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Cultural and Religious Holy Days

Below is a list of some of the major cultural and religious holy days for 2023/2024. This list is updated and collated by the Lewis & Clark Spiritual Life staff from a variety of sources. We make no guarantees of 100% accuracy but we do our best and welcome corrections. We’ve bolded holidays that we’ve found to most impact our students. See further notes below.

Did you know you can also add religious holidays calendars to your own Google calendar?

Academic Calendars with information about classes, examinations, and other important dates are available through the Registrars Office: CAS, Law School, Graduate School.

January 2026

January 6 – Feast of the Epiphany: It always falls 12 days after Christmas to mark when the Magi arrived in Bethlehem. Known as the Theophany in Eastern Christianity, this feast day commemorates the visit of the Magi, Jesus’ baptism, and the Wedding at Cana. Also known as Three Kings’ Day or Little Christmas.
January 7 – Orthodox Christmas: Using the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth.
January 14 – Maghi: Makar Sankranri is the only Hindu festival that is based on the solar calendar instead of the lunar. Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti means transition. Makara Sankranti is the celebration of the sun’s journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere, and it is accepted as a special or auspicious time. This Hindu festival is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India. The following morning Hindus enjoy this festival which involves ritual baths in rivers and ponds.
January 14 – Orthodox New Year: this date marks the start of the Julian calendar.
January 16 – Lailat al Miraj: This Muslim holy day celebrates Muhammad’s pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem. When Muhammad arrived, he ascended into Heaven.
January 18 – World Religion Day: First observed in 1950, this Baháʼí faith day is inspired by their idea of the oneness and evolution of religion. The purpose of this day is to highlight their principles and the role that all world religions play in uniting all humans.
January 20 – Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on this day by Sikhs across the world. The festival honors and remembers the Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh — an inspirational man who was also a warrior, poet, philosopher, and a spiritual master.

February 2026

February 1* and February 2 – Tu Bishvat: This Jewish holiday is celebrated as an ancient Earth Day, where trees are planted annually.
February 1 – Imbolc: This Pagan and Wiccan festival serves as the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, celebrating fire, light, and the return of life.
February 2 – Candlemas: Also called Presentation of the Lord, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, or Hypapante in the Greek church. This Christian festival occurs 40 days after Christmas and commemorates Mary’s dedication of Jesus to God in the Temple. Observed primarily in Catholic and Anglican communities.
February 2* - February 3 – Laylat al-Bara’ah: Laylat al-Bara’ah is considered a time for forgiveness, reflection, and prayer in Islam.
February 15 – Parinirvana: In Mahãyãna Buddhism, this date is also known as Nirvana Day. It commemorates Buddha’s death and attainment of final nirvana.
February 15 - 16 - Shivaratri: An annual Hindu festival, Maha Shivaratri gives reverence to the Lord Shiva god. The festival is also known as the Great Night of Shiva . On the day of the festival, devotees of Lord Shiva fast and spend the day focused on Lord Shiva, meditating and chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.” The Shiva-lingam (a distinguishing representation of Lord Shiva) is decorated with flowers and garlands. It is customary to spend the entire night awake singing the praises of Lord Shiva.
February 17 – Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year): Celebrated as the most important holiday of the year in the East Asian Lunar Calendar (also known as Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean New Year.) The holiday is observed primarily in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Vietnam, and Korea, and also many Southeast Asian countries with significant populations of the above regions.
February 18 – Ash Wednesday: The start of Lent in the Christian Church. Lent is the 40-day period of reflection, prayer and fasting before Easter. The name derives from the use of ashes to signify penitence. Refraining from assigned work is not expected, but some may request to be absent from class to attend a service. Some may fast.
February 18 to March 19 – Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Dates may vary and official dates may not be determined by religious authorities until the start of Ramadan. Observance may include fasting including abstention from all food and drink from sunrise to sunset, additional prayer times, and attendance at religious services.
February 18 - April 2: The Christian observance of Lent, the 40-day period of reflection, prayer, and fasting before Easter. Observance may include dietary restrictions, additional prayer times, and attendance at services.
February 25 - 28 - Intercalary / Ayyam-i-ha: This celebration and period of fasting celebrates giving back to the community and giving gifts to loved ones, which honors the Divine Essence of God. This celebration marks the start of the fasting month, where Bahá’ís 15 years and older abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.

