Religious Holidays
The following Multi-Faith Religious Holiday Calendars are provided as an educational resource and as a tool for planning when considering how events and activities may impact religious observances by members of our diverse campus. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of these calendars, we rely on the expertise of our religious, spiritual and worldview campus groups to assist in making our calendars as accurate and representative as possible. Please reach out to faith@uoguelph.ca with any feedback, questions, or corrections.
Academic Accommodation of Religious Obligations
The University acknowledges the pluralistic nature of the graduate and undergraduate communities. Accommodation will be made to students who experience a conflict between a religious obligation and scheduled tests, mid-term exams, final exams, or requirements to attend classes and participate in laboratories. Further information can be found online or by contacting Diversity and Human Rights. The Multi-Faith Resource Team is available for support and consultation.
Add the Religious Holidays Calendar to Outlook
Multi-Faith Programs has created an Outlook calendar of Religious Holidays that is available to everyone with a @uoguelph.ca email. To add the calendar:
- Open your Outlook email and click "Add Calendar."
- Under "Add from Directory," select your account and add mrhc@uoguelph.ca.
- Click "Add" and the calendar will now appear in your list of Outlook calendars.
Religious Holidays Calendar
Date | Holiday | Religious, Spiritual or Worldview Tradition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 16 | Sri Krishna Jayanti/Janmashtami | Hinduism | Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, a central figure in Hindu theology, known for his wisdom and divine joy. Festivities include fasting, singing, and reenactments of Krishna's life. |
| Wednesday, September 3 at Sundown to Thursday, September 4 at Sundown | Mawlid al-Nabi | Islam | Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad with communal prayers, stories of his life, charity, and sharing meals with family and the needy. |
| Monday, September 22 at Sundown to Wednesday, September 24 at Sundown | Rosh Hashanah | Judaism | The Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and renewal. Traditions include blowing the shofar and eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey. |
| Monday, September 22 to Wednesday, October 1 | Navaratri | Hinduism | A nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, celebrated with dance, music, and religious ceremonies. Each night is dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine. |
| Wednesday, October 1 at Sundown to Thursday, October 2 at Sundown | Yom Kippur | Judaism | The holiest day of the Jewish year, dedicated to atonement and repentance. Marked by 25 hours of fasting and intensive prayer. |
| Thursday, October 2 | Dasara | Hinduism | Also known as Vijayadashami, this Hindu festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, marked by processions, theatrical enactments of the Ramayana, and effigy burnings. |
| Monday, October 6 at Sundown to Monday, October 13 at Sundown | Sukkot | Judaism | A week-long Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest, as well as commemorating the 40 years of Israelite wandering in the desert, marked by eating and celebrating in a Sukkah (temporary outdoor hut). |
| Monday, October 13 at Sundown to Wednesday, October 15 at Sundown | Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah | Judaism | Jewish holidays marking the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle, celebrated with singing, dancing, and processions with Torah scrolls. |
| Tuesday, October 21 | Diwali | Hinduism/Sikhism | Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs with fireworks, sweets, and illuminations, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. |
| Wednesday, October 22 to Thursday, October 23 | Birth of the Bab Birth of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i | Bahá'ís observe these days to honor the birthdays of the founders of the Bahá'í faith, celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and acts of service. |
| Saturday, November 1 | All Saints Day | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | A Christian holiday honoring all saints, known and unknown, celebrating their lives and spiritual contributions to Christianity. |
| Sunday, November 2 | All Souls Day | Christianity (Roman Catholic) | Roman Catholics pray for the faithful departed, offering masses and prayers to help cleanse the souls of the deceased, aiding their ascent to heaven. |
| Wednesday, November 5 | Birthdate of Guru Nanak Dev Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, hymns, and distribution of langar (community meals). |
| Monday, November 24 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was executed for defending religious freedom, observed with prayer services and hymn singing. |
| Monday, November 24 | Sahib Ji | Sikhism | A Sikh observance that can refer to various aspects of Sikh tradition, often involving the veneration and remembrance of the ten Gurus. |
| Sunday, December 14 to Monday, December 22 | Hanukkah | Judaism | An eight-day Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. |
| Thursday, December 25 | Christmas | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by festive gatherings, prayers, symbolic decorations, and gift-giving. Many observe the Christmas season for 12 days, ending in the Feast of Epiphany. |
| Saturday, December 27 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs honor the birthday of their tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, a spiritual master, warrior, poet, and philosopher, with readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and processions. |
Date | Holiday | Religious, Spiritual or Worldview Tradition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, January 3 | Mahayana New Year | Buddhism | Celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists, this marks the start of the lunar new year with prayers, meditation, and good deeds. It aims to clear past misdeeds and bring fresh resolutions. |
