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Religious & Spiritual Holidays |
2024 |
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New Years Day – Interfaith USA |
Jan. 1, 2024 |
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Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Catholic Christian
A celebration of the holiness of Mary as the chosen bearer of Jesus.
Feast of St. Basil & Holy Name of Jesus- Orthodox Christian
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Jan. 1, 2024
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Fatemiyeh – Islam or Wiladat: Shehzadi Bibi Sayyedda Fatima Zehra – Islam
The Shia observance is based on the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, lady Fatima. Some countries recognize this day as Mother’s Day.
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Jan. 2, 2024
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Birth of Guru Gobind Singh - Sik
Commemorates the anniversary of the tenth guru.
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Jan. 5, 2024
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Epiphany – Christian
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.
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Jan. 6, 2024 |
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Christmas - Orthodox Christian Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus' birth. |
Jan. 7, 2024 |
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Maghi - Sik-Hindu
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.
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Jan. 13, 2024 |
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Bodhi Day Commemorates the day Buddha, sometimes known as Siddhartha Gautama or Shakyamuni Buddha, experienced enlightenment.
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Jan. 18, 2024 *lunar calendar date
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World Religion Day – Baha’i
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.
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Jan. 21, 2024 |
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Tu Bishavat This Jewish holiday is celebrated as an ancient Earth Day, where trees are planted annually.
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Jan. 21, 2024 |
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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.
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Jan. 25, 2024 |
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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.
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Feb. 1, 2024 |
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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.
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Feb. 8, 2024 |
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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.
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Feb. 10, 2024
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Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins) – Christian
Begins Christian Lent - observance for 40 days; name derives from symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence.
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Feb. 14-Mar. 28, 2024 |
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St. Valentine’s Day – Christian Catholic – Interfaith USA |
Feb. 14, 2024 |
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Nirvana Day & Parinirvana – Buddhist
Commemorates the death of Buddha.
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Feb. 15, 2024 |
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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.
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Feb. 25, 2024 |
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Ayyam-i-Ha – Baha’i Nineteen Day Fast Period
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.
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Feb. 26-29, 2024 |
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Ramadan - Islam The ninth month in the Islamic calendar; 30 days of strict fasting from sunup to sundown in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
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Mar 11-April 10, 2024 |
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St. Patrick’s Day – Catholic Christian A religious and cultural holiday
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Mar. 17, 2024 |
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Clean Monday (Lent Begins) – Orthodox Christian
Period of preparation for Easter, usually 40 days before. Clean Monday signifies the beginning of the Lenten period.
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Mar. 18, 2024 |
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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.
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Mar. 19-20, 2024
Mar. 20-21, 2024
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Purim – Jewish
Feast of Lots; celebrates deliverance of Jews of ancient Persians froma plot to destroy them.
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Mar. 23-24, 2024 |
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Holi This is one of the most known Hindu holy days, and it celebrates the arrival of spring and new life. This lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Full Moon Day.
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Mar. 25, 2024 |
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Palm Sunday – Christian
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.
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Mar. 24, 2024 |
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Holy Thursday – Christian
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.
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Mar. 28, 2024
Mar. 29, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
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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.
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April 6, 2024 |
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Eid al-Fitr – Islam Festival of the breaking of the fast of Ramadan.
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April 9-10, 2024 |
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Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – Hindu – Sikh
Anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa (the army of the Pure Ones) in 1699.
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April 13, 2024 |
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Ridvan – Baha’i Commemorates the declaration of Baha’u’llah to his followers in 1863. Work is suspended for the 1st, 9th and 12th day. |
April 21-May 3, 2024 |
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Pesach (Passover) – Jewish
Marks the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt; “Seder” ceremonies emphasize the concept of freedom.
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April 22 – 30, 2024 |
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Beltane-Pagan, Wicca This Pagan and Wiccan festival honors and represents the peak time of Spring and the beginning of Summer.
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May 1, 2024 |
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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.
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April 28, 2024
May 3, 2024
May 5, 2024
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Ascension Day – Christian
Celebrates Jesus’ ascent into heaven.
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May 9, 2024 |
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Yom Ha-Sho’ah – Jewish International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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May 5-6, 2024 |
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Pentecost – Christian
Fifty days after Easter, this time celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon early Christians following the ascension of Jesus.
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May 19, 2024 |
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Trinity Sunday – Protestant Christian Christian feast dat dedicated to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the essence of God expressing itself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God.
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May 26, 2024 |
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Memorial Day – Interfaith USA |
May 27, 2024 |
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Ascension of Baha’u’llah – Baha’i A commemoration of the death of Baha’u’llah.
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May 29, 2024
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Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev – Sikh Anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev in 1606 C. E., the fifth guru who had built the Golden Temple of Amristar.
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June 10, 2024
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Shavuot – Jewish
Festival of Weeks; celebrates harvest of first fruits and commemorates the giving of the Torah and Commandments at Mt’ Sinai.
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June 11-13, 2024 |
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The Hajj This annual pilgrimage to Mecca is perhaps the most important Muslim holy day. This trip of a lifetime is required of all Muslims if they are physically or financially able to.
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June 14-19, 2024 |
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Eid-al-Adha This Islamic faith holiday ends the Hajj pilgrimage. It celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, to obey God. Because of this, a lamb is given to him to sacrifice in place of his son. On this day, animals, typically a sheep or a goat, are sacrificed and enjoyed by both the family and those in need. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.
