Religious and Cultural Observances
The Religious and Cultural Observances listed below could greatly impact our colleagues' and students' schedules. As such, you may want to be mindful when planning critical meetings or assignments on these days to be inclusive and considerate of others. As we strive to recognize and honor all of our social identities, it is important to remember that faith and spirituality are essential parts of identity for many.
Rosh Hashanah
Evening of Friday, Sept 11, 2026 – Sunday, Sept 13, 2026
Rosh Hashanah, which translates from Hebrew to mean "the head of the year," is one of Judaism's holiest days. The two-day celebration marks the start of the Jewish New Year and is filled with traditions, like eating symbolic foods and saying prayers near a body of water.
Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 20, 2026 - Monday, September 21, 2026
Date of Atonement: the most sacred day of Judaism and is often observed with 25 hours of fasting and prayer. Some observing Jews spend the day in the synagogue.
Sukkot
Evening of Friday, September 26, 2026 - Friday, October 2, 2026
Feast of the Tabernacles. Celebrates the harvest and the protecting of the Jewish people on their way to the Promised Land (7-day holiday, but work is not allowed for only the first 2 days).
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Sunset, Friday, October 2
- Shemini Atzeret – October 2: Day of Assembly; a day devoted to spirituality and the love of God.
- Simchat Torah – October 3: Rejoicing in the Torah; marks the end of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the start of a new cycle.
Navaratri
Sunday, October 11, 2026 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026
The nine-day Hindu festival celebrates the Goddess Durga and is a major crop season event.
Día de los Muertos
Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Monday, November 2, 2026
Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates deceased loved ones. Families create altars with offerings such as food, drinks, flowers, and photos to honor the departed. The holiday includes vibrant parades, music, and traditional foods.
Diwali
Sunday, November 8, 2026 - Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. During Diwali, homes are illuminated with oil lamps and candles, and people exchange gifts and sweets. Families gather for prayers and feasts, enjoying delicious sweets. It's a time for family gatherings, feasting, and spreading joy and positivity.
Hanukkah
Sundown, Friday, December 4, 2026 - Saturday, December 12, 2026
A Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights, usually in December. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Winter Solstice
Monday, December 21, 2026
The shortest day of the year, celebrated in many cultures. It usually falls on December 21st or 22nd and marks the return of the sun and lengthening of days.
Christmas
Friday, December 25, 2026
Celebrated on December 25th as a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Kwanzaa
Saturday, December 26, 2026 - Friday, January 1, 2027
An African American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It was created in 1966 to celebrate African American culture and heritage.
Boxing Day
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Celebrated on December 26th in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Traditionally a day for giving gifts to service workers and those in need.
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day
Thursday, December 31, 2026 & Friday, January 1, 2027
Celebrated on December 31st as a time for reflection and anticipation of the new year, with parties, fireworks, and festivities worldwide.
New Year's marks the start of a new year (January 1st) according to the Gregorian calendar. The day is a Federal holiday in the United States with government offices, schools and most businesses closed. Many will reflect on their past year accomplishments and set new goals for the New Year.
Three King's Day (also known as Epiphany)/ Dia De Reyes
Wednesday, January 6, 2027
Celebrated on January 6th in many countries, including Spain and Latin America. It commemorates the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus and is celebrated with parades, feasts, and gift-giving.
Orthodox Christmas
Thursday, January 7, 2027
Commemorating the birth of Jesus, most Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches based on their use of the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar
Makar Sankranti
Friday, January 15, 2027
A Hindu festival celebrating the harvest season, usually in January. Includes feasting, kite flying, and other festivities.
Lunar New Year
Saturday, February 6, 2027
The first new moon of the lunar calendar observed across Asia and the world. Typically falls between January 21 and February 20 and is celebrated with food and traditions.
Mardi Gras
Tuesday, February 9, 2027
A carnival celebration in many countries, including Brazil, France, and the United States. It occurs before Ash Wednesday and includes parades, costumes, and other festivities.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent.
The Lenten season is approximately forty days long. If you count the days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday's Mass of the Lord's Supper, you'll find more than forty days. That's why it's not exactly forty days.
Ramadan
Evening of Sunday, February 7, 2027 - Sunset on Monday, March 8, 2027
Ramadan is an important time for the Muslim community worldwide to reflect on the wisdom and guidance of their faith. Many may be fasting or abstaining from revelry between the hours of dawn and sunset and spending the evening in prayer. It is also a time for families to gather and celebrate.
Eid al-Fitr
Evening of Tuesday, March 9, 2027 - Wednesday March 10, 2027
Eid al-Fitr lasts for one day, and is expected to take March 10, 2027, though it is a tentative date, depending on the sighting of the moon. In the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first day of Shawwal.
Nowruz
Saturday, March 20, 2027
Nowruz, or Norooz, is the first day of the Iranian solar year, celebrated on Farvardin 1. It marks the start of the Iranian New Year and is one of the oldest festivals from ancient Iran. It has its roots in ancient Iran, and people across vast regions of Asia and other parts of the world celebrate it. Nowruz takes place during the vernal equinox, marking the start of the spring season.
Purim
Evening of Monday, March 22, 2027 - Tuesday, March 23, 2027
Celebrates the biblical story of Esther, who bravely foiled a plot to destroy the Jewish people.
Holi
Monday, March 22, 2027
The festival of colors, celebrating spring, community, and renewal. In 2027, many communities will observe Holi around this date.
Holy Week
Sunday, March 21, 2027 - Sunday, March 28, 2027
Holy Week is celebrated by Christians around the world and is the most sacred week of the year in this faith. It begins after the season of Lent – which is a time of prayer, reflection, and fasting. Two significant holidays fall within this Holy Week: Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Easter
Sunday, March 28, 2027
Easter also called Resurrection Sunday or Pascha is one of the most important days in the Christian faith commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead according to the New Testament.
Chaitra Navratri
Wednesday, April 7, 2027 - Thursday, April 15, 2027
Chaitra Navratri 2027 is a nine-day spring festival dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga's nine forms (Navdurga), running from April 7 to April 15, 2027. It marks the Hindu Lunar New Year, symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and concludes with Rama Navami, celebrating Lord Rama's birth.
Passover
Wednesday, April 21, 2027 - Thursday, April 29, 2027
Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from enslavement in Egypt. Throughout the world, Passover is celebrated with a series of rituals. Each ritual symbolizes a different part of the story.
Orthodox Holy Week
Saturday, April 24, 2027 - Sunday, May 2, 2027
Orthodox Holy Week celebrations begin the week after Lazarus Saturday on the evening of Palm Sunday and they conclude on Easter Sunday.
Shavuot
Evening of Thursday, June 10, 2027 - Saturday, June 12, 2027
Marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.
Eid al-Adha
Evening of Sunday, May 16, 2027 - Wednesday, May 19, 2027
Eid al-Adha is the second of the two main festivals in Islam, alongside Eid al-Fitr. It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. Celebrations and observances are generally observed for the three days following, known as the Tashreeq days.
Ashura
Evening of Monday, June 14, 2027 - Tuesday, June 15, 2027
Ashura, occurring on the 10th of Muharram (June 15, 2027), is a major Islamic day of significance, marked by fasting for Sunni Muslims to honor Moses's salvation from Pharaoh, and deep mourning for Shia Muslims for the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala. It is a time for reflection, charity, and honoring sacrifice.
This list is not meant to be an exhaustive description of a holiday or observance. We welcome suggestions and corrections to help reflect our community's diversity. If you have questions, corrections, or additions regarding this calendar list, please get in touch with our office at [email protected].