Interfaith Planning Calendar

(Shinto)
Observed every year on January 1
Holiday with significant work restriction

Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion. Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date (work holiday)

(Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant)
Observed every year on January 6

This date is also known as Befana Day; commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus.

(Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Observed every year on January 7
Holiday with significant work restriction

Christmas is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose message and self-sacrifice began the Christian religion. Eastern Orthodox Christmas is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Because this holiday typically falls during winter break, academic accommodations may not be required. However many Eastern Orthodox employees will probably request this day off.

(Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)
Observed every year on February 1

Also referred to as the Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Lights, and Oimele. Celebrates the coming of spring and recovery of the Earth Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God at Yule. For many traditions, a time for initiations, re-dedication and pledges for the coming year. One of the four “greater Sabbats.”

(Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant)
February 14, 2024
March 5, 2025
February 18, 2026
February 10, 2027
Holiday with work restriction

This is the first day of Lent, the period of forty days before Easter in which many Christians sacrifice ordinary pleasures to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. On this day, there are special church services, and the faithful wear a cross of ashes marked on foreheads. Most Christians abstain from meat on this day. Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products.

(Jewish)
March 23-24, 2024
March 13-14, 2025
March 2-3, 2026
March 22-23, 2027

Purim commemorates the time when the Jews were living in Persia and were saved from genocide by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther. Begins at sundown the first evening listed. Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher basics).

(Baha’i)
March 19-20, 2024
March 19-20, 2025
March 20-21, 2026
March 20-21, 2027

This is the Baha’i New Year, a traditional celebration in Iran adopted as a holy day associated with Baha’i. It is a celebration of spring and new life.

(Islamic)
March 10, 2024 – April 9, 2024
March 1-30, 2025
February 18 – March 19, 2026
February 8 – March 9, 2027

Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer, and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur’an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur’an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. In addition, many Muslims also attend night prayers at Mosques. The observed date marks the beginning of a 30 day observation. If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).

March 31, 2024
April 20, 2025
April 5, 2026
March 28, 2027
Holiday with significant work restriction 

Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs, baskets and chocolate bunnies. It is a celebration of renewal. Easter Sunday is determined by the Gregorian calendar (Gregorian calendar regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches).

(Eastern Orthodox Christian)
March 29, 2024
April 18, 2025
April 3, 2026
Mar 26, 2027

Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting. Prayer, fasting, confession, and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs (often red) in preparation for Easter Sunday. Orthodox Good Friday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the date.

(Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)
Observed every year on May 1

The fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.

(Baha’i)
May 27-28, 2024
May 27-28, 2025
May 28-29, 2026
May 28-29, 2027

Commemorates the death of the founder of the Baha’i faith; Baha’llah died on May 29, 1892.
General Practices: Devotional programs and reading from the scriptures

(Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)
June 21, 2024
June 20, 2025
June 21, 2026
June 21, 2027

A celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. Celebration of the Goddess manifesting as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. For some Pagans the Summer Solstice marks the marriage of the God and Goddess and they see their union as the force that creates the harvest’s fruits. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.

(Jewish)
October 2-4, 2024
September 22-24, 2025
September 11-13, 2026
October 1-3, 2027
Holiday with significant work restriction

Rosh Hashanah literally meaning "head [of] the year", is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally "day of shouting or blasting." It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days (Yamim Nora'im "Days of Awe"), as specified by Leviticus 23:23–25, that occur in the late summer/early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date.

(Jewish)
October 16-23, 2024
October 6-13, 2025
September 25 - October 2, 2026
October 15-22, 2027
Holiday with significant work restriction

An eight day or week-long celebration which begins with the building of Sukkah for sleep and meals; Sukkot is named for the huts Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert before reaching the promised land. Begins the evening listed and involves resting the following two days, which may include a respite from classes. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher basics).

(Hindu)
October 3-12, 2024
September 22 - October 1, 2025
October 11-19, 2026
September 30 - October 8, 2027

Navaratri is one of the greatest Hindu festivals, and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this time, Hindus worship Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Durga is the mother goddess, and so Hindus try to visit their mothers and other relatives during this time. Some Hindus will pray and fast, and there are often feasts and dances.

(Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain)
November 1, 2024
October 20, 2025
November 8, 2026
October 29, 2027
Holiday with significant work restriction

Diwali—the Hindu “festival of lights”—is an extremely popular holiday for multiple religions throughout Southern Asia. Diwali extends over five days, and celebrates the victory of good over evil. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Hindu employees will likely request a vacation day on this date.

(Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)
Observed every year on December 21

The longest night of the year followed by the sun’s “rebirth” and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.