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