Religious & Spiritual Holidays & Observances
Below showcases holidays and observances for various traditions within the 2023-2024 academic year.
Click the headers to sort by holiday or observance, date and tradition.
Date | Holiday or Observance | Description | Tradition | Other Date | Keywords (hidden column) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
08/30/2024 – 09/07/2024 | Paryusana Festival | Considered the holiest period of the year, these eight days are marked for Jains by fasting, meditation, prayer and public readings of the life story of Lord Mahavira. Observed especially by the followers of the Shvetambara sect, Paryusana concludes on Samvatsari, the most solemn occasion of self-scrutiny and forgiveness. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought. | Jainism | 240830 | |
09/01/2024 – 09/29/2024 | Iroquois Green Corn Ceremony | Indigenous American | 240901 | ||
09/01/2024 – 09/30/2024 | Jicarilla Apache Ghost Dance | Indigenous American | 240901 | ||
09/03/2024 | Navaratri Begins | Hinduism | 240903 | ||
09/06/2024 | Ganesh Chaturthi | A celebration of Ganesh’s birthday, one of the major Hindu deities. Ganesh, who has the head of an elephant, is the God of Success and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings. | Hinduism | 240906 | |
09/07/2024 – 09/09/2024 | Paryushana Festival Ends | Jainism | 240907 | ||
09/08/2024 – 09/17/2024 | Das Laxana Festival | (the Paryusana Festival of Jain Digumbar Sect): A 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation and prayer. The last day of Paryusana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought. | Jainism | 240908 | |
09/08/2024 | Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos | Christianity-Orthodox | 240908 | ||
09/12/24 – 09/16/2024 | Ghambar Paitishem | Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop and the return of herds from pasture | Zoroastrianism | 240912 | |
09/15/2024 | Mawlid an-Nabi | The birthday of the Prophet Muhammed. Begins at sundown. | Islam | 240915 | |
09/16/2024 | Ghambar Paitishem Ends | Zoroastrianism | 240916 | ||
09/17/2024 | Das Laxana Ends | Jainism | 240917 | ||
09/18/2024 | Ganesh Chaturthi | Hinduism | 240918 | ||
09/22/2024 | Mabon | Autumnal equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn, and thanksgiving for the Earth's bounty. (Begins at sundown) | Wicca/Paganism | 240922 | |
10/01/2024 – 10/31/2024 | Cherokee Great New Moon Festival | Indigenous American | 241001 | ||
10/02/2024 – 10/04/2024 | Rosh Hashanah | The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year for Jews. | Judaism | 241002 | |
10/03/2024 – 10/12/2024 | Navaratri | A nine-night (nav-rat) celebration of nine auspicious forms of Shakti/Devi (feminine divine power/the Goddess). | Hinduism | 241003 | |
10/11/2024 – 10/12/2024 | Yom Kippur | (Or Day of Atonement.) The conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness. Begins at sundown. | Judaism | 241011 | |
10/12/2024 | Dusserah (Vijaya Dashami) | Hinduism | 241012 | ||
10/12/2024 – 10/16/2024 | Ghambar Ayathrem | Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture. | Zoroastrianism | 241012 | |
10/14/2024 | Indigenous Peoples Day 2024 | Indigenous American | 241014 | ||
10/15/2024 | Birth of the Bab | The anniversary of the birth of the Bab, the herald of the new age for Baha'is. the Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel, is part of the World Center of the Baha'i faith. | Baha'i | 241015 | |
10/16/2024 | Birth of Baha'u'llah | The anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith. Work is suspended on this day. | Baha'i | 241016 | |
10/16/2024 – 10/23/2024 | Sukkot | Also known as Feast of Booths. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and constructed in the fields during the harvest season. It is a time of thanksgiving for God's presence in creation and among the Jewish people. The Eighth Day (Shmini 'Atzeret) is considered both the end of Sukkot and a distinct festival. | Judaism | 241016 | |
10/20/2024 | Installation of Granth Sahib Ji as Guru | This day celebrates Gobind Singh Ji's passing on guruship to Scripture, henceforth known as the Guru Granth Sahib. | Sikhism | 241020 | |
10/23/2024 | Shmini Atzret | Judaism | 241023 | ||
10/24/2024 | Simchat Torah | (Rejoicing of the Law) Joyous festival in which the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue is completed and its first book begun again. The celebration typically includes singing, dancing, and marching with Torah scrolls. | Judaism | 241024 | |
10/31/2024 | Diwali (Dipavali) | Hinduism | 241031 | ||
10/31/2024 | Reformation Day | Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation of Christianity with Martin Luther's challenge to the Roman church in the sixteenth century C.E. | Christianity-Protestant | 241031 | |
10/31/2024 | Samhain | The New Year and the final harvest festival, celebrating the last gifts of the Earth before winter and the return of the spirits of the dead. | Wicca/Paganism | 241031 | |
11/01/2024 | All Saints Day | Christian celebration of the lives of all the saints, especially those not having a special day; Orthodox churches observe the day in mid-summer. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241101 | |
11/01/ 2024, 3 – 4pm | Birth of the Bab | Baha'i | 241101 | ||
11/02/2024 | All Souls Day | Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241102 | ||
11/15/2024 | Guru Nanak's Birthday | Sikhism | 241115 | ||
