Religious Observances

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.

Lent

Thu, Mar 28, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Ramaḍān

Thu, Mar 28, 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...

Holy (Good) Friday (W)

Fri, Mar 29, 2024

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.

Lent

Fri, Mar 29, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Ramaḍān

Fri, Mar 29, 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...

Holy Saturday (W)

Sat, Mar 30, 2024

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...

Lent

Sat, Mar 30, 2024

The forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter. (Western Churches).

Ramaḍān

Sat, Mar 30, 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...

Easter (W)

Sun, Mar 31, 2024

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

Ramaḍān

Sun, Mar 31, 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...

Ramaḍān

Mon, Apr 1, 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...

Ramaḍān

Tue, Apr 2, 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...

Ramaḍān

Wed, Apr 3, 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...

Ramaḍān

Thu, Apr 4, 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...

Ramaḍān

Fri, Apr 5, 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...

Laylat al-Qadr

Sat, Apr 6, 2024

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...

Ramaḍān

Sat, Apr 6, 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...

Ramaḍān

Sun, Apr 7, 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...

Ramaḍān

Mon, Apr 8, 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...

Ramaḍān

Tue, Apr 9, 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...

Eid Al Fitr

Wed, Apr 10, 2024

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 pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid Al Fitr people dress...

Saka New Year

Sat, Apr 13, 2024

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 Thais. (Therav_da)

Saka New Year

Sun, Apr 14, 2024

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 Thais. (Therav_da)

Vaisakhi

Sun, Apr 14, 2024

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 reaffirmed the direct connnection between Sikhs...

Vaisakhi (Solar New Year)

Sun, Apr 14, 2024

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 several different ways across different...

First Day of Riḍván

Sat, Apr 20, 2024

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 garden of Riḍván outside Baghdad. The...

Mahavira Jayanti

Sun, Apr 21, 2024

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

Eve of Passover (Pesach)

Mon, Apr 22, 2024

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...

First Day of Passover (Pesach)

Tue, Apr 23, 2024

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...

Second Day of Passover (Pesach)

Wed, Apr 24, 2024

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...

Ninth Day of Riḍván

Sun, Apr 28, 2024

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

Holy Week begins (E)

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

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

Seventh Day of Passover (Pesach)

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

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...

Eighth Day of Passover (Pesach)

Tue, Apr 30, 2024

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...

Ghambar Maidyozarem

Tue, Apr 30, 2024

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

Beltane

Wed, May 1, 2024

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 in a sacred marriage, the...

Holy Friday (E)

Fri, May 3, 2024

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:...

Holy Saturday (E)

Sat, May 4, 2024

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...

Eve of Yom HaShoah

Sun, May 5, 2024

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

Pascha (E)

Sun, May 5, 2024

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

Easter Monday (E)

Mon, May 6, 2024

In many Eastern Orthodox Churches, Easter Monday is a day for religious reflection.

Yom HaShoah

Mon, May 6, 2024

(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. Its observance is not limited to Jews.

Ascension (W)

Thu, May 9, 2024

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

Pentecost (W)

Sun, May 19, 2024

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 ascension (Acts 2:1-11). It comes fifty...

Declaration of The Báb

Thu, May 23, 2024

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.

Wesak (Buddha Day)

Thu, May 23, 2024

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 historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama....

Trinity Sunday (W)

Sun, May 26, 2024

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

Eve of Shavuot

Tue, Jun 11, 2024

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 first fruits and commemorates the giving of...

First Day of Shavuot

Wed, Jun 12, 2024

(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 giving of the Torah and Commandments at...

Ascension (E)

Thu, Jun 13, 2024

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

Second (Last) Day of Shavuot

Thu, Jun 13, 2024

(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 giving of the Torah and Commandments at...

Day of Arafat/Day of Hajj

Sun, Jun 16, 2024

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 plains in front of Mount 'Arafat....

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Sun, Jun 16, 2024

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 learn, in the town of Amritsar (Pool of...

Litha

Thu, Jun 20, 2024

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 sacrifice, resulting in his total...

Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)

Fri, Jun 21, 2024

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 by donating offerings to temples and...

Pentecost (E)

Sun, Jun 23, 2024

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 Pascha (Easter).

Ghambar Maidyoshem begins

Sat, Jun 29, 2024

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

Ghambar Maidyoshem ends

Wed, Jul 3, 2024

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

First of Muḥarram (New Year's Day)

Sun, Jul 7, 2024

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

Āshūrā’

Tue, Jul 16, 2024

‘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 of Allāh’s merciful acts: Noah's safe...

Lammas

Thu, Aug 1, 2024

(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, the sun God whose strength is visibly...

Transfiguration (W, E - New Calendar)

Tue, Aug 6, 2024

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

Eve of Tisha B'Av

Mon, Aug 12, 2024

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 in Jerusalem in ancient times.

Tisha B'Av

Tue, Aug 13, 2024

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.

Raksha Bandhan

Mon, Aug 19, 2024

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 against evil.

Transfiguration (E - Old / Julian Calendar)

Mon, Aug 19, 2024

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

Sri Krishna Jayanti

Mon, Aug 26, 2024

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

Paryushana-parva begins

Sat, Aug 31, 2024

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 fasting, worship of the Jina, and...

Dashalakshani-parva begins

Sun, Sep 8, 2024

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

Paryushana-parva ends

Sun, Sep 8, 2024

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 ideals through fasting, worship of the Jina,...

Ghambar Paitishem begins

Thu, Sep 12, 2024

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

Ghambar Paitishem ends

Mon, Sep 16, 2024

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

Dashalakshani-parva ends

Wed, Sep 18, 2024

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

Mabon

Sun, Sep 22, 2024

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...

Eve of Rosh Hashanah

Wed, Oct 2, 2024

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...

Navaratri begins

Thu, Oct 3, 2024

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...

Rosh Hashanah

Thu, Oct 3, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Fri, Oct 4, 2024

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...

Rosh Hashanah

Fri, Oct 4, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Sat, Oct 5, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Sun, Oct 6, 2024

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...

World Communion Sunday

Sun, Oct 6, 2024

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.

Navaratri

Mon, Oct 7, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Tue, Oct 8, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Wed, Oct 9, 2024

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...

Navaratri

Thu, Oct 10, 2024

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...

Eve of Yom Kippur

Fri, Oct 11, 2024

(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...

Navaratri

Fri, Oct 11, 2024

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...

Ghambar Ayathrem begins

Sat, Oct 12, 2024

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.

Navaratri ends

Sat, Oct 12, 2024

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...

Yom Kippur

Sat, Oct 12, 2024

(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.

Dassehra

Sun, Oct 13, 2024

(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...

Eve of Sukkot

Wed, Oct 16, 2024

(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...