Religious Observances

Thursday, October 31, 2024

- All Day
Samhain (Wicca)

From sunset of the first day to sunset of the last day, Samhain marks the Pagan New Year, a time for honoring the dead, cleansing, and releasing. For many Wiccans, Samhain is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Samhain (Wicca)

From sunset of the first day to sunset of the last day, Samhain marks the Pagan New Year, a time for honoring the dead, cleansing, and releasing. For many Wiccans, Samhain is the most important Sabbat. It’s the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
All Saints' Day (Catholicism, Episcopalianism)

A solemn feast that celebrates all of the saints, both known and unknown. Many Episcopal churches observe this feast on the first Sunday immediately following November 1. Catholics are often obligated to attend Mass this day.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
Birth of the Báb (Baha'i)

The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh occurred on consecutive days according to the Islamic lunar calendar. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
Diwali (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism)

Diwali or The Festival of Lights is a major holiday. Extending over 5 days, it celebrates the victory of good over evil. Celebrations include millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples, and other buildings. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Birth of the Báb (Baha'i)

The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh occurred on consecutive days according to the Islamic lunar calendar. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
All Souls' Day (Catholicism, Episcopalianism)

A feast day that commemorates the souls of the faithful departed. In Episcopal Churches, the names of those from the congregation who have died in the past year are read aloud during the service on this day, or on All Saints’ Sunday.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baha'i)

The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh occurred on consecutive days according to the Islamic lunar calendar. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baha'i)

The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh occurred on consecutive days according to the Islamic lunar calendar. They are two of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
First of Qudrat (Power) (Baha'i)

At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Qudrat (Power) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Guru Nanak Birthday (Sikhism)

This day – also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab - celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Students or employees may request scheduling adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Loy Krathong (Buddhism)

When the rivers and canals are full of water, this festival takes place in all parts of Thailand on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. Bowls made with leaves, candles, and incense sticks, are placed in the water, and represent bad luck disappearing.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
First of Qawl (Speech) (Baha'i)

At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First Day of Qawl (Speech) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í)

The Day of the Covenant is a festival that commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Center of His Covenant.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Sikhism)

Sikhs observing the Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib gather to celebrate. At early morning there are hymns followed by an exposition of the Guru Granth Sahib. During the day there is food served, prayer, and joyous singing. Around sunset it is time for the evening prayers. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural
- All Day
Solemnity of Christ the King (Catholicism)

The Sunday culminating the full, annual cycle of religious celebrations, marking the end of the liturgical year with a celebration of Jesus as King of all creation. Catholics celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King usually do so with a feast.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í)

The Day of the Covenant is a festival that commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Center of His Covenant.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá (Bahá'í)

Baha’is observe the anniversary of the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed successor, on Nov 28, 1921 in Haifa, in what is now northern Israel. While this is not a day in which work and school should be suspended, some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá (Bahá'í)

Baha’is observe the anniversary of the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed successor, on Nov 28, 1921 in Haifa, in what is now northern Israel. While this is not a day in which work and school should be suspended, some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Sigd (Judaism)

Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 days after Yom Kippur. Many members of the community fast, recite Psalms, and gather in Jerusalem for readings. The ritual is often followed by the breaking of the fast, dancing, and general revelry. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural

- All Day
Sigd (Judaism)

Ethiopian Jewish holiday occurring 50 days after Yom Kippur. Many members of the community fast, recite Psalms, and gather in Jerusalem for readings. The ritual is often followed by the breaking of the fast, dancing, and general revelry. Some students or employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.
- Religious/Cultural