Religious Observances Calendar

 A celebration of the holiness of Mary as the chosen bearer of Jesus.

Feast of St. Basil & Holy Name of Jesus- Orthodox Christian

Jan. 1, 2024

The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, lady Fatima. Some countries recognize this day as Mother’s Day.

Jan. 2, 2024

Commemorates the anniversary of the tenth guru.

Jan. 5,
2024

Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) 
End of the 12 days of Christmas; celebrates visit of the three kings to baby Jesus; especially important to Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics.

This Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated after the mid-winter celebration of Lohri, where bonfires are lit in Northern India. The following morning Hindus enjoy this festival which involves ritual baths in rivers and ponds.

Jan. 18,
2024 *lunar calendar date

In 1950, this day was founded by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States to address the need for religious unity.

Wiladat: Imam Ali – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Imam Ali ibn Aboutaleb. Some countries consider this day as Father’s Day.

Imbolc  - Wiccan/Neo Pagan
Pagans and Wiccans celebrate this festival as the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, which honors light, fire, and the return of life after a long winter.

Lailat al Miraj – Islam
Muslims remember Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem on this holy day. After his arrival, he ascended to Heaven.

Chinese New Year – Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist
This celebration of the new year on the lunisolar Chinese Calendar is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture. It also influences the Lunar New Year celebrations of nearly 56 other ethnic groups, including Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Feb. 10,
2024

Begins Christian Lent - observance for 40 days; name derives from symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence.

 Commemorates the death of Buddha.

Promised Savior Day – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the birthday of Imam Mahdi, the promised savior who is the descendant of Prophet Muhammad. The eschatological redeemer of Islam and ultimate savior of humankind and the final Imam of the Shia who will emerge with Isa (Jesus Christ) to fulfill their mission of bringing peace and justice to the world.

Lailat al Bara-ah – Islam
Night of Forgiveness. A night of prayer to Allah for forgiveness of the dead. Preparation for Ramadan through intense prayer.

 This period adjusts the Baha’i year to the solar calendar. It leads to the 19 day fast; each day of Ayyam-i-Ha is marked by a different virtue like hospitality, gift giving or charity.

Period of preparation for Easter, usually 40 days before. Clean Monday signifies the beginning of the Lenten period.

Naw-Ruz – Baha’i (New Year)

Nowruz – Zoroastrian (Persian New Year)
The day of the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is celebrated as the beginning of New Year in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and by various ethno-linguistic groups across the world.

Mar. 19-20, 2024

Mar. 20-21,
2024

Feast of Lots; celebrates deliverance of Jews of ancient Persians froma plot to destroy them.

Celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem during Passover. Usually reenacted by the waving of palm branches and the singing of songs. This also commemorates the beginning of Holy Week.

This day celebrates the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) at Jesus’ Last Supper.

Good Friday – Christian 
The Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

Easter – Christian
Celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.

Mar. 28,
2024

Mar. 29,
2024

Mar. 31,
2024

Lailat al-Qadr – Islam
Night of Destiny, the holiest night of the year for Muslims as it’s believed it’s the night that the Quran was sent down from Heaven. The last ten nights of Ramadan are dedicated to praying and scripture reading as they believe this night of decree took place in one of those ten nights.

Eid al-Fitr – Islam
Festival of the breaking of the fast of Ramadan.

 Anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa (the army of the Pure Ones) in 1699.

 Marks the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; “Seder” ceremonies emphasize the concept of freedom.

Beltane-Pagan, Wicca
This Pagan and Wiccan festival honors and represents the peak time of Spring and the beginning of Summer.

Holy Thursday  – Orthodox Christian
This day celebrates the institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) at Jesus’ Last Supper.

Good Friday  – Orthodox Christian
The Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.

Easter – Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

April 28, 2024

May 3, 2024

May 5, 2024

Celebrates Jesus’ ascent into heaven.

 Fifty days after Easter, this time celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon early Christians following the ascension of Jesus.

Ascension of Baha’u’llah – Baha’i
A commemoration of the death of Baha’u’llah.

May 29, 2024

June 10,
2024

Festival of Weeks; celebrates harvest of first fruits and commemorates the giving of the Torah and Commandments at Mt’ Sinai.

Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, it commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery.

The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the lunar Hijri year.

An Islamic optional one day fast. The Shia observance is based on the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s Grandson, Hussein, martyred on this date in 683/684 AD at the battle of Kerbala. Sunni observance is a recognition of Moses fasting in gratitude to Allah/God for liberation from oppression.

July 21,
2024

 Observance of the arrival of Brigham Young and the early settlers to Salt Lake City, Utah.

