Events Calendar
Religious Observances

Mount Holyoke College has provided this list In support of our religiously diverse student population. Note that this list is not exhaustive.

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.

Upcoming Observances
Upcoming Observances Accommodation Possible

Christian Cross

Holy Week begins (W)

Holy Week begins in the Western Churches on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter.

4/5
 
Christian Cross

Palm Sunday (W)

Celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. (Western Calendar)

4/5
 
Mahavira Jayanti

Mahavira Jayanti

Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavira (Great Hero), the 24th Tirthankara (and the last of this time cycle).

4/6
 
Star of David

Eve of Passover (Pesach)

Observance begins at sundown. Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and...

4/8
 
Star of David

First Day of Passover (Pesach)

Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home,...

4/9
 
Christian Cross

Maundy (Holy) Thursday (W)

Celebrates the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus.

4/9
 
Christian Cross

Holy (Good) Friday (W)

Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his submission to death by crucifixion. Accommodation Possible for special worship may be required for this...

4/10
 
Star of David

Second Day of Passover (Pesach)

Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home,...

4/10
 
Christian Cross

Holy Saturday (W)

The final day of Lent, of Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum Ñ Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is a day of vigil in preparation for Easter....

4/11
 
Christian Cross

Lazarus Saturday (E)

(Eastern Calendar) Commemorates the raising of Lazarus from the dead by Jesus (John 11:1-45). It is a day of both death and life, marking the final great...

4/11
 
Christian Cross

Easter (W)

Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost.

4/12
 
Christian Cross

Palm Sunday (E)

(Eastern Calendar) Celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

4/12
 
Christian Cross

Holy Week begins (E)

Holy Week begins in the Eastern Churches the day after Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Friday.

4/13
 
Mount Holyoke Sign for Generic Use

Saka New Year

Observed over two days, the Saka calendar's New Year's Day is a religious and cultural celebration for Sinhalese, Indians, Burmese, Kampucheans, Laotians and...

4/13
 
Hindu Om

Vaisakhi (Solar New Year)

The first day of the solar year, Vaisakhi celebrates the harvest. It is especially important in North India. Vaisakhi, as a Hindu festival, is celebrated in...

4/13
 
Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is important for Sikhs because on this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru, removed the clerical system from Sikhism. Thus he...

4/14
 
Star of David

Seventh Day of Passover (Pesach)

Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home,...

4/15
 
Star of David

Eighth Day of Passover (Pesach)

Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home,...

4/16
 
Christian Cross

Holy Thursday (E)

Celebrates the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus.

4/16
 
Christian Cross

Holy Friday (E)

Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his submission to death by crucifixion. Accommodation Possible for special worship may be required for this...

4/17
 
Christian Cross

Holy Saturday (E)

The final day of Lent, of Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum Ñ Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is a day of vigil in preparation for Easter....

4/18
 
Christian Cross

Pascha (E)

(Orthodox Easter) Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost.

4/19
 
Star of David

Eve of Yom HaShoah

(Holocaust Remembrance Day) Observance begins at sundown. Memorializes the six milliion Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and...

4/20
 
Bahá’í star

First Day of Riḍván

The Festival of Riḍván, termed by Bahá’u’lláh the “Most Great Festival” and the “King of Festivals”, commemorates the 12 days that Bahá’u’lláh spent in the...

4/20
 
Star of David

Yom HaShoah

(Holocaust Remembrance Day) Memorializes the six milliion Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasizes respect for human dignity....

4/21
 
Islamic Mosaic

Ramaḍān begins

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....

4/24
 
Bahá’í star

Ninth Day of Riḍván

The 9th Day of Riḍván is when Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him at the garden of Riḍván in Baghdad.

4/28
 
Zarathushti symbol

Ghambar Maidyozarem

Ghambar Maidyozarem (April 30 - May 4) celebrates the creation of sky and the harvesting of the winter crop.

4/30
 
Bahá’í star

12th Day of Riḍván

The 12th Day of Riḍván concludes this important Bahá'í festival.

5/1
 
Pagan/Wiccan Pentacle

Beltane

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...

5/1
 
Buddhist Dharma Wheel

Wesak (Buddha Day)

The most important day of the year for Buddhists. Coming on the full moon, it commemorates the birth, awakening, and passing away (paranibbana) of the...

5/7
 
Islamic Mosaic

Laylat al-Qadr

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....

5/20
 
Christian Cross

Ascension (W)

The anniversary of Jesus's ascension into heaven and enthronement as universal sovereign. It comes forty days after Easter.

5/21
 
Bahá’í star

Declaration of The Báb

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.

5/23
 
Islamic Mosaic

Īd al-Fiṭr

Literally the Festival of Breaking the Fast, 'Īd al-Fiṭr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or...

5/25
 
Christian Cross

Ascension (E)

The anniversary of Jesus's ascension into heaven and enthronement as universal sovereign. It comes forty days after Pascha.

5/28
 
Bahá’í star

Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh

Marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Bahá'í faith.

5/28
 
Star of David

Eve of Shavuot

Observance begins at sundown. (Feast of Weeks) Shavuot marks the conclusion of the seven weeks following Passover. It is a celebration of the harvest of...

5/28
 
Star of David

First Day of Shavuot

(Feast of Weeks) Shavuot marks the conclusion of the seven weeks following Passover. It is a celebration of the harvest of first fruits and commemorates the...

