Religious Observances
Embodying a culturally and spiritually diverse community, Drexel University recognizes that on the occasion of important or solemn religious days, certain of its members will observe practices that preclude them from attending to their regular duties whether as faculty members, staff or students. On the occasion of such days, it is important for all who do not share in these same practices to accommodate their colleagues and peers.
The University is committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate religious observances, which include fasting and work restrictions in many religions. The Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture is available to provide information, resources and options about reasonable accommodations at any stage in the process. For more information, please view the University’s Religious Observances policy.
2025 Religious Observances Calendar
The following calendar provides a non-exhaustive list of globally recognized religious observances. Please note that Jewish and Islamic observances begin at sundown the evening before the date listed. Some of the dates may be approximate, as many holidays, such as Islamic and Hindu holy days, are based on the lunar calendar.
Date | Holiday | Religion |
---|---|---|
January 1 | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | Christian/Catholic |
January 5 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib | Sikh |
January 6 | Epiphany or Three Kings Day | Christian/Catholic |
January 7 | Christmas (Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox/Christian |
February 13 | Tu BiShvat | Jewish |
February 25 | Maha Shivaratri | Hindu |
February 28-March 30 | Ramadan | Islam |
March 5 | Ash Wednesday | Christian/Catholic |
March 5-April 19 | Lent | Christian |
March 13 | Ta'anit Esther | Jewish |
March 13-14 | Purim | Jewish |
March 13-14 | Holi | Hindu |
March 15 | Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti | Hindu |
March 20 | Nowruz | Persian |
March 20 | Naw Rúz | Baháʼí |
March 25 | Feast of the Annunciation | Christian/Catholic |
March 30-31 | Eid al-Fitr | Islam |
April 5 | Rama Navami | Hindu |
April 12-20 | Passover | Jewish |
April 13 | Palm Sunday | Eastern Orthodox/Christian |
April 14 | Vaisakhi | Sikh |
April 17 | Holy Thursday | Christian |
April 18 | Good Friday | Christian |
April 18 | Good Friday (Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox |
April 19 | Holy Saturday | Christian |
April 20 | Easter | Christian |
April 20 | Easter (Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox |
April 21-May 2 | Ridván | Baháʼí |
April 23-24 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish |
April 29-30 | Yom HaZikaron | Jewish |
May 1 | Yom HaAtzma'ut | Jewish |
May 12 | Vesak | Buddhist |
May 15-16 | Lag B'Omer | Jewish |
May 22-23 | Declaration of the Bab | Baháʼí |
May 28-29 | Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh | Baháʼí |
May 29 | Feast of the Ascension | Christian/Catholic |
June 1-3 | Shavuot | Jewish |
June 6-7 | Eid al-Adha | Islam |
June 8 | Pentecost | Christian/Catholic |
June 15 | Trinity Sunday | Christian/Catholic |
June 16 | Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib | Sikh |
June 19 | Corpus Christi Sunday | Christian/Catholic |
June 24 | Nativity of St. John the Baptist | Christian/Catholic |
June 27 | Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | Christian/Catholic |
June 29 | Feast of Saints Peter and Paul | Christian/Catholic |
July 5-6 | Ashura | Islam |
July 9 | Martyrdom of the Bab | Baháʼí |
July 13 | Fast of Tammuz | Jewish |
July 31 | Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola | Christian/Catholic |
August 2-3 | Tisha B'Av | Jewish |
August 15 | Feast of Assumption | Christian/Catholic |
August 16 | Krishna Janmashtami | Hindu |
August 21-28 | Paryushan | Jain |
September 4 | Mawlid | Islam |
September 22-24 | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish |
September 25 | Tzom Gedaliah | Jewish |
October 1-2 | Yom Kippur | Jewish |
October 6-13 | Sukkot | Jewish |
October 13-14 | Shemini Atzeret | Jewish |
October 14-15 | Simchat Torah | Jewish |
October 20-24 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain |
October 22 | Birthday of the Bab | Baháʼí |
October 23 | Birthday of Baha'u'llah | Baháʼí |
November 1 | All Saints Day | Christian/Catholic |
November 2 | All Souls Day | Catholic |
November 5 | Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib | Sikh |
November 23 | Feast of Christ the King | Christian/Catholic |
November 24 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib | Sikh |
November 27 | Ascension of ’Abdu’l-Bahá | Baháʼí |
November 30 | Advent | Christian |
December 3 | Feast of St. Francis Xavier | Christian/Catholic |
December 8 | Bodhi Day | Buddhist |
December 8 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Christian/Catholic |
December 12 | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Christian/Catholic |
December 14-22 | Hanukkah | Jewish |
December 25 | Christmas | Christian |