Yalda (Zoroastrian)
2025-12-21
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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Martyrdom of the Elder Sahibzadas (Princes) at the Battle of Chamkaur (Sikh)
2025-12-21
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)
2025-12-21 - 2026-01-01
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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Christmas (Christian Protestant/ Catholic/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/ Hispanic)
2025-12-25
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)
2025-12-26
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)
2025-12-26
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)
2025-12-30
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)
2025-12-31 - 2026-01-04
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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Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
2026-01-03
In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.

Parkash - Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji (10th Guru) (Sikh)
2026-01-05
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.

Epiphany of the Lord (Catholic & Episcopal)
2026-01-06
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)
2026-01-06
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)
2026-01-07
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)
2026-01-14
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)
2026-01-16
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)

Feast of Sultan/Sovereignty (Baha'i)
2026-01-18
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. Observance begins at sunset on the 18th and ends at sunset on the 19th. 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.

Jashan-e Sadeh (Zoroastrian)
2026-01-24
Sadeh is a mid-winter celebration observed by preparing a large community bonfire. The bonfire symbolizes the victory of light over forces of cold and darkness.
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Imbolg (Pagan)
2026-02-01
Imbolg falls on February 2nd midway between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Imbolg is a Gaelic word that means “in the belly” and refers to the gestation of new lambs. This holiday celebrates the return of light. It is the beginning of spring. It is also known as St. Brigid’s day, Brigid being a Celtic goddess of fire. Symbol: dairy products.
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Tu B'Shvat (Jewish)
2026-02-01 - 2026-02-02
New Year of the Trees. Originally celebrated as an agricultural festival marking the emergence of spring, today celebrations focus on environmental awareness. Trees are often planted in honor or memory of loved ones.
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1762 Vadda Ghalughara (Sikh)
2026-02-05
The second Sikh genocide was the mass killing of Sikhs by the Afghani Durrani Forces in February of 1762 during his sixth invasion of India in the present day state of Punjab in India. An estimated 25,000 – 30,000 Sikhs including women and children were killed, which was nearly half of the Sikh population at the time. Sikhs were persecuted for decades prior to this massacre.
More Information:
Vadda Ghallughara – Sikh Holocaust
Sikh Nation’s Sovereign: Jassa Singh Ahluvalia – Harinder Singh
Students and/or Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara and pay respects to Sikh Martyrs.

Feast of Mulk / Dominion (Baha'i)
2026-02-06

Jashan-e Spandarmad (Zoroastrian)
2026-02-18
Jashan-e Spandarmad is a celebration ceremony, a Jashan, performed on Spandarmad day of
Spandarmad month, in honor of Spandarmad, a Pehlavi name derived from the ancient Avestan term
‘Spenta Armaiti’ from the Gathas of Zarathushtra. Aramaiti means “tranquility, stability and serenity.”
It is peace and prosperity. When used with the adjective spenta, it means the “ever-increasing or
progressive serenity and peace”. In later Zoroastrian religious history, the wise men/priests
associated Spandarmad with being the steward/guardian of Mother Earth. So, when we see this
divine attribute from both angles, for us it stands for Peace & Serenity for all Creation on Earth!

Ramadan Begins (Islam)
2026-02-18
This marks the the holy month where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days abstaining from food and drinks.
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Holiday Greeting: Ramadan Mubarak!
There are evening prayers that some students may attend at the mosque during this month. Mostly middle and high school students will be fasting.

Saka Nankana Sahib (Sikh)
2026-02-20
The Nankana massacre (or Saka Nankana) took place in Nankana Sahib gurdwara on 20 February 1921, at that time of British India, in modern-day Pakistan. More than 260 Sikhs were killed, including children as young as seven, by the Mahant and his mercenaries. The event forms an important part of Sikh history. In political significance, it comes next only to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1919. The saga constitutes the core of the Gurdwara Reform Movement started by the Sikhs in the early twentieth century.
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Ayyam-i-Ha or Intercalary Days (The Bahá’í Faith)
2026-02-25 - 2026-03-01
Ayyam-i-Ha or ” Days of God” are devoted to spiritual preparation for the upcoming 19 Day Fast, hospitality, charity, and gift giving. They are celebrated during the four days (five days in a leap year) before the last month of the Baha’i year.
Holiday Greeting: Happy Ayyam-i-Ha

Feast of 'Ala' / Loftiness (Baha'i)
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-03
Wherever they live, Baha’is gather every 19 days for what we call a Feast. Observance begins at sunset on the 1st and ends at sunset on the 2nd. The month of fasting starts on March 1. 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.

Month of Fasting Begins (Baha'i)
2026-03-02
Baha’is observe a 19-day month of fasting that culminates at sunset on the day of the spring equinox, which lands either on March 20 or 21. Baha’is abstain from food and water during the day between sunrise and sunset. The Fast is a time to pray and reflect on developing our spiritual qualities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen-Day_Fast

Purim (Jewish)
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-03
Purim, one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, commemorates the events in the Book of Esther. It celebrates the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century BCE, were marked for death by their Persian rulers. Traditions include costumes, retelling the story through skits and songs, festivals geared towards children, and giving care packages to those in need. It is tradition to eat special cookies called Hamentaschen
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Holiday Greeting: Purim Sameach (Happy Purim)
There are no restrictions for students/families.

Holi (Hindu)
2026-03-02
This is the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love.” Holi signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. People celebrate this day by meeting together and tossing colored powders or colored water on each other.
More information can be found here.

Feast of Saint Katharine Drexel (Catholic)
2026-03-03
Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church and is considered the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists. She was an American heiress, philanthropist, religious sister, educator, and foundress of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters for Indians and Colored People (now Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament), a congregation of missionary nuns dedicated to the welfare of American Indians and African Americans.
You can learn more about her here.
