This guide provides information about diverse cultural and religious holidays and observances. This resource can aid you in classroom planning. Below are holidays and observances listed by semester. Check out each page for more details on each holiday and/or observance.
Framingham State University is subject to Massachusetts Law. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151C, Section 2B states:
"Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirement on a particular day, shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study or work requirement which he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his availing himself of the provisions of this section."
* denotes a holiday or observance that begins at sundown the day before.
Sept. 6-7 -- Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
Sept. 21-29 -- Mabon (Wiccan/Pegan)
Sept. 16-Oct. 14 -- 1st of Rabi al-Awwal (Islam)*
Sept. 16-17 -- Rosh Hashanah (New Year) (Jewish)*
Sept. 22 -- Sri Radhastami (Hindu)
Sept. 25 -- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (Jewish)*
Sept. 27 -- Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Islam)*
Sept. 30-Oct. 6 -- Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) (Jewish)*
Oct. 7-8 -- Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)*
Oct. 8 -- Simchat Torah (Jewish)*
Oct 15-24 -- Navaratri (Hindu)
Oct 16 -- Birth of Bab (Baha'i)
Oct 24 -- Dussehra/Dasera (Hindu)
Oct 27 -- Birth of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)*
Nov 1 -- Samhain (Wiccan/Pegan)*
Nov 1 -- All Saints Day (Christian)
Nov 12-13 -- Diwali (Hindu)
Nov 26 -- Day of Covenant (Baha'i)
Nov 28 -- Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (Baha'i)
Dec 8 -- Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary (Christian)
Dec 8 -- Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
Dec 8-15 -- Hanukkah (Jewish)*
Dec 21 -- Yule (Wiccan/Pegan)*
Dec 22 -- Sri Gita Jayanti (Hindu)
Dec 25 -- Christmas Day (Christian)
* denotes a holiday or observance that begins at sundown the day before.
Jan 6 -- Epiphany (Christian)
Jan 8 -- Orthodox Christmas (Orthodox Christian)
Jan 13 - 1st day of Rajab (Islam)*
Jan 25 -- Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
Feb 2 -- Imbolc (Wiccan/Pegan)
Feb 10 -- Lunar (Chinese) New Year (Confucianism/Taoism/Buddhism)
Feb 11 -- 1st Day of Sha'ban (Islam)*
Feb 14 -- Vasant Panchami (Hindu)
Feb 14 -- Ash Wednesday/Beginning of Lent (Christian)
Feb 15 -- Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
Feb 26 -- Magah Puja Day (Buddhist)
Mar 8 -- Maha Shivarati (Hindu)
Mar 11-Apr 9 -- Ramadan (Islam)*
Mar 18 -- Beginning of Lent (Orthodox Christian)
Mar 19 -- Ostara (Wiccan/Pegan)
Mar 21 -- Naw-Ruz (Baha'i)*
Mar 24 -- Palm Sunday (Christian)
Mar 24 -- Purim (Jewish)*
Mar 25 -- Holi (Hindu)
Mar 29 -- Good Friday (Christian)
Mar 31 -- Easter (Christian)
Apr 6 -- Holy Night during Ramadan (Shia)
Apr 6 -- Laylat al Qadr (Islam)*
Apr 8 -- Visakha Puja (Hindu)
Apr 10 -- Eid al-Fitr (Ed of Ramadan) (Islam)*
Apr 17 -- Ram Navami (Hindu)
Apr 21 -- 1st day of Ridvan (Baha'i)*
Apr 23-30 -- Passover (Pasach) (Jewish)*
May 1 -- Beltane (Wiccan/Pegan)
May 2 -- Last day of Ridvan (Baha'i)*
May 3 -- Holy Friday (Christian Orthodox)
May 5 -- Orthodox Easter (Christian Orthodox)
May 5 -- Yom Shoah (Jewish)*