Religious Holidays and Observances
Academic Year 2015-2016
Although it is not college policy to cancel classes and appointments on religious holidays, keep
in mind that these dates have special significance for many members of the campus community.
Ramadan* (I)
Thursday, June 18 through Friday, July 17.
Laylat al-Qadr* (I)
Monday, July 13(sundown) through Tuesday, July 14 (sundown)
Rosh Hashanah (J)
Sunday, September 13 (sundown) through Tuesday, September
15 (sundown)
Eid al-Fitr (I)
Saturday, July 18 (sundown) through Sunday, July 19 (sundown)
Exaltation of the Holy Cross (O)
Monday, September 14
Yom Kippur (J)
Tuesday, September 22 (sundown) through Wednesday,
September 23 (sundown)
Mabon** (PA)
Friday, March 20
Sukkot- First Days (J)
Sunday, September 27 (sundown) through Sunday, October 4
(sundown)
Sh’mini Atzeret (J)
Sunday, October 4 (sundown) through Monday, October 5
(sundown)
Simchat Torah (J)
Monday, October 5 (sundown) through Tuesday, October 6
(sundown)
Dassehra (Vihay Dashami)** (H)
Thursday, October 22
Birth of the Báb
Monday, October 19 (sundown) through Tuesday, October
20 (sundown)
Samhain** (PA)
Saturday, October 31
All Saints’ Day (RC, P)
Sunday, November 1
All Souls’ Day (RC)
Monday, November 2
Deepavali (Diwali)** (H)
Wednesday, November 11
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (BA)
Wednesday, November 11
Eid al-Adha* (I)
Wednesday, September 23 (sundown) through Thursday,
September 24 (sundown)
Advent (RC, P)
Sunday, November 29 through Thursday, December 24
Hanukkah (J)
Sunday, December 6 (sundown) through Monday, December
14 (sundown)
Muharram (Muslim New Year)
Tuesday, October 13 (sundown) through Thursday,
November 12 (sundown)
Day of Complete Enlightenment
Bodhi Day (BU)
Monday, December 8
Feast of the
Immaculate Conception (RC)
Tuesday, December 8
Yule** (PA)
Monday, December 21
Christmas (RC, P)
Friday, December 25
Kwanzaa (AA)
Saturday, December 26 through Friday, January 1
Mary, Mother of God (RC)
Thursday, January 7
Epiphany (RC, P)
Wednesday, January 6
Makar Sankramana/Sankranti** (H)
Thursday, January 15
Chinese New Year (BU)
Monday, February 8
Tu B’shvat (J)
Sunday, January 24
Imbolc** (PA)
Passing into Parinibbana
(Nirvana Day) ** (BU)
Tuesday, February 2
Sunday, February 15
Maha Shivaratri** (H)
Wednesday, February 17
Shrove Tuesday (P)
Tuesday, February 9
Ash Wednesday (RC, P)
Wednesday, February 10
Great Lent begins (O)
Tuesday, February 23
Purim (J)
Wednesday, March 23
Baha’I 19 Day Fast (BA)
Tuesday, March 2 through Saturday, March 20
Ostara/Spring Equinox** (PA)
Sunday, March 20
Naw Rúz (Bahá’í New Year) (BA)
Sunday, March 20
Passion Sunday (RC, P)
Sunday, March 20
Palm Sunday (RC, P, O)
Sunday, March 20
Pesach (Passover) (J)
Friday, April 22 (sundown) through Saturday, April 30
(sundown)
First Passover Seder (J)
Sunday, April 3
Holy Thursday (RC, P)
Thursday, March 24
Good/ Holy Friday (RC, P, O)
Friday, March 25
Easter (RC, P, O)
Sunday, March 27
Passover (last two days) (J)
Friday, April 10 through Saturday, April 11
Yom Hashoah
Wednesday, April 15
(Holocaust Remembrance Day) (J)
Ridván (BA)
Tuesday, April 21
Beltaine** (PA)
Friday, May 1
Vesak or Vesakha Puja**
(Buddha Day) (BU)
Monday, May 25
Declaration of the Báb (BA)
Saturday, May 23
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (BA)
Friday, May 29
Ascension of Christ (RC, P)
Saturday, May 2
Orthodox Ascension (O)
Thursday, May 21
Shavout (J)
Saturday, May 23 (sundown) through Monday, May 25
AA—African American
J—Jewish
PA—Pagan
BA—Baha’I
I—Islam
P—Protestant
BU—Buddhist
O—Orthodox
RC—Roman Catholic
H—Hindu
*Exact day depends of the sighting of the moon.
**Local customs may vary this date.