Cultural & Religious Observances Resources

Buddhism was founded in Northern India by the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. He lived from approximately 566 to 480 B.C. Practitioners follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterized by the tenets of nonviolence, lack of dogma, and tolerance of differences. The most significant holiday in Buddhist communities is Vesak (Buddha Day), which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. The date of this holiday is different in every cultural community, but the celebrations usually occur in May. Talk with your Buddhist families to identify dates of celebration. 

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Buddhist observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• Bodhi Day - commemorates the day that the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, experienced enlightenment or spiritual awakening (bodhi). Celebrated on the eighth day either of December or the 12th month of the lunar calendar.

• Mahayana New Year - a traditional Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. It is considered one of the most important events in the Buddhist calendar. 

• Magha Puja - commemorates the spontaneous assembly of 1,250 disciples, completely enlightened monks, in the historical Buddha's presence.

• Nirvana Day - celebrates the day when the historical Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. Sometimes celebrated on February 8.

• Theravada New Year - In Theravada countries the New Year is celebrated on the first full moon day in April, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. 

• Visakha Puja (Vesak or Budda Day) - marks the birth, spiritual awakening and death (nirvana) of the historical Buddha. (This date may vary based on region or sect.).

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

The civil calendar generally reflects the Western Christian liturgical year, resulting in Christian families experiencing few scheduling conflicts. 

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Christian observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• All Soul's Day/ Dia de Muertos - Commemoration of all faithful Christians who are now dead. In Mexican tradition it is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos between October 31 and November 2, and is an occasion to remember dead ancestors and celebrate the continuity of life.

• *Advent - a season of spiritual preparation in observance of the birth of Jesus the Christ. In Western Christianity, it starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November.

• Our Lady of Guadalupe - celebrates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (by her title, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas) before Juan Diego, an indigenous convert to Roman Catholicism, on the Mexican hill of Tepeyac in 1531.

• Christmas - commemorates the birth of Jesus the Christ.

• Epiphany - celebrates the manifestation of Jesus as Christ. The Western Church associates Epiphany with the journey of the Magi to the infant Jesus the Christ, and the Eastern Orthodox Church associates Theophany with the baptism of Jesus the Christ by John.

• *Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent for Western Christian churches. 

• *Lent - a 40-day period of spiritual preparation and fasting for Easter, not counting Sundays.

• Palm Sunday - Observed the Sunday before Easter/Pascha to commemorate the entry of Jesus the Christ into Jerusalem.

• *Holy Week - beginning on Palm Sunday, it is the week preceding Easter.  Holy week brings special responsibilities for some students, making it impossible for them to complete major assignments or to participate in evening activities or overnight trips. Schools will want to avoid scheduling major events. 

• Good Friday - commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus the Christ on the Friday before Easter. Known as Holy Friday in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

• Easter/Pascha - celebrates the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

The Eastern Orthodox Christian Church follows the Julian Calendar, rather than the Gregorian Calendar of the Western churches. Most local-area Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, but some may observe the holiday on January 7.  

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Eastern Orthodox Christian observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• *Nativity Fast - a period of fasting and penance in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus on December 25. 

• Christmas - commemorating the birth of Jesus, most Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches based on their use of the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar.

• *Clean Monday/Great Lent - the beginning of Great Lent for Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, which starts 40 days before Pascha, counting Sundays.

• Palm Sunday - observed the Sunday before Pascha to commemorate the entry of Jesus the Christ into Jerusalem.

• Holy Thursday - also known as Maundy Thursday, it is celebrated on the Thursday before Pascha commemorating the Last Supper, at which Jesus the Christ and the Apostles were together for the last time before the Crucifixion.

• Holy Friday - commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Friday before Pascha. Known as Good Friday in Western Christianity.

• Pascha - known as Easter in Western Christianity, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

Hinduism is India’s indigenous religious and cultural system, followed today by nearly 1 billion adherents, mostly in India, but with large populations in many other countries. All Hindu denominations share a vast heritage of culture and belief: karma, dharma, reincarnation, all-pervasive Divinity, temple worship, sacraments, manifold Deities, the many yogas, the guru-nishya tradition, and a reliance on the Vedas as scriptural authority. The most important holidays in Hinduism are Diwali, Dussehra, and Holi Day. The exact date of celebration for these holidays can vary in each Hindu community.  

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Hindu observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• Raksha Bandhan - also called Rakhi, this festival celebrates the protective relationship between brothers and their sisters.

• Jayanti - celebrates Krishna’s birthday, Vishnu’s eighth incarnation on earth.

• Ganesh Chaturthi - celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-deity.

• *Navaratri - nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It worships God in the form of the universal mother commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti, and marks the start of fall.

• Dussehra/Dassera - anniversary of the day when Rama killed the evil demon Ravana.

