All Souls Day (Catholic)
2023-11-02
All Souls Day is a solemn celebration in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and are now in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they had confessed, and being made pure before entering into the presence of God in Heaven.
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Catholics often attend prayer services today at which special prayers are said or memorials given for those loved ones who have died during the previous year. Special prayers for the dead are said throughout the month of November.

Feast of Qudrat / Power (Baha'i)
2023-11-04
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.

Diwali (Hindu / Jain)
2023-11-12
One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” Light is a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness. During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated, often with rows (avali) of clay lamps (deepa), for which the festival is named. The preparations and observances typically last five days.
Diwali, also known as Deepawali or Mahavir Nirvana, is of special significance in Jainism, as it also marks the anniversary of Nirvana (final release or liberation) of Mahavir, the 24th and the last Jain Tirthankara. It is celebrated at the same time as the Hindu festival of Diwali or Deepawali.
More information about the Jain celebrations of this holiday can be found here.
More information about Hindu celebrations of this holiday can be found here.

Feast of Qawl / Speech (Baha'i)
2023-11-23

Martrydom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Guru) (Sikh)
2023-11-24
This day commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (1621-1675), the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He is remembered not only for his defense of the Sikh faith, but also of Hinduism and of religious liberty, the most fundamental human rights.
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Jashan-e Adargan (Zoroastrian)
2023-11-24
Jashan-e Adargan is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Adar day of Adar month, in
honor of Adar or Atarsh, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term “Athro”. Adar means
Fire, which being a life-giving element for all creation in our world, is highly revered by Zoroastrians.
Fire represents the Highest Righteousness to a Zoroastrian reminding her/him to mindfully live a
righteous life. Adar is associated with Ardavahisht.

Day of the Covenant (Bahá’í)
2023-11-25 - 2023-11-26
The festival commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Center of His Covenant.
Work is not prohibited, children may attend school.
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Birth of Guru Nanak (1st Guru & Founder) (Sikh)
2023-11-27
“Guru Nanak came to this world in 1469 in the then-Punjab region and was the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was a divinely appointed Master. His teachings are not for a particular age. His thoughts and sayings are timeless.In the person of Guru Nanak, we meet with an unparalleled completeness of religious life.Guru Nanak was a philosopher and prophet in one. His soul soared to celestial heights and brought from there armloads of Amrit, the divine food for our souls.Guru was a perfect Yogi and ideal householder. For the whole of his life, he worked for the good of others. He was a gifted, far‐sighted reformer, who advocated on behalf of the socially depressed, attacking the economic and political problems of his day. Through his Langar, no distinction of caste, race, or creed was ever observed. Such is the ideal organization which Guru Nanak designed for human society. He ever dwelt in God, and God ever dwelt in him. Guru Nanak was for the whole world. He conveyed his message of Love, Service, and Worship to all people of all places. And everywhere, he succeeded in lighting the holy flame in the hearts of the people.”
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Holiday Greeting: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day.

Ascension of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
2023-11-27 - 2023-11-28
Today Baha’is celebrate the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest Son of Bahá’u’lláh, known to Bahá’ís as the Perfect Exemplar and the Mystery of God, a living embodiment of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. He passed away on this date in 1921.
You can learn more here.

First Sunday of Advent (Catholic / Christian Protestant)
2023-12-03
For Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a year, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.
More Information from the Catholic Church
More information from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Many christians celebrate the Advent season with special hymns and prayers. Some also create, at home or church, wreaths of evergreens with four candles, one for each week of the season. A new candle is lit each week, symbolizing the approaching light of Jesus, who came into the world at Christmas.

Hanukkah (Jewish)
2023-12-07 - 2023-12-15
Hanukkah, also known as Hanukah, Chanukah, and Chanukkah can be spelled many different ways in English. It is an eight-day celebration known as the Festival of Lights marked by the lighting of candles using a special candle holder called a menorah or chanukiah. This holiday is where Jews celebrate their victory over a tyrant Greco-Syrian king and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. As the story goes, a small quantity of oil to light the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted eight days. Traditions include a game involving spinning dreidels (tops), eating potato latkes (pancakes) and other oily foods, and gift giving.
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Holiday Greeting: Happy Hanukkah!
Commonly observed by synagogue attendance, community or family gatherings.

Buddha’s Enlightenment Day (Buddhism)
2023-12-08
Bodhi Day is observed in many mainstream Mahayana traditions including the traditional Zen and Pureland Buddhist schools of China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Services and traditions vary amongst Buddhist sects, but all such services commemorate the Buddha’s achievement of Nirvana, and what this means for Buddhism today. Individuals may choose to commemorate the event through additional meditation, study of the Dharma, chanting of Buddhist texts (sutras), or performing kind acts towards other beings. Some Buddhists celebrate with a traditional meal of tea, cake, and readings.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic)
2023-12-08
Today, Catholics celebrate the day that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived by her mother Anna. Catholics believe that Mary was conceived without original sin, and so throughout her life her soul was immaculate, or without the stain of sin.
More information can be found here.

