| Eid al Adha |
Islam |
This holiday honors the belief in sacrifice for religion |
Many observers take off from school and work |
| Rosh Hashanah |
Jewish |
This holiday marks the start of the Jewish New Year and is the day of judgment and remembrance |
Many Jews will take time off from school and work for a day of prayer in the synagogue |
| Navaratri |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this time, Hindus worship Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. |
Many Hindus will visit their mothers during this time, some will fast. The holiday ends with Dussehra, on which some Hindus may take time off from school and work. |
| Mabon / Alban Elfed / Autumnal Equinox |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday offers a time to offer gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and also to begin to prepare for turning inward, at it marks the equinox of Summer and Autumn |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Yom Kippur |
Jewish |
This holiday is the day of atonement and abstinence. This marks the holiest day of the year for Jews. |
Many Jews will fast and take time off from school and work for a day of prayer in the synagogue |
| Sukkot |
Jewish |
This holiday commemorates the Exodus of Jews from Egypt to Israel and the survival of Jews off of the land |
Work holiday depends on denomination |
| Shemini Atzeret |
Jewish |
This is a festival that honors the Jewish dead, as well as hopes for rain and fertility in Israel |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Simchat Torah |
Jewish |
This holiday marks the completion of the cyclical reading of the Torah and begins the next. |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Diwali |
Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain |
This holiday celebrates the festival of lights, the triumph of good over evil and a commitment to hope, goodwill and friendship |
Many Hindus will take time off from school and work for celebration |
| Birth of Bahá’u’lláh |
Baha’i |
This holiday celebrates the birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, one of the Baha’i faith’s most important figures. |
Baha’i observers will likely take this day off from school and work |
| Samhain |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday marks the Wiccan New Year and a time to reflect on the past year while honoring those who have died and welcome those who will be born. |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Feast of All Saints |
Catholic (and some Christian Churches) |
This holiday is dedicated to the Saints of the Church (all those souls who have attained heaven) |
Some observers may need time off from work/school |
| Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib |
Sikh |
This holiday marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru |
Many Sikh observers will take the day off from school and work |
| Mawlid an Nabi |
Islam |
This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. |
Muslim observers may take off from school or work |
| Bodhi |
Buddhist |
This holiday marks the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Catholic |
This holiday commemorates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Some observers may need time off from work/school |
| Hanukkah |
Jewish |
This holiday marks the festival of lights and the Jewish struggle of religious freedom in Syrian Greece |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Yule / Midwinter / Alban Arthan / Winter Solstice |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday is seen as the Pagan New Year. Yule celebrates the rebirth of the solstice sun. |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Christmas |
Christian |
This holiday is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christianity’s most important figure |
No accommodations necessary, the University is closed as U.S. recognizes this as a federal holiday |
| Gantan-sai |
Shinto |
This holiday is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion |
Shinto observers may take off this day off from school and work |
| Mahayana New Year |
Buddhist |
This holiday marks the New year for some Mahayana Buddhists, however most celebrate this holiday on the secular New Year |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Epiphany / Twelfth Night / Three Kings Day |
Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant |
This holiday marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Eastern Orthodox Christmas |
Eastern Orthodox Christian |
This holiday is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christianity’s most important figure |
Observers are likely to take the day off |
| Maghi |
Sikh |
This holiday is celebrated throughout India as the harvest festival and the marking of the agricultural New Year. |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| World Religion Day |
Baha’i |
This holiday is a celebration of all religions and an acknowledgment in the spiritual purpose of unifying humanity |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Vasant Panchami |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the coming of spring in the Hindu faith |
Some Hindu observers may take time off from school or work for this celebration |
| Tu BiShvat |
Jewish |
This holiday marks one of the four Jewish new years, this one celebrating trees |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Imbolc – Lughnassah |
Wicca/Pagan |
This holiday marks the beginning of the harvest season |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Setsebun sai |
Shinto |
This holiday marks the coming of spring in the Shinto religion |
Many Shinto observers may take time off for this holiday |
| Maha Shivaratri |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates and honors of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity |
Many Hindus may take time off from work or school |
| St. Valentine’s Day |
Christian |
This holiday celebrates romantic love my commemorating St. Valentine of Rome |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ash Wednesday |
Catholic |
Beginning of 40 day period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in preparation of Easter |
Some observers may need time off from work/school |
| Nirvana Day |
Buddhist – Jain – Sikh |
This holiday celebrates the day that Buddha achieved complete Nirvana |
Some Buddhist observers may take time off from school or work |
| Chinese New Year |
Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist |
This festival celebrates the turn of the traditional Chinese calendar, the coming of spring and honors ancestors and deities. |
Many observers may take time off for this celebration |
| Great Lent begins – Clean Monday |
Christian |
This day marks the beginning of a six week period in which Christians give up some sort of luxury |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ayyám-i-Há |
Baha’i |
This festival marks the days before the fasting month of the Baha’i faith |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Orthodox Sunday |
Orthodox Christian |
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| Purim |
Jewish |
This holiday celebrates the saving of Jews from genocide in the book of Esther |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Nineteen Day Fast |
Baha’i |
This fast is a nineteen day period in which people of the Baha’i faith participate in a sunrise to sunset fast which brings them closer to God |
Understand that Baha’i students may experience a lack of energy from this fast. |
| Hola Mohalla |
Sikh |
This holiday is a one-day festival in celebration of Holi |
Many Sikhs may take time off from work or school |
