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Religious Holidays and Observances

The following is a multi-faith listing of religious holidays and observances that occur during the 2025-2026 academic year. This guiding document is produced so that scheduling of activities and exams can accommodate the religious needs of our students, alumnae, faculty and staff. The holidays listed here do not represent an exhaustive list.  Because the list is not exhaustive, faculty and staff should continue to consult with their students to be assured any holidays and observances are recognized and accommodated in accord with NYS law (New York State Education Law 224-A). The list includes holidays for many - but by no means all - faiths in our campus community. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate and inclusive. If you have any additions or corrections, please feel free to contact us.

  • Dates are assembled from various calendar sources and is not an exhaustive list.
  • The dates for Islamic holidays may vary by region or practice. Holidays begin at sundown on the first day and end at nightfall on the last day listed.
  • Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the first day and end at nightfall on the last day listed.
Calendar of Holidays and Observances 2026–2027
Observance Faith or Religion Dates

Autumnal Equinox

Pagan

Tuesday, September 22

Rosh Hashanah

Judaism

Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13

Feast of Gedaliah

Judaism

Monday September 14

Yom Kippur

Judaism

Sunday, September 20 to Monday, September 21

Sukkot

Judaism

Friday, September 25 to Friday, October 2

Shemini Atzeret

Judaism

Friday, October 2 to Saturday, October 3

Simchat Torah

Judaism

Thursday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4

Navratri

Hinduism

Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 19

Dussehra

Hinduism

Tuesday, October 20

Birth of Bahá'u'lláh 

Baha’i

Friday, October 23

Diwali

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikh, Jain

Friday, November 6 to Tuesday, November 10

Samhain

Pagan

Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1

All Saints Day

Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist

Sunday, November 1

All Souls Day

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Monday, November 2

First Sunday of Advent

Christian

Sunday, November 29

Hanukkah/Chanukah

Judaism

Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 12

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Roman Catholic

Tuesday, December 8

Bodhi Day

Buddhism

Monday, December 8

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Roman Catholic

Saturday, December 12

Yule

Pagan

Monday, December 21 

Joseph Smith's Birthday

Mormon (CJCLDS)

Wednesday, December 23

Christmas

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Friday, December 25

Kwanzaa

African American Heritage

Saturday, December 26 to Friday, January 1

Fast of the 10th of Tevet

Judaism

Sunday, December 20

Gantan-sai 

Shinto

Friday, January 1

The Solemnity of Mary

Roman Catholic

Friday, January 1

Epiphany

Christian

Wednesday, January 6

Christmas 

Orthodox Christian

Thursday, January 7

Pongal 

Hinduism

Thursday, January 14 to Sunday January 17

Tu BiShvat

Judaism

Friday, January 22 to Saturday, January 23

Imbolc

Pagan

Monday, February 1 to Tuesday, February 2

Setsubun-sai

Shinto

Wednesday, February 3

Chinese New Year 

Multifaith, Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist

Saturday, February 6 to Sunday, February 21

Ramadan 

Islam

Sunday, February 7 to Monday, March 8

Start of Lent and Ash Wednesday

Christian

Wednesday, February 10

Women's Day of Prayer

Multifaith

Friday, March 5

Laylat al-Qadr

Islam

Monday, March 5

Maha Shivaratri

Hinduism

Saturday, March 6

Eid al-Fitr

Islam

Tuesday, March 9 to Wednesday, March 10

Clean Monday (Monday of Lent)

Orthodox Christian

Monday, March 15

Spring Equinox

Pagan

Saturday, March 20

Holi

Hinduism

Sunday, March 21

Palm Sunday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Sunday, March 21

Fast of Esther

Judaism

Monday, March 22

Purim

Judaism

Monday, March 22 to Tuesday, March 23

Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Thursday, March 25

Good Friday

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Friday, March 26

Easter

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Sunday, March 27

First Day of Riḍván

Bahá’í

Wednesday April 20 to Thursday April 21

Fast of the First Born

Judaism

Wednesday, April 21

Passover (Pesach)

Judaism

Wednesday, April 21 to Thursday, April 29

Ninth Day of Riḍván

Bahá’í

Thursday April 29

Great Friday

Orthodox Christian

Friday, April 30

Twelfth Day of Riḍván

Bahá’í

Saturday, May 1 to Sunday May 2

Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Christian

Sunday, May 2

Yom HaShoah

Judaism

Monday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 4

Ascension Day

Christian

Thursday May 6

Pentecost

Christian, Unitarian Universalist

Sunday, May 16

Eid al-Adha

Islam

Sunday May 16 to Wednesday May 19

Vesak

Buddhism

Thursday, May 20

Muharram

Islam

Sunday June 6 to Sunday July 4

Orthodox Ascension Day

Orthodox Christian

Thursday June 10

Ashura

Islam

Thursday June 15 

Asalha Puja Day

Buddhism

Friday July 29

Lughnasadh

Pagan

Sunday August 1

Feast of the Assumption

Roman Catholic

Sunday August 15