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.
Thu, Feb 2, 2023
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...
Sun, Feb 5, 2023
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...
Mon, Feb 6, 2023
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...
Wed, Feb 15, 2023
Memorial of the historical Buddha passing away. (Mahayana) Japan, North America
Sat, Feb 18, 2023
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...
Tue, Feb 21, 2023
Losar is celebrated for 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days.
Tue, Feb 21, 2023
Shrove Tuesday occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church. ÒShroveÒ is the past tense of the word Òshrive,Ò which means to hear a confession, assign...
Wed, Feb 22, 2023
The beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Feb 22, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Feb 23, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Feb 24, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Feb 25, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Feb 26, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Feb 27, 2023
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, Feb 27, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Feb 28, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 1, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 2, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 3, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 3, 2023
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 4, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 5, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 6, 2023
(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...
Mon, Mar 6, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 7, 2023
A religious spring festival celebrated by people throwing colourful powder and coloured water at each other. Holi is dedicated to Krishna or Kama.
Tue, Mar 7, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 7, 2023
(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...
Wed, Mar 8, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 9, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 10, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Mar 11, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 12, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 13, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 14, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 15, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 16, 2023
Occurs on the intercalary days (March 16 - 20) and celebrates the creation of human beings and commemorates passed souls.
Thu, Mar 16, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 17, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Mar 18, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 19, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 20, 2023
Occurs on the intercalary days (March 16 - 20) and celebrates the creation of human beings and commemorates passed souls.
Mon, Mar 20, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 20, 2023
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.
Tue, Mar 21, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 21, 2023
Bahá’í New Year. Bahá’ís feast and celebrate during the evening. The first month of the Bahá’í year is Bahá’ (Splendour).
Tue, Mar 21, 2023
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)....
Wed, Mar 22, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 23, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 23, 2023
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 24, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 24, 2023
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 25, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Mar 25, 2023
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 26, 2023
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.
Sun, Mar 26, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Mar 26, 2023
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 27, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Mar 27, 2023
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 28, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Mar 28, 2023
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 29, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Mar 29, 2023
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 30, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Mar 30, 2023
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 31, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Fri, Mar 31, 2023
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, Apr 1, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
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, Apr 2, 2023
Holy Week begins in the Western Churches on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter.
Sun, Apr 2, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Sun, Apr 2, 2023
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, Apr 3, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Mon, Apr 3, 2023
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, Apr 4, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Tue, Apr 4, 2023
Celebrates the birthday of Lord Mahavira (Great Hero), the 24th Tirthankara (and the last of this time cycle).
Tue, Apr 4, 2023
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, Apr 5, 2023
Observance begins at sundown. Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with...
Wed, Apr 5, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Wed, Apr 5, 2023
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, Apr 6, 2023
Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that...
Thu, Apr 6, 2023
The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).
Thu, Apr 6, 2023
Celebrates the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus.
Thu, Apr 6, 2023
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, Apr 7, 2023
Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, i.e., his submission to death by crucifixion. Accommodation Possible for special worship may be required for this observance/holy day. See:...
Fri, Apr 7, 2023
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, Apr 7, 2023
Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that...
Sat, Apr 8, 2023
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. The day culminates with the Easter Vigil...
Sat, Apr 8, 2023
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, Apr 9, 2023
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost.
Sun, Apr 9, 2023
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, Apr 10, 2023
In many Eastern Orthodox Churches, Easter Monday is a day for religious reflection.
Mon, Apr 10, 2023
Holy Week begins in the Eastern Churches the day after Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Friday.
Mon, Apr 10, 2023
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, Apr 11, 2023
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, Apr 12, 2023
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, Apr 12, 2023
Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that...
Thu, Apr 13, 2023
Commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that...
