
Religious Holidays
The following Multi-Faith Religious Holiday Calendars are provided as an educational resource and as a tool for planning when considering how events and activities may impact religious observances by members of our diverse campus. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of these calendars, we rely on the expertise of our religious, spiritual and worldview campus groups to assist in making our calendars as accurate and representative as possible. Please reach out to faith@uoguelph.ca with any feedback, questions, or corrections.
Academic Accommodation of Religious Obligations
The University acknowledges the pluralistic nature of the graduate and undergraduate communities. Accommodation will be made to students who experience a conflict between a religious obligation and scheduled tests, mid-term exams, final exams, or requirements to attend classes and participate in laboratories. Further information can be found online or by contacting Diversity and Human Rights. The Multi-Faith Resource Team is available for support and consultation.
Add the Religious Holidays Calendar to Outlook
Multi-Faith Programs has created an Outlook calendar of Religious Holidays that is available to everyone with a @uoguelph.ca email. To add the calendar:
- Open your Outlook email and click "Add Calendar."
- Under "Add from Directory," select your account and add mrhc@uoguelph.ca.
- Click "Add" and the calendar will now appear in your list of Outlook calendars.
Religious Holidays Calendar
Date | Holiday | Religious, Spiritual or Worldview Tradition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, January 3 | Mahayana New Year | Buddhism | Celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists, this marks the start of the lunar new year with prayers, meditation, and good deeds. It aims to clear past misdeeds and bring fresh resolutions. |
| Wednesday, January 7 | Christmas | Christianity (Orthodox) | The Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, marked by festive gatherings, prayers, symbolic decorations, and gift-giving. Many observe the Christmas season for 12 days, ending in the Feast of Epiphany. |
| Tuesday, January 13 | Maghi | Sikhism | A significant Sikh festival commemorating the 40 Sikhs who sacrificed their lives for Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the Battle of Muktsar. It is observed with prayers, processions, and communal meals. |
| Wednesday, January 14 | Makar Sankranti | Hinduism | Celebrates the sun’s transition into Capricorn, marking the end of winter and the start of longer days. It’s observed with kite flying, sweets, and prayers for prosperity. |
| Friday, January 16 | Laylat al Miraj | Islam | A Muslim holiday observing the Prophet Muhammad’s spiritual journey to heaven. It involves night prayers, recitations from the Quran, and personal reflection. |
| Friday, January 23 | Vasanta Panchami | Hinduism | A Hindu festival heralding the arrival of spring and dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. Devotees wear yellow, offer prayers, and engage in educational pursuits. |
| Monday, February 2 at Sundown to Tuesday, February 3 at sundown | Laylat al Baraat | Islam | A Muslim night of repentance and prayer for forgiveness. Devotees spend the night in prayer, seeking divine mercy and reflecting on past actions. |
| Tuesday, February 17 | Lunar New Year | Buddhism | Marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Celebrated with family gatherings, food, prayers, and traditions meant to bring good fortune, health, and happiness for the year ahead. |
| Tuesday, February 17 at Sundown to Thursday, March 19 at sundown | Ramadan | Islam | A sacred month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer, and reflection. Muslims focus on self-discipline, gratitude, and charity to strengthen their faith and compassion for others. |
| Monday, March 2 at Sundown to Tuesday, March 3 at Sundown | Purim | Judaism | Commemorates the saving of the Jewish people in Persia. Celebrated with costumes, reading the Book of Esther, festive meals, charity, and gift-giving to friends and family. |
| Tuesday, March 3 | Magha Puja Day | Buddhism | Commemorates Buddha’s sermon to 1,250 enlightened monks. Devotees gather at temples to meditate, chant, and reflect on the teachings of love, compassion, and moral discipline. |
| Wednesday, March 4 | Holi | Hinduism/Sikhism | Known as the festival of colors, Holi celebrates the arrival of spring and triumph of good over evil. People throw colored powders, dance, and enjoy festive foods together. |
| Sunday, March 15 to Monday, March 16 | Laylat al Qadr | Islam | Known as the Night of Power, it commemorates when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Considered the holiest night, it is observed with prayer and reflection. |
| Thursday, March 19 at Sundown to Sunday, March 20 at Sundown | Eid Al-Fitr | Islam | Celebrates the end of Ramadan. Muslims gather for prayers, give charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and enjoy festive meals with family and friends to mark the month’s spiritual achievement. |
| Saturday, March 21 | Naw-Ruz | Baha'i | The Bahá'í New Year, Naw-Ruz coincides with the spring equinox and is celebrated with prayer, music, dancing, and symbolic meals among friends and family. |
| Wednesday, April 1 at Sundown to Thursday, April 9 at Sundown | Passover/Pesach | Judaism | Commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Celebrated with the Seder meal, symbolic foods, and storytelling to remember themes of freedom and faith. |
| Friday, April 3 | Good Friday | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Observed with fasting, prayer, and church services that reflect on sacrifice, suffering, and the promise of redemption |
| Sunday, April 5 | Easter | Christianity (Protestant, Roman Catholic) | Celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. A joyful holiday marked with church services, music, and traditions celebrating new life and spiritual hope. |
| Friday, April 10 | Good Friday | Christianity (Orthodox) | Honors the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians attend solemn church services and reflect on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity |
| Sunday, April 12 | Easter | Christianity (Orthodox) | Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, symbolizing victory over death and sin. Services begin at midnight, followed by feasting and joyous family gatherings. |
| Monday, April 13 at Sundown to Tuesday, April 14 at Sundown | Yom HaShoah | Judaism | Holocaust Remembrance Day. Honors the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust with ceremonies, candle-lighting, and moments of reflection and silence. |
| Tuesday, April 14 | Vaisakhi | Hinduism | Marks the spring harvest and the founding of the Khalsa in Sikhism. Celebrated with parades, prayers, and festivals, especially in northern India and Sikh communities. |
| Tuesday, April 21 | Ridvan (1st day) | Baha'i | Marks the start of the twelve-day Ridvan Festival, celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration as a Messenger of God. It is the holiest Baha’i festival, observed with prayer and community. |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Ridvan (9th day) | Baha'i | Commemorates the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh’s family to the Ridvan Garden. A joyful holy day in the twelve-day Ridvan Festival, marked by reflection and gatherings. |
