Multifaith Calendar
2022 Multifaith Holiday Calendar
Below are many of the religious holidays observed by members of the PVCC community
Please note that individual practices may vary
Dates marked with a double asterisk (**) denote occasions on which the precept of a particular tradition and the practice of nearly all its adherents, includes significant restrictions on academic activity.
| DATE | DAYS | HOLIDAY | RECOMMENDED ACCOMODATIONS |
| January 1 | Saturday | Gantan-Sai (Shinto) – New Year festival, commemorated by going to shrine, prayer for inner renewal, prosperity, and health | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date |
| January 6 | Thursday | Epiphany (Christian) – Feast day commemorating the revelation of God through Jesus Christ | None |
| January 7 | Friday | Christmas (Orthodox Christian) — Day commemorating the birth of Jesus | Many Eastern Orthodox employees/students will probably request this day off |
| February 1 | Tuesday | **Chinese New Year (Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism) – the most important of traditional Chinese holidays | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Many Chinese employees/students will probably request this day off. |
| February 15 | Tuesday | Parinirvana (Buddhist) – Festival commemorating the death of the Buddha and attainment of parinirvana |
None |
| March 2 - March 20 |
Wednesday Sunday |
**Nineteen Day Fast (Baha’i) – Sunrise to sunset fast also marked with prayer to reinvigorate soul and bring closer to God | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date. Bahá’ís employees/students may be fasting |
| March 2 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday (Christian) - Day of fasting that commemorates first day of Lent | Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products. |
| March 7 | Monday | Great Lent begins, Clean Monday (Orthodox Christian) – Day of fasting and spiritual purification and reflection | Note: Employees/students may be fasting. |
| March 15 - March 16 |
Sundown Tuesday Sundown Wednesday |
Purim (Judaism) – Commemorates the story of Esther | Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jewish employees/students should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply) |
| March 18 - March 19 |
Sundown Friday Sundown Saturday |
Holi (Hindu) – "Festival of Colors" celebrated over two days with throwing of colored powder and water; commemorating the triumph of good over evil. | Flexibility when scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Hindu employees/students may request a vacation day on this date |
| March 20 - March 21 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Monday |
Nowruz (Baha’i) – Marks the first day of spring | None |
| April 3 - May 1 |
Sundown Friday Sundown Sunday |
**Ramadan (Islam) – Month of fasting to commemorate first revelation of the Qur’an to Muhammad | Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that employees/students celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (halal restrictions apply). |
| April 10 | Sunday | Palm Sunday (Christian) – A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem | None |
| April 10 | Sunday | Rama Navami (Hindu) – Celebration of birth of Prince Rama, avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya | None |
| April 14 | Thursday | Vaisakhi (Sikh) – New year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born. Vaisakhi is also a long-established harvest festival | None |
| April 14 | Thursday | Mahavir Jayanthi (Jain) – Celebrates birth of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism | None |
| April 15 | Friday | Good Friday (Christian) – Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary | Provide food accommodation as requested—meat (fish is not considered meat) is prohibited during meals for some. |
| April 16 | Saturday | Hanuman Jayantï (Hindu) – Celebration of birthday of Hanuman, foremost devotee of Sri Rama and Sita | None |
| April 15 - April 23 |
Sundown Friday Sundown Saturday |
**Passover (Judaism) – Week-long observance commemorating liberation of Israelites by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under leadership of Moses | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—the use of leavening is prohibited so, for example, matzah is eaten in place of bread.) |
| April 17 | Sunday | Easter (Christian) – Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ | Because this holiday falls on Sunday, academic accommodations may not be required. |
| April 20 - May 1 |
Wednesday Sunday |
Ridván (Bahá’í) – Twelve-day festival when founder Bahá’u’lláh declared his mission | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the 1st day, 9th day, and 12th day of Ridván |
| April 24 | Sunday | Pascha (Orthodox Christian) – Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ | Because this holiday falls on Sunday, academic accommodations may not be required. |
| April 27 - April 28 |
Sundown Wednesday Sundown Thursday |
Yom Ha’shoah (Judaism) – Holocaust Remembrance Day | Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
| May 2 - May 3 |
Sundown Monday Sundown Tuesday |
Eid al-Fitr (Islam) – Eid al-Fitr means "break the fast", and is the last day of Ramadan, marking the end of a month of fasting | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply). |
| May 24 | Tuesday | Declaration of the Báb (Bahá’í) – Commemorates declaration of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh the founder of the Bahá’í Faith | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. |
