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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 1 | Ridvan (12th day) | Baha'i | This day marks the conclusion of Ridvan, a significant Bahá'í festival celebrating the end of Bahá'u'lláh's 12-day period in the Ridvan Garden, where he proclaimed his prophethood. The festival is observed with community gatherings, prayer, and reflection on his teachings. |
| Monday, May 12 | Wesak / Vesak - Buddha Day | Buddhism | Vesak, the most sacred Buddhist holiday, celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Devotees engage in meditation, give alms, and visit temples to reaffirm their commitment to Buddhist precepts. |
| Saturday, May 24 | Declaration of the Bab | Baha'i | Bahá'ís commemorate this day when the Báb announced in 1844 that he was the divine precursor to Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. |
| Thursday, May 29 | Ascension of Baha'u'llah | Baha'i | Observance of the anniversary of Bahá'u'lláh's death in 1892, remembered by Bahá'ís through prayers and readings reflecting on his exile and teachings. |
| Sunday, June 1 at Sundown to Tuesday June, 3 at sundown | Shavuot | Judaism | Shavuot celebrates the revelation of the Torah to Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Traditionally observed by studying scripture and eating dairy products. |
| Thursday, June 5 at Sundown to Monday, June 9 at Sundown | Eid al-Adha | Islam | Eid al-Adha, observed by Muslims as the 'Festival of Sacrifice', commemorates the prophet Abraham's faithfulness to God as shown by his willingness to sacrifice his son. Celebrated with prayers, feasts, and charity. |
| Sunday, June 8 | Pentecost | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Pentecost is observed by Christians as the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages, marking the birth of the Christian Church. |
| Sunday, June 15 | Pentecost | Christianity (Orthodox) | Orthodox Christian celebration of the Holy Spirit's descent on the Apostles, fifty days after Easter, featuring liturgies that emphasize the gifts of the Spirit and the church's mission. |
| Thursday, June 26 | Al Hijra/Muharram | Islam | Al Hijra marks the Islamic New Year and commemorates Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, initiating the formation of the first Muslim community. |
| Thursday, July 10 | Martyrdom of the Bab | Baha'i | Bahá'ís honor the day the Báb was executed in 1850, seen as a martyr for his teachings, which paved the way for Bahá'u'lláh's message. |
| Thursday, July 10 | Asalha Puja Day | Buddhism | This Buddhist festival commemorates Buddha's first sermon delivered after his enlightenment, where he set forth the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path in what is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. |
| Saturday, August 2 at Sundown to Sunday, August 3 at Sundown | Tish a B'Av | Judaism | A solemn Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem, an event believed to be a pivotal moment in Jewish history. |
| Friday, August 15 | Sri Krishna Jayanti/Janmashtami | Hinduism | Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, a revered deity in Hinduism known for his wisdom and charm. Celebrations include dramatic reenactments of his life, fasting, singing, and dancing. |
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. |