| Wednesday, January 7 | Christmas | Christianity (Orthodox) | The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by festive gatherings, prayers, symbolic decorations, and gift-giving. Many observe the Christmas season for 12 days, ending in the Feast of Epiphany. |
| Tuesday, January 13 | Maghi | Sikhism | A significant Sikh festival commemorating the 40 Sikhs who sacrificed their lives for Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Battle of Muktsar. It is observed with prayers, processions, and communal meals. |
| Wednesday, January 14 | Makar Sankranti | Hinduism | Celebrates the sun’s transition into Capricorn, marking the end of winter and the start of longer days. It’s observed with kite flying, sweets, and prayers for prosperity. |
| Friday, January 16 | Laylat al Miraj | Islam | A Muslim holiday observing the Prophet Muhammad’s spiritual journey to heaven. It involves night prayers, recitations from the Quran, and personal reflection. |
| Friday, January 23 | Vasanta Panchami | Hinduism | A Hindu festival heralding the arrival of spring and dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. Devotees wear yellow, offer prayers, and engage in educational pursuits. |
| Monday, February 2 at Sundown to Tuesday, February 3 at sundown | Laylat al Baraat | Islam | A Muslim night of repentance and prayer for forgiveness. Devotees spend the night in prayer, seeking divine mercy and reflecting on past actions. |
| Tuesday, February 17 | Lunar New Year | Buddhism | Marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Celebrated with family gatherings, food, prayers, and traditions meant to bring good fortune, health, and happiness for the year ahead. |
| Tuesday, February 17 at Sundown to Thursday, March 19 at sundown | Ramadan | Islam | A sacred month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer, and reflection. Muslims focus on self-discipline, gratitude, and charity to strengthen their faith and compassion for others. |
| Monday, March 2 at Sundown to Tuesday, March 3 at Sundown | Purim | Judaism | Commemorates the saving of the Jewish people in Persia. Celebrated with costumes, reading the Book of Esther, festive meals, charity, and gift-giving to friends and family. |
| Tuesday, March 3 | Magha Puja Day | Buddhism | Commemorates Buddha’s sermon to 1,250 enlightened monks. Devotees gather at temples to meditate, chant, and reflect on the teachings of love, compassion, and moral discipline. |
| Friday, March 4 | Holi | Hinduism/Sikhism | Known as the festival of colors, Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and triumph of good over evil. People throw colored powders, dance, and enjoy festive foods together. |
| Sunday, March 15 to Monday, March 16 | Laylat al Qadr | Islam | Known as the Night of Power, it commemorates when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Considered the holiest night, it is observed with prayer and reflection. |
| Thursday, March 19 at Sundown to Sunday, March 20 at Sundown | Eid Al-Fitr | Islam | Celebrates the end of Ramadan. Muslims gather for prayers, give charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and enjoy festive meals with family and friends to mark the month’s spiritual achievement. |
| Saturday, March 21 | Naw-Ruz | Baha'i | The Bahá'í New Year, Naw-Ruz coincides with the spring equinox and is celebrated with prayer, music, dancing, and symbolic meals among friends and family. |
| Wednesday, April 1 at Sundown to Thursday, April 9 at Sundown | Passover/Pesach | Judaism | Commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Celebrated with the Seder meal, symbolic foods, and storytelling to remember themes of freedom and faith. |
| Friday, April 3 | Good Friday | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Observed with fasting, prayer, and church services that reflect on sacrifice, suffering, and the promise of redemption |
| Sunday, April 5 | Easter | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. A joyful holiday marked with church services, music, and traditions celebrating new life and spiritual hope. |
| Friday, April 10 | Good Friday | Christianity (Orthodox) | Honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians attend solemn church services and reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity |
| Sunday, April 12 | Easter | Christianity (Orthodox) | Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, symbolizing victory over death and sin. Services begin at midnight, followed by feasting and joyous family gatherings. |
| Monday, April 13 at Sundown to Tuesday, April 14 at Sundown | Yom HaShoah | Judaism | Holocaust Remembrance Day. Honors the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust with ceremonies, candle-lighting, and moments of reflection and silence. |
| Tuesday, April 14 | Vaisakhi | Hinduism | Marks the spring harvest and the founding of the Khalsa in Sikhism. Celebrated with parades, prayers, and festivals, especially in northern India and Sikh communities. |
| Sunday, April 20 | Ridvan (1st day) | Baha'i | Marks the start of the twelve-day Ridvan Festival, celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration as a Messenger of God. It is the holiest Baha’i festival, observed with prayer and community. |
| Monday, April 28 | Ridvan (9th day) | Baha'i | Commemorates the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh’s family to the Ridvan Garden. A joyful holy day in the twelve-day Ridvan Festival, marked by reflection and gatherings. |
Date | Holiday | Religious, Spiritual or Worldview Tradition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | Ridvan (12th day) | Baha'i | Concludes the Ridvan Festival. Celebrates Bahá’u’lláh’s departure from the garden, symbolizing spiritual renewal and a significant moment in Baha’i history. |
| Friday, May 1 | Wesak / Vesak - Buddha Day | Buddhism | Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. Observed with meditation, chanting, and acts of kindness and generosity to honor the Buddha’s life and teachings. |
| Thursday, May 21 at Sundown to Saturday, May 23 at sundown | Shavuot | Judaism | Marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Celebrated with readings from the Torah, all-night study sessions, and eating dairy foods in Jewish communities. |
| Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 24 | Declaration of the Bab | Baha'i | Celebrates the day the Báb announced His mission as a messenger of God. A sacred Baha’i holiday, observed with readings, prayers, and reflection on spiritual renewal. |