| May 26 | Thursday | Ascension Day (Christian) – Celebrates the departure of Christ from Earth into the presence of God | None |
| May 28 - May 29 |
Sundown Saturday Sundown Sunday |
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’í) – Anniversary of death of founder | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. |
| June 4 - June 6 |
Sundown Saturday Sundown Monday |
**Shavuot (Judaism) – Festival commemorating giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested. (Kosher restrictions apply—although it is customary to eat dairy). |
| June 5 | Sunday | Pentecost (Christian) – Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension | None |
| July 9 - July 10 |
Sundown Saturday Sundown Sunday |
**Eid al-Adha (Islam) – Commemorates Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son to God | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first day. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply). |
| July 10 | Sunday | Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’í) – Date the Báb was executed | None |
| August 5 - August 6 |
Sundown Friday Sundown Saturday |
**Tisha B’Av (Judaism) – Day of mourning to commemorate many tragedies that have befallen Jewish people, many occurring on the ninth of Av | Plan limited activities after a fast. |
| August 7 - August 8 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Monday |
Ashura (Islam) – For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala | None |
| August 11 | Thursday | Raksha Bhandan (Hindu) – A celebration harmony. The tying of the rakhi (woven bracelet) signifies a special bond of unity and affection between two individuals |
None |
| August 18 - August 19 |
Thursday Friday |
**Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) – Two-day festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, a widely-worshiped Hindu god | Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that students will be operating on very little sleep. |
| September 26-October 5 | Sundown Monday Sundown Wednesday |
Navaratri (Hindu) – Literally meaning “nine nights,” this is a major Hindu event that honors the Goddess Durga and celebrates the triumph of good over evil | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities. Note that members of the community may be hungry due to fasting |
| September 25 - September 27 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Tuesday |
**Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) – Beginning of the Jewish Year and High Holy Days | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
| October 4 - October 5 |
Sundown Tuesday Sundown Wednesday |
**Yom Kipper (Judaism) – Day of atonement to reflect on sins and seek forgiveness from God | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting. |
| October 5 | Wednesday | Dussehra (Hindu) – The tenth and final day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navratras | None |
| October 7 - October 8 |
Sundown Friday Sundown Saturday |
Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam) – Commemorates birthday of prophet Muhammad | Muslim employees/students may be fasting |
| October 9 - October 16 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Sunday |
**Sukkot (Judaism) – The Feast of the Tabernacles and Harvest festival | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
| October 16 - October 18 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Tuesday |
**Shemini Atzeret (Judaism) – Marks the end of Sukkot | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
| October 17 - October 18 |
Sundown Monday Sundown Tuesday |
**Simchat Torah (Judaism) – Celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
| October 24 | Monday | Diwali (Hindu) – A 5-day festival of light that combines several different festivals in honor of gods, goddesses, harvests, new year’s, etc. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. | Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Hindu employees will likely request a vacation day on this date. |
| October 25 - October 26 |
Sundown Tuesday Sundown Wednesday |
**Birth of the Báb (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the birth of the Báb, one of the founders of the Bahá’í Faith |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off. |
| October 26 - October 27 |
Sundown Wednesday Sundown Thursday |
Birth of Baha'u'llah (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees suspend work on this day and will likely request to have this day off. |
| November 15-December 24 | Tuesday Saturday |
Nativity Fast (Orthodox Christian) – A period of abstinence and penance in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus | The rules of fasting are not the same during the whole time of the Nativity Fast. Provide food accommodation as requested. |
| November 25 | Thursday | Day of the Covenant (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant |
None |
| December 18 - December 26 |
Sundown Sunday Sundown Monday |
Hanukkah (Judaism) – Festival of lights lasting for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom | Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary). |
| December 25 | Sunday | Christmas (Christian) – Annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus | National holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required. |
| December 26 -January 1 | Monday Sunday |
**Kwanzaa (Non-religious) - Week-long celebration honoring African heritage in African-American culture | Schools are usually closed during this time so specific accommodations may not be necessary |