Calendar of Holidays and Religious Observances
CSUN celebrates the unique backgrounds and perspectives of its community members, cultivating an inclusive campus where diversity is a source of strength and collaboration across differences is valued. In our increasingly diverse campus community, this calendar helps everyone be aware of major religious holidays, enabling thoughtful planning that respects the observances of all students, faculty, and staff. While scheduling conflicts cannot always be avoided, we ask that you prioritize awareness of religious holidays that have a significant impact on academic planning and other activities. Offices, departments, and student organizations are encouraged to refrain from scheduling college-wide or other major events on holy days, especially those dates on which people of a given tradition usually do not work or attend school. Also, please see Policy on Examinations and Religious Observations.
A description of each holy day may be found below the calendar. Additionally, dates of religious observances may vary by region and specific community practices. To support future planning, holidays and religious observances for the next two academic years are also included. Religious observances may fall on different dates from year to year because many are calculated based on a lunar calendar.
Please note that the calendar below is not a comprehensive list. If you have suggestions for additions or updates, please contact the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer at cdo@csun.edu or 818-677-2300.
We kindly thank CSUSM for their permission to use their content.
Thank you for your part in creating an inclusive environment.
2025-2026
*Jewish and Islamic holy days begin at sundown on the first day indicated.
**Holy days on which absence from work or school is common.
*** Absence from work or school is common on the first and last days.
2025-2026 Religious Observances Calendar
| Date | Holiday | Religious Observations |
|---|---|---|
| June 1*-3 | Shavuot** | Jewish |
| June 6*-9 | Eid al-Adha** | Islam |
| June 26*-27 | New Year - Hijra | Islam |
| July 5*-6 | Ashura** | Islam |
| August 9 | Raksha Bandhan** | Hindu |
| August 15 | Krishna Janmashtami** | Hindu |
| September 22*-24 | Rosh Hashanah** | Jewish |
| September 22*-October 1 | Navratri** | Hindu |
| October 1*-2 | Yom Kippur** | Jewish |
| October 6 | Mid-Autumn Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| October 6*-13 | Sukkot*** | Jewish |
| October 13*-14 | Shmini Atzeret** | Jewish |
| October 14*-15 | Simchat Torah** | Jewish |
| October 20 | Diwali begins (5 days) | Hindu/Jain/Sikh |
| December 14*-22 | Hanukkah | Jewish |
| December 16-24 | Posadas Navideñas/Las Posadas | LatinX/Christian |
| December 25 | Christmas** | Christian |
| December 26-January 1 | Kwanzaa | Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Diaspora |
| February 17 | Lunar New Year | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| February 17*-March 19 | Ramadan | Islam |
| February 18 | Ash Wednesday-Lent begins | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| March 2*-3 | Purim | Jewish |
| March 3*-4 | Holi | Hindu |
| March 19*-20 | Eid al-Fitr | Islam |
| April 1*-9 | Pesach/Passover** | Jewish |
| April 3 | Good Friday** | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| April 5 | Easter** | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| April 12 | Pascha** | Orthodox Christian |
| April 13-15 (dates may vary) | Water Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| April 13*-14 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish |
| May 7 | National Day of Prayer | Interfaith |
| May 21*-23 | Shavuot** | Jewish |
| May 27*-30 | Eid al-Adha** | Islam |
| Date | Holiday | Religious Observances |
| June 16*-17 | New Year - Hijra | Islam |
| June 26 | Ashura | Islam |
| August 28 | Raksha Bandhan** | Hindu |
| September 4 | Krishna Janmashtami** | Hindu |
| September 11*-13 | Rosh Hashanah** | Jewish |
| September 20*-21 | Yom Kippur** | Jewish |
| September 25 | Mid-Autumn Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| September 25*-October 2 | Sukkot*** | Jewish |
| October 2*-3 | Shmini Atzeret** | Jewish |
| October 3*-4 | Simchat Torah** | Jewish |
| October 11-20 | Navratri** | Hindu |
| November 8 | Diwali begins (5 days long) | Hindu/Jain/Sikh |
