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 | Keywords (hidden column) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing through Sun., Aug. 31, 2025 | Green Corn Ceremony (or Stomp Dance) | A time of renewal and purification that involves fasting and dances, and for some, participation in sweat lodge rituals. | Indigenous American | |
| Ongoing through Sun., Aug. 31, 2025 | Hopi Snake Dance | A sixteen-day purification ceremony which includes the gathering and blessing of snakes. | Indigenous American | |
| Ongoing through Sun., Aug. 31, 2025 | Iroquois Green Corn Ceremony | A time of renewal involving fasting, dances, offerings, and readings from the code of Handsome Lake. | Indigenous American | |
| Fri., Aug. 15, 2025 | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Commemorates the assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Fri., Aug. 15, 2025 | Dormition of the Theotokos | Commemorates the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus. | Christianity-Orthodox | |
| Fri., Aug. 15, 2025 | Krishna Janmashtami | Celebrates the birthday of Krishna. According to the Hindu epics, Krishna was the eighth incarnation of the God Vishnu, opposed to the demon Kansa, who was responsible for the increase of evil in the world. Worship of Krishna is characteristically expressed in dance and song. | Hinduism | |
| Tue., Aug. 19 – Wed., Aug. 27, 2025 | Paryushana 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, Paryushana 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 | |
| Tue., Aug. 26, 2025 | 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 | |
| Thu., Aug. 28 – Sat., Sep. 6, 2025 | Das Laxana Festival | 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 Paryushana 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 | |
| Mon., Sep. 1 – Tue., Sep. 30, 2025 | Iroquois Green Corn Ceremony | A time of renewal involving fasting, dances, offerings, and readings from the code of Handsome Lake. | Indigenous American | |
| Mon., Sep. 1 – Tue., Sep. 30, 2025 | Jicarilla Apache Ghost Dance | New Mexico. | Indigenous American | |
| Thu., Sep. 4, 2025 | Mawlid an-Nabi | The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. | Islam | |
| Mon., Sep. 8, 2025 | Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos | Celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin. | Christianity-Orthodox | |
| Fri., Sep. 12 – Tue., Sep. 16, 2025 | Ghambar Paitishem | Celebrates the creation of the Earth and the harvesting of the summer crop. | Zoroastrianism | |
| Mon., Sep. 22, 2025 | 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. | Wicca/Paganism | |
| Mon., Sep. 22 – Thu., Oct. 2, 2025 | Navaratri | A nine-night (nav-rat) celebration of nine auspicious forms of Shakti/Devi (feminine divine power/the Goddess). | Hinduism | |
| Wed., Oct. 1 – Fri., Oct. 31, 2025 | Cherokee Great New Moon Festival | October marks the beginning of the new year. | Indigenous American | |
| Thu., Oct. 2, 2025 | Dussehra (or Vijaya Dashami) | The concluding day of a 10-day festival honoring various goddesses, especially Durga, and Lord Rama, a manifestation of the God Vishnu. The 10-day festival is known as Navaratri (“nine nights”) and Durga Puja (“worship of Durga”). Its pervading theme is the victory of good over evil. Vijaya greetings are sent to friends and relatives. | Hinduism | |
| Thu., Oct. 2, 2025 | Yom Kippur | The conclusion of the 10 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. | Judaism | |
| Mon., Oct. 6 – Mon., Oct. 13, 2025 | Sukkot | 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 (Shemini Atzeret) is considered both the end of Sukkot and a distinct festival. | Judaism | |
| Sun., Oct. 12 – Thu., Oct. 16, 2025 | Ghambar Ayathrem | Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture. | Zoroastrianism | |
| Mon., Oct. 13, 2025 | Shemini Atzeret | See Sukkot. | Judaism | |
| Tue., Oct. 14, 2025 | Simchat Torah | 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 | |
| Sat., Nov. 1, 2025 | 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 | |
| Sun., Nov. 2, 2025 | All Souls' Day | Catholic Christian observance in memory of all the faithful who are deceased. In some Latin cultures, this day is known as “The Day of the Dead.” | Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Wed., Nov. 5, 2025 | Guru Nanak's Birthday | Observes the birth of the founder of the Sikh religion in 1469 C.E. The first of the Ten Gurus, Guru Nanak was born in 1469 C.E. An accomplished poet, 974 of his hymns are part of the Guru Granth Sahib. | Sikhism | |
| Mon., Nov. 24, 2025 | Day of the Covenant | Celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of ’Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Baha’u’llah, as the Center of the Covenant. | Baha'i | |
| Mon., Nov. 24, 2025 | 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 | |
| Thu., Nov. 27, 2025 | Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha | Commemorates ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s death. | Baha'i | |
| Sun., Nov. 30, 2025 | First Sunday of Advent | Period of four weeks in which Christians prepare for Christmas and meditate on the end of all time. In Western churches, the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Mon., Dec. 1 – Wed., Dec. 31, 2025 | Shalako Kachina Ceremony | Held at Zuni pueblo (New Mexico). Celebrates the end of the old and the beginning of the New Year and blesses the houses of the Pueblo erected during the year. | Indigenous American | |
