Holy Days & Observances
Use this calendar as a resource for education and accommodation as you plan classroom, academic and co-curricular events.
For questions about this calendar, please contact the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@unc.edu.
About the Holy Days and Observances Calendar
- Some religious communities limit or avoid their use of technology during holy days, which also include the Sabbath (celebrated by Jews from Friday night through Saturday night). Such technology includes but is not limited to the use of virtual learning platforms.
- Bahá’í, Judaic and Islamic observances begin at sundown and end at sundown on the dates listed.
- Although the dates listed are based on the Gregorian calendar, many cultures and religions are lunar or solar-based.
Numerous spaces are available across campus for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. Click here for details.
Below is an interfaith calendar observed by many students, staff, and faculty members in our community. This list, though exhaustive in its inclusion of traditions represented on our campus, is being actively updated as new information becomes available. Please direct suggestions for additions to the Interfaith Calendar to UODI at diversity@unc.edu.
2023 Holy Days & Observances
May 25-27
Shavuot (Jewish) commemorates the giving of the Torah from God to the nation of Israel on top of Mount Sinai.
June 2023
June 16
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (Sikh) commemorates Guru Arjan Dev Sahib becoming the first martyr.
June 28
Eid-Al-Adha (Islamic/Muslim), known as the “festival of the Sacrifice” is a celebration in honor of Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to submit to God’s command to sacrifice his son.
September 2023
September 15-17
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) is literally the “head of the year”, or Jewish New Year, celebrated with remembrance and judgment and auguring in the 10 days of reflection and atonement leading up to Yom Kippur.
September 24-25
Yom Kippur (Jewish) is considered the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar and is dedicated to reparation and abstinence.
September 29-October 6
Sukkot/Succot (Jewish) is a week-long festival celebrating and giving thanks for the Fall harvest.
October 2023
October 6-8
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Jewish) concludes the Sukkot holiday and culminates with the special prayer for rain. Simchat Torah celebrates the conclusion and the beginning of another annual cycle of reading the Torah.
November 2023
November 12
Diwali/Deepavali (Hinduism, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist) Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it is celebrated by various Southern Asian religions. Participants celebrate the triumph of good over evil (or lightness over darkness).
December 2023
December 7
Chanukah/Hannukah (Jewish) Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, called the “festival of lights.”
December 25
Christmas Day (Christian) honors the birth of Jesus Christ and his self-sacrifice.
2024 Holy Days & Observances
January 2024
January 2
Vaikunta Ekadasi (Hinduism) Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is believed that on this day, the gate to heaven opens.
January 6
Epiphany (Christian), also known as “Theophany” in Eastern Christian tradition, is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana.
January 14
Makar Sankranti/Pongal (Hinduism) is a celebration of the transferring of the sun into the Makara Rashi (“Capricorn”) zodiac in the Hindu calendar and is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya.
January 15
Bodhi Day (Buddhist) celebrates the day that Buddha reached enlightenment. He achieved this by meditating beneath a Bodhi tree until he discovered the root of suffering and how to liberate oneself from it.
February 2024
February 9-10
Lunar New Year (Buddhist), or Spring Festival, commemorates the beginning of the Chinese lunisolar calendar and the arrival of spring.
February 14
Ash Wednesday (Christian) Signifying the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period leading up to Easter, during which many Christians give up some of their common pleasures.
February 15
Paranirvana (Buddhist) celebrates the Paranirvana of Buddha — not his death, but release from karma and the cycle of suffering.
February 18
Lailat Al Maraj (Islamic/Muslim) celebrates Isra and Miraj, or the Prophet Mohammed’s miraculous two-part journey taken in one night.
February 24
Māgha Pūjā (Buddhist), Also known as the Night of Forgiveness is a day when Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins and believe that their destinies are cemented for the coming year.
February 25
Makha Bucha (Buddhist) is a festival celebrated to mark a significant gathering where Buddha led his teaching upon 1,250 of his first disciples – his disciples were then ordained as monks to spread the principles of Buddhism.