11/24/2024 | Day of the Covenant | Celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, as the Center of the Covenant. Work is not suspended on this day. Begins at sundown. | Baha'i | 241124 | |
11/24/2024 | First Sunday of Advent | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241124 | ||
11/24/2024 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defense of the Sikh faith, but also of Hinduism and of religious liberty. | Sikhism | 241124 | |
11/26/2024 | Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha | Commemorates 'Abdu'l-Baha's death. Begins at sundown. | Baha'i | 241126 | |
12/01/2024 | First Sunday of Advent | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241201 | ||
12/01/2024 – 12/31/2024 | Shalako Kachina Ceremony | Indigenous American | 241201 | ||
12/08/2024 | Bodhi Day | In the northern tradition, this is the anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment, ca. 596 BCE. In the southern tradition, the Buddha's Enlightenment is celebrated during Wesak. The dates and names of Buddhist celebrations vary significantly among cultures and communities. | Buddhism | 241208 | |
12/08/2024 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | A feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin. | Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241208 | |
12/12/2024 | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241212 | ||
12/24/2024 | Yule | Winter Solstice, celebrating the longest night and the blessings of darkness as well as the rebirth of the sun god. Begins at sundown. | Wicca/Paganism | 241224 | |
12/24/2024 – 12/25/2024 | Native American Church Christmas Prayer Meeting | Indigenous American | 241224 | ||
12/25/2024 | Christmas | Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 241225 | |
12/25/2024 | Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ | Celebrates the anniversary of the birth (nativity) of Jesus. December 25 is the date of this observance for Roman Catholic, Protestant, and many Orthodox Christian churches. | Christianity-Orthodox | 241225 | |
12/25/2024 – 01/02/2025 | Hanukkah | The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom. | Judaism | 241225 | |
12/26/2024 | Death of Prophet Zarathustra | The anniversary of the death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith. | Zoroastrianism | 241226 | |
12/31/2024– 01/04/2025 | Ghambar Maidyarem | Celebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance. | Zoroastrianism | 241231 | |
01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025 | Hopi Holy Cycle | Indigenous American | 250101 | ||
01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025 | Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony | Indigenous American | 250101 | ||
01/02/2025 | Hanukkah Ends | Judaism | 250102 | ||
01/05/2025 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708), the 10th and final Sikh master, created the Khalsa, the "Brotherhood of the Pure," and declared the Scriptures, the Adi 'Granth, to be the Sikh's Guru from that time on. | Sikhism | 250105 | |
01/06/2025 | Epiphany | Signifying the end of the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus as the occasion of the manifestation of the Christ to the gentiles. The day is especially important in Latino/a cultures and in Orthodox churches. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250106 | |
01/06/2025 | Theophany | Commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the manifestation of the Trinity. The day is especially important in Latino/a cultures and in Orthodox churches. The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates the nativity and theophany together. | Christianity-Orthodox | 250106 | |
01/27/2025 | Laylat al-Isra'wa al-Mi'raj (Mi'raj al-Nabiy) | Commemorates the ascension (al-Mi'raj) of the Prophet to heaven following his night journey (al Isra') from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent to heaven and return the same night. Begins at sundown. | Islam | 250127 | |
01/30/2025 | Sadeh | Zoroastrianism | 250130 | ||
02/01/2025 – 02/28/2025 | Hopi Holy Cycle | Indigenous American | 250201 | ||
02/01/2025 | Imbolc | The first fertility festival, celebrating the approach of spring and the growth of light in the darkness. | Wicca/Paganism | 250201 | |
02/02/2025 | Vasant Panchami (Sri Pancami) | One of many festivals to honor the advent of spring, this day is celebrated particularly in North India, where it is associated with Saraswati, the goddess of learning; however, it also retains connection with the goddess Lakshmi. | Hinduism | 250202 | |
02/12/2025 | Tu B'Shevat | Judaism | 250212 | ||
02/14/2025 | Laylat al-Bara'ah | Begins at sundown.(Night of Repentance) On this night, God approaches the Earth to call humanity and to grant forgiveness of sins. Observed on the 14th day of the lunar month of Sha'ban. | Islam | 250214 | |
02/15/2025 | Nirvana Day | Buddhism | 250215 | ||
02/26/2025 | Maha Shivaratri | A feast dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The night before the feast fasting is observed, texts are recited, songs are sung, and stories told in honor of this God whose cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys, and recreates the world. | Hinduism | 250226 | |
02/28/2025 – 03/19/2025 | Nineteen Day Fast | A designated 19-day period of fasting each year immediately before the Bahá’í New Year. The fasting is seen as a period of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the new year ahead. | Baha'i | 250228 | |
03/01/2025 – 03/31/2025 | Eagle Dances | Indigenous American | 250301 | ||