| Holi |
Hindu |
This holiday is the festival of colors and sharing love |
Many Hindus may take time off from work or school |
| St. Patrick’s Day |
Christian |
This holiday commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ugadi |
Hindu |
This holiday marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ramayana |
Hindu |
This holiday presents the teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory |
Many Hindus may take time off from work or school |
| St. Joseph’s Day |
Christian |
This holiday commemorates Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ostara / Alban Eilir / Spring Equinox |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday is one of eight major annual sabbats or festivals, this one marking a time of conception and fertility |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Naw-Rúz |
Baha’i |
This holiday marks the first day of the Baha’i calendar and the first of 9 holy days |
Many Baha’i observers may take time off from school or work |
| Palm Sunday |
Orthodox Christian |
This holiday commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ramanavami |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the birth of the god Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya |
Many Hindu observers may take time off from school or work |
| Khordad Sal |
Zoroastrian |
This holiday is the celebration of the birth of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrianism religion |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Mahavir Jayanti |
Jain |
This holiday celebrates the birth of Mahavira, twenty-fourth and the last of the Teaching Gods |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Good Friday |
Christian |
This holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary |
No accommodations necessary, the university is closed for this holiday |
| Passover |
Jewish |
This holiday celebrates the exodus of Jews from Egypt |
Many Observers may take time off from school or work |
| Lazarus Saturday |
Orthodox Christian |
This holiday is the Christian celebration of the raising of Lazarus of Bethany |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Hanuman Jayanti |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the birth of Hanuman, the Vanara god |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Lord’s Evening Meal |
Jehovah’s Witness |
This holiday is in memorial of the death of Jesus Christ |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Magha Puja Day |
Buddhist |
This holiday is a celebration in honor of the Buddhist community |
Many Buddhists are likely to take off from school and work. |
| Easter |
Christian |
This holiday is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ |
No accommodations necessary, the university is closed for this holiday |
| Yom HaShoah |
Jewish |
This day memorializes the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust. |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Lailat al Miraj |
Islam |
This holiday commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to Jerusalem |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Baisakhi |
Sikh |
This holiday celebrates the harvest festival in the Punjabi and Sikh religions |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| First Day of Ridvan |
Baha’i |
This holiday marks the first day of a 12-day festival celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration that he was a Manifestation of God |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| 4/29/2018 |
Ninth Day of Ridvan |
Baha’i |
This holiday marks the ninth day of a 12-day festival celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration that he was a Manifestation of God |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Visakha Puja |
Buddhist |
This holiday commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Theravadin New Year |
Buddhist |
This holiday is the New year for Buddhists in Theravadin countries |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Beltane |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This festival marks the coming of Summer |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Lailat al Bara’ah |
Islam |
This holiday marks the night when Allah forgives sinners and determines the fortune of all people. It also is a day in which Muslims honor deceased family. |
Many observers will take the night off from school or work |
| Twelfth Day of Ridvan |
Baha’i |
This holiday marks the last day of a 12-day festival celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration that he was a manifestation of God |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Ascension of Jesus |
Christian |
This holiday marks when Jesus’ resurrected body was taken to heaven |
some observers may need time off from work/school |
| Ramadan Begins |
Islam |
This holiday is the beginning of a month of fasting for Muslims to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. |
Understand that Muslim students may experience a lack of energy due to this fast |
| Shavuot |
Jewish |
This holiday marks the wheat harvest in Israel and the day that the Torah was given from God at Mount Sinai |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Pentecost |
Christian |
This holiday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Declaration of the Bab |
Baha’i |
This holiday celebrates the Bab’s first message from God |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Ascension of Baha’u’llah |
Baha’i |
This holiday commemorates the death of the baha’u’llah, the founder of Baha’i |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Laylat al Qadr |
Islam |
This holiday celebrates the night when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Eid al Fitr |
Islam |
This holiday is the festival of breaking the Ramadan fast |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Guru Arjan martyrdom |
Sikh |
This holiday commemorates the first martyr of the Sikh faith |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Litha / Midsomer / Alban Hefin / Summer Solstice |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday celebrates the longest day of the year, the start of summer and the belief of the goddess mother earth and the sun king god |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Martyrdom of the Bab |
Baha’i |
This holiday commemorates the death of the Bab, Baha’i belief of the Manifestation of God |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Obon |
Shinto |
This holiday is a Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Tish’a B’av |
Jewish |
This is a day to memorialize the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Pioneer Day |
Mormon Christian |
This holiday commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Asalha Puja Day |
Buddhist |
This holiday celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon. |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Lammas / Lughnasadh |
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid |
This holiday marks the beginning of the harvest season |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Catholic |
This holiday commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life |
Some observers may need time off from work/school |
| 8/26/2018 |
Raksha Bandhan |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters |
No significant accommodations are typically needed for observers |
| Krishna Janmashtami |
Hindu |
This holiday celebrates the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
| Paryushana Parva |
Jain |
This holiday marks a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting |
Many observers may take time off from school or work |