February 25
Āsāḷha Pūjā (Buddhist), also known as Dharma Day, is a festival that occurs on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which is usually in July. The festival pays homage to Buddha and commemorates Buddha’s first sermon and the founding of Buddha’s Sangha – four noble truths.
March 2024
March 8
Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism) Each month in the Hindu calendar, a Shivaratri or “Night of Shiva” is observed, which is a festival with an all-night vigil to remember the importance of overcoming ignorance and darkness. The Maha Shivaratri or “Great Night of Shiva” is the most spiritually significant night of shiva that occurs before the arrival of summer.
March 10-April 9
Ramadan/Ramazan (Islam) Focusing on faith, this holy observance celebrates the Quran being revealed for the first time during this month on the night of Laylat al Qadr.
March 12
Ramakrishna (Hinduism) Honoring the birth of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and saint.
March 20-21
Norouz/Norooz/Naw-Ruz (Bahá’í) The Bahá’í New Year, honoring spring and the new life that comes with it.
March 23-25
Purim (Jewish) celebrates the heroic actions of Queen Esther who saved the Jewish people from Haman in ancient Persia.
March 24
Palm Sunday (Christian) celebrates the belief in the story of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
March 25
Annunciation Day (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian) celebrates the belief that an angel announced to Mary, the mother of Jesus, that she was pregnant.
March 25
Holi (Hinduism), known as the Festival of Colors, Festival of Spring and the Festival of Love, it is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the divine love of Radha Krishna and the victory of good over evil.
March 29
Good Friday (Christian) commemorates the execution of Jesus, this Holy Day occurs the Friday before Easter.
March 31
Easter (Christian) is a celebration recognizing Jesus’ resurrection from death and is often recognized as the most ancient and important holiday in the Christian religious calendar.
April 2024
April 6
Laylat Al Qadr (Islam) Commemorating the Quran first being revealed to Muhammed, this holy day is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan.
April 9-10
Eid Al-Fitr (Islam) Signifies the last day of Ramadan and the end of the fasting period.
April 13
Vaisakhi/Birthday of the Khalsa (Sikh) is the Sikh New Year and is regarded as one of the most important dates on the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi marks the start of the Punjabi New Year, celebrates the birth of Khalsa, and symbolizes standing up to oppression.
April 22-30
Pesach/Passover (Jewish) celebrates the Exodus story and is named after the miracle in which God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague.
May 2024
May 5
Pascha (Eastern Orthodox) Recognizes Jesus’ resurrection from death. Twelve weeks of preparation precede this holy day. Celebrated with a collection of services combined as one.
May 9
Ascension Day (Christian) is a Celebration of the belief that Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after being resurrected.
May 9
Yom HaShoah (Jewish) Held to remember the lives lost in the Holocaust and the many brave activists who fought against it.
May 9
Buddha Purnima (Buddhism) Purnima translates to “full moon” in Sanskrit Festival dedicated to the birth of the price Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
May 19
Pentecost (Christian), which means “fifty” is a day when Christians celebrate their belief in the descent of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus fifty days after Easter.
May 23
Vesak (Buddhist), also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as Buddha.
June 2024
June 11-13
Shavuot (Jewish), which literally means “weeks” is a joyous holiday that takes place 7 “weeks” after Pesach and commemorates the revelation of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.
June 16-June 17
Eid-Al-Adha (Islamic/Muslim), known as the “festival of the Sacrifice” is a celebration in honor of Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to submit to God’s command to sacrifice his son.
July 2024
July 8
Ra’s as-Sanah (Islamic/Muslim) is the Arabic phrase for “head of the new year”. It signifies the first day in the Islamic calendar and is used as a day of reflection of the past year, as well as planning for the coming year.
July 16-July 17
Ashura,Muharram (Islamic/Muslim) is a day of commemoration in Islam. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the parting of the Red Sea by Moses and the salvation of the Israelites.