March 2026

Mar. 1 to March 20 - Nineteen Day Fast: Bahai’s annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days immediately before the Baha’i New Year.
March 2* and March 3 – Purim: Also known as the “Feast of Lots,” this Jewish festival celebrates the survival of Jews who were marked for death by Persian rulers. Jews celebrate Purim by reading from the Book of Esther, giving tzedakah or charity, exchanging gifts, and attending festive meals.
March 3 - Holika Dahan: a Hindu festival in which a bonfire is lit to celebrate the burning of Holika, a ritual to symbolize the symbolic victory of good over evil.
March 4 to March 6 – Hola Mohalla: This is a 3-day long festival in which Sikhs around the world enjoy communal meals, religious song and prayer, and martial arts performances. Hola Mohalla is also called Hola.
March 4 – Holi: Holi is a major Hindu festival and celebrates the onset of spring, along with good harvests and the fertility of the land. This festival is known best for the way people throw brightly colored powder and water over each other to celebrate the advent of spring. Then they bathe and cleanse themselves after which they distribute sweets amongst friends and relatives. Vibrant processions accompanied by folk songs and dances are also a characteristic of Holi celebrations.
March 15 – Laylat al-Qadr: Laylat al-Qadr is for the holiest night of the year for Muslims as it’s believed it’s the night that the Quran was sent down from Heaven. The last ten nights of Ramadan are dedicated to praying and scripture reading as they believe this night of decree took place in one of those ten nights.
March 19 – St. Joseph’s Feast Day: This Christian day celebrates Jesus’ legal father and Mary’s spouse. Observed by Catholics (though not a holy day of obligation), some in the Anglican Communion, and some Lutherans.
March 19* and March 20 – Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. It can be translated as “the feast of fast-breaking” as it commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims who are able to do so will fast from before dawn until after sunset each day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by holding a community-wide prayer service in an open field or large hall which often attracts a large number of attendees, even those who do not typically attend communal prayer services throughout the year. The names for the holiday differ from culture to culture and country to country, though the Arabic “Eid al-Fitr” has become the standard in North America. Dates may vary, but expected to be the evening of Thurs. March 19 through the evening of Friday, March 20th. Observance may include attendance at religious services, especially early to mid-morning.
March 19 - March 27 – Navaratri: A festival in the Hindu faith that celebrates the Goddess Durga
March 20 – Ostara: This Wiccan holiday is one of their eight Sabbats. It celebrates the spring equinox.
March 21 – Nowruz: This day marks the Persian and Baha’i New Year, which also occurs on the vernal equinox.
March 25 – Feast of the Annunciation: This is a Christian celebration of Angel Gabriel’s announcement that Mary would give birth to Jesus. Many Christians observe this event nine full months before Christmas, the birthday of Jesus. The feast of the Annunciation is usually is moved in the Catholic Church, Anglican and Lutheran liturgical calendars when this date would fall during Holy Week or Easter Week or on a Sunday. The Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches do not move the feast, having special combined liturgies for those years when the Annunciation coincides with another feast.
March 29 - April 4 – Holy Week: Christian, primarily “Western” liturgical, including Palm Sunday (march 29th) Maundy Thursday (April 2nd) Good Friday (April 3rd) and Holy Saturday (April 4th). Historically this week and Easter is the most sacred time of year for Christians. Observances may include attendance at religious services throughout the week. Good Friday and Holy Saturday observances may include dietary restrictions or fasting and abstention from celebratory activities, observance varies
March 31 – Mahavir Jayanti: This holiday celebrates the birthday of Jainism founder Lord Mahavira.

April 2026

April 1 (sundown) to April 9 (sundown) – Passover: A Jewish eight-day celebration, Passover marks the liberation of the children of Israel from bondage and their subsequent exodus from Egypt. A Passover seder - a meal following a specific ritual order retelling the story of the exodus, and including prayers, songs, and special food - is one of the most commonly observed Jewish practices. In addition to attending seders, many Jews observe Passover by refraining from eating or benefiting from chametz (leaven), bread or wheat/grain products, for the duration of the holiday. Observance may include dietary restrictions including abstention from leavened bread and many grain products, and attendance at religious services and Seders, especially the evenings of April 1 and April 2.
April 2 : Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is a Christian feast during Holy Week that marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, and commemorates the washing of the feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the disciples.
April 3 – Good Friday: This Christian holiday honors Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Many different Christian denominations observe this holy day. From noon to 3 pm, it is known as the Service of the Great Three Hours’ Agony, where it is believed Jesus died at the cross. Also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.
April 5 – Easter: No other day is traditionally as sacred for the Christian community as Easter. This is the day Christians commemorate the resurrection of Christ. In some traditions, the services begin the night before with the lighting of a new fire and the blessing of a large Easter candle. Water is blessed and many are baptized. In the Catholic Church, there is a sprinkling of all people with the newly blessed Easter water as a sign of renewal of the baptismal commitment. In many Protestant communities, Easter is celebrated at a sunrise service early on Easter morning.
April 12 – Pascha/Easter: Christian, primarily “Eastern” traditions.
April 12 – Feast of the Divine Mercy: This Catholic feast day, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, is based on the private revelations of St. Faustina Kowalska.
April 14 – Vaisakhi: This ancient festival celebrates both the Solar New Year and springtime harvest. Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi as well as Basoa, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13 April and sometimes 14 April. It is seen as a celebration of spring harvest primarily in Northern India.
April 13* - April 14 - Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. a day of commemoration for the approximately 6 million Jews and 5 million others who perished in the Holocaust as a result of the actions carried out by Nazi, Germany and its accessories, and for the Jewish resistance in that period.
April 21 - May 2 - Ridvan: This Bahá’í 12-day festival commemorates Bahaullah’s declaration that he was a manifestation of God. The name means Paradise and is named after a garden found outside of Baghdad, where he was exiled before traveling to Constantinople.

