High Holy Days Calendar 2024–25

**September 2024**
Date	High Holy Day	Observances
Aug. 30–Sept. 6 Jain	Paryushana Parva	Paryushana is a time when the Jains take on their five main vows and observe fasting along with meditation and prayer.
8 Jain	Samvatsari	On this day, Jains forgive and seek forgiveness for their mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly from all living beings.

**October 2024**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
2 Jewish	Erev Rosh HaShanah (Eve of the Jewish New Year)	A festive meal and religious service are held in the evening. From sundown on Sept. 15 through the end of the festival, all “labor” (school and other works as well as travel) ceases.
3–4 Jewish	Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year)	Religious services are held during the day. Those observing the second day of Rosh Hashanah would maintain their abstention from “labor” until nightfall on Oct. 4. Those traveling to a synagogue or home for the festival may need to arrive before sundown on Oct. 1.
11 Jewish	Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre (eve of Day of Atonement)	The Day of Atonement, perhaps the most important of Jewish holidays, is devoted to prayer, repentance and fasting. A special meal is eaten before sundown, which marks the beginning of the fast and of religious services. All “labor” ceases throughout the Holy Day.
12 Jewish	Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)	Religious services are held throughout the day, and the fast ends at nightfall. Those traveling to a synagogue or home may need to arrive well before sundown on Oct. 12.
16–25 Jewish	Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret (NIS 19 - 28)	Sukkot is an 8-day harvest related festival which has its origins from the Torah. A non-permanent booth is constructed during these days for people to spend time in for things such as eating, prayer, relaxing and more. Some people might refrain from work and classes on the first and last days of the holiday.
31 Pagan	Samhain (New Year)	A ritual will be held — often, but not always — in the evening. Those traveling to a Pagan community gathering would be away from campus on Oct. 31.

**November 2024**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
1 Hindu & Jain	Diwali (Festival of Lights)	Those traveling to a temple for Puja — traditional ritual worship — may be away from campus all day Nov. 1.
2 Jain	Jain New Year	After celebrating Diwali at the end of Ashwina, Jains celebrate new year. Ritual of Snatra Puja is performed at the temple.
12 Baha'i	Birth of Baha'u'llah	Baha’ celebrates the Birth of Baha’u’llah as one of the nine yearly holidays on which they take the day off and focus on their faith and worship. Believers often celebrate in their homes or at public worship centers. Those traveling to a temple or celebration may be off campus for the day.

**December 2024**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
8 Buddhist	Bodhi Day (Buddha's Enlightenment)	A full day of remembrance and meditation. Those traveling to a temple for meditation would be away from campus the entire day of Dec. 8.
Dec. 25–Jan. 2 Jewish	Chanukah ~ (Festival of Lights/Rededication) (NIS)	An eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement in 164 BCE. It is customary during Chanukah to eat foods fried in olive oil.
25 Christian	Christmas Day (NIS)	A full day of remembrance and celebration recognizing the birth of Jesus Christ.

**February 2025**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
25 Hindu	Maha Shivaratri (Great Night of Shiva)	In a spirit of devotion, fasting, prayer, and keeping vigil begins late evening/early morning of March 25. Those traveling to a temple for puja — ritual worship — would be away from campus the entire day of February, March 26.
Feb. 28–March 29 Muslim	Ramadan	Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon.

**March 2025**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
5 Christian	Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)	A somber service is held. Some may fast — abstain from food and drink — for the entire day.
8 Hindu	Maha Shivaratri ^ (NIS)	In a spirit of devotion, fasting, prayer, and keeping vigil begins late evening/early morning of March 7. Those traveling to a temple for puja — ritual worship — would be away from campus the entire day March 8.
13–14 Hindu	Holi (Generally celebrated in the evening) (NIS)	Celebrating the arrival of spring. Those traveling to a temple would be away from campus on March 13.
March 29–April 1 Muslim	Eid al-Fitr	Begins at the sighting of the crescent moon, the Feast of Breaking the Fast marking the end of Ramadan.

**April 2025**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
12 (Jewish) 13	Passover/Pesach* And the Second Day of Passover	It is customary throughout the eight-day festival to refrain from eating bread or other wheat or common grain products, including fermentation products. The first two and last two days are generally considered festival days, and those who are observant cease all labor on them. Those traveling to synagogue or home may be away from campus April 12–13.
18 Christian	Good Friday (Anniversary of Jesus' Death)	A somber service is held. Some may fast from Good Friday until Easter. Those traveling to services would be away from campus the entire day.
18–19 Jewish	Shvii shel Pesach & Acharon shel Pesach (last two days of Passover	Full Holidays. Like other holidays, no work is done other than food preparation. Prayers are recited, candles lit on the eve of both days.
20 Christian	Easter (Anniversary of Jesus' resurrection)	A joyful service is held in churches. Those traveling to a church or home form the holiday would be away from campus April 20.
20 Orthodox Christian	Orthodox Easter Vigil Easter/Pasha (Anniversary of Jesus' resurrection)	A joyful service is held in churches. Those traveling to a church or home form the holiday would be away from campus April 20.

**May 2025**
Date	High Holy Day	Tradition
1 Pagan	Beltane — May Day	A celebratory ritual is held. Those traveling to a Pagan community gathering would be away from campus on May 1.

Codes

~ = Some holy days begin and end at sunset.

^ = Certain Hindu and Muslim holy days are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate.

* = Observance may include ceasing from labor, defined as commerce, writing, work, and travel.

NIS = Not in session