July 24,
2023

 A day of mourning and repentance in remembrance of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Aug. 15,
2024

The Orthodox Christian commemoration of the death and burial of the Virgin Mary.

Hindu festival honoring the loving ties between brothers and sisters in a family.

Aug. 19,
2024

This day marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after Ashura for Shia Muslims. It marks the day that God delivered Israelites from the Egyptian Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea where they could safely cross

 Hindu commemoration of the birth of Krishna – the 8th incarnation of the god Vishnu who took the form of Krishna to destroy the evil king Kansa.

A Christian celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary.

 Jain 8 day fesitval signifying human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement. Marked by recitations from Jain sacred writing and family exchange of cards and letters. Celebration of the natural qualities of the soul. The 8th day (Samvatsari) is most important and is forcused on forgiveness.

 A Christian day of recognition for the Cross on which Jesus was crucified as a central symbol of the Christian religion.

 Wicca observance of the autumnal equinox when day and night are of equal length. A harvest festival time.

Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century a.d.

 Jewish New Year. Begins at sundown. A time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence. The story of Abraham is read, the ram’s horn is sounded, and special foods are prepared and shared. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities.

Oct. 2 –4 2024

Sundown- to Sundown 

Hindu Festival of the divine mother honoring Durga, wife of Shiva, and seeking her blessings. Also observed as a celebration recalling the days of Lord Krishna.

Oct. 3, 2024

Christian recognition of service to people and appreciation of the natural world, as practiced by St. Francis and the Franciscan Monastic Order which he founded.

Oct. 4, 2024

Begins at sundown. Jewish Day of Atonement. The holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with strict fasting and ceremonial repentance. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities. Jewish community members may be fasting all day.

Oct. 11-12, 2024
Sundown-to Sundown 

Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil.

Oct. 12, 2024

Begins at sundown. Jewish Feast of Tabernacles which celebrates the harvest and protection of the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness dwelling in tents. Temporary dwelling places have leaves for a roof so the sky can be seen. In temperate climates, night is spent in the Succoth. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities during the first two days.

Oct. 16 -23, 2024

Sundown to Sundown

Begins at sundown. Jewish completion of the annual cycle of reading of the Torah. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, activities during the first two days.

Oct. 24 -25, 2024

Sundown 

 Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious Freedom. On October 31, 1517 c.e. Martin Luther posted a belief statement on Wittenbeg Church door. 

Christian celebration of mystery combining prayers and merriment involving children and families. It is a prelude to All Saint’s Day.

 Christian day for honoring saints, known and unknown. In general, saints are persons with a reputation for unusual lives of holiness and devotion to God or who were martyred for their faith. A Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church to attend Mass.

 Hindu Festival of Lights symbolizing the human urge to move toward the light. Gift exchanges, fireworks and festive meals. Hindu, Jain, Sikh community members will likely request to have this day off.

Wiccan festival marking the end of the harvest season endings and beginnings and of remembering the dead.Revering of elders is also observed. Begins at sundown.

Christian day of prayers of remembrance and intercession for the dead. Prayers of the faithful are seen as helping to cleanse the souls for the beatific vision of God in heaven.

Begins at sundown. Baha’i honoring of the founder of the Babi religion, forerunner to Baha’u’llah and the Baha’i faith. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events. Baha’i community members will likely request to have this day off.

Guru Nanak Dev Sahib birthday – Sikh

Sikh honoring of the birth of the first Sikh teacher who lived from 1469 – 1539 c.e. Sacred readings, prayers, hymns, meals together.

Christ the King – Christian

Christian celebration of the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities.

Nativity Fast Begins – Orthodox Christian
Nativity Fast sanctifies the last part of the year and is established so that by the day of the Nativity of Christ we will purify ourselves by repentance, prayer and abstinence.

Christian time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and is the beginning of the Christian worship year. Advent is observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths, and special ceremonies. Advent also anticipates the coming again to earth of Jesus Christ. The season continues through December 24.

Christian celebration of the birth of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children and role model for gift giving. Many churches are named for this saint who is also the Dutch version of Santa Claus.

Roman Catholic day of celebrating Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. A day of obligation and required Mass attendance.

 Roman Catholic honoring of a legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e.

Hispanic Christian feast of the Lodgings commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.

The festival of the winter solstice - a Norse Pagan celebration of the winter-born king, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun. A present day Wicca event.

Christian celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. It is observed with worship, candle-lighting, manager scenes and festive meals.

 Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.

 Jewish festival of lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lighted. Begins at sundown.

Seven-day spiritual celebration of African-American values and traditions and their continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” is Swahili and means “first fruits of the harvest.”