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Religious Holidays and Observances

The following is a multi-faith listing of religious holidays and observances that occur during the 2024-2025 academic year. This guiding document is produced so that scheduling of activities and exams can accommodate the religious needs of our students, alumnae, faculty and staff. The holidays listed here do not represent an exhaustive list.  Because the list is not exhaustive, faculty and staff should continue to consult with their students to be assured any holidays and observances are recognized and accommodated in accord with NYS law (New York State Education Law 224-A). The list includes holidays for many - but by no means all - faiths in our campus community. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate and inclusive. If you have any additions or corrections, please feel free to contact us.

  • Dates are assembled from various calendar sources and is not an exhaustive list.

  • The dates for Islamic holidays may vary by region or practice. Holidays begin at sundown on the first day and end at nightfall on the last day listed.

  • Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the first day and end at nightfall on the last day listed.

Calendar of Holidays and Observances

2024

Observance Faith or Religion Dates

Mawlid al-Nabi

Islam Sunday, September 15 to Monday, September 22

Autumnal Equinox

Pagan Sunday, September 22
Rosh Hashanah Judaism Wednesday, October 2 to Friday, October 5

Navratri

Hinduism Thursday, October 3 to Saturday, October 12

Fast of Gedaliah

Judaism Sunday, October 6

Yom Kippur

Judaism Friday, October 11 to Saturday, October 12

Sukkot

Judaism Wednesday, October 16 to Wednesday, October 23

Shemini Atzeret

Judaism Wednesday, October 23 to Friday, October 25

Simchat Torah

Judaism Saturday October 24 to Wednesday October 25

Dussehra

Hinduism Saturday, October 12

Samhain

Pagan Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 1

Diwali

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikh, Jain Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 1

All Saints Day

Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist Friday, November 1

All Souls Day

Christian, Unitarian Universalist Saturday, November 2

Birth of Bahá'u'lláh 

Baha’i Sunday, November 3

First Sunday of Advent

Christian Sunday, December 1

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Roman Catholic Saturday, December 8

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Roman Catholic
Thursday, December 12

Yule

Pagan Thursday, December 21 to Monday, January 1

Joseph Smith's Birthday

Mormon (CJCLDS) Monday, December 23

Hanukkah/Chanukah

Judaism Wednesday, December 25 to Friday, January 2

Christmas

Christian, Unitarian Universalist Wednesday, December 25

Kwanzaa

African American Heritage Thursday, December 26 to Wednesday, January 1

2025

Gantan-sai 

Shinto Wednesday, January 1

The Solemnity of Mary

Roman Catholic Wednesday, January 1

Epiphany

Christian Saturday, January 6

Christmas 

Orthodox Christian Tuesday, January 7

Fast of the 10th of Tevet

Judaism Monday, January 10

Pongal 

Hinduism Tuesday, January 14 to Friday January 17

Bodhi Day

Buddhism Thursday, January 18

Chinese New Year 

Multifaith, Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist Wednesday, January 29

Imbolc

Pagan Saturday, February 1

Setsubun-sai

Shinto Monday, February 3

Tu BiShvat

Judaism Wednesday, February 12 to Thursday, February 13

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism Wednesday, February 26

Ramadan 

Islam Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 30

Clean Monday (Monday of Lent)

Orthodox Christian Monday, March 3

Start of Lent and Ash Wednesday

Christian Wednesday, March 5

Women's Day of Prayer

Multifaith Thursday, March 13

Purim

Judaism Thursday, March 13 to Friday, March 14

Holi

Hinduism
Friday, March 14

Fast of Esther

Judaism
Thursday, March 21

Spring Equinox

Pagan Thursday, March 20

Laylat al-Qadr

Islam
Thursday, March 27
Eid al-Fitr Islam

Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, March 30

Palm Sunday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist Sunday, April 13

Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist
Thursday, April 17

Good Friday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist Friday, April 18

Fast of the First Born

Judaism
Saturday, April 12

Passover (Pesach)

Judaism Saturday, April 12 to Sunday, April 20

Great Friday

Orthodox Christian Friday, April 18

Easter

Christian, Unitarian Universalist
Sunday, April 20

First Day of Riḍván

Bahá’í Sunday April 20

Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Christian
Sunday, April 20

Yom HaShoah

Judaism
Wednesday, April 23 to Thursday, April 24
Ninth Day of Riḍván Bahá’í

Monday, April 28 to Tuesday April 29

Twelfth Day of Riḍván

Bahá’í

Wednesday, April 30 to Thursday May 1

Vesak

Buddhism
Monday, May 12

Ascension Day

Christian

Thursday May 29

Orthodox Ascension Day

Orthodox Christian

Thursday May 29

Pentecost

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Sunday, June 8

Summer 2025

Orthodox Ascension Day

Orthodox Christian

Thursday May 29

Eid al-Adha

Islam

Friday June 6 to Saturday June 7

Muharram

Islam

Sunday July 6 

Ashura

Islam

Saturday July 5 to Sunday July 6 

Asalha Puja Day

Buddhism

Thursday July 10