Southwestern University is a community of members representing diverse faith traditions, as well as members who do not identify with any faith tradition. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to be aware and respectful of the diverse religious observances of University community members. Required accommodations exist for: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Pesach (Passover), Good Friday, and Easter (see below for Southwestern’s Religious Observance Excused Absence Policy). Suggested accommodations may include: adjusted due dates, proctoring exams at times best for student fasting, or presenting halal/kosher/vegetarian options when food is offered.
Major Holy Days 2026-2027
The days listed below are the ones most likely to affect the academic calendar.
NOTE: Dates in bold indicate holy days where work is prohibited for that faith or fasting is involved. An asterisk (*) indicates the holy day begins at sundown the day before the religious date indicated and/or ends at sundown on that date.
2026 |
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DATE |
HOLY DAY NAME |
TRADITION |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
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Jun. 25* |
Ashura |
Islam |
For Shias, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala. Only in the evenings. |
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Sep. 4 |
Krishna Janmashtami |
Hinduism |
The birthday of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who helped restore the balance of good over evil. |
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Sep. 8 - 15 |
Paryushan Parva |
Jainism |
Eight-day Festival of Forgiveness and Self-Discipline. |
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Sep. 12* - 13* |
Rosh Hashanah |
Judaism |
Rosh Hashanah, first of the High Holy Holidays, is the Jewish New Year. It begins at sundown on the 11th and ends at nightfall on the 13th. |
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Sep. 14 |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Hinduism |
Birthday of Sri Ganesha, revered as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and the remover of obstacles. Start of celebration is from 11:01am and ends at 1:30pm (Time in India) |
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Sep. 21* |
Yom Kippur |
Judaism |
The Day of Atonement, it is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Adults fast from food and drink. Work is generally prohibited. It begins at sundown on the 20th and ends at nightfall on the 21st. |
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Sep. 26* - Oct. 2 |
Sukkot |
Judaism |
The Feast of the Tabernacles. Harvest Festival. Work is generally prohibited on the first two days. Celebrated in the evenings. It begins at sundown on the 25th and ends at sundown on the 2nd. |
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Oct. 3* |
Shemini Atzeret |
Judaism |
Marks the end of Sukkot. Work is generally prohibited. It begins at sundown on the 2nd. |
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Oct. 4* |
Simchat Torah |
Judaism |
Work is generally prohibited. Marks end and beginning of public Torah readings. It begins at sundown on the 3rd. |
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Oct. 11 - 20 |
Sharad Navaratri |
Hinduism |
Festival of 9 nights celebrating the Goddess Maa Durga. 10th day is a festival celebrating the Goddess’ triumph over evil. |
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Nov. 1* |
Samhain |
Pagan |
Festival of Darkness honoring the dead. It begins at sunset on the 31st. |
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Nov. 1 |
All Saint’s Day |
Christianity |
Honors all the saints known and unknown. |
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Nov. 8 |
Diwali |
Hinduism, |
Festival of Lights. Light symbolizes a force against darkness, ignorance, and evil. Diwali is celebrated over 5 days, beginning November 6th and ending on the 10th. |
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Nov. 10 |
Birth of the Báb |
Bahá’í |
Birth of the Báb falls on Tuesday, November 10. It is immediately followed by the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on November 11, marking the celebrated “Twin Holy Birthdays” observed by the Bahá’í faith. These are two of the nine holy days in the Baháʼí calendar where adherents are expected to suspend work and school to fully observe and celebrate the occasions. |
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Nov. 29 |
Beginning of the Season of Advent |
Christianity |
First day (Sunday) of Advent, which continues until December 24. |
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Dec. 8 |
Immaculate Conception |
Roman Catholics |
The day where the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. In the United States, it is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics are required to attend Mass. |
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Dec. 12 |
Our Lady of Guadalupe |
Roman Catholics |
According to Catholic tradition, Mary, mother of Jesus, appeared to Juan Diego, who was an Aztec convert to Christianity, on December 9 and again on December 12, 1531. Juan Diego was a young indigenous Indian who was walking toward the Hill of Tepeyac when he was stopped by an appearance of the Virgin Mary. |
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Dec. 5* - 12* |
Hanukkah |
Judaism |
Begins at sundown on the 4th. Festival of Lights. Marks the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. |
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Dec. 20 |
Srimad Bhagavad Gita Jayanti |
Hinduism |
Gita Jayanti is the date that Lord Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text, to Prince Arjuna. |
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Dec. 25 |
Christmas |
Christianity |
Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. |
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Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 |
Kwanzaa |
African American |
Kwanzaa celebrates 7 principles of African heritage. Each of the 7 days are dedicated to a principle. |
2027 |
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DATE |
HOLY DAY NAME |
TRADITION |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
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Jan. 6* |
Lailat al Miraj |
Islam |
Commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem (al Isra) and his ascension to Heaven. Begins at sundown on January 5th. |
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Jan. 7 |
Feast of the Nativity |
Orthodox Christianity |
Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. |
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Jan. 14 |
Makar Sankranti |
Hinduism |
A celebration marking the advent of the Sun’s northern migration and forthcoming Spring. |
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Feb. 6 |
Chinese New Year |
Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist |
A festival marking the new year for the Chinese calendar. |
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Feb. 8* - Mar. 8* |
Ramadan |
Islam |