May 2026

May 1 – Beltane: A festival honoring life in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. It represents the peak of Spring and the beginning of Summer.
May 1 – Buddha’s Birthday: Buddha’s Birthday or “‘Buddha Day”’ is a Buddhist and Hindu festival that is celebrated in Nepal, in India, and in most of South and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.
May 1* – Vesak: A Theravada Buddhist festival that observes the birth, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha. Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Buddha Day, and Phật Đản, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as Tibet and Mongolia. It is the most important Buddhist festival.
May 14 – Ascension Day: This day is 40 days following Easter when Christians believe that Jesus ascended to Heaven.
May 22* - May 23 – Shavuot: This holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and a grain harvest. Shavuot, or Shvu’es in some Ashkenazi usage, commonly known in English as the Feast of Weeks, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. In the Bible, Shavuot marked the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel.
May 24 – Declaration of the Bab: A significant day in the Baha’i faith that observes the Bab as the messenger of God.
May 24 – Pentecost: Pentecost, as its name implies, marks the 50th day after Easter. For the Christian church Pentecost is celebrated as the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on the community.
May 24* - May 29 – The Hajj: Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all.
May 26* to May 27 – Eid al-Adha: A festival of sacrifice in the Islamic faith, following the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
May 31 – Trinity Sunday: A Sunday that centers on the doctrine in the Christian church that God is three in one — the Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.

June 2026

June 4 – Feast of Corpus Christi: A Roman Catholic feast day marking the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
June 12 – Feast of the Sacred Heart: A Roman Catholic feast day commemorating Jesus’ heart and his love for all of humanity.
June 14 – Race Unity Day: A holiday in the Baha’i faith that promotes racial harmony and understanding.
June 15* - July 25 – Al-Hijra/Muharram: The Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year, and is the day on which the year count is incremented. The first day of the Islamic year is observed by most Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram.
June 16 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib: A day observed by Sikhs to celebrate the first martyr in their faith.
June 20 – Litha: A Pagan and Wiccan festival that starts on the summer solstice and celebrates midsummer.
June 25 - Ashura, the term comes from the Arabic word for “tenth”, and Ashura falls on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. It is a day of commemoration. For Shia Muslims, the significance of the day surrounds mourning the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the third Shia imam. For Sunni Muslims, the date commemorates God’s parting of the Red Sea and God’s salvation of Moses and the Israelites from enslavement under Pharaoh.

July 2026

July 9 – Martyrdom of the Bab: A day remembering the execution of one of the founders of the Baha’i faith.
Evening of Thu, Jun 25, 2026 – Fri, Jun 26, 2026 – Day of Ashura/Muharram: Ashura marks the 10th day of the 1st month of Muharram on the Islamic lunar calendar. The day commemorates for Shia Muslims the death of Husayn ibn Ali who was the grandson of Muhammad in the Battle of Karbala of October 10, 680 CE. For Sunni Muslims the day relates to when Moses and his followers fled Egypt and were saved by God separating the Red Sea. Begins at sundown.
July 23 – Haile Selassie’s Birthday: The birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, which is celebrated in Rastafarianism.
July 24 – Pioneer Day: A holiday celebrated in the state of Utah that marks the settling of LDS pioneers in the Great Salt Lake area.
Jul 22, 2026 – Thu, Jul 23, 2026 – Tisha B’Av: A holiday in the Jewish faith that commemorates the destruction of the Jewish temple that occurred once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem.

