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Islam

This day is a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad.

The dates change each year.

Judaism

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana is the first of the season of High Holy days; it is a time of prayer, reflection, and services. For some Jews it is observed for two full days beginning in the evening. Others observe one day.

The dates change each year.

Judaism

The Jewish day of atonement. This holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with 25 hours of fasting and worship.

You might greet a Jewish person by saying, “Have an easy fast.”

The dates change each year.

“On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.”

Sukkot is the 7-day harvest-time holiday that commemorates the miraculous protections God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt.

Shemini Atzeret means "Eighth Day of Assembly" and is celebrated on the eighth day of Sukkot, the Feast of Booths.

Simchat Torah means "rejoicing in Torah" and is celebrated on the day after Shemini Atzeret.

Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism

This is a Festival of Lights to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. You might greet a Hindu, Jain, or Sikh person by saying, “Wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity, and joy.”

The date changes each year.

Observation of the Solemnity of All Saints, which provides a day to honor the saints of the church. Roman Catholics commemorate those who are believed to have attained the beatific vision—those who now see God “face to face,” so to speak, in a fully redeemed state of being. The Orthodox mark this day on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

One of the most significant festivals in Sikhism, this day celebrates the birth anniversary in 1469 of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and the first Sikh Guru. You may greet a Sikh by saying, “Happy Gurpurab.” (Though a birthday, the date varies from year to year according to the Indian lunar calendar.

A national holiday celebrated with family gatherings and feasts to give thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year.

Christian (Roman Catholic)

This feast day celebrates the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin. This is a Holy Day of obligation for Catholics.

The date remains the same each year.

Commemorates the day that Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.

Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a holiday day with an obligation for Catholics to attend Mass.

The date remains the same each year.

Judaism

Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration duringg which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and ”rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.

The dates change each year.

A Marian feast, the day celebrates Mary’s motherhood, which occurs on the eighth day of Christmas, marking the day she brought Jesus to the Temple for his circumcision.

A festival marking the sudden insight or “manifestation” to Gentiles (represented by the Magi)—that Jesus was a divine figure, the Christ (the long-awaited Messiah), as told in Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 2).

Christian

Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.

The date remains the same each year.

Commemorates the date that the Babylonians began their siege of Jerusalem which led to the destruction of the Temple (see II Kings 25:1-4).

Whereas Roman Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar and the Epiphany to the Magi on January 6, the Orthodox follow the Julian calendar and mark this festival on January 19.

This festival honors the birthday of Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh in 1666, the tenth and final Sikh guru who defended the rights of the oppressed. (Though a birthday, the date varies from year to year according to the Indian lunar calendar.) You may greet a Sikh by saying, “Sat Sri Akal,” which means, “blessed is the person who says God is Truth.”

Night of Ascension; celebrates Isra and Miraj, or the Prophet Muhammed’s miraculous journey taken in one night.

Commemorates the beginning of the Chinese lunisolar calendar and the arrival of spring.

Celebrates a gathering that was held between the Buddha and 1,250 of his first disciples and the creation of an ideal community.

Something akin to a Jewish Arbor Day, or a Jewish New Year for trees; “ is the number 15 in Hebrew, and “Shevat” is a Jewish month—so it falls on 15 Shevat each year on the Jewish calendar.

Night of rescue from hell fire; the Night of Forgiveness is a special occasion for Muslims to seek blessings and forgiveness; Allah decides the fate of individuals for the upcoming year on this night.

Commemoration of Saint Valentine, a Roman priest martyred (ca. 270) for marrying and aiding Christians during a period of persecution. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Celebrates the Paranirvana of Buddha—not his death, but release from karma and the cycle of suffering.

Honoring Shiva, a Hindu deity. “Happy Maha Shivratrimah.

Ramadan starts on the evening of Friday, February 28th and ends at sundown on Saturday, March 29. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

Signifying the beginning of Lent. “Have a blessed Lent.”

Signifying the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection and repentance leading up to Easter. “Have a blessed Lent.”

Commemoration of Queen Esther’s intercession to the King to save the lives of Jews living in Persia. “Chag Sameach” (Khaghsa-MAY-ach).