03/01/2025 – 03/31/2025 | Ramadan | The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. The evening meal is celebrated with family. | Islam | 250301 | |
03/01/2025 | Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti | Celebrates the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna, teacher of Swami Vivekananda. | Hinduism | 250301 | |
03/03/2025 – 04/19/2025 | Great Lent | In Orthodox churches, the first day of Lent marks the beginning of the Great Fast, the final six weeks of a 10-week period leading up to Holy Week and Easter (Pascha). In the churches that follow the Gregorian calendar, Lent is a six-week observance (40 days excluding Sundays) beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week. It is a time of repentance and sacrifice in preparation for Easter. | Christianity-Orthodox | 250303 | |
03/05/2025 | Ash Wednesday | A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance, and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking of the faithful with ashes to signify penitence. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250305 | |
03/13/2025 | Purim (Feast of Lots) | Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor, and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting. Begins at sundown. | Judaism | 250313 | |
03/14/2025 | Holi | A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration. | Hinduism | 250314 | |
03/16/2025 – 03/20/2025 | Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem | Celebrates the creation of human beings and honors the souls of the deceased. | Zoroastrianism | 250316 | |
03/20/2025 | Ostara | Vernal Equinox, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark and the arrival of Spring. | Wicca/Paganism | 250320 | |
03/21/2025 | Naw Ruz (Noruz) | The seventh greatest festival, "New Day" is the first day of the Zoroastrian/Persian and Baha'i New Year. It falls on the spring equinox and symbolizes the renewal of the world after the winter. For Zoroastrians, Naw Ruz also celebrates the creation of fire that is symbolic of Asha, or righteousness. It is also the day on which Zarathustra received his revelation. | Baha'i/Zoroastrianism | 250321 | |
03/26/2025 | Birthday of Prophet Zarathustra (Khordad Sal) | The anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith. | Zoroastrianism | 250326 | |
03/27/2025 | Laylat al-Qadr | The Night of Power or Destiny commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an (the Islamic scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE. | Islam | 250327 | |
03/30/2025 – 03/31/2025 | Eid al-Fitr ('Id al-Fitr) | Also known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. One of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is Eid al-Adha), this day celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It comes on the first day of the next lunar month, Shawal. | Islam | 250330 | |
03/31/2025 | Hydesville Day | On this date in 1848, the discarnate soul of Charles B. Rosna communicated via the mediumship of the Fox sisters heralding the advent of Modern Spiritualism. | Spiritualism | 250331 | |
04/06/2025 | Anniversary of the Founding of the Church | Annual World General Conference of the Church held on Saturday and Sunday closest to this date each year. | Latter Day Saints | 250406 | |
04/06/2025 | Ramanavami | Celebrates the birthday of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the God Vishnu. The Ramayana, one of the Hindu epics that tells the story of Rama, is read during the previous eight days. | Hinduism | 250406 | |
04/10/2025 | Mahavir Jayanti | Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavira. Born with the name Vardhamana in ca. 599 BCE, he was later given the titles of honor, Mahavira ("Great Hero") and Jina ("Conqueror" or "Victor"), a title applied also to the other Tirthankaras. | Jainism | 250410 | |
04/12/2025 – 04/20/2025 | Passover (Pesach) | Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God. The first two and the last two days are holidays. | Judaism | 250412 | |
04/13/2025 | Palm Sunday | Celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Holy Week that culminates in Easter or Pascha. In some churches, Palm Sunday is combined with the anticipation of Christ's death and so is also known as "Passon Sunday." Orthodox Christians often observe this Sunday on a date different from the date on which Protestant and Roman Catholics observe it. | Christianity-Orthodox, Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250413 | |
04/14/2025 | Vaisakhi | Occurs on the first day of the solar year. It is primarily an agricultural festival, celebrating the harvest, and is especially important in North India. It is named after the month Vaisakh. For Sikhs, it is also the anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa (the "Brotherhood of the Pure") in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. | Sikhism/Hinduism | 250414 | |
04/17/2025 | Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday | Commemorates the institution of the Lord's Supper/the Eucharist by Jesus prior to his arrest and execution. "Maundy" is derived from the Latin text of John 13:34, in which Jesus gives a mandatum novum ("new commandment"). The date observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics differs from the date observed by Orthodox Christians. | Christianity-Orthodox, Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250417 | |
04/18/2025 | Good Friday | Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion. Observed as "Holy Friday" by Orthodox Christians. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250418 | |