August 2026

August 1 – Lughnasadh: This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season.
, Aug 4, 2026* -Aug 5, 2026 – Arba’een: The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Shia Muslims. It commemorates the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, who was killed on the 10th day of Muharram.
August 15 – Assumption of Mary: This is a holy day in the Catholic faith when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed (body and soul) into Heaven. Holy Day of Obligation for attendance at Mass for Roman Catholics.
August 25 *- August 26– Mawlid: The celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic faith. Observance varies significantly by community.

September 2026

September 4 – Krishna Janmashtami: This annual Hindu festival celebrates Krishna, a supreme God in the faith. This celebration includes the reading of religious texts, reenactments of his life, and dance. It is celebrated primarily in India. Also known as Gokulashtami, Janmashtami, or Krishnashtami.
September 11 – Coptic New Year/Nayrouz: A feast day that commemorates martyrs and confessors in Coptic Orthodox Christianity.
September 26, 2026 – October 10, 2026– Pitru Paksha: A period when members of the Hindu faith pay homage to their ancestors.
September 8th to September 14th/15th, Paryushana Parva/Jain New Year: A day celebrated on the first day after the month of Kartika.
September 11 (sundown) to September 13 (sundown)– Rosh Hashanah: The two-day Jewish New Year that highlights rest and reflection. It is the first of the High Holidays and the 10 Days of Awe. Observance includes refraining from work, attending services, hearing the shofar sound, and participating in holiday meals.
Sep 23, 2026, Mabon: Pagan and Wiccan religions use this day to mark the autumnal equinox. Dates and duration vary.
September 20, 202,6 at sundown; ends at nightfall on September 21, 2026. -Yom Kippur: This is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith, also known as the Day of Atonement and the end of the 10 Days of Awe. It is the second of the High Holidays devoted to prayer, repentance, and fasting. It is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. Observance includes refraining from work, refraining from eating and drinking from sundown to sundown

October 2026

October 6* to October 13 – Sukkot: A day commemorating when Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land.
October 17 - October 22 – Diwali: A 5-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It honors gods, goddesses, harvests, New Years, etc. Diwali is linked to the ancient legend of Lord Rama, who was deprived of his kingdom and sent into exile for 14 years. Diwali celebrates Rama’s eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. For Jains, it is a time to celebrate Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the moment reached a state of enlightenment.
October 20 – Dussehra: The final day of a 10-day Hindu festival that honors Asuj Navratras.
October 31 – Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve): This holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”) and the

November 2026

November 1 – All Saints’ Day: A Christian holy day observed to honor all saints, known and unknown. It falls the day after Halloween and is observed widely in Catholic and some Protestant traditions.
November 2 – All Souls’ Day: A Catholic observance dedicated to praying for the souls of the faithful departed. In Latin American cultures, it coincides with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate culture and heritage.
November 6–10 – Diwali (Main Celebrations): The peak days of the Diwali festival in 2026. Homes and public spaces are decorated with oil lamps (diyas), colored Rangoli paintings, fireworks, and lights. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity.
November 10 – Birth of the Bab: A day honoring the birthday of a co-founder of the Baha’i faith.
November 10* - November 11 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: One of the nine holy days in the Baha’i faith that honors the birthday of one of the co-founders.
November 24 – Guru Nanak Jayanti: A Sikh holiday that celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. Devotees hold prayer sessions (Kirtan) and community meals (Langar).

December 2026

December 4* (sundown) to December 12 – Hanukkah:Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated by lighting one candle of the menorah (hanukkiah) each night, reciting special prayers, eating traditional fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, and playing the dreidel game.
December 8 – Bodhi Day: A Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) attained enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree. Practitioners may meditate, study, and decorate with lights to honor this occasion.
December 21 – Yule / Winter Solstice: Observed by Pagan and Wiccan communities, Yule celebrates the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and the symbolic rebirth of the sun. Traditions include bonfires, candle lighting, and the decorating of an evergreen Yule tree.
December 25 – Christmas: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by billions of Christians worldwide with church services, gift-giving, family gatherings, and seasonal traditions. The holiday has also taken on broad cultural significance in many non-Christian communities.
December 26 – St. Stephen’s Feast Day: The day commemorating St. Stephen’s life and service as he became the first Christian to die for the faith.
December 26–January 1 – Kwanzaa: A seven-day celebration honoring African heritage and culture. Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate African American culture. Each day is associated with one of seven principles (Nguzo Saba): Unity (Umoja), Self-Determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work & Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba), and Faith (Imani). Celebrations include lighting the kinara (candle holder), storytelling, music, and feasting.

