Guidance on Religious Holidays

Festival of Sacrifice. The day of Arafat marks the end of Hajj.

Commemoration of the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of god Vishnu.

The Fast of Gedaliah is a fast day to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah, the official charged with overseeing the Jewish population in Judah.

Mabon is the arrival of autumn and with it the reaping of the harvest. It celebrates the abundance, the fruit of the labor put in throughout the year and signals preparations for the winter soon to come.

Commemoration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, about 570 CE. Not universally observed.

Observed as a “Day of Liberation” commemorating the release from prison of Guru Hargobind circa 1612.

Festival of lights symbolizing the human urges to move toward the light.

Anniversary of the birth in 1817 of Baha`u`llah, prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, in Nur, Persia.

Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, circa 1469, observed on the full moon day of November.

A Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Yule is held during the winter equinox when days become shorter. It is the time in which last preparations are made for the coming cold months. It is also a time to remind oneself of the warmth and life-giving source of the Sun or fire.

Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts and family parties (per Gregorian Calendar).

Celebrates the revelation of God incarnates as Jesus Christ.

Begins a fifteen-day festival for Chinese people of all religions. Family reunions with thanksgiving and remembrance of departed relatives take place. Traditionally a religious ceremony honors Heaven and Earth.

Taoism/

Buddhism 

Commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim.

Celebrating the first day of the new year, this is one of the nine Bahá’í holy days on which work is to be suspended. It is generally observed with a meeting for prayer and celebration.

Birth of Khalsa brotherhood, the Sikh New Year festival commemorating the year Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

Commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn Jewish sons from the plague.

The holiest of Christian Sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion.

Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events.

The holiest of Christian Sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion.

Symbolizes the reunification and strength of the bond of family and by extension the unity of the entire human family.

Beltane is the halfway point between Spring and Summer. It is a time to give gratitude and thanks to the fertility of spring, festivities start on the eve of May 1st.

Commemorates the eve of Baha’u’llah’s departure from Baghdad.

Marks the end of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to God.

Commemoration of May 23, 1844, when the Bab, the prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith, announced he was the herald of a new messenger of God.

Observance of the anniversary of the death in exile of Baha`u`llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith.

Christian observation of the day when the God the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of fire and rushing wind. It is a traditional day for baptism and confirmation of new Christians.

(RC, P, O)

Litha is a celebration of the longest day of the year.

The midway point between summer and autumn, it is the first harvest of grains and fruits. It celebrates and gives gratitude to the new harvest of breads and fresh fruits.