2024 Calendar of Religious Holy Days & Cultural Observances
This calendar is not an exhaustive list either of religious or cultural traditions or of the holidays observed in those traditions. If we have not included a religious tradition or major religious holiday of significance to you, please notify the Myatt Center for Inclusion and Diversity at CDI@newhaven.edu so that it might be included in future editions of this calendar.
The university has made extensive efforts to verify the accuracy of the information included here, some inaccuracies may remain. Please email CDI@newhaven.edu if you notice that the information provided is inaccurate.
There are recognized religious days and other celebrations observed by persons or groups within our community that are based on faith-based beliefs, laws/doctrines, tenets, canons or theology that may require restriction or limitations to physical or mental activity. This definition may include academic endeavors (e.g. examinations, classroom activities and research, or out-of-classroom learning experiences).
Please be aware that the dates of some holidays, particularly those that are calculated according to a lunar calendar and rely on sightings of the New Moon (e.g., Islamic holidays), vary according to region; other observances and dates (e.g., Buddhist holidays) vary greatly across cultures and strands of a tradition.
When planning tests, field trips, or other major events for your courses, use the calendar to prepare for impacts to your class on a day that students may take off due to an observance.
The University Student Handbook has a policy on absences related to these various observances. Faculty members have the discretion on how to assist students best. Any flexibility offered will depend on what you deem appropriate based on your course expectations. If the student’s current course progress includes excessive absences, faculty members are encouraged to document student excessive absences through Navigate.
When recognizing any observance, academic requirement may interfere with the date of the observance. It is important that students communicate with their instructors well in advance to know what the expectations will be in they will not be in attendance.
Please see the Religious Observance Policy that can be found in the Student Handbook.
Date | Holiday | Religion |
---|---|---|
January | ||
1 |
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of GodAs a holy day of obligation, Catholics celebrate Mary's motherhood of Jesus. |
Roman Catholic |
1 |
Gantan-saiThe annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion |
Shinto |
2 |
Feast of St. BasilCommemorates St. Basil, a significant leader in the early Christian church, known for his teachings and philanthropy, and the patron saint of hospitality and New Year's traditions. |
Orthodox Christian |
3 |
Feast of the Holy Name of JesusA Roman Catholic feast day that honors the name of Jesus and is celebrated on January 3rd each year. |
Orthodox Christian |
6 |
EpiphanyA Catholic celebration of the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God and Saviour of the world. It also celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi), together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. |
Christian |
7 |
Christmas (Eastern Orthodox)Christian faiths based on the Julian calendar, such as Eastern Orthodox, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Orthodox Christian |
17 |
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh SahibThe tenth and last living prophet of the Sikhs, he passed the guruship onto the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, and the Sikh community, Guru Panth. |
Sikh |
18 |
Bodhi DayBuddhist celebration of the Enlightenment of Buddha, ca. 596 B.C.E. |
Buddhist |
20 |
TimkatA three-day festival that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. |
Ethiopian Orthodox Christian |
24-25 |
Tu Bi’ShevatA Jewish holiday occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is also called Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot, literally "New Year of the Trees". The day is now celebrated as an ecological awareness day, and trees are planted in celebration. |
Jewish |
25 |
Mahayana New YearA traditional Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha |
Buddhist |
February | ||
1 |
ImbolcA Wiccan and pagan holiday sometimes referred to as Candlemas or Oimelc, symbolizing the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. |
Wiccan / Pagan |
3 |
SetsubunSetsubun is a traditional Japanese festival meaning "seasonal division", taking place the day before the start of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. |
Shinto |
10 |
New YearChina's Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. |
Confucian / Daoist / Buddhist |
14 |
Vasant PanchamiVasant Panchami is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the spring season. |
Hindu |
14 |
Ash WednesdayThe first day of Lent, occurring forty-six days before Easter. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of repentance. Lent is a Christian festival of preparation for Easter observed through reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ. |
Christian |
14 |
LentA Christian festival of preparation for Easter observed through reflection on the life and death of Jesus Christ. |
Christian |
24 |
MaghiMaghi is a Sikh festival that honors the 40 Sikh soldiers who died in 1705 while fighting the Mughal Empire army in the Battle of Muktsar. |
Sikh |
24 |
