Religious Holidays and Celebrations
Below are many, but not all, of the religious holidays observed by members of the Vassar community.
Please note that individual practices and dates may vary, including for holy days that are determined by the lunar calendar (e.g., the actual start date for Ramadan in the Islamic calendar is determined by the sighting of the new moon).
2023
Holiday
Religion / Notes
Description
Every Friday
Salat al-Jummah (Friday Prayer)
Muslim/ Islam
Weekly congressional prayer service. Planning: The observance takes about 30 to 45 minutes beginning around midday (1 p.m.) and includes both a sermon and short prayer. The prayer is kept short so congregants can go back to work or class afterwards.
June 28–29 (sundown Wednesday to sundown Thursday)
Eid al-Adha
Muslim/Islam
One of the two main Islamic festivals celebrated by all Muslims (the other is Eid al-Fitr), this festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims attend morning prayers and spend the day celebrating with family and community.
July 6
Eid Al Ghadir (Shi‘a)
Muslim/ Islam
This Eid is celebrated by the Shi‘a Muslim community. It commemorates the time when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was said to have appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.
July 19
Muharram (Shi‘a)
Muslim/ Islam
The Shi‘a community honors this day because it marks the Hijra or migration of Muslims from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E. It is the start of the first Islamic community. It is also the first day of the first month of the Islamic year. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.
July 27–28 (sundown Thursday to sundown Friday)
Ashura Shi‘a
Muslim/ Islam
The Shi‘a Muslim community honors this as a day of great mourning, marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad's grandson. Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.
August 15 (Tuesday)
Assumption
Catholic
A Feast Day to celebrate the assumption of Mary, Jesus’ mother, into heaven. A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church
August 30 (Wednesday)
Raksha Bandhan
Hindu
The tying of thread, talisman, or amulet on the wrist as a form of ritual protection. The protection is primarily offered by sisters to brothers, but also by priests to patrons, and sometimes by individuals to real or potential benefactors.
August 21 (Monday)
Nag Panchami
Hindu
Worship of snake-deities
September 5 or 6
Arbaeen
Shia Muslim/ Islam
The Shi‘a community ends the traditional mourning period over the tragedy of Imam Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Shi‘a are one of two main sects in the Muslim community, the other being Sunni. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day.
September 6-7 (Wednesday–Thursday)
Krishna Janmashthami
Hindu
Annual Hindu festival that demarcates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of god Vishnu.
September 23 (Saturday)
Fall Equinox
Pagan
A celebration of the transition from life to death, the harvest, and the bounty of the earth.
September 15–17 (sundown Friday 9/15 to sundown Sunday 9/17)
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish
This marks the beginning of the Jewish year and is the first of the High Holidays and the 10 Days of Awe. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work, attending services, hearing the sound of the shofar, and holiday meals
September 24–25 (sundown Sunday 9/24 to sundown Monday 9/25)
Yom Kippur
Jewish
The Day of Atonement, at the end of the 10 Days of Awe, and second of the High Holidays is devoted to prayer, repentance and fasting. The Sabbath of Sabbaths in the Jewish calendar, it is the most widely observed Jewish holiday of the year. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work, refraining from eating and drinking from sundown to sundown, and attending services.
September 26
Mawlid an-Nabi
Muslim/ Islam
Muslim/ Islam: Some Muslim communities celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Most observances will happen in the evening. Not all Muslims participate in this holiday.
September 29–October 6 (sundown Friday to sundown the following Friday)
Sukkot
Jewish
The Feast of the Tabernacles commemorates the dwelling of the Israelites in the wilderness. Jews build sukkot (booths) and spend time in them over the week. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work on the first two days and eating in the sukkah. All are invited to use the campus sukkah during this holiday.
October 6–7 (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday)
Shemini Atzeret
Jewish
The eighth day of Sukkot, this holiday coincides with the beginning of the rainy season in Israel, and incorporates prayers for rain and a good harvest. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work.
October 7–8 (sundown Saturday to sundown Sunday)
Simchat Torah
Jewish
A celebration of the Torah, this festival marks the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. Planning: Observance includes refraining from work and attending services.
October 15–October 24 (Sunday to Tuesday)
Navaratri
Hindu
A festival dedicated to the Hindu God Shakti.
October 24 (Tuesday)
Vijayadashami
Hindu
Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Lord Rama is remembered as winning a victory over evil.
October 31 (Tuesday)
Reformation Day
Protestant Christian
The Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom.
