Religious Observances Calendar

Jan. 1, 2024

New Years Day – Interfaith USA

Jan. 1, 2024

Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Catholic Christian
A celebration of the holiness of Mary as the chosen bearer of Jesus.

Feast of St. Basil & Holy Name of Jesus- Orthodox Christian

Jan. 2, 2024

Fatemiyeh – Islam or Wiladat: Shehzadi Bibi Sayyedda Fatima Zehra – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, lady Fatima. Some countries recognize this day as Mother’s Day.

Jan. 5, 2024

Birth of Guru Gobind Singh - Sik
Commemorates the anniversary of the tenth guru.

Jan. 6, 2024

Epiphany – Christian
Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)
End of the 12 days of Christmas; celebrates visit of the three kings to baby Jesus; especially important to Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

Jan. 7, 2024

Christmas - Orthodox Christian
Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus' birth.

Jan. 13, 2024

Maghi - Sik-Hindu
This Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India. The following morning Hindus enjoy this festival which involves ritual baths in rivers and ponds.

Jan. 18, 2024

*lunar calendar date

Bodhi Day
Commemorates the day Buddha, sometimes known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha, experienced enlightenment.

Jan. 21, 2024

World Religion Day – Baha’i
In 1950, this day was founded by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States to address the need for religious unity.

Jan. 21, 2024

Tu Bishavat
This Jewish holiday is celebrated as an ancient Earth Day, where trees are planted annually.

Jan. 25, 2024

Wiladat: Imam Ali – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Imam Ali ibn Aboutaleb. Some countries consider this day as Father’s Day.

Feb. 1, 2024

Imbolc - Wiccan/Neo Pagan
Pagans and Wiccans celebrate this festival as the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, which honors light, fire, and the return of life after a long winter.

Feb. 8, 2024

Lailat al Miraj – Islam
Muslims remember Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem on this holy day. After his arrival, he ascended to Heaven.

Feb. 10, 2024

Chinese New Year – Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist
This celebration of the new year on the lunisolar Chinese Calendar is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It also influences the Lunar New Year celebrations of nearly 56 other ethnic groups, including Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Feb. 14-Mar. 28, 2024

Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins) – Christian
Begins Christian Lent - observance for 40 days; name derives from symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence.

Feb. 14, 2024

St. Valentine’s Day – Christian Catholic – Interfaith USA

Feb. 15, 2024

Nirvana Day & Parinirvana – Buddhist
Commemorates the death of Buddha.

Feb. 25, 2024

Promised Savior Day – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the birthday of Imam Mahdi, the promised savior who is the descendant of Prophet Muhammad. The eschatological redeemer of Islam and ultimate savior of humankind and the final Imam of the Shia who will emerge with Isa (Jesus Christ) to fulfill their mission of bringing peace and justice to the world.

Lailat al Bara-ah – Islam
Night of Forgiveness. A night of prayer to Allah for forgiveness of the dead. Preparation for Ramadan through intense prayer.

Feb. 26-29, 2024

Ayyam-i-Ha – Baha’i Nineteen Day Fast Period
This period adjusts the Baha’i year to the solar calendar. It leads to the 19 day fast; each day of Ayyam-i-Ha is marked by a different virtue like hospitality, gift giving or charity.

March 11-April 10, 2024

Ramadan - Islam
The ninth month in the Islamic calendar; 30 days of strict fasting from sunup to sundown in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

March 17, 2024

St. Patrick’s Day – Catholic Christian
A religious and cultural holiday

March 18, 2024

Clean Monday (Lent Begins) – Orthodox Christian
Period of preparation for Easter, usually 40 days before. Clean Monday signifies the beginning of the Lenten period.

March 19-20, 2024

Naw-Ruz – Baha’i (New Year)

March 20-21, 2024

Nowruz – Zoroastrian (Persian New Year)
The day of the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is celebrated as the beginning of New Year in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and by various ethno-linguistic groups across the world.

March 23-24, 2024

Purim – Jewish
Feast of Lots; celebrates deliverance of Jews of ancient Persians froma plot to destroy them.

March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday – Christian
Celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem during Passover. Usually reenacted by the waving of palm branches and the singing of songs. This also commemorates the beginning of Holy Week.

March 25, 2024

Holi
This is one of the most known Hindu holy days, and it celebrates the arrival of spring and new life. This lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Full Moon Day.

March 28, 2024

Holy Thursday – Christian
This day celebrates the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) at Jesus’ Last Supper.

March 29, 2024

Good Friday – Christian
The Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

March 31, 2024

Easter – Christian
Celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.

April 6, 2024

Lailat al-Qadr – Islam
Night of Destiny, the holiest night of the year for Muslims as it’s believed it’s the night that the Quran was sent down from Heaven. The last ten nights of Ramadan are dedicated to praying and scripture reading as they believe this night of decree took place in one of those ten nights.

April 9-10, 2024

Eid al-Fitr – Islam
Festival of the breaking of the fast of Ramadan.

April 13, 2024

Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – Hindu – Sikh
Anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa (the army of the Pure Ones) in 1699.