| Sunday, May 24 | Pentecost | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Seen as the birth of the Christian Church, it is marked with joyful worship and readings. |
| Tuesday, May 26 at Sundown to Saturday, May 30 at Sundown | Eid al-Adha | Islam | Commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Celebrated with special prayers, animal sacrifice, and charitable giving to the poor and needy. |
| Thursday, May 28 to Friday, May 29 | Ascension of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i | Marks the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha’i Faith. Observed with quiet reflection, prayers, and remembrance of His teachings and spiritual legacy. |
| Sunday, May 31 | Pentecost | Christianity (Orthodox) | Celebrates the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles. Considered the Church’s birthday, it is marked with prayers, icon decorations, and festive meals in Orthodox communities. |
| Monday, June 15 at Sundown to Tuesday, June 16 at Sundown | Al Hijra/Muharram | Islam | Marks the Islamic New Year and the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad to Medina. Muharram is a sacred month of remembrance, especially for Shia Muslims. |
| Thursday, July 9 | Martyrdom of the Bab | Baha'i | Commemorates the execution of the Báb in 1850. A solemn day in the Baha’i calendar, marked by prayers and reflection on sacrifice, faith, and spiritual courage. |
| Wednesday, July 22 at Sundown to Thursday, July 23 at Sundown | Tish a B'Av | Judaism | A day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Observed with fasting, lamentations, and prayers for peace and restoration. |
| Wednesday, July 29 | Asalha Puja Day | Buddhism | Celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon, which set the wheel of Dharma in motion. Buddhists honor the day through meditation, listening to teachings, and acts of generosity. |
| Tuesday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 26 | Mawlid al-Nabi | Islam | Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad with communal prayers, stories of his life, charity, and sharing meals with family and the needy. |
Date | Holiday | Religious, Spiritual or Worldview Tradition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 4 | Sri Krishna Jayanti/Janmashtami | Hinduism | Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, a central figure in Hindu theology, known for his wisdom and divine joy. Festivities include fasting, singing, and reenactments of Krishna's life. |
| Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13 | Rosh Hashanah | Judaism | The Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and renewal. Traditions include blowing the shofar and eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey. |
| Sunday, September 20 to Monday, September 21 | Yom Kippur | Judaism | The holiest day of the Jewish year, dedicated to atonement and repentance. Marked by 25 hours of fasting and intensive prayer. |
| Monday, September 22 to Wednesday, October 1 | Navaratri | Hinduism | A nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, celebrated with dance, music, and religious ceremonies. Each night is dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine. |
| Friday, September 25 to Friday, October 2 | Sukkot | Judaism | A week-long Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest, as well as commemorating the 40 years of Israelite wandering in the desert, marked by eating and celebrating in a Sukkah (temporary outdoor hut). |
| Evening on Friday, October 2 to Nightfall on Sunday, October 4 | Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah | Judaism | Jewish holidays marking the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle, celebrated with singing, dancing, and processions with Torah scrolls. |
| Tuesday, October 20 | Dasara | Hinduism | Also known as Vijayadashami, this Hindu festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, marked by processions, theatrical enactments of the Ramayana, and effigy burnings. |
| Sunday, November 8 | Diwali | Hinduism/Sikhism | Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs with fireworks, sweets, and illuminations, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. |
| Sunday, November 1 | All Saints Day | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | A Christian holiday honoring all saints, known and unknown, celebrating their lives and spiritual contributions to Christianity. |
| Monday, November 2 | All Souls Day | Christianity (Roman Catholic) | Roman Catholics pray for the faithful departed, offering masses and prayers to help cleanse the souls of the deceased, aiding their ascent to heaven. |
| Tuesday, November 10 to Wednesday, November 11 | Birth of the Bab | Baha'i | Bahá'ís observe these days to honor the birthdays of the founders of the Bahá'í faith, celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and acts of service. |
| Birth of Baha'u'llah | |||
| Tuesday, November 24 | Birthdate of Guru Nanak Dev Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, hymns, and distribution of langar (community meals). |
| Tuesday, November 24 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was executed for defending religious freedom, observed with prayer services and hymn singing. |
| Tuesday, November 24 | Sahib Ji | Sikhism | A Sikh observance that can refer to various aspects of Sikh tradition, often involving the veneration and remembrance of the ten Gurus. |
| Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 12 | Hanukkah | Judaism | An eight-day Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. |
| Friday, December 25 | Christmas | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by festive gatherings, prayers, symbolic decorations, and gift-giving. Many observe the Christmas season for 12 days, ending in the Feast of Epiphany. |
| Sunday, December 27 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji | Sikhism | Sikhs honor the birthday of their tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, a spiritual master, warrior, poet, and philosopher, with readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and processions. |
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