October 31–November 1 (sundown Tuesday to sundown Wednesday)
Samhain
Pagan
On this night, nearly halfway between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice, Pagans honor a liminal time when the boundary between the physical and the spiritual world is thinnest, and access to knowledge of the dead is possible.
November 1 (Wednesday)
All Saint’s Day
Christian Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected, but please note there is a 5pm on-campus Mass for this significant holy day in the Catholic calendar.
Honors all the saints, known and unknown A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church
October 31–November 2 (Tuesday to Thursday)
Día de los Muertos
Mesoamerican native and Christian
A festive Mexican holiday when families remember their dead and the continuity of life.
November 2 (Thursday)
All Soul’s Day
Christian
A day commemorating the faithful departed.
November 9-14 (Thursday–Tuesday; with special emphasis on Sunday, November 12)
Diwali (Deepavali)
Hindu, Jain, Sikh
The festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Planning: November 12 is the Hindu Amavasya, or new moon, when puja is offered to Maha Lakshmi.
November 15–December 24 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Nativity Fast
Orthodox Christian
The Nativity Fast begins forty days before the Nativity Feast (Jesus’ birth) and is a time to prepare, through fasting and prayer, for the upcoming feast.
November 17–November 20 (Friday–Monday)
Chhath
Hindu
Native to the Madhesh and Mithila regions, Chhath is the worship of the Sun and his wife Usha, thanking them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.
November 23 (Thursday)
Thanksgiving
Interfaith, USA
Day celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
December 3–December 24 (Sunday to Sunday)
Advent
Christian
The season in which Christians prepare and expectantly wait for the birth of Jesus. In the Western Church, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day.
December 8 (Friday)
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected, but please note there is a 5pm on-campus Mass for this significant holy day.
A feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary A holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church
December 8 (Friday)
Bodhi Day
Buddhist
In the Northern or Mahayana tradition, this day celebrates the Buddha’s attainment of Enlightenment.
December 7–December 15 (sundown Thursday to sundown Friday)
Hanukkah
Jewish
The Festival of Lights marks the victory of the Maccabees and rededication of the Temple. It is a celebration of religious freedom and an affirmation of God’s saving power.
December 21 (Thursday)
Winter Solstice/ Yule
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan
The shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice symbolizes the natural cycle of life and death, and the return of light into the world.
December 25 (Monday)
Christmas
Christian
The celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem.
December 26–January 1 (Tuesday to Monday)
Kwanzaa
African-American
An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture, Kwanzaa is a secular observance with some religious participation. Seven life virtues are presented. The dates are always December 26 - January 1.
2024
Holiday
Religion / Notes
Description
January 1 (Monday)
Feast of Mary, Mother of God
Catholic
A holy day of obligation during which Mary, the mother of Jesus, is celebrated.
January 6 (Saturday)
Holy Epiphany/ Día de los Reyes/ Feast of the Theophany
Christian
A celebration of the epiphany (or manifestation) of Jesus’ divine nature. Eastern or Orthodox Christian churches commemorate the baptism of Jesus; Western churches commemorate the coming of the Magi or "Wise Men".
January 7 (Sunday)
Orthodox Christmas
Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
January 24–25 (Sundown Wednesday to Sundown Thursday)
Tu B’shevat
Jewish
The traditional Jewish New Year for trees, this holiday has become a modern celebration of earth and the environment.
January 25 (Thursday)
Mahayana New Year
Buddhist
Begins on the first full moon of January (actual date is not always predictable because the beginning is marked by the sighting of the full moon).
February 10 (Saturday)
Chinese/Vietnamese/ Korean New Year
Buddhist/ Daoist/ Confucian (secular in origin; observed across religious and secular communities throughout East Asia cultural regions excluding Japan)
Celebrated as the most important holiday of the year in the East Asian Lunar calendar (also known as the Chinese lunar calendar). The holiday is observed primarily in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Vietnam and Korea, and also many Southeast Asian countries with significant populations from the above regions. The Year of the Dragon begins.
February 14 (Wednesday)
Vasant Panchami
Hindu
A spring festival that is treated as the start of spring. This also marks the start of preparation for Holika bonfire and Holi, which occurs forty days later
February 14 (Wednesday)
Ash Wednesday
Christian Planning: Refraining from class or assigned work is not expected but attentiveness to the 5pm ecumenical service on campus is encouraged-it is attended by many Christian students
The beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation, prayer and repentance leading up to Easter, the most important time in the Christian calendar.
February 15 (Thursday)
Nirvana Day
Buddhist
This day is the celebration of the day with Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana upon the death of his physical body.
