Multifaith Holiday Calendar - 2023
The multifaith holiday calendar lists many of holidays observed by members of the PVCC community. 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.
Please also note that individual practices may vary.
|
DATE |
DAYS |
HOLIDAY |
RECOMMENDED ACCOMODATIONS |
|
January 1 |
Sunday |
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 |
Friday |
Epiphany (Christian) – Feast day commemorating the revelation of God through Jesus Christ |
None |
|
January 7 |
Saturday |
Christmas (Orthodox Christian) — Day commemorating the birth of Jesus |
Many Eastern Orthodox employees/students will probably request this day off |
|
January 22 |
Sunday |
**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 |
Wednesday |
Parinirvana (Buddhist) – Festival commemorating the death of the |
None |
|
February 22 |
Wednesday |
Ash Wednesday (Christian) - Day of fasting that commemorates first day of Lent |
Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products. |
|
February 27 |
Monday |
Great Lent begins, Clean Monday (Orthodox Christian) – Day of fasting and spiritual purification and reflection |
Note: Employees/students may be fasting. |
|
March 1 - |
Wednesday |
**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 6 - |
Sundown Monday |
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 7 - |
Sundown Tuesday |
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 - |
Sundown Monday |
Nowruz (Baha’i) – Marks the first day of spring |
None |
|
March 22 - |
Sundown Wednesday |
**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). |
|
March 30 |
Thursday |
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 2 |
Sunday |
Palm Sunday (Christian) – A commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem |
None |
|
April 4 |
Tuesday |
Mahavir Jayanthi (Jain) – Celebrates birth of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism |
None |
|
April 5 - |
Sundown Wednesday |
**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 6 |
Thursday |
Hanuman Jayantï (Hindu) – Celebration of birthday of Hanuman, foremost devotee of Sri Rama and Sita |
None |
|
April 7 |
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 9 |
Sunday |
Easter (Christian) – Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ |
Because this holiday falls on Sunday, academic accommodations may not be required. |
|
April 14 |
Friday |
Vaisakhi (Sikh) – New year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born. Vaisakhi is also a long-established harvest festival |
None |
|
April 16 |
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 17 - |
Sundown Monday |
Yom Ha’shoah (Judaism) – Holocaust Remembrance Day |
Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
|
April 21 - |
Sundown Friday |
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). |
|
April 20 - |
Thursday |
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 |
|
May 18 |
Thursday |
Ascension Day (Christian) – Celebrates the departure of Christ from Earth into the presence of God |
None |
|
May 24 |
Wednesday |
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 25 - |
Sundown Thursday |
**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). |
|
May 28 |
Sunday |
Pentecost (Christian) – Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension |
None |
|
May 28 - |
Sundown Sunday |
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’í) – Anniversary of death of founder |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. |
|
June 28 - |
Sundown Wednesday |
**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 9 |
Sunday |
Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’í) – Date the Báb was executed |
None |
|
July 26 - |
Sundown Wednesday |
**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. |
|
July 27 |
Thursday |
Ashura (Islam) – For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala |
None |
|
August 30 |
Wednesday |
Raksha Bhandan (Hindu) – A celebration harmony. The tying of the rakhi (woven |
None |
|
September 6 - |
Wednesday |
**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 15 - |
Sundown Friday |
**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). |
|
September 24 - |
Sundown Sunday |
**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. |
|
September 26 - |
Sundown Tuesday |
Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam) – Commemorates birthday of prophet Muhammad |
Muslim employees/students may be fasting |
|
September 29 - |
Sundown Friday |
**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 6 - |
Sundown Friday |
**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 7 - |
Sundown Saturday |
**Simchat Torah (Judaism) – Celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public |
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
|
October 15-October 24 |
Sundown Sunday |
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 |
|
October 16 |
Monday |
**Birth of the Báb (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the birth of the Báb, one of the founders of the |
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 17 |
Tuesday |
Birth of Baha'u'llah (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the |
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 24 |
Tuesday |
Dussehra (Hindu) – The tenth and final day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navratras |
None |
|
November 12 |
Sunday |
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. |
|
November 15-December 24 |
Wednesday |
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 26 |
Sunday |
Day of the Covenant (Bahá’í) – Celebrates the appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the |
None |
|
December 7 - |
Sundown Thursday |
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 |
Monday |
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 |
Tuesday |
**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 |