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Sept. 7th (dates may vary)
Ganesh Chaturthi
HinduismA celebration of Ganesh’s birthday, one of the major Hindu deities. Ganesh, who has the head of an elephant, is the God of Success and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings.
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Das Laxana Festival
Jainism(the Paryushana Festival of Jain Digumbar Sect): A 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation and prayer. The last day of Paryusana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought.
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Sept. 8th
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Christianity-Orthodox
Commemorates the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus.
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Sept. 11th - 20th
Paryushana Festival
JainismConsidered the holiest period of the year, these eight days are marked for Jains by fasting, meditation, prayer and public readings of the life story of Lord Mahavira. Observed especially by the followers of the Shvetambara sect, Paryushana concludes on Samvatsari, the most solemn occasion of self-scrutiny and forgiveness. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought.
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Sept. 12th -16th
Ghambar Paitishem
ZoroastrianismCelebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop and the return of herds from pasture
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Sept. 15th - 16th
Mawlid al-Nabi (dates can vary by a day)
IslamThe birthday of the Prophet Muhammed. Begins at Sundown.Students and staff may request time off to celebrate the Prophet's birthday.
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Sept. 21th - 29th
MabonWicca/PaganismAutumnal equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn, and thanksgiving for the Earth's bounty. (Begins at Sundown)
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October.1 - 31Hoodoo Heritage MonthHoodooOctober is Hoodoo Heritage Month, a celebration of the Hoodoo tradition. It involves the veneration of ancestors and honoring spirituals traditions and ancestors. Hoodoo is a spiritual system/religion with roots in Africa. It was practiced by enslaved Africans and their descendants. The practice includes working with roots, herbs, and spirits as well as set of beliefs and rituals. Hoodoo is practiced primarily in the Southern United States.
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Oct 2nd - 4th
**Rosh Hashanah (first 2 days)
JudaismThe 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 marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year for Jews.Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. Eve and first day are non-working for Reform Jews; Eve, first and second days are non-working for Orthodox Jews. Kosher food accomodations.
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Oct. 3rd-12thNavaratriHinduismNavaratri 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 festival culminates with Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, on the tenth day.Note: Some Hindus will pray and fast.
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Oct. 11th- Oct 12th
**Yom KippurJudaism(Or Day of Atonement.) The conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest of all days in the Jewish year. Yom Kippur calls for introspection, along with personal and communal transformation. It is characterized by fasting, forgiveness, and restoration person-to-pesron, and person-to-God. Begins at Sundown.Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day. Kosher food accomodations.
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Oct. 12Dusserah/Vijaya DashamiHinduismThe tenth day of Navaratri. Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the deMonday Ravana.
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Ghambar AyathremZoroastrianismCelebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.
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October 14Indigenous People DayCelebrates culture and contributions of the indigenous population of America
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Oct. 16th - 23rd
**Sukkot (1st 2 days)
JudaismAlso known as 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 constructed in the fields during the harvest season. It is a time of thanksgiving for God's presence in creation and aMondayg the Jewish people. The Eighth Day (Shmini 'Atzeret) is considered both the end of Sukkot and a distinct festival.Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events such as Mountain Day, or activities on the first two days. Eve and first day are non-working for Reform Jews; Eve, first and second days are non-working for Orthodox Jews. Kosher food accomodations.
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Oct. 23rd-25th**Shemini Atzeret
**Simchat Torah 		Judaism(Rejoicing of the Law) Joyous festival in which the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue is completed and its first book begun again. The celebration typically includes singing, dancing, and marching with Torah scrolls.
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Oct. 31Reformation DayChristianity-ProtestantCommemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation of Christianity with Martin Luther's challenge to the Roman church in the sixteenth century C.E.
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Installation of Granth Sahib Ji as GuruSikhismThis day celebrates Gobind Singh Ji's passing on guruship to Scripture, henceforth known as the Guru Granth Sahib.