January 2027

January 5* – Lailat al Miraj: This Muslim holy day celebrates Muhammad’s pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem. When Muhammad arrived, he ascended into Heaven.
January 6 – Feast of the Epiphany: It always falls 12 days after Christmas to mark when the Magi arrived in Bethlehem. Known as the Theophany in Eastern Christianity, this feast day commemorates the visit of the Magi, Jesus’ baptism, and the Wedding at Cana. Also known as Three Kings’ Day or Little Christmas.
January 7 – Orthodox Christmas: Using the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth.
January 14 – Maghi: Makar Sankranri is the only Hindu festival that is based on the solar calendar instead of the lunar. Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti means transition. Makara Sankranti is the celebration of the sun’s journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere, and it is accepted as a special or auspicious time. This Hindu festival is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India. The following morning Hindus enjoy this festival which involves ritual baths in rivers and ponds.
January 14 – Orthodox New Year: this date marks the start of the Julian calendar.
January 15 – Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on this day by Sikhs across the world. The festival honors and remembers the Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh — an inspirational man who was also a warrior, poet, philosopher, and a spiritual master.
January 17 – World Religion Day: First observed in 1950, this Baháʼí faith day is inspired by their idea of the oneness and evolution of religion. The purpose of this day is to highlight their principles and the role that all world religions play in uniting all humans.
January 15 – Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated on this day by Sikhs across the world. The festival honors and remembers the Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh — an inspirational man who was also a warrior, poet, philosopher, and a spiritual master.
January 22* - January 23 – Tu Bishvat: This Jewish holiday is celebrated as an ancient Earth Day, where trees are planted annually.
January 23* - January 24 – Laylat al-Bara’ah: Laylat al-Bara’ah is considered a time for forgiveness, reflection, and prayer in Islam.

February 2027

February 1 – Imbolc: This Pagan and Wiccan festival serves as the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, celebrating fire, light, and the return of life.
February 2 – Candlemas: Also called Presentation of the Lord, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, or Hypapante in the Greek church. This Christian festival occurs 40 days after Christmas and commemorates Mary’s dedication of Jesus to God in the Temple. Observed primarily in Catholic and Anglican communities.
February 6 – Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year): Celebrated as the most important holiday of the year in the East Asian Lunar Calendar (also known as Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean New Year.) The holiday is observed primarily in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Vietnam, and Korea, and also many Southeast Asian countries with significant populations of the above regions.
February 7* to March 8 – Ramadan: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Dates may vary and official dates may not be determined by religious authorities until the start of Ramadan. Observance may include fasting including abstention from all food and drink from sunrise to sunset, additional prayer times, and attendance at religious services.
February 7 - February 16 – Navaratri: A festival in the Hindu faith that celebrates the Goddess Durga
February 10 – Ash Wednesday: The start of Lent in the Christian Church. Lent is the 40-day period of reflection, prayer and fasting before Easter. The name derives from the use of ashes to signify penitence. Refraining from assigned work is not expected, but some may request to be absent from class to attend a service. Some may fast.
February 15 – Parinirvana: In Mahãyãna Buddhism, this date is also known as Nirvana Day. It commemorates Buddha’s death and attainment of final nirvana.
February 10 - March 27: The Christian observance of Lent, the 40-day period of reflection, prayer, and fasting before Easter. Observance may include dietary restrictions, additional prayer times, and attendance at services.
February 26 - March 1 - Intercalary / Ayyam-i-ha: This celebration and period of fasting celebrates giving back to the community and giving gifts to loved ones, which honors the Divine Essence of God. This celebration marks the start of the fasting month, where Bahá’ís 15 years and older abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.

