Mount Holyoke College has provided this list In support of our religiously diverse student population. Note that this list is not exhaustive. The Upcoming Observances tab shows the next 100 observances. The other tabs show observances for the three months as they are labeled.
We are indebted to the Multifaith Action Society and Kerry Maloney, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at Harvard Divinity School for their collective efforts to provide an invaluable resource to us.
Sat, Feb 1, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Sun, Feb 2, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Sun, Feb 2, 2025
A North Indian celebration, Vasanta Panchami is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth.
Mon, Feb 3, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Tue, Feb 4, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Wed, Feb 5, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Thu, Feb 6, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Fri, Feb 7, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Sat, Feb 8, 2025
Marks the beginning of Spring. Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc. Imbolc celebrates the increasing strength of the God, given as the first and...
Thu, Feb 13, 2025
New Year of the Trees. One of four New Year's days, Tu B'Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of...
Sat, Feb 15, 2025
Also known as Nirvana Day. Mahayana festival commemorating the death of the Buddha at the age of 80 and his attainment of parinirvana.
Tue, Feb 25, 2025
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Wed, Feb 26, 2025
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Wed, Feb 26, 2025
Celebration of the wedding night of Lord Shiva and his Consort Goddess Parvati.
Thu, Feb 27, 2025
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Fri, Feb 28, 2025
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Sat, Mar 1, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Sun, Mar 2, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Mon, Mar 3, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Tue, Mar 4, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Wed, Mar 5, 2025
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
Wed, Mar 5, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Fri, Mar 7, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Sat, Mar 8, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Tue, Mar 11, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Wed, Mar 12, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Commemorates the story of Esther. (Feast of Lots) Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time....
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
A festival initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, originally as a day of mock battles and poetry contests.
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
Holiday associated with exuberant flinging of colored powders, celebrates the advent of spring and the enduring message that good will always be victorious over evil; light will always overcome...
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
Commemorates the story of Esther. (Feast of Lots) Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time....
Sat, Mar 15, 2025
A festival initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, originally as a day of mock battles and poetry contests.
Sat, Mar 15, 2025
Holiday associated with exuberant flinging of colored powders, celebrates the advent of spring and the enduring message that good will always be victorious over evil; light will always overcome...
Sat, Mar 15, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Sat, Mar 15, 2025
Commemorates the story of Esther. (Feast of Lots) Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time....
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
A festival initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, originally as a day of mock battles and poetry contests.
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Commemorates the story of Esther. (Feast of Lots) Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time....
Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Tue, Mar 18, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Wed, Mar 19, 2025
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Thu, Mar 20, 2025
Celebrates Spring, also known as the vernal equinox. Celebrates the return of the Goddess-as-Maiden, the courting of the Goddess by the God, and the reawakening of the seeds within the earth.
Thu, Mar 27, 2025
Also known as the, Night of Power, Laylat al-Qadr commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an (Islamic scriptures) to Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE. (Special worship, including prayers, fasting...
Sat, Mar 29, 2025
Marks the end of Ramadan, holy month of fasting. Literally the Festival of Breaking the Fast, Eid Al Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or...
Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Marks the end of Ramadan, holy month of fasting. Literally the Festival of Breaking the Fast, Eid Al Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or...
Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Celebration of birth of Prince Rama, avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
Celebration of birthday of Hanuman, foremost devotee of Sri Rama and Sita.
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Sun, Apr 13, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Mon, Apr 14, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Mon, Apr 14, 2025
Marks the establishment of the Khalsa (religious community of Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh. \Vaisakhi is important for Sikhs because on this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru,...
Tue, Apr 15, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Wed, Apr 16, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Thu, Apr 17, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Fri, Apr 18, 2025
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
Fri, Apr 18, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Sat, Apr 19, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Sun, Apr 20, 2025
(Orthodox Easter) Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Sun, Apr 20, 2025
Commemorates liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses. (Work is prohibited on first and last two days)
Thu, May 1, 2025
Honors life and fertility. Also called Beltain, May Eve [April 30] and May Day, Beltane celebrates the conjoining of the infinite potential of the Goddess with the life-sparking energy of the God...
Tue, May 27, 2025
Marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Bahá'í faith.
Wed, May 28, 2025
Marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Bahá'í faith.
Sun, Jun 8, 2025
Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension.
Fri, Jun 20, 2025
Celebrates the Summer solstice. Also called Midsummer's Eve, Litha celebrates the consummation of the sacred marriage in which the energy of the God is poured out in the service of life. His...
Sun, Jul 6, 2025
For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala. ‘Āshūrā’ in Arabic means "the 10th", and is commemorated on the 10th day of the Islamic...
Mon, Jul 7, 2025
For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala. ‘Āshūrā’ in Arabic means "the 10th", and is commemorated on the 10th day of the Islamic...
Wed, Jul 9, 2025
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Thu, Oct 23, 2025
The anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.
Sat, Oct 25, 2025
The birth anniversary of The Báb (Herald of the new age for Bahá'ís). His shrine is at the Bahá'í World Centre, Haifa, Israel.
Thu, Dec 25, 2025
Christmas celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is given more importance in Western Christianity than in Eastern. College offices are closed. Accommodation may be required...
