Yule (Pagan)
2026-12-21 - 2027-01-01
Yule or Winter Solstice is celebrated around December 21st or 22nd and is the first pagan holiday celebrated after the ending of the old year. This is the longest night and shortest day of the year, and most likely the oldest holiday known to humankind. It celebrates the birth of the sun – the Divine Child is born. Symbols: The Yule Log, evergreen trees, stars.
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Yalda (Zoroastrian)
2026-12-21
Yalda is a winter solstice celebration. Friends and family gather on this longest and darkest night of the year to eat and celebrate late into the night, around a fire which burns all night long. Red colored fruits like pomegranates and watermelons consumed. The red color in these fruits is symbolic of the light of the early morning.
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Christmas (Christian Protestant/ Catholic/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/ Hispanic)
2026-12-25
Christmas is the holiday during which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, who they believe is the Son of God and Mary. The Christmas season is a time to reflect and act upon the blessings and opportunities Christians have received through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is written in Christian scripture that God “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (Holy Bible, Book of John, Chapter 3, verse 16), and so Christians express their love toward one another and toward God and His precious Son by giving to others.

More Information from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
More information from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Holiday Greeting: Merry Christmas
Celebration: Christians often celebrate this holiday by attending a prayer service at church, singing hymns, and exchanging gifts.

Zarathosht-no-Diso (Parsi Zoroastrian)
2026-12-26
Death anniversary of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) the founder of Zoroastrianism. It is a day of special prayers, with lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. There is no mourning in the Zoroastrian religion, only remembrance and prayers for Farohars (souls) of the departed.
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Martyrdom of the Younger Sahibzadas (Princes) and Mata Gujri Ji (Sikh)
2026-12-26
The traditional title of this day is Shaheedi-Chhotey Sahibzaadey. “The younger of the four Sahibzaadey, Baba Zorwar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, were martyred together at the young age of 6 and 9 years old by the Mughals in Sirhind in 1705. They were captured with their grandmother, Mata Gujri, and were immediately imprisoned in the freezing temperatures of December. They rejected all bribes by the Mughals and instead chose to remain steadfast in their faith even if it led to being entombed alive. They did not waiver and choose the easy option of living a lavish life upon conversion. Their lives serve as a reminder that age has no bearing in living a principled life.”
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Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Feast of Sharaf / Honor (Baha'i)
2026-12-30, 2026-12-31
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. This is a members-only event comprising three parts:
1. A spiritual portion that’s the time for prayer and reflection;
2. A business portion for consultation about administrative issues (plans for forming classes, organizing to perform community service, observing holy days, or any ideas or projects community members wish to discuss. It’s also a time when local members can ask their Local Assembly to forward their concerns to the National Assembly;
3. A social portion that can consist of anything from just glasses of water to a full-course dinner.

Gahambar Maidyarem (Zoroastrianism)
2026-12-31 - 2027-01-05
Maidyarem (literally: Winter) Gahambar is a seasonal feast celebrated on the winter solstice. It is considered a religious duty to participate in a communal jashan prayer ceremony; as well as, fraternize and share a simple meal with fellow co-religionists from all walks of life, rich and poor.
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