• *Diwali - also called Deepavali, “Festival of Lights,” it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.. 

• Holi - a spring festival in India and Nepal dedicated to the god of pleasure, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing love.

• Visakha Puja (Vesak or Budda Day) - marks the birth, spiritual awakening and death (nirvana) of the historical Buddha. (This date may vary based on region or sect.).

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

Important: Please note that the exact dates for Muslim holidays can vary by a day or two and are subject to local sightings of the new moon. Holidays tend to begin at sundown on the date shown. 

Islam is the complete submission and obedience to Allah (God). The faithful of Islam refer to themselves as Muslims. Every year, Muslims engage in a 30-day, sunup-to-sundown fast called Ramadan, which is one of the holiest times of the year.

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Muslim observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• Mawlid al-Nabi - the observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Shi’a Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims.

• *Ramadan - a 30-day, sunup-to-sundown fast called Ramadan to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. When Ramadan occurs during the school year, schools and offices can best support fasting students and employees by helping others understand the nature and purpose of fasting, by voicing their own support for the commitment to a goal, and by discouraging those who tease and challenge fasting students’ and employees’ commitment to the discipline. 

• *Laylat al-Qadr - commemorates the night that the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is known as the “Night of Power.” Often set on the 27th day of Ramadan, Sunnis may observe it on the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 29th and Shīʿite (Shiite) observe it on the 19th, 21st or 23rd day of Ramadan.

• *Eid al-Fitr - the “Feast of the Breaking of the Fast” marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting from dawn until dusk.

• Hajj - annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Eid ul-Adha - Festival of Sacrifice. Marks the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian group who avoid practices that have come down from ancient nature religions as well as celebrations related to earthly governments; practically speaking, that eliminates all the holidays observed by other religious groups and the culture at large. Each year, Jehovah's Witnesses commemorate the Memorial of Jesus' Death. The commemoration of the Memorial of Jesus' Death begins at sundown on the designated date. They take very seriously their responsibility to witness to their beliefs, so even the youngest children are taught to refrain from engaging in conventional school celebrations. Some children are permitted to participate in class activities that focus on teaching about celebrations as an integral part of the instructional content. Jehovah’s Witnesses place very high value on education, are eager to support the school, and deeply appreciate ongoing conversations with teachers.

Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion. The Torah, Midrash, and Talmud are the central texts of the Jewish faith. Jewish holidays begin at sundown of the previous day. In addition to abstinence from work, people of the Jewish faith may observe some of these holidays with fasting, family gatherings, prayer, and attendance at synagogues.  

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. It is a solemn day of repentance and atonement that takes place ten days after Rosh Hashanah, or the Feast of Trumpets. 

Please refer to the Calendar of Observances for the specific dates of Jewish observations, which are listed below in the order they tend to occur during the school year.  An asterisk (*) denotes employees and students may have special diet restrictions, absences, require adjustments to their normal routines or schedules, and/or may be unable to attend activities after school or work hours.

• Tish'a B'av - mourning of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE.

• *Rosh Hashanah - beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and spiritual renewal.

• *Yom Kippur - the “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah.

• *Sukkot - the week-long “Feast of Booths” commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land. 

• Shemini Atzeret - “The Eighth [Day] of Assembly” observed on the day immediately following Sukkot.

• Simchat Torah - “Rejoicing in the Torah” celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and its beginning anew.

• Hanukkah - an eight-day “Festival of Lights”, also known as Chanukah, celebrating the rededication of the Temple to the service of God in 164 BCE.

• Tu B'Shvat - New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees.

• *Purim - the “Feast of Lots” marks the saving of the Jewish people of ancient Persia from extermination.

• *Passover/Pesach - the eight-day “Feast of Unleavened Bread”.

• Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day.

• Lag B'omer - celebrates the end of a divine-sent plague and/or Roman occupation.

• Shavuot - the “Feast of Weeks” celebrates the covenant established at Sinai between God and Israel, and the revelation of the Ten Commandments.

Click here to find directions on how to automatically add the observations to your Google Calendar.

Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community, and culture. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African Studies. Kwanzaa, a seven-day cultural festival begins December 26 and ends January 1. It joins communitarian values and practices of Continental African and African American culture.

Doctrinally, Seventh-Day Adventists are heirs of the interfaith Millerite movement of the 1840s. Seventh-Day Adventists are Christians who observe Saturday as their Sabbath, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. Adventists follow certain dietary restrictions that include not eating pork and certain seafood.

Note: Throughout the school year, members of Seventh-Day Adventist families value public education highly and accept the fact that some school events will be scheduled during their Sabbath; however, schools serving Seventh-Day Adventist students will want to avoid scheduling major events, such as proms and graduation ceremonies, at any time on Friday evening or on Saturday before 9 p.m.