- This list is meant to serve as a scheduling guide for university activities. It is not exhaustive and there may be other significant dates for various religious communities. Also, it is not exclusive to all faiths represented among the students, staff, and faculty at George Mason.
- Some dates may vary slightly depending on lunar observations or regional customs.
- The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.
Of note:
- Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the first night/day of Passover are observed by the majority of Jews and are among the most important dates on the calendar for familial and Jewish communal gathering.
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are observed by the majority of practicing Christians and are among the most important days of observance in the Christian faith.
- The month of Ramadan, ending with Eid al-Fitr, is a holy month observed by Muslims practicing the Islamic faith marked by daily fasting, study, and prayer.
- Diwali is celebrated by most Hindus across faiths and includes communal gathering, feasting, and prayer.
- Do you need to request religious accommodation? Contact the university Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.
Special thanks USC, UC Berkeley, Cornell University, Duke University, Harvard University, Stonybrook University, and Xavier University for compiling this information.
August 2025
Lughnasadh / Lammas
Pagan
Friday, August 1
Tisha B’Av
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 8/2]
Saturday - Sunday, August 2 - 3
Raksha Bandhan
Hindu
Saturday, August 9
Assumption of Mary / Dormition of Mary
Christian / Orthodox Christian
Friday, August 15
Krishna Janmashtami
Hindu
Saturday, August 16
Paryushana Festival
Jain
Tuesday - Wednesday, August 19 - 27
Ganesh Chaturthi
Hindu [Begins at sundown on 8/26]
Tuesday - Wednesday, August 26 - 27
Das Laxana Festival
Jain
Thursday - Saturday, August 28 - September 6
September 2025
Sharada Navaratri
Hindu
Monday - Thursday, September 22 - October 2
Autumn Equinox / Mabon / Alban Elfed
Pagan
Monday, September 22
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 9/22]
Monday - Wednesday, September 22 - 24
October 2025
Yom Kippur
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 10/1]
Wednesday - Thursday, October 1 - 2
Sukkot
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 10/6]
Monday - Monday, October 6 - 13
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 10/13]
Monday - Wednesday, October 13 - 15
Diwali
Hindu / Jain / Sikh
Monday - Tuesday, October 20 - 21
Jain New Year
Jain
Wednesday, October 22
Birth of the Báb
Bahá’í
Wednesday, October 22
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’í
Thursday, October 23
Samhain / Samhuinn
Pagan
Friday - Saturday, October 31 - November 1
November 2025
All Saints Day
Christian
Saturday, November 1
All Souls’ Day
Christian
Sunday, November 2
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Sikh
Wednesday, November 5
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Sikh
Monday, November 24
Day of the Covenant
Bahá’í
Tuesday, November 25
Thanksgiving
Federal
Thursday, November 27
Ascension of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
Bahá’í
Thursday, November 27
First Sunday of Advent
Christian
Sunday, November 30
December 2025
Bodhi Day
Buddhist
Monday, December 8
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Catholic
Friday, December 12
Hanukkah
Jewish [Begins at sundown on 12/14]
Sunday - Monday, December 14 - 22
Winter Solstice / Yule / Alban Arthan
Pagan
Sunday, December 21
Yalda
Persian
Sunday, December 21
Christmas
Christian
Thursday, December 25
Kwanzaa begins
Pan-African
Friday, December 26
Zartosht No-Diso
Zoroastrian
Friday, December 26