of Ridván as work is suspended for Baha’is.

Baha’is

Apr. 21
Apr. 22

Sundown-Fri
Sundown-Sat

Eid al-Fitr (date can vary by a day)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day, and that request should be granted if at all possible. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Islam

May 1

Monday

Beltane

Afestival honoring life in Pagan and Wiccan traditions

Pagan

May 23

Tuesday

Declaration of the Báb
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Baha’is.

Bahá’í

May 25
May 26

Sundown-Thurs
Sundown-Sat

**Shavuot
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested. (Kosher restrictions apply—although it is customary to eat dairy).

Judaism

May 28
May 29

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Mon

Ascension of Baha’u’lláh
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Baha’is.

Bahá’í

May 28

Sunday

Pentecost

Christianity (RC, P, O)

June 28
June 29

Sundown-Wed
Sundown-Thurs

**Eid al-Adha (date can vary by a day)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first day. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply). Date details: Lunar calendars vary based on region and practice.

Islam

July 26
July 27

Sundown-Wed
Sundown-Thurs

**Tisha B’ Av
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.

Judaism

2023

Days

Holiday

Religion

Sept. 6
Sept. 7

Wednesday
Thursday

**Sri Krishna Jayanti (date may vary)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that Hindu students will be operating on very little sleep. Some may fast during the first day.

Hinduism

Sept. 11
Sept. 18

Monday
Monday

Paryushan Mahaarva
Religious accommodations:
Jain students and employees may be fasting. 8 day festival.

Jainism

Sep. 15
Sep. 17

Sundown-Friday
Sundown-Sunday

**Rosh Hashanah (first 2 days)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Sept. 24
Sept. 25

Sundown-Sunday
Sundown-Monday

**Yom Kippur
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.

Judaism

Sept. 26
Sept. 27 (dates may vary by a day

Sundown-Tuesday
Sundown-Wednesday

Mawlid al-Nabi 
Muslim students and employees may be fasting.

Islam

Sept. 29
Oct. 6

Sundown-Friday
Sundown-Friday

**Sukkot 
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. Eve and first day are non-working for Reform Jews; Eve, first and second days are non-working for Orthodox Jews.

Judaism

Oct. 6
Oct. 8

Sundown-Friday
Sundown-Sunday

**Shemini Atzeret
**Simchat Torah
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Oct. 15
Oct. 24

Sunday
Tuesday

Navaratri

9 night celebration
Note: Some Hindus will pray and fast.

Hinduism

Oct. 16

Monday

**Birth of the Báb
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off.

Bahá’í

Oct. 16
Oct. 17

Sundown-Mon
Sundown-Tues

**Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off.

Bahá’í

Nov. 12

Sunday

Diwali (Deepavali)
Religious Accommodation:.
Hindu employees will likely request the day off on this date.

Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism

Nov. 27

Monday

Gurpurab
Religious accommodations:
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak.

Sikhism

Dec. 7
Dec. 15

Sundown-Thurs
Sundown-Fri

Hanukkah/Chanukah
Recommended Accommodations:
Academics and work permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).

Judaism

Dec. 25

Sunday

Christmas
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Christian employees will likely request to have this day off.

Christianity (RC, P, O)

Dec. 26
Jan. 1

Tuesday
Monday

**Kwanzaa
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. African American employees will likely request to have this day off.

African American

2024

Days

Holiday

Religion

Jan. 1

Monday

Gantan-sai
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date (work holiday)

Shintoism

Jan. 7

Sunday

Feast of the Nativity (Christmas)
Religious accommodations: Many Eastern Orthodox employees will probably request this day off.

Christianity (O)

Feb. 10

Saturday

**Chinese New Year
Year of the Dragon. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Chinese employees may request this day off.

Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism

Feb. 14

Wednesday

Ash Wed, Lent begins
(food accommodation as requested)

Christianity (RC, P)

Mar. 18
May 4

Monday
Saturday

Great Lent begins/Clean Monday
Note: Students and employees may be fasting.

Christianity (O)

Mar. 10
Apr. 9

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Tues

**Ramadan begins
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Islam

Mar. 19
Mar. 20

Sundown-Tues
Sundown-Wed

Naw-Rúz
The Baha’i New Year’s Day coincides with the spring equinox. Naw-Rúz is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the “new day” and for Baha’is it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast and is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.

Bahá’í

Mar. 23
Mar. 24

Sat. evening
Sun. evening

Purim
Recommended Accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays;  however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

Mar. 24

Sunday

Palm Sunday
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Orthodox Christian employees that work on Sundays may ask for this day off.

Christianity (RC, P, O)

Mar. 25

Monday

Holi – Festival of Colors (date may vary)
Note: Celebrated over 2 days by people throwing colored powder and colored water.

Hinduism

Mar. 29

Friday

Good Friday
Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested. Meat (fish not considered meat) is prohibited during meals for many.

Christianity (RC, P)

Mar. 29

Friday

Holy Friday
Recommended Accommodations: Great Fri is a strict day of fasting for many Greek Orthodox Christians in the United States. It is suggested to avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities.

Christianity (O)

Mar. 31

Sunday

Easter
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Christian employees that work on Sundays may ask for this day off.

Christianity (RC, P)

Apr. 10

Wednesday

Eid al-Fitr (date can vary by a day)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day, and that request should be granted if at all possible. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

Islam

Apr. 21

Sunday

Mahavira-Jayanti, Vaisakhi
Religious accommodation may be requested.

Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism

Apr. 21

Sunday

Ridván (1st day) of Most Great Festival
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the 1^st day, 9^th day, and 12^th  day of Ridván as work is suspended for Baha’is.

Baha’is

Apr. 22
Apr. 30

Sundown Mon
Sundown Tues

**Pesach/Passover (first two and last two days)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—the use of leavening is prohibited so, for example, matzah is eaten in place of bread.)

Judaism

May 5

Sunday

Easter/Pascha
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Orthodox Christian employees that work on Suns may ask for this day off.

Christian (O)

May 5
May 6

Sundown-Sun
Sundown-Mon

Yom HaSho’ah
Recommended Accommodations:
Academics and work are permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).

Judaism

May 19

Sunday

Pentecost

Christianity (RC, P, O)

May 24
May 25

Friday
Saturday

Declaration of the Báb
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Baha’is.

Bahá’í

May 29
May 30

Wednesday
Thursday

Ascension of Baha’u’lláh
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Baha’is.

Bahá’í

June 11
June 13

Tuesday
Thursday

**Shavuot
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested. (Kosher restrictions apply—although it is customary to eat dairy).

Judaism

June 16
June 17

Sunday
Monday

**Eid al-Adha (date can vary by a day)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first day. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply). Date details: Lunar calendars vary based on region and practice.

Islam

Aug. 12
Aug. 13

Monday
Tuesday

**Tisha B’ Av
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.

Judaism