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Observance | Holy Days

HPU encourages faculty, staff, and students to be aware of and respect the diverse religious observances of members of our university community when scheduling university-wide events, examinations, and other major academic requirements. This calendar is not intended to be a comprehensive list of religious holy days, but highlights observances of particular significance to traditions represented within the HPU community. Some observances follow lunar calendars and may vary by a day depending on religious tradition and local practice. If you have suggestions for additions to this list, please contact Vice President & Minister to the University, Rev. Dr. Preston Davis.

2026-2027

Fall 2026

DateHoly Day / ObservanceTradition
August 15Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryCatholic/Christian
August 25–26Mawlid al-Nabi — birthday of the Prophet Muhammad*Islam
September 4Krishna JanmashtamiHinduism
September 8–15ParyushanJainism
September 11 (sunset)–13 (nightfall)Rosh Hashanah — Jewish New YearJudaism
September 20 (sunset)–21 (nightfall)Yom Kippur — Day of AtonementJudaism
September 25 (sunset)–October 2Sukkot — Festival of BoothsJudaism
October 2 (sunset)–3Shemini AtzeretJudaism
October 3 (sunset)–4Simchat TorahJudaism
October 22Birth of the BábBaháʼí
October 23Birth of Baháʼu'lláhBaháʼí
November 1All Saints' DayChristianity
November 8Diwali — Festival of LightsHinduism/Jainism/Sikhism
November 24Guru Nanak Gurpurab / Birthday of Guru NanakSikhism
November 26ThanksgivingFederal
November 29Advent beginsChristianity
December 4 (sunset)–12Hanukkah — Festival of LightsJudaism
December 8Bodhi DayBuddhism
December 8Feast of the Immaculate ConceptionCatholic
December 24Christmas EveChristianity
December 25Christmas — Birth of ChristChristianity
December 26–January 1KwanzaaCultural
December 31Watch NightChristianity

 

Spring 2027

DateHoly Day / ObservanceTradition
January 6Epiphany — Revelation of ChristChristianity
January 7Christmas / Feast of the NativityEastern Orthodox Christianity
January 15MaghiSikhism
February 7 (sunset)–March 8/9Ramadan — month of fasting*Islam
February 10Ash Wednesday — beginning of LentChristianity
March 1–20Nineteen Day FastBaháʼí
March 6–7Maha ShivaratriHinduism
March 9 or 10Eid al-Fitr — Festival of Breaking the Fast*Islam
March 15Shri Ramakrishna JayantiHinduism
March 20–21Naw-Rúz / NowruzBaháʼí/Zoroastrianism
March 21Palm SundayChristianity
March 22 (sunset)–23Purim — celebration of Jewish deliverance in ancient PersiaJudaism
March 25Maundy/Holy Thursday — Last SupperChristianity
March 26Good Friday — Crucifixion of ChristChristianity
March 28Easter — Resurrection of ChristChristianity
April 14VaisakhiSikhism
April 15Rama NavamiHinduism
April 20–May 2RidvánBaháʼí
April 21 (sunset)–29Pesach/PassoverJudaism
April 30Orthodox Good FridayEastern Orthodox Christianity
May 2Pascha / Orthodox EasterEastern Orthodox Christianity
May 16Pentecost — Birth of the ChurchChristianity
May 16–17Eid al-Adha — Festival of Sacrifice*Islam
May 20Vesak — Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passingBuddhism