04/18/2025 | Holy Friday | The day that commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his death by crucifixion. It is the Orthodox equivalent of "Good Friday." | Christianity-Orthodox | 250418 | |
04/20/2025 | Easter Sunday | Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians often observe Easter on a different date than Orthodox Christians, but in some years they fall on the same day. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250420 | |
04/20/2025 | Easter Sunday (Pascha) | Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians often observe Easter on a different date than Orthodox Christians, but in some years they fall on the same day. | Christianity-Orthodox | 250420 | |
04/20/2025– 05/01/2025 | Ridvan | Commemorates the 12 days that Baha'u'llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad, during which time he proclaimed himself as the one announced by Bab. Work is suspended for the first, ninth, and twelfth days. | Baha'i | 250420 | |
04/23/2025 | Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) | Memorializes the six million Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasizes respect for human dignity. Its observance is not limited to Jews. Begins at sundown. | Judaism | 250423 | |
04/30/2025 – 05/04/2025 | Ghambar Maidyozarem | Celebrates the creation of the sky and harvesting of the winter crop. | Zoroastrianism | 250430 | |
05/01/2025 | Beltane | The final fertility festival, celebrating the Earth's fecundity and anticipating the power of the sun and the Earth in summer. | Wicca/Paganism | 250501 | |
05/01/2025 – 05/31/2025 | Hopi Kachina Dances | Indigenous American | 250501 | ||
05/12/2025 | Wesak (Buddha Day) | The commemoration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana, celebrated on the day of the full moon of the sixth lunar month in Southeast Asian cultures; in Tibetan culture, Wesak commemorates only the the enlightenment and parinirvana. The dates of this celebration vary significantly among Buddhist cultures and communities. | Buddhism | 250512 | |
05/22/2025 | Declaration of the Bab | Commemorates the day in 1844 on which he announced his identity as the "Bab" ("Gate"), the herald of the new age. Begins at sundown. | Baha'i | 250522 | |
05/27/2025 | Ascension of Baha'u'llah | Marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Baha'i faith. Work is suspended on this day. | Baha'i | 250527 | |
05/29/2025 | Ascension of Jesus | The celebration of Jesus' ascension into heaven and enthronement as universal sovereign. It comes 40 days after Easter. The date observed by Protestants and Roman Catholics is often different from the date observed by Orthodox Christians, Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians often observe Easter on a different date than Orthodox Christians, but in some years they fall on the same day. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250529 | |
06/01/2025 – 06/03/2025 | Shavuot | (Or "Feast of Weeks.") Shavuot marks the conclusion of the seven weeks following Pesach (Passover). It is a celebration of the harvest of first fruits and commemorates the giving of the Torah and Commandments at Mount Sinai. Begins at sundown. | Judaism | 250601 | |
06/06/2025– 06/07/2025 | Eid al-Adha ('Id Al Adha) | (Festival of Sacrifice) One of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is Eid al-Fitr), this festival falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijja and is the concluding act of pilgrimage to Mecca. In commemoration of Abraham’s faith, sheep, goats and camels are offered to God, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy. Eid al-Adha is observed whether or not one is on pilgrimage. | Islam | 250606 | |
06/08/2025 | Pentecost | (Or Whitsunday.) The commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus following his ascension, Pentecost is considered the "birthday" of the Christian church (Acts 2:1-11). It comes 50 days after Easter (Pascha, Orthodox Easter). Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians often observe Pentecost on a different date from Orthodox Christians. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | 250608 | |
06/16/2025 | Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji | (1563-1606) The fifth Guru, he built the Golden Temple of Amritsar to emphasize that the Sikh way was open to all, regardless of caste; the temple was constructed with doors facing all four directions. The first Sikh martyr, Arjan is also remembered for his contributions to and compilation of the Sikh Scriptures. | Sikhism | 250616 | |
06/21/2025 | Litha | Summer Solstice, celebrating the longest day and the blessings of light as well as the beginning of the sun god's death. Begins at sundown. | Wicca/Paganism | 250621 | |
06/26/2025 | First of Muharram (Ra's al-Sanat Al Hijrivah) | The first day of the first month of the Islamic year. This day commemorates the Hijra ("migration") of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E., where the first Islamic community was established. Begins at sundown. | Islam | 250626 | |
06/27/2025 | Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his Brother Hyrum | The Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were assassinated in 1844 while incarcerated in Carthage, Illinois. | Latter Day Saints | 250627 | |
06/29/2025 – 07/03/2025 | Ghambar Maidyoshem | Celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop, and the harvesting of grain. | Zoroastrianism | 250629 |