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, 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...
Wed, Jan 1, 2025
This is a past event.
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, Jan 2, 2025
This is a past event.
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...
Sat, Feb 1, 2025
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
A North Indian celebration, Vasanta Panchami is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth.
Thu, Feb 13, 2025
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
Days of preparation for the Fast, marked by hospitality and charity to poor and sick.
Wed, Feb 26, 2025
This is a past event.
Celebration of the wedding night of Lord Shiva and his Consort Goddess Parvati.
Sat, Mar 1, 2025
This is a past event.
Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God. (Fasting)
Wed, Mar 5, 2025
This is a past event.
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter.
Thu, Mar 13, 2025
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
A festival initiated by Guru Gobind Singh, originally as a day of mock battles and poetry contests.
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
This is a past event.
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...
Thu, Mar 20, 2025
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
Celebration of birth of Prince Rama, avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
This is a past event.
Celebration of birthday of Hanuman, foremost devotee of Sri Rama and Sita.
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
This is a past event.
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
This is a past event.
Feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Mon, Apr 14, 2025
This is a past event.
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,...
Fri, Apr 18, 2025
This is a past event.
Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
Sun, Apr 20, 2025
(Orthodox Easter) Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
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.
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...
Wed, Jul 9, 2025
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Wed, Oct 2, 2024
This is a past event.
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 known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that...
Thu, Oct 3, 2024
This is a past event.
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...
Thu, Oct 3, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Fri, Oct 4, 2024
This is a past event.
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...
Sun, Oct 6, 2024
This is a past event.
Celebrated in Christian congregations around the world, annually, on the first Sunday in October when they can experience Holy Communion as a global faith community.
Fri, Oct 11, 2024
This is a past event.
(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 Jewish year. It is characterized by...
Sat, Oct 12, 2024
This is a past event.
Observed from October 12 - 16, this day celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.
Sat, Oct 12, 2024
This is a past event.
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is a festival characterized by worship and dance. The...
Sat, Oct 12, 2024
This is a past event.
(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.
Sun, Oct 13, 2024
This is a past event.
(Vijay Dasami) celebrates the victory of good over evil: of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, and the Goddess Durga over a demon. It follows the nine-day celebration of Navaratri (nine nights) and...
Wed, Oct 16, 2024
This is a past event.
(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 16, 2024
This is a past event.
Observed from October 12 - 16, this day celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.
Thu, Oct 17, 2024
This is a past event.
(Feast of Booths) 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 wanderings and conscructed in...
Fri, Oct 18, 2024
This is a past event.
(Feast of Booths) 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 wanderings and conscructed in...
Sun, Oct 20, 2024
This is a past event.
This day celebrates the passing on of the Guruship to the Holy Scriptures (the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Wed, Oct 23, 2024
This is a past event.
(Feast of Booths) 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 wanderings and conscructed in...
Thu, Oct 24, 2024
This is a past event.
Observance begins at sundown. 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.
Thu, Oct 24, 2024
This is a past event.
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.
Fri, Oct 25, 2024
This is a past event.
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.
Thu, Oct 31, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Fri, Nov 1, 2024
This is a past event.
A day to honour Christian saints throughout the ages.
Fri, Nov 1, 2024
This is a past event.
A very popular festival known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali (Deepavali/Deepawali/Tihar in Nepal) is dedicated to the Goddesses Kali in Bengal and Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) in the rest of...
Fri, Nov 1, 2024
This is a past event.
On this day (falling on Diwali), Mahavira (6th century BCE), the 24th Tirthankara, attained nirvana and release from the cycle of rebirth (moksha).
Sun, Nov 3, 2024
This is a past event.
The anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.
Fri, Nov 15, 2024
This is a past event.
Founder of the Sikh faith and first of the Ten Gurus, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 CE. He was an accomplished poet; 974 of his hymns are contained in the Sikh Scriptures, the Sri Guru Granth...
Sun, Nov 24, 2024
This is a past event.
This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defence of the Sikh Faith, but also for willingly giving...
Mon, Nov 25, 2024
This is a past event.
This day celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdul-Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh, as the Centre of the Covenant.
Wed, Nov 27, 2024
This is a past event.
The Ascension of 'Abdul-Bahá, son of Bahá'u'lláh, commemorates His passing. Bahá'í's observe the Holy Day of the Ascension of 'Abdul-Bahá at 1:00 am, about the time of His ascension.
Sun, Dec 1, 2024
This is a past event.
The Christmas Fast is the 40 day period before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve. The New Calendar locates Christmas on December 25, the Old Calendar on January 7. (Eastern Churches)
Thu, Dec 12, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Sat, Dec 21, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Wed, Dec 25, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Wed, Dec 25, 2024
This is a past event.
Observance begins at sundown. 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...
Thu, Dec 26, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
Thu, Dec 26, 2024
This is a past event.
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 27, 2024
This is a past event.
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...
