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. Students can visit the Spiritual and Religious Life web page, and employees can visit the HR website, for information, resources and options about reasonable accommodations at any stage in the process. For more information, please view the University’s Religious Observances policy.
2026 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Quarter Observances | ||
| 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 2 | Tu BiShvat | Jewish |
| February 15 | Maha Shivaratri | Hindu |
| February 18-April 2 | Ramadan | Islam |
| February 18 | Ash Wednesday | Christian/Catholic |
| February 18 | Lent | Christian |
| February 19 | Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti | Hindu |
| March 2 | Ta'anit Esther | Jewish |
| March 2-3 | Purim | Jewish |
| March 3-4 | Holi | Hindu |
| March 19-20 | Eid al-Fitr | Islam |
| March 20 | Nowruz | Persian |
| March 21 | Naw Rúz | Baháʼí |
| March 25 | Feast of the Annunciation | Christian/Catholic |
| March 27 | Rama Navami | Hindu |
| March 29 | Palm Sunday | Eastern Orthodox/Christian |
| Spring Quarter Observances | ||
| April 1-9 | Passover | Jewish |
| April 2 | Holy Thursday | Christian |
| April 3 | Good Friday | Christian |
| April 4 | Holy Saturday | Christian |
| April 5 | Easter | Christian |
| April 10 | Good Friday (Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox |
| April 12 | Easter (Orthodox) | Eastern Orthodox |
| April 13-14 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish |
| April 14 | Vaisakhi | Sikh |
| April 20-21 | Yom HaZikaron | Jewish |
| April 20-May 2 | Ridván | Baháʼí |
| April 21-22 | Yom HaAtzma'ut | Jewish |
| May 4 | Vesak | Buddhist |
| May 4-5 | Lag B'Omer | Jewish |
| May 14 | Feast of the Ascension | Christian/Catholic |
| May 21-23 | Shavuot | Jewish |
| May 23-24 | Declaration of the Bab | Baháʼí |
| May 24 | Pentecost | Christian/Catholic |
| May 26-27 | Eid al-Adha | Islam |
| May 28-29 | Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh | Baháʼí |
| May 31 | Trinity Sunday | Christian/Catholic |
| June 7 | Corpus Christi Sunday | Christian/Catholic |
| June 12 | Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | Christian/Catholic |
| June 16 | Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib | Sikh |
| Summer Quarter Observances | ||
| June 24 | Nativity of St. John the Baptist | Christian/Catholic |
| June 25-26 | Ashura | Islam |
| June 29 | Feast of Saints Peter and Paul | Christian/Catholic |
| July 2 | Fast of Tammuz | Jewish |
| July 10 | Martyrdom of the Bab | Baháʼí |
| July 22-23 | Tisha B'Av | Jewish |
| July 31 | Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola | Christian/Catholic |
| August 6 | Transfiguration of the Lord | Eastern Orthodox/Christian |
| August 15 | Feast of Assumption | Christian/Catholic |
| August 25 | Mawlid | Islam |
| September 4 | Krishna Janmashtami | Hindu |
| September 8-15 | Paryushan | Jain |
| September 11-13 | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish |
| September 14 | Tzom Gedaliah | Jewish |
| September 20-21 | Yom Kippur | Jewish |
| Fall Quarter Observances | ||
| September 25-October 2 | Sukkot | Jewish |
| October 2-3 | Shemini Atzeret | Jewish |
| October 3-4 | Simchat Torah | Jewish |
| November 1 | All Saints Day | Christian/Catholic |
| November 2 | All Souls Day | Catholic |
| November 6-10 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain |
| November 10 | Birthday of the Bab | Baháʼí |
| November 11 | Birthday of Baha'u'llah | Baháʼí |
| November 22 | Feast of Christ the King | Christian/Catholic |
| November 24 | Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib | Sikh |
| November 24 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib | Sikh |
| November 28 | Ascension of ’Abdu’l-Bahá | Baháʼí |
| November 29 | Advent | Christian |
| December 3 | Feast of St. Francis Xavier | Christian/Catholic |
| December 4-12 | Hanukkah | Jewish |
| 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 25 | Christmas | Christian |