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