| December 4-12 | Hanukkah | Jewish |
| December 16-24 | Posadas Navideñas/Las Posadas | LatinX/Christian |
| December 25 | Christmas** | Christian |
| December 26-January 1 | Kwanzaa | Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Disapora |
| February 6 | Lunar New Year | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| February 7*- March 8 | Ramadan | Islam |
| February 10 | Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| March 9*-10 | Eid al-Fitr | Islam |
| March 22*- 23 | Holi | Hindu |
| March 22*-23 | Purim | Jewish |
| March 26 | Good Friday** | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| March 28 | Easter | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| April 13-15 | Water Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| April 21*-29 | Pesach/Passover** | Jewish |
| May 2 | Pascha** | Orthodox Christian |
| May 3*-4 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish |
| May 6 | National Day of Prayer | Interfaith |
| May 16*- 17 | Eid al-Adha | Islam |
| Date | Holiday | Religious Observance |
| June 6 | New year-Hijri | Islam |
| June 10*- 12 | Shavuot** | Jewish |
| June 14*-June 15 | Ashura | Muslim |
| August 17 | Raksha Bandhan** | Hindu |
| August 25 | Krishna Janmashtami** | Hindu |
| September 15 | Mid-Autumn Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| September 30- October 9 | Navratri** | Hindu |
| October 1*-3 | Rosh Hashanah** | Jewish |
| October 10*-11 | Yom Kippur** | Jewish |
| October 15*-22 | Sukkot*** | Jewish |
| October 11*-12 | Shmini Atzeret** | Jewish |
| October 12*-13 | Simchat Torah** | Jewish |
| October 28 | Diwali begins (5 days long | Hindu/Jain/Sikh |
| December 16-25 | Posadas Navideñas/ Las Posadas | LatinX/Chirstian |
| December 24*- January 1 | Hanukkah | Jewish |
| December 25 | Christmas** | Christian |
| December 26- January 1 | Kwanzaa | Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Disapora |
| January 26 | Lunar New Year | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| January 27*- February 25 | Ramadan | Islam |
| February 27 | Eid al-Fitr | Islam |
| March 1 | Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| March 11*-12 | Holi | Hindu |
| March 11*-12 | Purim | Jewish |
| April 10*-18 | Pesach/Passover** | Jewish |
| April 13 | Water Festival | Many traditions in most Asian nations |
| April 14 | Good Friday** | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| April 16 | Easter | Catholic/Protestant Christian |
| April 16 | Pascha** | Orthodox Christian |
| April 23*-24 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish |
| May 4 | National Day of Prayer | Interfaith |
| May 5 | Eid al-Adha | Islam |
| May 24*-25 | New year-Hijri | Islam |
| May 30*- June 1 | Shavuot** | Jewish |
| June 2*-June 3 | Ashura | Muslim |
Tradition Descriptions and Recommended Accommodation
Shi’a Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn ‘Ali, the third Shi’ite Imam and grandson of Muhammad, observing the day by mourning his death. Sunni Muslims commemorate God’s freeing of the Israelites from slavery to the Pharaoh of Egypt by observing a fast. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day liturgical season in which many Catholic and Protestant Christians prepare through fasting, prayer, and penance for renewing baptismal promises at Easter.
Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products.
A holy day celebrating of the birth of Jesus. Orthodox Christians often refer to it as the Feast of the Nativity and the Incarnation of Christ. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required.
A fall festival of lights signifying the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Rituals of lighting candles and other forms of light extend over a five day period, with the primary celebrations on the first night.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Hindu employees will likely request a vacation day on this date.
A day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
This day commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Muslims celebrate with the customary sacrifice of animals, sharing of the sacrificed animals’ meat with family and the poor, a special Eid prayer, and social gatherings. Celebrations may last up to three days. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first day. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).