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June 16-19, 2024 |
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Juneteenth – Interfaith USA
Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, it commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery.
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June 19, 2024 |
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Litha Summer Solstice – Pagan/Wicca This Pagan and Wiccan festival is held on the summer solstice.
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June 21, 2024 |
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Independence Day – Interfaith USA |
July 4 |
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Hijri New Year
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the lunar Hijri year.
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July 7, 2024 |
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Ashura – Islam
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.
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July 16-17, 2024 |
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Asalha Puja For Buddhists, this day is the start of a three-month mandatory retreat for all monks. Buddhists visit temples to give offerings, pray and meditate and listen to sermons. It is intended to be a day of new beginnings and renewal.
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July 21, 2024
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Pioneer Day – Mormon
Observance of the arrival of Brigham Young and the early settlers to Salt Lake City, Utah.
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July 24, 2023
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Tisha B’av – Jewish
A day of mourning and repentance in remembrance of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
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Aug. 12-13, 2024 |
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Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary – Catholic Christian This feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.
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Aug. 15, 2024
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Dormition of the Theotokos – Orthodox Christian
The Orthodox Christian commemoration of the death and burial of the Virgin Mary.
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Aug. 15, 2024 |
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Raksha Bandhan – Hindu
Hindu festival honoring the loving ties between brothers and sisters in a family.
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Aug. 19, 2024
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Arbaeen – Islam
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
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Aug. 25, 2024 |
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Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu
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.
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Aug. 26, 2024 |
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Labor Day – Interfaith USA |
Sept. 2, 2024 |
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Nativity of Mary – Christian
A Christian celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary.
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Sept. 8, 2024 |
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Paryushana Parva – Jain
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.
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Sept. 8, 2024 |
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Holy Cross Day – Christian
A Christian day of recognition for the Cross on which Jesus was crucified as a central symbol of the Christian religion.
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Sept. 14, 2024 |
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Mabon – Wicca/Pagan
Wicca observance of the autumnal equinox when day and night are of equal length. A harvest festival time.
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Sept. 21-29, 2024 |
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Mawlid The celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in the Islamic faith. Muslim students may be fasting. |
Sept. 15 -16, 2024 Sundown to Sundown |
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Pitru Paksha A period when members of the Hindu faith pay homage to their ancestors. |
Sep 17 -Oct. 2, 2024 |
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Meskel – Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century a.d.
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Sept. 27, 2024 |
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Rosh Hashanah – Jewish
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.
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Oct. 2 –4 2024
Sundown- to Sundown
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Navaratri – Hindu
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.
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Oct. 3, 2024
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Feast of St. Francis – Christian
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.
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Oct. 4, 2024
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Yom Kippur – Jewish
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.
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Oct. 11-12, 2024 Sundown-to Sundown
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Dasara (Dussehra) – Hindu
Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil.
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Oct. 12, 2024
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Sukkot – Jewish
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.
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Oct. 16 -23, 2024
Sundown to Sundown
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Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah – Jewish
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.
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Oct. 24 -25, 2024
Sundown
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Reformation Day – Protestant Christian
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.
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Oct. 31, 2024 |
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All Hallow’s Eve – Christian
Christian celebration of mystery combining prayers and merriment involving children and families. It is a prelude to All Saint’s Day.
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Oct. 31, 2024 |
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All Saints Day (Dia de Muertos)– Christian
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.
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Nov. 1, 2024 |
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Diwali – Hindu – Jain – Sikh
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.
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Nov. 1, 2024 |
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Gujarati New Year – Jain A day celebrated on the first day after the month of Kartika. |
Nov. 1, 2024 |
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Samhain – Pagan/Wicca
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.
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Nov. 1, 2024 |
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All Souls Day – Catholic Christian
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.
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Nov. 2, 2024 |
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Crowning of Haile Selassie The day when Haile Selassie ascended the Ethiopian throne. This is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian year |
Nov. 2, 2024 |
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Birth of the Baha'u'llah – Baha’i
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.
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Nov. 3, 2024 |
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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.
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Nov. 15, 2024 |
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Christ the King – Christian
Christian celebration of the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities.
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Nov. 24, 2024 |
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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.
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Nov. 28, 2024 |
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St. Andrew's Day Feast Celebrates the patron of Romania, Ukraine, Barbados, Greece, Russia and Scotland |
Nov. 30, 2024 |
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Advent – Christian
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.
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Dec. 1 -24, 2024 |
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St. Nicholas Day – Christian
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.
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Dec. 6, 2024 |
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Feast of the Immaculate Conception– Roman Catholic
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.
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*Dec. 9, 2024 |
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Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe – Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic honoring of a legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e.
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Dec. 12, 2024 |
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Posadas Navidenas – Christian
Hispanic Christian feast of the Lodgings commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.
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Dec. 16 – 24, 2024 |
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Yule – Wicca/Pagan
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.
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Dec. 21- Jan. 1, 2025 |
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Christmas Eve – Christian
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.
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Dec. 24, 2024 |
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Christmas – Christian
Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.
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Dec. 25, 2024 |
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Hanukkah – Judaism
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.
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Dec. 25 – Jan. 2, 2025 |
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Kwanzaa – Interfaith USA
Seven-day spiritual celebration of African-American values and traditions and their continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” is Swahili and means “first fruits of the harvest.”
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Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, 2025 |
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