August 2024
August 12-13
Tisha B’Av (Jewish) (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av) is a memorial for all of the communal tragedies of Jewish history, and especially for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
August 26
Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism) celebrates the birth of Krishna who was born on this day, and is the eighth avatar of the god Vishnu and worshiped as the Supreme god.
August 26-September 7
Onam (Hinduism), is a 10-day harvesting festival that symbolizes the annual coming of the demon king Mahabali and is celebrated across India and the world, honoring King Mahabali who is thought to return to Kerala during the festival.
September 2024
September 5-17
Onam (Hinduism), is a 10-day harvesting festival that symbolizes the annual coming of the demon king Mahabali and is celebrated across India and the world, honoring King Mahabali who is thought to return to Kerala during the festival.
September 7
Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism), also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the birth of the Hindu deity Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of prosperity, new beginnings, and wisdom.
September 16
Mawlid (Islamic/Muslim) is an annual Muslim holiday on the twelfth day of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar that celebrates the Prophet Muhammed’s birthday.
October 2024
October 2-4
Rosh Hashana (Jewish) is literally the “head of the year”, or Jewish New Year, celebrated with remembrance and judgment and auguring in the 10 days of reflection and atonement leading up to Yom Kippur.
October 3-12
Navratri (Hinduism) is a festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine, often associated with Durga Ma and Goddess Parvati. The festival lasts for nine days and nine nights, in which the nine goddesses are worshipped. The celebration is dedicated to her victories over demons and evil.
October 11-12
Yom Kippur (Jewish) is considered the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar and is dedicated to reparation and abstinence.
October 12
Vijayadashami, Dasara, Dussehra Puja (Hinduism) is a Composite of “victory” (Vijaya) and “tenth” (Dashami) because of the victory of the Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king, Ravana, on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and marks the end of Sharada Navaratri.
October 16-23
Sukkot/Succot (Jewish) is a week-long festival celebrated by dwelling in a temporary outdoor hut – a “sukkah” in which Jews celebrate and give thanks for the Fall harvest.
October 20
Diwali/Deepavali (Hinduism, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist) Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it is celebrated by various Southern Asian religions. Participants celebrate the triumph of good over evil (or lightness over darkness).
October 23-25
Shemini Atzeret (Jewish), “Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly”, is a Jewish religious festival on the eighth day of Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), considered by some to be an independent celebration immediately following Sukkoth.
October 24-25
Simchat Torah (Jewish), means “rejoicing of the Torah” and is also known as Simhat Torah, a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.
November 2024
November 1
Guru Nanak Gurpurab (Sikh), is one of the most important religious festivals of Sikhs, celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.
November 15
Diwali (Hinduism/Sikh), is a festival associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India.
December 2024
December 25
Christmas Day (Christian), honors the birth of Jesus Christ and his self-sacrifice.
December 25-January 2
Chanukah/Hannukah (Jewish), The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
2025 Holy Days & Observances
January 2025
January 6
Epiphany (Christian), also known as “Theophany” in Eastern Christian tradition, is a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana.
January 14
Makar Sankranti/Pongal (Hinduism), also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the birth of the Hindu deity Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of prosperity, new beginnings, and wisdom.
February 2025
February 22
Shabbat (Jewish), is a day of rest, commemorating the 7th day of creation.
February 26
Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism) Each month in the Hindu calendar, a Shivaratri or “Night of Shiva” is observed, which is a festival with an all-night vigil to remember the importance of overcoming ignorance and darkness. The Maha Shivaratri or “Great Night of Shiva” is the most spiritually significant night of shiva that occurs before the arrival of summer.
February 28-March 30
Ramadan/Ramazan (Islam) Focusing on faith, this holy observance celebrates the Quran being revealed for the first time during this month on the night of Laylat al Qadr.
March 2025
March 5
Ash Wednesday (Christian) Signifying the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period leading up to Easter, during which many Christians give up some of their common pleasures.
March 13-14
Purim (Jewish), is a Jewish festival held in spring (on the 14th or 15th day of Adar) to commemorate the defeat of Haman’s plot to massacre the Jews as recorded in the Book of Esther.