March 8 (Friday)
Maha Shivaratri
Hindu
A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati.
March 10–April 8 (sundown Sunday 3/10 to sundown Monday 4/8) - beginning is marked by local physical sighting of the moon
Ramadan
Muslim/ Islam
Ramadan is the (lunar) month of fasting for all Muslims. Those who practice abstain from eating, drinking from dawn until sunset. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Since Muslims are fasting for most of the day, and for 30 consecutive days, they may experience fatigue. Each Muslim experiences Ramadan differently. Muslims may also be staying up late at night in worship or for community gatherings.
March 17 (Sunday)
St. Patrick‘s Day
Christian
Christian celebration of Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland in early days of the faith.
March 18 (Monday)
Clean Monday
Orthodox Christian
Eastern Orthodox churches begin the season of Lent, marked by fasting, prayer, and charity.
March 19 (Tuesday)
Spring Equinox
Neo-Pagan/ Wiccan
A day that marks the rebirth of the year, and celebrates the change of seasons and the rebirth of the spirit after death.
March 23–24 (sundown Saturday to sundown Sunday)
Purim
Jewish
This joyous celebration of the story of Esther commemorates the victory of the Jews over a tyrannical enemy.
March 24–31 (Sunday to Sunday) March 24 - Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday March 28 - Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday March 29 - Good Friday March 30 - Holy Saturday March 31 - Easter
Holy Week and Easter
Christian
The most important Christian holidays, marking the Last Supper, passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, with a day of holy observance on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
March 25 (Monday)
Holi
Hindu
A widely-celebrated festival during which participants throw colored water or powder at one another to celebrate episodes in the life of Krishna.
April 2 (Tuesday)
New Year
Hindu
The new year is celebrated at various times of the year, usually during spring harvest time, based on the solar or lunar calendars.
April 9–10 (sundown Tuesday to sundown Wednesday) - beginning is marked by local physical sighting of the moon
Eid al Fitr
Muslim/ Islam
Muslim/ Islam: This celebration marks the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting and is known as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast." The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims will go to the mosque in the morning to pray and spend the day with friends and family celebrating.
April 13–16 (Saturday to Thursday)
Songkran/ Thingyan/ Pi Mai Lao
Buddhist
These days mark the New Year for many countries in Southeast Asia. Cleansing rituals are performed, which represent a cleansing of the soul and a washing away of the old year.
April 17 (Wednesday)
Rama Navami
Hindu
The first day of a nine-day festival in honor of the birth of Rama. The Ramayana, an Indian Epic, is performed.
April 21 (Sunday)
Mahavir Jayanti
Jain
Jain festival honoring Lord Mahavira on the founder’s birthday.
April 22–30 (sundown Monday 4/22 to sundown Tuesday 4/30) Seder Nights: Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23
Passover
Jewish
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Seders, ritual feasts at which the story of the Exodus is recounted, are conducted on the first and second nights, followed by six more days of observance during which dietary restrictions apply.
April 28–May 5 (Sunday to Sunday) April 28 - Palm Sunday May 2 - Holy Thursday May 3 - Great Friday May 4 - Holy Saturday May 5 - Pascha
Orthodox Holy Week and Pascha (Easter)
Orthodox Christian
Eastern Orthodox churches observe Holy Week, including Holy Thursday and Great Friday and Easter or Pascha. On Holy Friday, adults abstain from food and drink as their health allows.
May 5–6 (sundown Sunday to sundown Monday)
Yom HaShoah
Jewish
Holocaust Remembrance Day.
May 9 (Thursday)
Ascension
Catholic
A Feast Day to commemorate the ascension of Jesus into heaven after his resurrection
May 19 (Sunday)
Pentecost
Christian
Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit and the founding events of the Christian church.
June 11–13 (sundown Tuesday to sundown Thursday)
Shavuot
Jewish
A harvest festival celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Observance includes refraining from work.
June 17
Eid al Adha
Muslim/ Islam
One of the two main Islamic festivals celebrated by all Muslims (the other is Eid al-Fitr), this festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The start date of a Muslim holiday is determined by the sighting of the new moon the night before, so it can vary by a day. Planning: Muslims attend morning prayers and spend the day celebrating with family and community.
June 20 (Thursday)
Summer Solstice
Pagan
Midsummer, or the day of “solstinium” (“standing still of the sun”) is associated with symbols of fertility, rebirth, the harvest and the bounty of nature.
June 23 (Sunday)
Orthodox Pentecost
Orthodox Christian
Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit and the founding events of the Christian church.
June 29 (Saturday)
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Christian
A liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.