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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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.
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...
Mon, Dec 8, 2025
Anniversary of the historical Buddha's awakening. (Mahayana) Japan, North America
Mon, Dec 8, 2025
A Roman Catholic feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Sun, Feb 15, 2026
Celebration of the wedding night of Lord Shiva and his Consort Goddess Parvati.
Sun, Feb 15, 2026
Memorial of the historical Buddha passing away. (Mahayana) Japan, North America
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...
Wed, Feb 18, 2026
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Mon, Feb 23, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Tue, Feb 24, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Wed, Feb 25, 2026
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Wed, Feb 25, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Thu, Feb 26, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Fri, Feb 27, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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....
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...
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...
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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....
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...
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...
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sat, Mar 7, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sun, Mar 8, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Tue, Mar 10, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Wed, Mar 11, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Thu, Mar 12, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Fri, Mar 13, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sat, Mar 14, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Sun, Mar 15, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
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...
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
