Religious Observances

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.

Mabon

Mon, Sep 22, 2025

Also known as Harvest Home, Mabon celebrates life's encapsulation as a seed to survive the cold, barren winter and the Harvest of the Vine, which as wine symbolizes the Goddess' power to transform...

Rosh Hashanah

Mon, Sep 22, 2025

The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It...

Rosh Hashanah

Tue, Sep 23, 2025

The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It...

Rosh Hashanah

Wed, Sep 24, 2025

The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of the world, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It...

Yom Kippur

Wed, Oct 1, 2025

(Day of Atonement) The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness.

Yom Kippur

Thu, Oct 2, 2025

(Day of Atonement) The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness.

Sukkot

Mon, Oct 6, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Tue, Oct 7, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Wed, Oct 8, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Thu, Oct 9, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Fri, Oct 10, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Sat, Oct 11, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Sun, Oct 12, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Shmini Atzeret

Mon, Oct 13, 2025

Shmini Atzeret (the Eighth Day of Assembly) is a separate holiday concluding Sukkot and the entire fall holiday season. It marks the beginning of winter in the land of Israel.

Sukkot

Mon, Oct 13, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Simcḥat Torah

Tue, Oct 14, 2025

Simcḥat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) is the beginning of the synagogue's annual Torah reading cycle. Reform Jews celebrate it along with Shemini Atzeret.

Sukkot

Tue, Oct 14, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Sukkot

Wed, Oct 15, 2025

(Feast of Booths) Observance begins at sundown. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert...

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Thu, Oct 23, 2025

The anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.

Birth of The Báb

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.

Samhain

Fri, Oct 31, 2025

This day celebrates the Celtic New Year. The dying God returns to the womb of the Goddess in preparation for rebirth at Yule. The souls of those who have died during the turning of the past year's...

Bodhi Day

Mon, Dec 8, 2025

Anniversary of the historical Buddha's awakening. (Mahayana) Japan, North America

Hanukkah Begins at Sundown

Sun, Dec 14, 2025

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 B.C.E., which...

Christmas Day

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...

Imbolc

Sun, Feb 1, 2026

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...

Tu B'Shevat

Sun, Feb 1, 2026

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...

Tu B'Shevat

Mon, Feb 2, 2026

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...

Maha Shivaratri

Sun, Feb 15, 2026

Celebration of the wedding night of Lord Shiva and his Consort Goddess Parvati.

Nirvana Day

Sun, Feb 15, 2026

Memorial of the historical Buddha passing away. (Mahayana) Japan, North America

Ramadan

Tue, Feb 17, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ash Wednesday

Wed, Feb 18, 2026

The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Wed, Feb 18, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ramadan

Thu, Feb 19, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ramadan

Fri, Feb 20, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ramadan

Sat, Feb 21, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ramadan

Sun, Feb 22, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Mon, Feb 23, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Mon, Feb 23, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Tue, Feb 24, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Tue, Feb 24, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Ayyám-i-Há

Wed, Feb 25, 2026

Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.

Lent

Wed, Feb 25, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Wed, Feb 25, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Thu, Feb 26, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Thu, Feb 26, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Fri, Feb 27, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Fri, Feb 27, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sat, Feb 28, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sat, Feb 28, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sun, Mar 1, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sun, Mar 1, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Mon, Mar 2, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Purim

Mon, Mar 2, 2026

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....

Ramadan

Mon, Mar 2, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Holi

Tue, Mar 3, 2026

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...

Lent

Tue, Mar 3, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Purim

Tue, Mar 3, 2026

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....

Ramadan

Tue, Mar 3, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Holi

Wed, Mar 4, 2026

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...

Lent

Wed, Mar 4, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Wed, Mar 4, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Thu, Mar 5, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Thu, Mar 5, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Fri, Mar 6, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Fri, Mar 6, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sat, Mar 7, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sat, Mar 7, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sun, Mar 8, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sun, Mar 8, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Mon, Mar 9, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Mon, Mar 9, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Tue, Mar 10, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Tue, Mar 10, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Wed, Mar 11, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Wed, Mar 11, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Thu, Mar 12, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Thu, Mar 12, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Fri, Mar 13, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Fri, Mar 13, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sat, Mar 14, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sat, Mar 14, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Sun, Mar 15, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.

Ramadan

Sun, Mar 15, 2026

Ramaḍān is the month of fasting (ending with Eid Al Fitr) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and...

Lent

Mon, Mar 16, 2026

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.