Holy month of fasting without food or drink from sunrise to sunset. Begins at sunset on February 7th, with fasting beginning on February 8th. It ends at sunset on March 8th. |
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Feb. 10 |
Ash Wednesday |
Christianity |
The beginning of Lent, traditionally a 40 day time of fasting or object-specific abstinence and reflection. In the United States, it is widely observed by Roman Catholic and various Protestant denominations through services where services are held so attendees may receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads. |
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Feb. 26 - Mar. 1 |
Ayyám-i-Há |
Bahá’i |
A time for hospitality, generosity, and caring for the needy. |
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Mar. 2 - 20 |
Nineteen Day Fast |
Bahá’í |
Bahá’í followers between the ages of 15 - 70 fast without food or drink from sunrise to sunset. Travellers are also exempt. |
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Mar. 6 |
Maha Shivaratri |
Hinduism |
Celebration of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with a combination of fasting, prayer, and meditation, culminating in an overnight vigil. The fast is typically broken the next morning after sunrise and completing morning prayers. |
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Mar. 10* |
Eid al Fitr |
Islam |
Holy day celebrating the end of Ramadan with communal prayer, gifts, and sharing meals after sunset. |
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Mar. 21* |
Naw-Ruz |
Bahá’í |
Celebration of the Persian New Year. Observed beginning at sunset on March 20. |
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Mar. 21 |
Palm Sunday |
Christian |
Beginning of Holy Week, prior to Easter. |
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Mar. 22* |
Holi |
Hinduism |
Festival of colors. A two-day festival celebrates the advent of spring and the message that good is victorious over evil. Holika Dahan bonfire rituals begin on March 21 after sunset. |
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Mar. 23* |
Purim |
Judaism |
Lively celebration of the story of Esther. Begins at sundown on March 22nd and concludes at nightfall on March 23rd. |
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Mar. 25 |
Maundy Thursday |
Christianity |
Somber commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Disciples. |
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Mar. 26 |
Good Friday |
Christianity |
Commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus. |
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Mar. 28 |
Easter Sunday |
Christianity |
Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. |
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Apr. 14 |
Vaisakhi |
Hinduism/ Sikh |
A festival that marks the formation of the Khalsa (religious community of Sikhs) by Guru Gobind Singh. |
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Apr. 15 |
Rama Navami |
Hinduism |
Celebration of the birth of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who helped restore balance of good over evil. |
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Apr. 20 |
Hanuman Jayanti |
Hinduism |
Celebrates the birthday of Hanuman, foremost devotee of Sri Rama and Sita. |
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Apr. 22* - 29* |
Passover |
Judaism |
Festival of liberation of Israelites from Slavery in Egypt. Work is prohibited on the first two and last two days. Celebrated in the evenings. Begins at sunset on April 21st and ends in the evening on April 29th. |
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Apr. 21* - May 2* |
Ridván Celebration |
Bahá’í |
Commemoration of the 12 days when the founder, Baha’u’llah, declared a mission. Festival begins at sunset on April 20th and ends at sunset on May 2nd. |
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Apr. 21, |
Ridván Major Holy Days |
Bahá’í |
Three specific days are observed as major holy days where Baháʼís suspend work and school:
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May 2 |
Pascha (Easter) |
Orthodox Christianity |
Celebration of Resurrection of Jesus. |
NOTE: Religious holiday dates may vary in observance since they are calculated on a lunar calendar, and because they are celebrated on various days around the world.
Southwestern’s Religious Observance Excused Absence Policy
Policy Reminders: One-time University events should not be scheduled during the following holidays; these are events which either (1) require attendance, (2) may not be mandatory, but those not attending would miss an important opportunity to be included in a campus event, and/or (3) are one-time opportunities for participants to receive the services offered: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Christmas Day, Pesach (Passover), Good Friday, and Easter.
Chapel Services and Special Spiritual Life Events: In addition to the above religious and cultural holidays, the following dates and times may be identified for Chapel services and other special Spiritual Life events during the 2026-2027 academic year. These are priority events which no student, faculty, or staff member may be denied the opportunity to attend because of a conflicting class, meeting, or event.
- Welcome Week Worship Service, Sunday, August 16, 2026, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
- Interfaith Prayer Service for UNITY and PEACE, Sunday, September 20, 2026, 5:00 pm
- Spiritual Life Interfaith Fair, Sunday, August 23, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
- Homecoming Worship Service, Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10:30 am
- Willson Lectures, September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 TBD
- Candlelight Worship Services, Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6:00 pm & 8:00 pm
- Ash Wednesday, Wednesday, February 10, 2027, 12 noon and 7:00 pm
- Palm Sunday, March 21, 2027, 5:00 pm
- Baccalaureate Worship Service, Friday, May 14, 2027, 6:30 pm
Religious Absences: Because the religious holidays listed above reflect some, but not all, of the most commonly observed holidays, the University policies also permit any student to miss class in order to observe any religious or cultural holidays that are part of their tradition, including holidays that are not listed above. Students are expected to notify their professor of religious absences as far in advance as possible and fulfill missed assignments prior to the absence. Additionally, University policies permit faculty and staff, including student employees, to miss work in order to observe religious and cultural holidays that are part of their tradition, including holidays that are not listed above. This time off may be without pay or taken as accrued vacation time, and in the case of student employees, it can include a change in work hours within a pay period to accommodate the absence. The University policy notes that faculty members are still expected to meet their class schedules and should work with their Department chair or the Dean of the Faculty to arrange these absences.
These policies can also be found in the Student and Faculty Handbooks.