March 2027

Mar. 1 to March 20 - Nineteen Day Fast: Bahai’s annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days immediately before the Baha’i New Year.
March 6* - March 7 - Shivaratri: An annual Hindu festival, Maha Shivaratri gives reverence to the Lord Shiva god. The festival is also known as the Great Night of Shiva . On the day of the festival, devotees of Lord Shiva fast and spend the day focused on Lord Shiva, meditating and chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.” The Shiva-lingam (a distinguishing representation of Lord Shiva) is decorated with flowers and garlands. It is customary to spend the entire night awake singing the praises of Lord Shiva.
March 6* – Laylat al-Qadr: Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year for Muslims as it’s believed it’s the night that the Quran was sent down from Heaven. The last ten nights of Ramadan are dedicated to praying and scripture reading as they believe this night of decree took place in one of those ten nights.
March 9* and March 10 – Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitr is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. It can be translated as “the feast of fast-breaking” as it commemorates the end of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims who are able to do so will fast from before dawn until after sunset each day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by holding a community-wide prayer service in an open field or large hall which often attracts a large number of attendees, even those who do not typically attend communal prayer services throughout the year. The names for the holiday differ from culture to culture and country to country, though the Arabic “Eid al-Fitr” has become the standard in North America. Dates may vary, but expected to be the evening of Thursday. March 9 through the evening of March 10th. Observance may include attendance at religious services, especially early to mid-morning.
March 19 – St. Joseph’s Feast Day: This Christian day celebrates Jesus’ legal father and Mary’s spouse. Observed by Catholics (though not a holy day of obligation), some in the Anglican Communion, and some Lutherans.
March 20 – Ostara: This Wiccan holiday is one of their eight Sabbats. It celebrates the spring equinox.
March 20 – Nowruz: This day marks the Persian and Baha’i New Year, which also occurs on the vernal equinox.
March 21 - Holika Dahan: a Hindu festival in which a bonfire is lit to celebrate the burning of Holika, a ritual to symbolize the symbolic victory of good over evil.
March 21 - March 27 – Holy Week: Christian, primarily “Western” liturgical, including Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Historically this week and Easter is the most sacred time of year for Christians. Observances may include attendance at religious services throughout the week. Good Friday and Holy Saturday observances may include dietary restrictions or fasting and abstention from celebratory activities, observance varies
March 22* and March 23 – Purim: Also known as the “Feast of Lots,” this Jewish festival celebrates the survival of Jews who were marked for death by Persian rulers. Jews celebrate Purim by reading from the Book of Esther, giving tzedakah or charity, exchanging gifts, and attending festive meals.
March 22 – Holi: Holi is a major Hindu festival and celebrates the onset of spring, along with good harvests and the fertility of the land. This festival is known best for the way people throw brightly colored powder and water over each other to celebrate the advent of spring. Then they bathe and cleanse themselves after which they distribute sweets amongst friends and relatives. Vibrant processions accompanied by folk songs and dances are also a characteristic of Holi celebrations.
March 23 to March 25 – Hola Mohalla: This is a 3-day long festival in which Sikhs around the world enjoy communal meals, religious song and prayer, and martial arts performances. Hola Mohalla is also called Hola.
March 25 : Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is a Christian feast during Holy Week that marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, and commemorates the washing of the feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the disciples.
March 26 – Good Friday: This Christian holiday honors Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Many different Christian denominations observe this holy day. From noon to 3 pm, it is known as the Service of the Great Three Hours’ Agony, where it is believed Jesus died at the cross. Also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.
March 28 – Easter: No other day is traditionally as sacred for the Christian community as Easter. This is the day Christians commemorate the resurrection of Christ. In some traditions, the services begin the night before with the lighting of a new fire and the blessing of a large Easter candle. Water is blessed and many are baptized. In the Catholic Church, there is a sprinkling of all people with the newly blessed Easter water as a sign of renewal of the baptismal commitment. In many Protestant communities, Easter is celebrated at a sunrise service early on Easter morning.

April 2027

April 4 – Feast of the Divine Mercy: This Catholic feast day, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, is based on the private revelations of St. Faustina Kowalska.
April 5 – Feast of the Annunciation: This is a Christian celebration of Angel Gabriel’s announcement that Mary would give birth to Jesus. Many Christians observe this event nine full months before Christmas, the birthday of Jesus. The feast of the Annunciation is usually moved in the Catholic Church, Anglican and Lutheran liturgical calendars when this date would fall during Holy Week or Easter Week or on a Sunday. The Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches do not move the feast, having special combined liturgies for those years when the Annunciation coincides with another feast.
April 14 – Vaisakhi: This ancient festival celebrates both the Solar New Year and springtime harvest. Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi as well as Basoa, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13 April and sometimes 14 April. It is seen as a celebration of spring harvest primarily in Northern India.
April 19 – Mahavir Jayanti: This holiday celebrates the birthday of Jainism founder Lord Mahavira.
April 21* - April 29 – Passover: A Jewish eight-day celebration, Passover marks the liberation of the children of Israel from bondage and their subsequent exodus from Egypt. A Passover seder - a meal following a specific ritual order retelling the story of the exodus, and including prayers, songs, and special food - is one of the most commonly observed Jewish practices. In addition to attending seders, many Jews observe Passover by refraining from eating or benefiting from chametz (leaven), bread or wheat/grain products, for the duration of the holiday. Observance may include dietary restrictions including abstention from leavened bread and many grain products, and attendance at religious services and Seders
April 21 - May 2 - Ridvan: This Bahá’í 12-day festival commemorates Bahaullah’s declaration that he was a manifestation of God. The name means Paradise and is named after a garden found outside of Baghdad, where he was exiled before traveling to Constantinople.