Macha Bucha DayA major Buddhist festival that takes place on the full moon of the third lunar month, marking Lord Buddha's teachings to his disciples. |
Buddhist |
March | ||
8 |
Maha ShivaratriHindu celebration of the birth of Lord Shiva. |
Hindu |
10 |
Ramadan BeginsA holy Islamic festival honoring the first revelations to the Prophet Mohammed through 30 days of reflection and fasting from sun-up to sun-down. Ends April 9. |
Muslim |
15 |
Shri Ramakrishna JayantiA celebration of the anniversary of the birth (Jayanthi), in 1836, of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and yogi who was known for his message of the harmony of religions. |
Hindu |
17 |
St. Patrick’s DayCommemorates St. Patrick, the patron sait of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. |
Christian |
19 |
OstaraA Pagan holiday that celebrates the spring equinox and is one of the eight Wiccan Sabbats. |
Pagan / Wiccan |
19-20 |
Naw-RúzBahá'í New Year |
Bahá'í |
20 |
NowruzPersian New Year |
Persian |
23-24 |
PurimPurim is a festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people living throughout the ancient Persian Empire from persecution by Haman the Agagite. |
Jewish |
24-25 |
HoliHoli is a sacred Hindu festival that celebrates the start of spring, good harvests, and the fertility of the land. |
Hindu |
24 |
Palm SundayBegins Christian Holy Week, the last week of Lent and the final week before Easter. It refers to the palms that people spread on the road as Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate the feast day of Passover. |
Christian |
25 |
Feast of the AnnunciationA Catholic celebration of the announcement made by the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus, Son of God. |
Christian/Catholic |
28 |
Holy Thursday / Lent EndsCelebrated before Good Friday, Christians commemorate the institution of the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of priesthood. |
Christian |
29 |
Good FridayCelebrated on the Friday before Easter, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus and related events. |
Christian |
31 |
EasterThe central Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
Christian |
April | ||
9 | Ramadan Ends | Muslim |
9-10 |
Eid al-FitrIslamic festival of the breaking of the fast, Ramadan. One of two major festivals; the other being id al-Adha. |
Muslim |
13 |
VaisakhiSikh New Year and spring harvest festival. |
Sikh |
17 |
Rama NavamiA festival celebrating the birth of the most supreme God in Hinduism, Lord Rama. |
Hindu |
21 |
Ridván beginsCommemorates the declaration of Baháúllah to his followers in 1863. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are major Baha'i holy days. |
Baháʼí |
22-30 |
PassoverEight-day celebration marking the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; Seder ceremonies emphasize the concept of freedom. The first two days and the last two days are observed as holy days. |
Jewish |
24 |
Theravadin New YearObserved three days after the first full moon appears in April every year. |
Buddhist |
May | ||
1 |
BeltaneBeltane, also known as May Day, is a celebration of the sexual union of the Goddess and the God, which is an allegory of Mother Earth being impregnated by the seed of the Green Man. |
Pagan / Wiccan |
2 | Ridiván ends | Baháʼí |
3 |
Good FridayChristian faiths based on the Julian calendar such as Eastern Orthodox remember the crucifixion of Jesus and related events. |
Eastern Orthodox |
5 |
EasterThe central Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
Eastern Orthodox |
5-6 |
Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance)Yom Hashoah is observed as Israel's day of commemoration for the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and for the Jewish resistance in that period. |
Jewish |
9 |
Feast of the AscensionThe fortieth day after Easter Sunday. As a holy day of obligation, Catholics commemorate the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven and celebrate on the following Sunday. |
Christian/Cathlolic |
19 |
PentecostHeld on the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirits upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. This day also marks the beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world. |
Christian/Cathlolic |
22 |
Declaration of the BabThis marks the inception of the Baha'i Faith in 1844. The Bab declared that he was a messenger of God and was sent to prepare the way for the one of all religions who would come to establish universal peace. |
Baháʼí |
23 |
Vesak DayThe most important of the Buddhist festivals celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. |
Buddhist |
26 |
Trinity SundayCelebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, Christians commemorate the Christian doctrine of the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. |
Christian/Catholic |
29 |
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláhThis commemorates the day when the founder and prophet of the Baha'i Faith died in 1892. |
Baháʼí |
30 |
Corpus Christi SundayPrimarily celebrated by the Catholic Church, this day celebrates the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. |
Christian/Catholic |
June | ||
7 |
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of JesusCelebrated on the Friday following Corpus Christi Sunday, Christians honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus. |
Christian/Catholic |
11-13 |
ShavoutJewish celebration of the spring harvest season and the gift of the Torah. |
Jewish |
16 |