March 14
Holi (Hinduism), known as the Festival of Colors, Festival of Spring and the Festival of Love, it is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the divine love of Radha Krishna and the victory of good over evil.
March 25
Annunciation Day (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian) celebrates the belief that an angel announced to Mary, the mother of Jesus, that she was pregnant.
March 29-30
Eid Al-Fitr (Islam) Signifies the last day of Ramadan and the end of the fasting period.
April 2025
April 12-20
Pesach/Passover (Jewish), also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, that celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. Pesach starts on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year.
April 13
Palm Sunday (Christian) celebrates the belief in the story of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
April 14
Vaisakhi/Birthday of the Khalsa (Sikh) is the Sikh New Year and is regarded as one of the most important dates on the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi marks the start of the Punjabi New Year, celebrates the birth of Khalsa, and symbolizes standing up to oppression.
April 18
Good Friday (Christian) commemorates the execution of Jesus, this Holy Day occurs the Friday before Easter.
April 20
Easter (Christian) is a celebration recognizing Jesus’ resurrection from death and is often recognized as the most ancient and important holiday in the Christian religious calendar.
May 2025
May 5
Buddha Purnima (Buddhism) Purnima translates to “full moon” in Sanskrit Festival dedicated to the birth of the price Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
May 29
Buddha (Christian) is a Celebration of the belief that Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after being resurrected.
May 29
Ascension Day (Christian) is a Celebration of the belief that Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after being resurrected.
June 2025
June 1-3
Shavuot (Jewish), also known as the Festival of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah from God to the nation of Israel on top of Mount Sinai.
June 7
Eid-Al-Adha (Islamic/Muslim), known as the “festival of the Sacrifice” is a celebration in honor of Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to submit to God’s command to sacrifice his son.
June 8
Pentecost (Christian), which means “fifty” is a day when Christians celebrate their belief in the descent of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus fifty days after Easter.
July 2025
July 5
Ashura, Muharram (Islamic) is the 10th day of the 1st month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muharram.
August 2025
August 2-3
Tish’a’B’av (Jewish), (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av) is a memorial for all of the communal tragedies of Jewish history, and especially for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
August 16
Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism) celebrates the birth of Krishna who was born on this day, and is the eighth avatar of the god Vishnu and worshiped as the Supreme god.
August 27
Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism), also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the birth of the Hindu deity Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of prosperity, new beginnings, and wisdom.
September 2025
September 22-24
Rosh Hashana (Jewish), is literally the “head of the year”, or Jewish New Year, celebrated with remembrance and judgment and auguring in the 10 days of reflection and atonement leading up to Yom Kippur.
September 22-October 2
Navratri (Hinduism) is a festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine, often associated with Durga Ma and Goddess Parvati. The festival lasts for nine days and nine nights, in which the nine goddesses are worshipped. The celebration is dedicated to her victories over demons and evil.
October 2025
October 1-2
Yom Kippur (Jewish) is considered the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar and is dedicated to reparation and abstinence.
October 2
Vijayadashami, Dasara, Dussehra Puja (Hinduism) is a composite of “victory” (Vijaya) and “tenth” (Dashami) because of the victory of the Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king, Ravana, on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and marks the end of Sharada Navaratri.
October 6-13
Shemini Atzeret (Jewish), “Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly”, is a Jewish religious festival on the eighth day of Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), considered by some to be an independent celebration immediately following Sukkoth.
October 13-15
Sukkot (Jewish), is a week-long festival celebrated by dwelling in a temporary outdoor hut – a “sukkah” in which Jews celebrate and give thanks for the Fall harvest.
October 14-15
Simchat Torah (Jewish), means “rejoicing of the Torah” and is also known as Simhat Torah, a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.
November 2025
November 5
Guru Nanak Gurpurab (Sikh), is one of the most important religious festivals of Sikhs, celebrated to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. [/expamd]
Chanukah/Hannukah (Jewish), The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Christmas Day (Christian), honors the birth of Jesus Christ and his self-sacrifice. December 14-22
December 25