Feast of Masail/ Questions (Baha'i)
2023-12-12

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Hispanic / Catholic)
2023-12-12
This is a popular feast day in the Americas, especially among Hispanic Catholics, and celebrates Mary, Jesus mother, who is the patron saint of the Americas. This feast celebrates when, on the 9th and 12th of December 1531, in Mexico City, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego.
More information can be found here.

Martyrdom of the Elder Sahibzadas (Princes) at the Battle of Chamkaur (Sikh)
2023-12-21
The traditional title of this day is Shaheedi-Vaddey Sahibzaadey. The word “Sahibzaada” means “son” in Punjabi, and these two final events of the year refer to the martyrdom of all four of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons. All four of his sons gave up their lives fighting tyranny and oppression like their father, Guru Gobind Singh, and grandfather, Guru Tegh Bahadur, before them. The elder two sons, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, died fighting in the Battle of Chamkaur at the age of 18 and 14 years old in 1705. The martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s all four sons is an integral part of the Sikh history and it is commemorated with great energy at the end of the year.
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Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Yule (Pagan)
2023-12-21 - 2024-01-01
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)
2023-12-21
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)
2023-12-25
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)
2023-12-26
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)
2023-12-26
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)
2023-12-31

Gahambar Maidyarem (Zoroastrianism)
2023-12-31 - 2024-01-04
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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The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Catholic)
2024-01-01
Solemnity of Mary
A feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus Christ.
This is a holy day of obligation.

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Epiphany of the Lord (Catholic & Episcopal)
2024-01-06
Celebrated 12 days after Christmas, the Epiphany of the Lord is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus.
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Three Kings (Hispanic)
2024-01-06
The Feast of Reyes (Fiesta de Reyes or Los Reyes) is celebrated in Spain/Portugal and Latin America on January 6th. The feast celebrates the passage in the Bible in which the Three Wise Men safely arrive to Jerusalem thanks to the guidance of the Star and bring gifts to Jesus. The level of celebration varies from a family gathering to a huge city wide and very anticipated parade depending on the culture/country. For example, both Spain and Puerto Rico celebrate with large parades, and many argue that Reyes is more festive/a larger celebration than Christmas. Despite the differences in the level of “Community Celebration”, all cultures/countries share some traditions around this feast: 1. Family gathering the night before and/or the day of Reyes. 2. Eating the Rosca/Roscon de Reyes, a sweet bread in the shape of a large oval “doughnut” with dried fruit on top. This is a very time consuming sweet to make. Inside the bread there is one (or more than one depending on the size of the Rosca) figurine of “Baby Jesus”. Based on each family’s traditions (mostly guided by the cultural traditions of the country of origin) the person that receives the piece of bread with the figurine will be responsible for hosting the party the next year, bringing tamales for the feast of Candelaria/Candlemas Day (Mexican Tradition), or doing/not doing the dishes, first one to other presents, etc. 3. All kids (and grown up kids) leave their shoes by the window the night before Reyes (Jan 5th) or under the Christmas Tree so the Reyes (Kings) can fill them with gifts during the night. Usually, kids select their favorite shoes, “Church” shoes or the shoes that better represent them (soccer shoes, dance shoes, flip-flops, etc). 4. Kids also leave water outside their home for the camels to drink. (The Three Wise Men travel on camels). It is important also to mention that this feast brings much attention to the idea of the star that guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus and how we should always follow God’s light and path and trust that we will be safe.
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Christmas (Christian Orthodox)
2024-01-07
This holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God, the Messiah, and Savior of the world.
This celebration corresponds to December 25th in the Julian calendar, which is thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar used by other Christian and Catholic communities.
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Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
2024-01-15
The festivities associated with Makar Sankranti are known by various names in different parts of India and the Hindu world. Names include Magh Bihu, Maghi (preceded by Lohri), Thai Pongal and so on. It also marks the day of Winter Solstice as per the Hindu tradition.
Makara Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas , melas(fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. The Magha Mela is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharat. Many observers go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe in a ceremony of thanks to the sun. Every twelve years (marking one complete revolution of Jupiter around the Sun) the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with one of the world’s largest mass pilgrimages, with an estimated 40 to 100 million people attending the event. At this event, then they say a prayer to the sun and bathe at the Prayaga confluence of the River Ganga and River Yamuna at the Kumbha Mela.
More information can be found here and here.

Jashan-e Vohuman (Zoroastrian)
2024-01-16
This festival (Jashan) is dedicated to the Amesha Spenta Vohimena (the Good Mind) and celebrates the creation of animals. A glass of milk is used to represent Vohuman in prayers.
BAHMAN (1) – Encyclopaedia Iranica (iranicaonline.org)

Parkash - Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru) (Sikh)
2024-01-17
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Gobind Singh with great enthusiasm! The 10th and final Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh is regarded as the spiritual Father. He was a wise sage, a brilliant poet, a keen philosopher, a talented musician, a multi-faceted warrior, and a fearless general. Following the martyrdom of his father, the 9th Master, Guru Gobind Singh forged the distinct ‘Khalsa’ identity of the Sikhs to always stand out as beacons of hope and stand up for equality. He charged the Khalsa to restore justice, fight exploitation, and be stewards of humanity. He also declared the Scriptures, the Adi Granth, to be the Sikh’s Guru from that time on.
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Holiday greetings: “Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Congratulations!
Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day.