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev SahibThe 5th Guru and first martyr of the Sikhs. He compiled the the religious text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib. |
Sikh |
16-17 |
Eid al-AdhaAn Islamic festival of sacrifice that commemorates the faith of Abraham; also a memorial to the dead. One of two major festivals; the other being id al-Fitr. |
Muslim |
20 |
LithaAlso known as Midsummer, is a pagan and Wiccan holiday that celebrates the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. |
Pagan / Wiccan |
24 |
Nativity of St. John the BaptistA Christian solemnity that honors the birth and death of St. John the Baptist and his example as a follower of Christ. |
Christian/Catholic |
29 |
Feast of Saints Peter and PaulA Catholic liturgical feast in honor of the martydom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome. These two apostles hold significance as the leading saints of the early Church. |
Christian/Catholic |
July | ||
7 |
New Year/HijriThe Hijri year or era is the era used in the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins its count from the Islamic New Year in which Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib. |
Islam |
9 |
Martyrdom of the BabThis commemorates the day when one of the main figures in founding the Baha'i Faith was executed by a firing squad in Iran in 1850. |
Baháʼí |
16-17 |
AshuraAshura is an Islamic holiday that occurs on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. For Muslims, Ashura marks the day in which the Islamic prophet Musa was saved by Allah when He parted the Sea while leading the children of Israel to the land of Israel. |
Islam |
31 |
Feast of St. Ignatius LoyolaA Catholic celebration of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus and patron saint of soldiers. |
Christian/Catholic |
August | ||
1 |
LammasA festival in the liturgical calendar to mark the blessing of the First Fruits of harvest, with a loaf of bread being brought to church for this purpose. |
Christian |
1 |
Fast in Honor of Holy Mother of JesusFrom August 1 to August 14 (inclusive) Orthodox and Eastern Catholics fast from red meat, poultry, meat products, dairy products (eggs and milk products), fish, oil, and wine. |
Orthodox Christian |
6 |
Transfiguration of the LordThe Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated by various Christian communities in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus. |
Orthodox Christian |
12-13 |
Tisha B'AvAn annual fast day in Judaism, on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. |
Jewish |
15 |
Feast of the Assumption of MaryA Catholic celebration of Mary's assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life. |
Christian/Catholic |
15 |
Dormition of TheotokosA Greek feast that commemorates the death and resurrection of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, and her ascension into heaven. |
Orthodox Christian |
26 |
Krishna JanmashtamiHindu celebration of the birth of Krishna. |
Hindu |
29 |
Beheading of St. John the BaptistThe universal Church marks the beheading of John the Baptist on this day. |
Christian |
31 |
ParyushanHoliest day for Jains. An eight day festival signifying human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement. |
Jain |
September | ||
1 |
Ecclesiastical Year BeginsThe start of the Easter Orthodox liturgical year begins on September 1. |
Orthodox Christian |
1 |
Installation of Scriptures as Guru GranthSeptember 1 is the anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the main scripture of Sikhism, which is celebrated as the Prakash Utsav. |
Hindu |
8 |
Nativity of the Virgin Mary & Feast of the NativityAlso known as Marymas, this feast day commemorates the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus. |
Christian |
15-16 |
Mawlid-al-NabiThe observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated with carnivals, large street processions, and the decorating of homes and mosques. |
Islam |
22 |
MabonMabon celebrates the autumnal equinox and is one of the eight Wiccan sabbats celebrated each year. |
Pagan/Wiccan |
27 |
Elevation of the CrossThis feast commemorates two events: the finding of Christ's Cross by Empress Helen in 326 AD and the crucifixion of Christ. It is a day of fasting and repentance. |
Christian |
27 |
MeskelMeskel commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Helena in the fourth century. The holiday is considered one of the holiest celebrations in the Christian tradition in Ethiopia. |
Ethiopian Christian |
October | ||
2-4 |
Rosh HashanahRosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it marks the beginning of the Jewish year. |
Jewish |
4 |
Feast of St. Francis of AssisiCommemoration of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. |
Roman Catholic |
11-12 |
Yom KippurYom Kippur translates to "Day of Atonement," and is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and Samaritanism. |
Jewish |
12 |
DasaraA major annual festival that celebrates good over evil. |
Hindu |
16-23 |
SukkotSukkot is a week-long Jewish holiday that celebrates the fall harvest. It is one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism, which also commemorates the 40 years that Jews spent in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. |
Jewish |
23-25 |
Shemini AtzeretEighth and last day of the Jewish festival Sukkot. |
Jewish |
24-25 |
Simchat TorahJoyous festival in which the reading cycle of the Torah is completed and its first book begun again. |
Jewish |
31 |
SamhainGaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker half" of the year. |
Pagan/Wiccan/Celtic |
November | ||
1 |
All Saints DayAs a holy day of obligation, Roman Catholics honor all of the saints, both known and unknown. |
Christian/Catholic |
1 |
DiwaliA five day festival of lights representing the start of the Hindu New Year. Diwali celebrates the victory of the Good over the Evil and Light over Darkness. |
Hindu/Jain |
2 |
Birth of BabCommemorates the birth of the co-founder of the Bahá'í Faith. |
Baha’i |
2 |
All Souls DayA day Roman Catholics pay respect and remember the souls of friends and loved ones who have died and gone to heaven. |
Catholic |
3 |
Birth of BaháúllahCommemorates the birth of the co-founder of the Bahá'í Faith. |
Baha’i |
15 |
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev SahibCommemorates the birth of the founder of the Sikh faith. |
Sikh |
16 |
Remembering the Martyrs of the UCAA day of remembrance of the six Jesuit priests and two women who were murdered by the Salvadoran military at the University of Central America. |
Secular |
24 |
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur SahibThe 9th Guru of the Sikhs, who was killed by Mughal rulers in 1675 for defending Hindus facing forcible conversion to Islam. |
Sikh |
24 |
Feast of Christ the KingA Catholic solemnity that honors Jesus Christ as lord of all creation. |
Christian/Catholic |
26-27 |
Ascension of ’Abdu’l-BaháAlso known as the Day of the Covenant, this day commemorates the appointment of Baha'u'llah's eldest son as the new Head of the Faith. |
Baháʼí |
27 |
Jain New YearJains celebrate New Year after Diwali, which takes place at the end of Ashwina. |
Jain |
28 |
ThanksgivingA federal holiday commemorating a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. |
Federal |
December | ||
1 |
Advent SeasonA period of spiritual preparation when Christians make themselves ready for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. |
Christian |
3 |
Feast of St. Francis XavierA Catholic celebration of St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus and a missionary |
Christian/Catholic |
8 |
Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionAs a holy day of obligation, Catholics celebrate that Mary was conceived without original sin so that she could one day conceive Jesus. |
Christian/Catholic |
12 |
Feast of Our Lady of GuadalupeA Catholic celebration of a man, Juan Diego, who had a vision of Mary who told him to build a church on the spot where they were standing. This vision took place on a hill near Mexico City in 1531. |
Christian/Catholic |
16 |
Posadas NavidenasAlso known as The Christmas Inn; a religious festival that takes place from December 16–24 in Mexico and parts of Latin America. |
Christian/Hispanic |
21 |
YuleYule is a Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice, dating back before Christianity. |
Pagan |
25 |
ChristmasChristian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. |
Christian |
25 |
Hanukkah BeginsAn eight day Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians. |
Jewish |
26 |
KwanzaaA week-long, secular celebration honoring African-American heritage, culture, and family culminating in a feast and gift giving. |
Ethnic |
26 |
Zartosht No-DisoA commemoration of the death anniversary of the prophet Zoroaster. |
Zoroastrian |
- Hindu, Jain, and Sikh holy days are calculated on a lunar calendar and are observed at different times in different regions.
- All Jewish and Bahá'í holy days begin at sunset the previous day.
- Observances/practices vary from culture to culture within and across denominations.
- Individuals of some faith will be fasting each day from sunrise until sunset. Some faiths are required to fast for a month.
- As we strive to foster a sense of belonging for all Chargers in our community, acknowledging those who are practicing and their courage to practice their fasting schedule can go a long way.
- Be sensitive to eating situations during fasting.
- Review the Multifaith Observances Policy in the Student Handbook.
- If you see something that may affect those celebrating, please report it to the Dean of Students Office or Human Resources.
- Dining services are open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Students can swipe twice during dinner meal periods for their "break of fast" meal to keep in their rooms.
- Dining locations will be observing Passover on campus. Certain meals will be available in the dining halls during this time. The University of New Haven is not Kosher Certified.
As members of the University community continue to practice diverse traditions and rituals, please know you are not alone. The University has resources to support you in your celebration.
Dean of Students: Deanofstudents@newhaven.edu
Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion: CDI@newhaven.edu
Faculty and Staff
Health & Wellness Resources (myCharger)
officeofhumanresources@newhaven.edu
Meditation and Spirituality Center
15 Ruden Street (lower level), Opens 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily
Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry
University of New Haven Campus Pantry
Career Closet and Campus Pantry
ClosetPantry@newhaven.edu
If you are seeking a faith community to fit your particular needs and background outside of the campus community, please visit the Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry page and download the Spiritual Resource Guide. Please note that the list of resources listed is not endorsed by the University of New Haven.