May 2027

May 1 – Beltane: A festival honoring life in the Pagan and Wiccan religions. It represents the peak of Spring and the beginning of Summer.
May 2 – Pascha/Easter: Christian, primarily “Eastern” traditions.
May 3* - May 4 - Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. a day of commemoration for the approximately 6 million Jews and 5 million others who perished in the Holocaust as a result of the actions carried out by Nazi, Germany and its accessories, and for the Jewish resistance in that period.
May 6 – Ascension Day: This day is 40 days following Easter when Christians believe that Jesus ascended to Heaven.
May 13 – Buddha’s Birthday: Buddha’s Birthday or “‘Buddha Day”’ is a Buddhist and Hindu festival that is celebrated in Nepal, in India, and in most of South and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.
May 14* - May 19 – The Hajj: Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all.
May 16 – Pentecost: Pentecost, as its name implies, marks the 50th day after Easter. For the Christian church Pentecost is celebrated as the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on the community.
May 16* to May 17 – Eid al-Adha: A festival of sacrifice in the Islamic faith, following the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
May 20* – Vesak: A Theravada Buddhist festival that observes the birth, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha. Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, Buddha Day, and Phật Đản, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as Tibet and Mongolia. It is the most important Buddhist festival.
May 23 – Trinity Sunday: A Sunday that centers on the doctrine in the Christian church that God is three in one — the Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.
May 24 – Declaration of the Bab: A significant day in the Baha’i faith that observes the Bab as the messenger of God.
May 27 – Feast of Corpus Christi: A Roman Catholic feast day marking the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

June 2027

June 4 – Feast of the Sacred Heart: A Roman Catholic feast day commemorating Jesus’ heart and his love for all of humanity.
June 6* – Al-Hijra/Muharram: The Islamic New Year, also called the Hijri New Year, is the day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year, and is the day on which the year count is incremented. The first day of the Islamic year is observed by most Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram.
June 10* - 12 – Shavuot: This holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and a grain harvest. Shavuot, or Shvu’es in some Ashkenazi usage, commonly known in English as the Feast of Weeks, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. In the Bible, Shavuot marked the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel.
June 13 – Race Unity Day: A holiday in the Baha’i faith that promotes racial harmony and understanding.
June 14* - Ashura, the term comes from the Arabic word for “tenth”, and Ashura falls on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. It is a day of commemoration. For Shia Muslims, the significance of the day surrounds mourning the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the third Shia imam. For Sunni Muslims, the date commemorates God’s parting of the Red Sea and God’s salvation of Moses and the Israelites from enslavement under Pharaoh.
June 16 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib: A day observed by Sikhs to celebrate the first martyr in their faith.
June 21 – Litha: A Pagan and Wiccan festival that starts on the summer solstice and celebrates midsummer.

July 2027

July 9 – Martyrdom of the Bab: A day remembering the execution of one of the founders of the Baha’i faith.
July 23 – Haile Selassie’s Birthday: The birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, which is celebrated in Rastafarianism.
July 24 – Pioneer Day: A holiday celebrated in the state of Utah that marks the settling of LDS pioneers in the Great Salt Lake area.
July 24* - July 25 – Arba’een: The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Shia Muslims. It commemorates the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, who was killed on the 10th day of Muharram.

August 2027

August 1 – Lughnasadh: This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season.
August 11 – August 12 – Tisha B’Av: A holiday in the Jewish faith that commemorates the destruction of the Jewish temple that occurred once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem.
August 14 *- August 15 – Mawlid: The celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic faith. Observance varies significantly by community.
August 15 – Assumption of Mary: This is a holy day in the Catholic faith when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed (body and soul) into Heaven. Holy Day of Obligation for attendance at Mass for Roman Catholics.
August 25 – Krishna Janmashtami: This annual Hindu festival celebrates Krishna, a supreme God in the faith. This celebration includes the reading of religious texts, reenactments of his life, and dance. It is celebrated primarily in India. Also known as Gokulashtami, Janmashtami, or Krishnashtami.

September 2027

September 11 – Coptic New Year/Nayrouz: A feast day that commemorates martyrs and confessors in Coptic Orthodox Christianity.
September 15 – September 29 – Pitru Paksha: A period when members of the Hindu faith pay homage to their ancestors.
August 27 to September 4 - Paryushana Parva/Jain New Year: A day celebrated on the first day after the month of Kartika.
Sep 23, 2026, Mabon: Pagan and Wiccan religions use this day to mark the autumnal equinox. Dates and duration vary.