April 21-May 3, 2024

Ridvan – Baha’i
Commemorates the declaration of Baha’u’llah to his followers in 1863. Work is suspended for the 1st, 9th and 12th day.

April 22–30, 2024

Pesach (Passover) – Jewish

Marks the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; “Seder” ceremonies emphasize the concept of freedom.

May 1, 2024

Beltane-Pagan, Wicca
This Pagan and Wiccan festival honors and represents the peak time of Spring and the beginning of Summer.

April 28, 2024

Holy Thursday – Orthodox Christian
This day celebrates the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) at Jesus’ Last Supper.

May 3, 2024

Good Friday – Orthodox Christian
The Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

May 5, 2024

Easter – Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

May 9, 2024

Ascension Day – Christian

Celebrates Jesus’ ascent into heaven.

May 5-6, 2024

Yom Ha-Sho’ah – Jewish
International Holocaust Remembrance Day

May 19, 2024

Pentecost – Christian

Fifty days after Easter, this time celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon early Christians following the ascension of Jesus.

May 26, 2024

Trinity Sunday – Protestant Christian
Christian feast dat dedicated to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the essence of God expressing itself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God.

May 27, 2024

Memorial Day – Interfaith USA

May 29, 2024

Ascension of Baha’u’llah – Baha’i
A commemoration of the death of Baha’u’llah.

June 10, 2024

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev – Sikh
Anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev in 1606 C. E., the fifth guru who had built the Golden Temple of Amristar.

June 11-13, 2024

Shavuot – Jewish

Festival of Weeks; celebrates harvest of first fruits and commemorates the giving of the Torah and Commandments at Mt’ Sinai.

June 14-19, 2024

The Hajj
This annual pilgrimage to Mecca is perhaps the most important Muslim holy day. This trip of a lifetime is required of all Muslims if they are physically or financially able to.

June 16-19, 2024

Eid-al-Adha
This Islamic faith holiday ends the Hajj pilgrimage. It celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, to obey God. Because of this, a lamb is given to him to sacrifice in place of his son. On this day, animals, typically a sheep or a goat, are sacrificed and enjoyed by both the family and those in need. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

June 19, 2024

Juneteenth – Interfaith USA
Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, it commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery.

June 21, 2024

Litha Summer Solstice – Pagan/Wicca
This Pagan and Wiccan festival is held on the summer solstice.

July 4

Independence Day – Interfaith USA

July 7, 2024

Hijri New Year
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the lunar Hijri year.

July 16-17, 2024

Ashura – Islam

An Islamic optional one day fast. The Shia observance is based on the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s Grandson, Hussein, martyred on this date in 683/684 AD at the battle of Kerbala. Sunni observance is a recognition of Moses fasting in gratitude to Allah/God for liberation from oppression.

July 21, 2024

Asalha Puja
For Buddhists, this day is the start of a three-month mandatory retreat for all monks. Buddhists visit temples to give offerings, pray and meditate and listen to sermons. It is intended to be a day of new beginnings and renewal.

July 24, 2023

Pioneer Day – Mormon

Observance of the arrival of Brigham Young and the early settlers to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Aug. 12-13, 2024

Tisha B’av – Jewish

A day of mourning and repentance in remembrance of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Aug. 15, 2024

Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary – Catholic Christian
This feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.

Aug. 15, 2024

Dormition of the Theotokos – Orthodox Christian

The Orthodox Christian commemoration of the death and burial of the Virgin Mary.

Aug. 19, 2024

Raksha Bandhan – Hindu

Hindu festival honoring the loving ties between brothers and sisters in a family.

Aug. 25, 2024

Arbaeen – Islam

This day marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after Ashura for Shia Muslims. It marks the day that God delivered Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea where they could safely cross

Aug. 26, 2024

Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu

Hindu commemoration of the birth of Krishna – the 8th incarnation of the god Vishnu who took the form of Krishna to destroy the evil king Kansa.

Sept. 2, 2024

Labor Day – Interfaith USA

Sept. 8, 2024

Nativity of Mary – Christian

A Christian celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary.

Sept. 8, 2024

Paryushana Parva – Jain

Jain 8 day fesitval signifying human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement. Marked by recitations from Jain sacred writing and family exchange of cards and letters. Celebration of the natural qualities of the soul. The 8th day (Samvatsari) is most important and is forcused on forgiveness.

Sept. 14, 2024

Holy Cross Day – Christian

A Christian day of recognition for the Cross on which Jesus was crucified as a central symbol of the Christian religion.

Sept. 15 -16, 2024
Sundown to Sundown

Mawlid
The celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic faith. Muslim students may be fasting.

Sep 17 -Oct. 2, 2024

Pitru Paksha
A period when members of the Hindu faith pay homage to their ancestors.

Sept. 21-29, 2024

Mabon – Wicca/Pagan
Wicca observance of the autumnal equinox when day and night are of equal length. A harvest festival time.

Sept. 27, 2024

Meskel – Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century a.d.

Oct. 2 –4 2024
Sundown- to Sundown

Rosh Hashanah – Jewish
Jewish New Year. Begins at sundown. A time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence. The story of Abraham is read, the ram’s horn is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities.

