University Life provides this information to support your scheduling so that you are aware of the major upcoming religious holidays that Mason students may recognize.
Faculty and Advisors -- check out a guide for supporting Mason Muslim students this Ramadan
Spring 2024
Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year) | Shinto | January 1 | Monday |
Epiphany | Christian | January 6 | Saturday |
Orthodox Christmas | Eastern Orthodox | January 7 | Sunday |
Asian/Lunar New Year [Year of the Rabbit] | January 22 | Monday | |
Candlemas (St. Brigid's Day) | Paga/Wiccan | February 1 or February 2 | Thursday or Friday |
Vasant Panchami/Sarawati Puja | Hindu | February 14 | Wednesday |
Ash Wednesday (first day of lent) | Christian | February 14 | Wednesday |
Beginning of Ramadan | Islamic | March 11 | Estimate. Observers may determine the exact date from the local lunar observations shortly before the holiday. |
Vernal Equinox (EDT) | March 19 - 24 | Tuesday-Sunday | |
Nowruz (Non-religious New Year) | Southwest Asian Communities | Sunset March 20 - Sunset March 21 | Wednesday - Thursday |
Spring Equinox (Ostara) | Pagan/Wiccan | March 20 | Wednesday |
Purim | Jewish | March 23*-24 | Saturday-Sunday |
Palm Sunday | Christian | March 24 | Sunday |
Palm Sunday | Eastern Orthodox | March 24 | Sunday |
Holi | Hindu | March 25 | Monday |
Maundy Thursday | Christian | March 28 | Thursday |
Good Friday | Christian | March 29 | Friday |
Holy Friday | Eastern Orthodox | March 29 | Friday |
Easter | Christian | March 31 | Sunday |
Eid-at-Fitr (Eid-ul-Fitr) 1st day of Shawwal | Islamic | April 10 | Wednesday |
Vaisakhi/Baisakhi | Hindu/Sikh | April 14 | Sunday |
Ridvan Festival, 1st of 12 days | Bahá'í | April 20 | Saturday |
Passover (Pesach), 1st two days | Jewish | April 22*-24 | Monday-Wednesday |
9th Day of Ridvan | Bahá'í | April 28 | Sunday |
Passover (Pesach), concluding Days | Jewish | April 28*-30 | Sunday-Tuesday |
May Day (Beltane) | Pagan/Wiccan | May 1 | Wednesday |
12th Day of Ridvan | Bahá'í | May 1 | Wednesday |
Pascha (Easter) | Eastern Orthodox | May 5 | Sunday |
*Holy days start at sundown on evening preceding first day and end at sundown or nightfall of concluding date.
Islamic dates are based on criteria adopted by the Figh Council of North America (FCNA).
Please note that certain days each week are not good times to schedule meetings for some groups. For example, Friday nights and Saturdays for observant Jews and Friday nights for observant Muslims.
Summer 2024
Declaration of the Báb | Bahá'í | May 23 | Thursday |
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh | Bahá'í | May 28 | Tuesday |
Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) | Jewish | June 11*-13 | Tuesday-Thursday |
Summer Solstice (EDT) | June 21 | Wednesday | |
Summer Solstice (Midsummer) | Pagan/Wiccan | June 19-23 | Wednesday-Sunday |
Eid al-Adha | Islamic | June 16 | Sunday |
Martyrdom of the Báb | Bahá'í | July 9 | Tuesday |
Ashura (10th day of Muharram) | Islamic | July 16-17 | Estimate |
Al-Hijra/Muhrram (New Year) | Islamic | July 17* | Wednesday |
*Holy days start at sundown on evening preceding first day and end at sundown or nightfall of concluding date.
Islamic dates are based on criteria adopted by the Figh Council of North America (FCNA).
Please note that certain days each week are not good times to schedule meetings for some groups. For example, Friday nights and Saturdays for observant Jews and Friday nights for observant Muslims.