5/29
 
Star of David

Second (Last) Day of Shavuot

(Feast of Weeks) Shavuot marks the conclusion of the seven weeks following Passover. It is a celebration of the harvest of first fruits and commemorates the...

5/30
 
Christian Cross

Pentecost (W)

Also known as Whitsunday in some Western churches, Pentecost is the commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus following his...

5/31
 
Christian Cross

Pentecost (E)

Pentecost is the commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus following his ascension (Acts 2:1-11). It comes fifty days after...

6/7
 
Christian Cross

Trinity Sunday (W)

A celebration of the Christian understanding of God in Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). It comes one week after Pentecost. (Western Churches)

6/7
 
Christian Cross

All Saints Day (E)

A day to honor Christian saints throughout the ages. (Eastern Churches)

6/14
 
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563-1606) was the first Sikh Martyr and the fifth Guru. He built the Harimandir Sahib (Home of the Divine) in which Sikhs could meet to...

6/16
 
Pagan/Wiccan Pentacle

Litha

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....

6/20
 
Zarathushti symbol

Ghambar Maidyoshem begins

Ghambar Maidyoshem (June 29 - July 4) celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop and the harvesting of grain.

6/29
 
Zarathushti symbol

Ghambar Maidyoshem ends

Ghambar Maidyoshem (June 29 - July 4) celebrates the creation of water, the sowing of the summer crop and the harvesting of grain.

7/3
 
Buddhist Dharma Wheel

Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)

Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day) commemorates the BuddhaÕs first discourse, given to the five monks at the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The day is observed...

7/5
 
Bahá’í star

Martyrdom of The Báb

The Martyrdom of The Báb memorializes His death.

7/9
 
Star of David

Eve of Tisha B'Av

Observance begins at sundown. Tisha B'Av, the Ninth day of the month of Av, is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples...

7/29
 
Islamic Mosaic

Day of Arafat/Day of Hajj

This day commemorates the last revelation to Prophet Muhammad at Mount Arafat shortly before his death. Muslims on _ajj (pilgrimage) attend a service on the...

7/30
 
Star of David

Tisha B'Av

Tisha B'Av, the Ninth day of the month of Av, is a major fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in ancient times.

7/30
 
Islamic Mosaic

Īd al-Aḍḥá

Also called the Festival of Sacrifice, this day is the concluding act of pilgrimage and is observed even when not on pilgrimage. As Abraham offered his son,...

7/31
 
Pagan/Wiccan Pentacle

Lammas

(Also called Lughnasad) Lammas is the celebration of the grain harvest, the Harvest of First Fruits. Many traditions celebrate Lammas as the funeral of Lugh,...

8/1
 
Hindu Om

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan (tying on protection) is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection...

8/3
 
Christian Cross

Transfiguration (W, E - New Calendar)

Transfiguration celebrates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples.

8/6
 
Hindu Om

Sri Krishna Jayanti

(Also called Janmashtami) celebrates the birthday of Krishna, the eighth of the 10 incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Krishna is considered the preserver...

8/11
 
Paryushana-parva begins

Paryushana-parva begins

The holiest period of the year for the ascetic Shvetambara sect. This 8 day period, concluding on Samvatsari, is a time of dedication to Jain ideals through...

8/17
 
Christian Cross

Transfiguration (E - Old / Julian Calendar)

Transfiguration celebrates the appearance of Jesus in a transfigured state during his earthly life to three of his disciples.

8/19
 
Islamic Mosaic

First of Muḥarram (New Year's Day, 1442 AH)

The First of Muḥarram (first month of the Islamic year 1442 AH) celebrates the Ḥijra (migration) of Muḥammad and his followers in 622 CE, from Mecca to...

8/20
 
Hindu Om

Ganesh Chaturthi

Celebrates the birthday of Ganesh, God of Success.

8/22
 
Dashalakshani-parva begins

Dashalakshani-parva begins

The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days (until September 2) by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to...

8/23
 
Paryushana-parva ends

Paryushana-parva ends

The holiest period of the year for the ascetic Shvetambara sect. During this 8 day period, concluding on Samvatsari, it is a time of dedication to Jain...

8/23
 
Islamic Mosaic

Āshūrā’

‘Āshūrā’ in Arabic means "the 10th", and is commemorated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims Āshūrā is a time to remember two...

8/29
 
Dashalakshani-parva ends

Dashalakshani-parva ends

The Digambara sect celebrates Dashalakshani-parva for ten days (until September 2) by fasting, worship, meditation, confession, and by dedicating each day to...

9/2
 
Zarathushti symbol

Ghambar Paitishem begins

Ghambar Paitishem (September 12 - 16) celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

9/12
 
Zarathushti symbol

Ghambar Paitishem ends

Ghambar Paitishem celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.

9/16
 
Star of David

Eve of Rosh Hashanah

Observance begins at sundown. 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...

9/18
 
Star of David

Rosh Hashanah

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...

9/19
 
Pagan/Wiccan Pentacle

Mabon

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...

9/22
 
Star of David

Eve of Yom Kippur

(Day of Atonement) Observance begins at sundown. The conclusion of the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the the...

9/27
 
Star of David

Yom Kippur

(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...

9/28
 
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