The Festival of Colors, the Festival of Spring, the Festival of Love is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the divine love of Radha Krishna, and the victory of good over evil.

Honoring the birth of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and saint.

Christian (Eastern Orthodox)

In the Christian (Eastern) Orhodox Church, Great Lent marks the forty days leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the 40 days before Holy Week, which is hte week when Christian Orthodox followers remember Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection). The first day of Great Lent is called Clean Monday.

The date changes each year.

This is the night when Quran was sent down. Angels come down and cover the entire earth. Prayers are accepted and sins are forgiven during this night. Most Muslims stay up all night and fast during the day.

2024 dates: April 06, 2024

Islam

This period marks the successful end of the month of Ramadan. Muslims go for the mandatory congregational prayers in the morning. Large-scale celebrations are held across all the sects of Islam. It’s a public holiday in all Muslim countries.

These dates change every year.

Judaism

Passover honors the deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt. The first two days and last two days are observed as full holidays. There are dietary restrictions against leavened products (such as bread, pastries, pasta, certain legumes and more) during all eight days of the holiday.

Honors the emancipation of Jewish slaves from Egypt and the reception of the ten commandments. “Happy Pesach” (PAY-sockh) or “Chag Sameach” (Khagh sa-MAY-ach).

The dates change every year.

Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)

The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The services that take place during the Triduum are:

• Mass of the Lord’s Summer (often referred to as Holy Thursday)
• Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
• Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Saturday evening, often referred to as Easter Vigil)
• Sunday morning is Easter morning for both Protestants and Catholics.

The dates change every year.

Celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. “Happy Pascha.”

Commemoration of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation of his mission as God’s messenger. “Happy Ridvan” (REZ-von).

Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant)

The Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates the Ascension of Christ into Heaven.

Liturgical feast day in honor of St. Joseph, Mary’s husband, a carpenter. Because of advancing the cause of workers, St. Joseph is the patron saint of social justice in Catholic faith and devotion.

The date changes every year.

Festival dedicated to the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama—the Buddha.

Commemorating Guru Arjan Dev Sahib becoming the first martyr.

Commemoration of God’s revelation of the Torah to Israel on Sinai. “Happy Shavuot” or “Chag Sameach” (Khagh sa-MAY-ach).

Hajj, Muslim Pilgrimage to the City of Makkah, starts on the 7th day of Islamic month Dul Hajj. The event marks Muslim solidarity and unity and is a commemoration of the willingness of Prophet Abrahim to sacrifice his son Ishma’il in the obedience of Allah.

2024 dates: starts on June 13 or 14, 2024

Islam

Known as the Islamic festival of sacrifice, this takes place the day after Arafat, the most important day in Hajj ritual. This three-day festival recalls Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.

“The Greater Festival,” Eid al-Ahda is a festival held in remembrance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice of Ishmael per Allah’s command; marks the end of Hajj. “Eid al Adha Mubarak!” (or, more simply, Eed moo-BAH-ruck).

The dates change each year.

Celebration of the receipt of the Holy Spirit fifty days after Easter.

Honors the anniversary of the freedom granted to enslaved African Americans. Offices will be closed in observance of this national holiday. Consider enrolling in the “Becoming Human” series, an interdisciplinary short course on dismantling racism sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences: Enroll Here.

Liturgical feast day in honor of the martyrdom in Rome of apostles St. Peter and St. Paul.

The day of the martyrdom of the Grandson of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him and 72 immediate family members. These are the days for the remembrance of the sacrifices that were made to uphold Truth and virtue.

Commemorates the beginning of Buddhism and the teachings delivered to Buddha’s original five disciplines, which is known as the “First Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma.”

Memorial for the communal tragedies in Jewish history, and especially for the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

Honorary commemoration of the ancestors, whose spirits are thought to visit this world temporarily.

A Shia religious observance that commemorates the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad.

Celebration of the birth of Krishna.

Christian (Roman Catholic)

The Feast of the Assumption is a holy day that marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life.

The date remains the same every year.