October 2027

October 1* - October 3 – Rosh Hashanah: The two-day Jewish New Year that highlights rest and reflection. It is the first of the High Holidays and the 10 Days of Awe. Observance includes refraining from work, attending services, hearing the shofar sound, and participating in holiday meals.
October 9 – Dussehra: The final day of a 10-day Hindu festival that honors Asuj Navratras.
October 10* - October 11 -Yom Kippur: This is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith, also known as the Day of Atonement and the end of the 10 Days of Awe. It is the second of the High Holidays devoted to prayer, repentance, and fasting. It is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. Observance includes refraining from work, refraining from eating and drinking from sundown to sundown
October 15* - October 22 – Sukkot: A day commemorating when Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land.
October 26 – October 31 – Diwali (Main Celebrations): The peak days of the Diwali festival in 2026. Homes and public spaces are decorated with oil lamps (diyas), colored Rangoli paintings, fireworks, and lights. Prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity.
October 29 - November 2 – Diwali: A 5-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It honors gods, goddesses, harvests, New Years, etc. Diwali is linked to the ancient legend of Lord Rama, who was deprived of his kingdom and sent into exile for 14 years. Diwali celebrates Rama’s eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. For Jains, it is a time to celebrate Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the moment reached a state of enlightenment.
October 30 – Birth of the Bab: A day honoring the birthday of a co-founder of the Baha’i faith.
October 31 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: One of the nine holy days in the Baha’i faith that honors the birthday of one of the co-founders.
October 31 – Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve): This holiday has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”) and the

November 2027

November 1 – All Saints’ Day: A Christian holy day observed to honor all saints, known and unknown. It falls the day after Halloween and is observed widely in Catholic and some Protestant traditions.
November 2 – All Souls’ Day: A Catholic observance dedicated to praying for the souls of the faithful departed. In Latin American cultures, it coincides with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate culture and heritage.
November 14 – Guru Nanak Jayanti: A Sikh holiday that celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. Devotees hold prayer sessions (Kirtan) and community meals (Langar).

December 2027

- December 8 – Bodhi Day: A Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) attained enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree. Practitioners may meditate, study, and decorate with lights to honor this occasion.
- December 21 – Yule / Winter Solstice: Observed by Pagan and Wiccan communities, Yule celebrates the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and the symbolic rebirth of the sun. Traditions include bonfires, candle lighting, and the decorating of an evergreen Yule tree.
- December 24* - January 1 – Hanukkah:Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated by lighting one candle of the menorah (hanukkiah) each night, reciting special prayers, eating traditional fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, and playing the dreidel game.
- December 25 – Christmas: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by billions of Christians worldwide with church services, gift-giving, family gatherings, and seasonal traditions. The holiday has also taken on broad cultural significance in many non-Christian communities.
- December 26 – St. Stephen’s Feast Day: The day commemorating St. Stephen’s life and service as he became the first Christian to die for the faith.
- December 26–January 1 – Kwanzaa: A seven-day celebration honoring African heritage and culture. Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate African American culture. Each day is associated with one of seven principles (Nguzo Saba): Unity (Umoja), Self-Determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work & Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba), and Faith (Imani). Celebrations include lighting the kinara (candle holder), storytelling, music, and feasting.

About this Calendar:

Notes about specific observances are offered based on relevance to event planning (such as dietary or fasting considerations.) These notes are not meant to be an exhaustive description of a holiday or observance. This calendar does not contain every holiday or observance that may be important to members of our community. Suggestions and corrections are welcomed. If you have questions, corrections, or additions regarding this calendar, please contact our office: spirituallife@lclark.edu.

Dates change every year and may vary by community and tradition.

Calendar systems vary and many religious observances occur on different dates of the (Georgian) calendar each year. For example, members of the same overall religious tradition may observe a holiday based on different days based on local traditions or different interpretations of religious guidelines. Observances that might overlap with final exams one year might not overlap the next.

Observance varies within communities and traditions.

Not every member of a religious community will observe every holiday listed below for that community and there may be significant diversity in observance and even strong disagreement about an observance within and between communities, even when such variance is not specified below.

Daily, weekly, and monthly observances:

This page does not include dates and times of daily, weekly, monthly, and other regular observances. We recommend asking for feedback from potential participants and announcing dates and times as early as possible to accommodate these practices. We are happy to discuss potential accommodations including dietary considerations, prayer space, schedules for all day events, alternative service times, and access to off-campus gatherings.

Terminology:

Many names and terms used in this calendar have multiple spellings and transliterations in English usage. Effort has been made to use widely recognized spellings. Some terminology is used for efficiency and clarity (such as reference to “Eastern” and “Western” Christianity) even as we acknowledge that they do not perfectly reflect current understandings of religious history and demographics. We welcome feedback and suggestions for improving this resource.

All holidays marked with * begin the prior evening.