Oct. 3, 2024

Navaratri – Hindu
Hindu Festival of the divine mother honoring Durga, wife of Shiva, and seeking her blessings. Also observed as a celebration recalling the days of Lord Krishna.

Oct. 4, 2024

Feast of St. Francis – Christian
Christian recognition of service to people and appreciation of the natural world, as practiced by St. Francis and the Franciscan Monastic Order which he founded.

Oct. 11-12, 2024
Sundown-to Sundown

Yom Kippur – Jewish
Begins at sundown. Jewish Day of Atonement. The holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with strict fasting and ceremonial repentance. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities. Jewish community members may be fasting all day.

Oct. 12, 2024

Dasara (Dussehra) – Hindu
Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil.

Oct. 16 -23, 2024
Sundown to Sundown

Sukkot – Jewish
Begins at sundown. Jewish Feast of Tabernacles which celebrates the harvest and protection of the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness dwelling in tents. Temporary dwelling places have leaves for a roof so the sky can be seen. In temperate climates, night is spent in the Succoth. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities during the first two days.

Oct. 24 -25, 2024
Sundown

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah – Jewish
Begins at sundown. Jewish completion of the annual cycle of reading of the Torah. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities during the first two days.

Oct. 31, 2024

Reformation Day – Protestant Christian
Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious Freedom. On October 31, 1517 c.e. Martin Luther posted a belief statement on Wittenbeg Church door.

Oct. 31, 2024

All Hallow’s Eve – Christian
Christian celebration of mystery combining prayers and merriment involving children and families. It is a prelude to All Saint’s Day.

Nov. 1, 2024

All Saints Day (Dia de Muertos)– Christian

Christian day for honoring saints, known and unknown. In general, saints are persons with a reputation for unusual lives of holiness and devotion to God or who were martyred for their faith. A Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church to attend Mass.

Nov. 1, 2024

Diwali – Hindu – Jain – Sikh

Hindu Festival of Lights symbolizing the human urge to move toward the light. Gift exchanges, fireworks and festive meals. Hindu, Jain, Sikh community members will likely request to have this day off.

Nov. 1, 2024

Gujarati New Year – Jain
A day celebrated on the first day after the month of Kartika.

Nov. 1, 2024

Samhain – Pagan/Wicca

Wiccan festival marking the end of the harvest season endings and beginnings and of remembering the dead.Revering of elders is also observed. Begins at sundown.

Nov. 2, 2024

All Souls Day – Catholic Christian

Christian day of prayers of remembrance and intercession for the dead. Prayers of the faithful are seen as helping to cleanse the souls for the beatific vision of God in heaven.

Nov. 2, 2024

Crowning of Haile Selassie
The day when Haile Selassie ascended the Ethiopian throne. This is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian year

Nov. 3, 2024

Birth of the Baha'u'llah – Baha’i

Begins at sundown. Baha’i honoring of the founder of the Babi religion, forerunner to Baha’u’llah and the Baha’i faith. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events. Baha’i community members will likely request to have this day off.

Nov. 15, 2024

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib birthday – Sikh

Sikh honoring of the birth of the first Sikh teacher who lived from 1469 – 1539 c.e. Sacred readings, prayers, hymns, meals together.

Nov. 24, 2024

Christ the King – Christian

Christian celebration of the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities.

Nov. 28, 2024

Nativity Fast Begins – Orthodox Christian
Nativity Fast sanctifies the last part of the year and is established so that by the day of the Nativity of Christ we will purify ourselves by repentance, prayer and abstinence.

Nov. 30, 2024

St. Andrew's Day Feast
Celebrates the patron of Romania, Ukraine, Barbados, Greece, Russia and Scotland

Dec. 1-24, 2024

Advent – Christian

Christian time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and is the beginning of the Christian worship year. Advent is observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths, and special ceremonies. Advent also anticipates the coming again to earth of Jesus Christ. The season continues through December 24.

Dec. 6, 2024

St. Nicholas Day – Christian

Christian celebration of the birth of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children and role model for gift giving. Many churches are named for this saint who is also the Dutch version of Santa Claus.

Dec. 9, 2024

Feast of the Immaculate Conception– Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic day of celebrating Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. A day of obligation and required Mass attendance.

Dec. 12, 2024

Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe – Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic honoring of a legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e.

Dec. 16–24, 2024

Posadas Navidenas – Christian

Hispanic Christian feast of the Lodgings commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.

Dec. 21-Jan. 1, 2025

Yule – Wicca/Pagan

The festival of the winter solstice - a Norse Pagan celebration of the winter-born king, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun. A present day Wicca event.

Dec. 24, 2024

Christmas Eve – Christian

Christian celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. It is observed with worship, candle-lighting, manager scenes and festive meals.

Dec. 25, 2024

Christmas – Christian

Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.

Dec. 25–Jan. 2, 2025

Hanukkah – Judaism

Jewish festival of lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lighted. Begins at sundown.

Dec. 26–Jan. 1, 2025

Kwanzaa – Interfaith USA

Seven-day spiritual celebration of African-American values and traditions and their continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” is Swahili and means “first fruits of the harvest.”