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Oct. 31-Nov. 1SamhainWicca/PaganismThe New Year and the final harvest festival, celebrating the last gifts of the Earth before winter and the return of the spirits of the dead.
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Nov 1Diwali/Mahavir NirvanaJainismThis "Festival of Lamps" celebrates the attainment of Moksa by Lord Mahavira. A burning lamp symbolizes the "light of knowledge," which dispels the darkness of delusion and ignorance.
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Nov. 1-2Day of the Dead, Dia de los MuertosTraditional Mexican holidayPrayer, remembrance, and celebration of those who have died - Fridayends, family members, ancestors
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Nov. 1All Saints DayChristianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman CatholicChristian celebration of the lives of all the saints, especially those not having a special day; Orthodox churches observe the day in mid-summer.
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Nov. 2All Souls DayChristianity-Roman CatholicCatholic Christian observance in memory of all the faithful who are deceased. In some Latin American cultures, this day is known as "Dia de los Muertos" (The Day of the Dead).
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Nov 2nd**Birth of the Báb; Birth of Bahá’u’lláhBahá’íThe anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith and the herald of the new age for Baha'is. The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel, is part of the World Center of the Baha'i faith.Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off.
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Nov. 4Diwali (Deepavali)Sikhism, HinduismPerhaps the most popular of all Hindu festivals, also known as the Festival of Lights, it is dedicated to the goddess Kali in Bengal and to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, in the rest of India. As with several other festivals, Diwali is associated with one of the stories about the destruction of evil by Vishnu in one of his many manifestations.Hindu employees will likely request the day off on this date.
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Nov. 15Guru Nanak's BirthdaySikhismCelebrates Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
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Nov. 24Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur JiSikhismThis 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 defense of the Sikh faith, but also of Hinduism and of religious liberty.
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Nov. 24-25Day of the CovenantBahá’íCelebrates the anniversary of the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, as the Center of the Covenant. Work is not suspended on this day. Begins at Sundown.
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Nov. 26-27Ascension of 'Abdu'l-BahaBahá’íCommemorates 'Abdu'l-Baha's death. Begins at Sundown.
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Dec. 1-24AdventChristianity-Protestant, Christianity-Roman CatholicPeriod of four weeks in which Christians prepare for Christmas and meditate on the end of all time. In Western churches, the first Sundayday of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year.
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Dec. 25-Jan 2Hanukkah/ChanukahJudaismThe 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 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom.
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Jan. 18Bodhi DayBuddhismIn the northern tradition, this is the anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment, ca. 596 BCE. In the southern tradition, the Buddha's Enlightenment is celebrated during Wesak. The dates and names of Buddhist celebrations vary significantly aMondayg cultures and communities.
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Dec. 8Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionChristianity-Roman CatholicA feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born without sin.
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Dec. 12Feast of Our Lady of GuadalupeChristianity-Roman CatholicCommemorates Mary's appearance to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, in the 16th century.
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Dec. 16-24Las PosadasChristianity-Roman CatholicCelebration from Mexican and Latin American culture that commemorates the Holy Family's trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There are processions from house to house during which people ask for shelter for Joseph and Mary. Posadas = Lodgings
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Dec. 21 - Jan. 1YuleWicca/PaganismWinter Solstice, celebrating the longest night and the blessings of darkness as well as the rebirth of the Sunday god. Begins at Sundown.
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Dec. 25ChristmasChristianity (RC, P, O)Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus.Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Christian employees will likely request to have this day off.
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Dec. 26Death of Prophet ZarastraZoroastrianismThe anniversary of the death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.
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Dec. 26-Jan. 1**KwanzaaAfrican AmericanCelebration of African American culture. Kwanzaa comes from Swahili "yatunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits of the harvest" and the timing was inspired by end of year harvest festivals across Africa. Each night corresponds to a value of African heritage. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. AFridaycan American employees may request to have this day off.
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Dec. 31-Jan. 4Ghambar MaidyaremZoroastrianismCelebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance.
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