This day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the first day of the month of Shawwal. The day begins with a special Eid prayer and involves day-long festivities. Celebrations may last up to three days. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees will likely ask to take a vacation day on this day, and that request should be granted if at all possible. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).
A solemn holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Many Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians observe it as a fast day. Christians of many denominations attend worship services. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—meat (fish is not considered meat) is prohibited during meals for some.
Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah) is the eight-day celebration commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165 B.C.E. Hanukkah is a minor holiday in terms of religious practice, but it is a special and joyous time of year.
Recommended Accommodations: Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).
A spring festival of colors celebrating life and signifying the victory of good over evil. Participants frolic in parks or other open areas, chasing and covering each other with dry colored powder and water.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
This two-day festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, a widely worshiped Hindu god. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher, and philosopher. During this festival, Hindus are likely to forgo sleep to sing bhajans, traditional Hindu songs. Many Hindus also fast during the first day of the festival.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines, events, or activities on this day.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day. It was created by Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa, including West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
One of the most important festivals celebrated in Asian cultures. In the West, Lunar New Year is often referred to as Chinese New Year. Activities include making offerings to household deities, hosting banquets for family and friends, and festive parades.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Many Chinese employees will probably request this day off.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival. It is one of the most important holidays and celebrations in Chinese culture as well as many other cultures in East and Southeast Asia.
Korea: Chuseok
Japan: Tsukimi
Vietnam: Tet Trung Thu
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
Navarati is one of the greatest Hindu festivals and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this time, Hindus worship Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
Durga is the mother goddess, and so Hindus try to visit their mothers and other relatives during this time. Some Hindus will pray and fast, and there are often feasts and dances.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina and set up the first Islamic state. Muslims will think about the general meaning of Hijra, and regard this as a good time for New Year Resolutions.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
A major Jewish festival lasting seven days, Pesach (Passover in English) commemorates the Exodus of Jews from slavery in Egypt. The ritual observance of this holiday centers upon a home service called the seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal. Jews often attend ritual observances on the first, second, and final evenings. Many Jews refrain from leavened bread product and matzo is eaten instead.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—the use of leavening is prohibited so, for example, matzah is eaten in place of bread.)
Hispanic Christian feast of The Lodgings commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted.
Purim commemorates the time when the Jews were living in Persia and were saved by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.
Recommended Accommodations: Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays; however, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business at Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (kosher restrictions apply).
A festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters. The festival is also popularly used to celebrate any brother-sister relationship between men and women who are relatives or not related. It is celebrated on the full moon in the month of Sravana in the lunar calendar. The word raksha means protection, whilst bandhan is the verb to tie.
Recommended Accommodations: None noted
The ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar, which adult Muslims observe by fasting every day, abstaining from all food, drink, and sex from before dawn to sunset.
Recommended Accommodations: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations if requested (Islamic dietary restrictions apply).
The Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination, and repentance known as the High Holy Days. Many Jews observe it with prayer and reflection in a synagogue. Absence from work or school is common on the first day of Rosh HaShanah.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
This festival marks the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested. (Kosher restrictions apply—although it is customary to eat dairy).
Also known as Atzereth, this is a fall festival, which includes a memorial service for the dead and features prayers for rain in Israel.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue and the beginning of the new cycle.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Kosher restrictions apply.
Sukkot, meaning "booths" or "huts," is the seven-day festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
This solemn day serves as a memorial to those who died in the Holocaust. Shoah, which means catastrophe or utter destruction in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities committed against the Jewish people during World War II. It is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Recommended Accommodations: This is not a work holiday—academics and work are permitted. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply).
The holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and refers to the annual observance of fasting, prayer, and repentance. Absence from work or school is common.
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting.
The New Year’s celebration in several Southeast Asian countries. In some regions, dragon boat races are held and lanterns floated on rivers to bring blessings. People splash water at one another in a boisterous cleansing ritual of good will.
For any additional information or to update discrepancies, please e-mail cdo@csun.edu.
Last updated: October 10, 2025