| Mon., Dec. 8, 2025 | Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) | In the northern tradition, this is the anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, ca. 596 B.C.E. 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 | |
| Mon., Dec. 8, 2025 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary | A feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin. | Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Fri., Dec. 12, 2025 | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Commemorates the day on which the Guadalupana (the Virgin of Guadalupe) appeared to San Juan Diego and her image appeared on his tilma (apron). The miraculous roses Juan Diego found and carried to the Bishop took the form of the image of Mary exactly as she had appeared to him at the hill of Tepeyac. | Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Sun., Dec. 14 – Mon., Dec. 22, 2025 | Hanukkah | Celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews’ victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which reestablished for a time their religious and political freedom. | Judaism | |
| Sun., Dec. 21, 2025 | Yule | Winter Solstice, celebrating the longest night and the blessings of darkness as well as the rebirth of the sun god. | Wicca/Paganism | |
| Thu., Dec. 25, 2025 | Christmas | Celebrates the anniversary of the birth (nativity) of Jesus. Dec. 25 is the date of this observance for Roman Catholic, Protestant, and many Orthodox Christian churches. In some Orthodox churches, Christmas falls on January 7. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Thu., Dec. 25, 2025 | 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 | |
| Wed., Dec. 31, 2025 – Sun., Jan. 4, 2026 | Ghambar Maidyarem | Celebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance. | Zoroastrianism | |
| Thu., Jan. 1 – Sat., Jan. 31, 2026 | Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony | A six-day curative rite in which false faces visit houses. Old fires are extinguished, and new fires are lit. | Indigenous American | |
| Tue., Jan. 6, 2026 | 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 | |
| Tue., Jan. 6, 2026 | 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 | |
| Fri., Jan. 16, 2026 | Laylat al-Isra'wa al-Mi'raj | Commemorates the ascension (al-Mi’raj) of the Prophet to heaven following his night journey (al-Isra’) from Mecca to Jerusalem and his return the same night. | Islam | |
| Tue., Jan. 20, 2026 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666–1708). The 10th and final Sikhmaster, he 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 | |
| Fri., Jan. 23, 2026 | Vasant Panchami | 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 | |
| Sun., Feb. 1, 2026 | Imbolc | The first fertility festival, celebrating the approach of spring and the growth of light in the darkness. | Wicca/Paganism | |
| Sun., Feb. 1 – Sat., Feb. 28, 2026 | Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony | A six-day curative rite in which false faces visit houses. Old fires are extinguished, and new fires are lit. | Indigenous American | |
| Sun., Feb. 1, 2026 | Tu B'Shevat | A mid-winter celebration of the new year of the trees. Sometimes referred to as “Jewish Earth Day.” | Judaism | |
| Tue., Feb. 3, 2026 | Laylat al-Bara'a | 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 | |
| Sun., Feb. 15, 2026 | Maha Shivaratri | A feast dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The night before the feast, fasting is observed, texts are recited, songs sung, and stories told in honor of this God whose cosmic dance creates, preserves, destroys, and recreates the world. | Hinduism | |
| Sun., Feb. 15, 2026 | Nirvana Day | In the northern tradition, it commemorates the parinirvana of the Buddha. In cultures of Southeast Asia, the Buddha’s parinirvana is remembered during Wesak. The dates and names of Buddhist celebrations vary significantly among cultures and communities. | Buddhism | |
| Wed., Feb. 18, 2026 | 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 the faithful with ashes to signify penitence. | Christianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman Catholic | |
| Wed., Feb. 18 – Wed., Mar. 18, 2026 | 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 | |
| Mon., Feb. 23 – Sat., Apr. 11, 2026 | 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 | |
| Sun., Mar. 1 – Tue., Mar. 31, 2026 | Eagle Dances | Pueblo peoples (Arizona) perform Eagle dances dramatizing the relationship of their communities with the Sky-World. | Indigenous American | |
| Mon., Mar. 2 – Fri., Mar. 20, 2026 | 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 | |
| Mon., Mar. 2, 2026 | Purim | 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 costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting. | Judaism | |
| Tue., Mar. 3, 2026 | 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 | |
| Sun., Mar. 15, 2026 | 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 C.E. | Islam | |
| Mon., Mar. 16 – Fri., Mar. 20, 2026 | Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem | Celebrates the creation of human beings and honors the souls of the deceased. | Zoroastrianism |