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.
Sun, Dec 10, 2023
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...
Mon, Dec 11, 2023
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...
Tue, Dec 12, 2023
Commemorates the day on which Guadalupana (the Virgin of Guadalupe) appeared to San Juan Diego and her image appeared on his tilma (apron). The miraculous roses Juan Diego found and carried to the...
Tue, Dec 12, 2023
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...
Wed, Dec 13, 2023
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 14, 2023
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...
Fri, Dec 15, 2023
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...
Fri, Dec 22, 2023
This day, which marks the New Year in the Anglo-Saxon and northern traditions of Wicca, is the celebration of the birth of the God as the Winter-born King, symbolized by the rebirth of the...
Mon, Dec 25, 2023
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...
Tue, Dec 26, 2023
The anniversary of the death of Zarathustra (Zoroaster), the founder of the Zoroastrian faith. His dates are uncertain: the ancient Greeks dated him at ca. 6000 BCE. Modern scholarship suggests he...
Sun, Dec 31, 2023
This period (December 31 - January 4) celebrates the creation of animals. It is also the time for equitable sharing of food.
Thu, Jan 4, 2024
Begins December 31 and runs to January 4. Ghambar Maidyarem celebrates the creation of animals and is a time for an equitable sharing of food.
Fri, Jan 5, 2024
The tenth and final Sikh Guru, he created the Khalsa, the Fellowship of the Pure, and declared the Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, to be the Sikh's Guru from that time on.
Sat, Jan 6, 2024
The Armenian Orthodox Church celebrates the nativity of Jesus on Epiphany. Accommodation Possible may be required for this observance/holy day. Suspension of work/classes may be requested by...
Sat, Jan 6, 2024
Known as the Feast of Theophany (appearance of God) in Orthodox churches, the Feast of Epiphany (appearance or manifestation) comes 12 days after Christmas and closes the Christmas season with a...
Sat, Jan 6, 2024
Known as the Feast of Theophany (appearance of God) in Orthodox churches, the Feast of Epiphany (appearance or manifestation) comes 12 days after Christmas and closes the Christmas season with a...
Sun, Jan 14, 2024
The New Year by the Julian calendar is observed on this day.
Thu, Jan 18, 2024
An international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between January 18 - 25. It is actually an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days. See:...
Fri, Jan 19, 2024
Those Orthodox churches which follow the Old (Julian) Calendar, according to which Christmas falls on January 7, celebrate the Feast of Theophany on January 19. It commemorates the appearance of...
Wed, Jan 24, 2024
Observance begins at sundown. 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...
Thu, Jan 25, 2024
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 trees. Nowadays, it is a...
Fri, Feb 2, 2024
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 greatest gift of the Goddess. Many...
Sat, Feb 10, 2024
Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days.
Tue, Feb 13, 2024
Shrove Tuesday occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church. "Shrove" is the past tense of the word "shrive," which means to hear a confession, assign...
Wed, Feb 14, 2024
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Feb 14, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Feb 14, 2024
A North Indian celebration, Vasanta Panchami is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth.
Thu, Feb 15, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Feb 15, 2024
Memorial of the historical Buddha passing away. (Mahayana) Japan, North America
Fri, Feb 16, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Feb 17, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Feb 18, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Feb 19, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Feb 20, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Feb 21, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Feb 22, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Feb 23, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Feb 24, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Feb 25, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Feb 26, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Feb 27, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Feb 28, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Feb 29, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 1, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 1, 2024
A world-wide annual day of prayer hosted by women from Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic traditions. Celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. Every year,...
Sat, Mar 2, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 3, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 4, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 5, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 6, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 7, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 8, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 8, 2024
Dedicated to Shiva, one of the major deities to whom Hindus direct their devotion. The night before the feast, Hindus recite texts, sing, and tell stories in honour of this God whose dynamic cosmic...
Sat, Mar 9, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 10, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 11, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 12, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 12, 2024
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 13, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 13, 2024
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 14, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 14, 2024
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 15, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 15, 2024
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 16, 2024
Occurs on the intercalary days (March 16 - 20) and celebrates the creation of human beings and commemorates passed souls.
Sat, Mar 16, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Mar 16, 2024
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 17, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 17, 2024
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 18, 2024
First day of The Great Fast (or the Great Lent), the 40 day period prior to the beginning of Holy Week, ending with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday (Eastern Churches).
Mon, Mar 18, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 18, 2024
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 19, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 19, 2024
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 20, 2024
Occurs on the intercalary days (March 16 - 20) and celebrates the creation of human beings and commemorates passed souls.
Wed, Mar 20, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 20, 2024
Bahá’í New Year. Bahá’ís feast and celebrate during the evening. The first month of the Bahá’í year is Bahá’ (Splendour).
Wed, Mar 20, 2024
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.
Wed, Mar 20, 2024
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 21, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 21, 2024
Now Ruz (New Day) is New Year's day for 1389 AY or 3758 AZ in the Fasli (seasonal) calendar. It celebrates the renewal of the world and the creation of fire (symbolic of Asha or righteousness)....
Thu, Mar 21, 2024
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 22, 2024
(Feast of Lots) Observance begins at sundown. 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. Purim is...
Fri, Mar 22, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 22, 2024
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 23, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Mar 23, 2024
(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. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated...
Sat, Mar 23, 2024
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 24, 2024
Holy Week begins in the Western Churches on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter.
Sun, Mar 24, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 24, 2024
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 25, 2024
A religious spring festival celebrated by people throwing colourful powder and coloured water at each other. Holi is dedicated to Krishna or Kama.
Mon, Mar 25, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 25, 2024
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 26, 2024
The birth anniversary of the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), who was born at the beginning of the first millennium BCE. It is one of the most important Zoroastrian festivals.
Tue, Mar 26, 2024
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 26, 2024
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...
