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Calendar of Holidays and Religious Observances

CSUSM strives to create an inclusive campus environment where campus members understand, respect, and effectively navigate differences. In our increasingly diverse workplace and learning environment, it is important to be aware of major religious holidays that members of our campus community may observe. While it is hard to avoid all conflicting dates, please take into consideration the observance 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. Students seeking accommodations for class attendance, academic assignments, or athletic practice/events to observe a religious observance should contact instructors or coaches by the end of the first week of classes. An instructor who believes that the anticipated absences would preclude the successful completion of the course or would seriously affect the student’s grade shall inform the student by the end of the second week of class: Student Absence from class for University Events and Religious Observances Policy.

Please note that the calendar below is not a comprehensive list. A description of each holy day may be found below the calendar. Suggestions for additions to this list may be directed to the Office of Inclusive Excellence. diversity@csusm.edu or 760-750-4039

Religious observances may fall on different dates from year to year because many are calculated based on a lunar calendar. Dates of religious observances may also vary regionally.

Thank you for your part in creating an inclusive environment,
The Office of Inclusive Excellence

2023-2024

*Jewish and Islamic holy days begin at sundown on the first day indicated.
**Holy days on which absence from work or school is common.

2023/2024 Calendar
 Date  Holiday Religious Observations
June 28-29 **Eid al-Adha Islam
July 27-28 **Ashura Islam
August 30 Raksha Bandhan** Hindu
September 6 Krishna Janmashtami** Hindu
September 15*-17 **Rosh Hashanah Jewish
September 24*-25 Yom Kippur Jewish
September 29-October 6 Sukkot Jewish
October 15 Navratri Hindu
November 12 Diwali begins (5 days) Hindu/Jain/Sikh
December 7-15 Hanukkah Jewish
December 16-24 Posadas Navidenas/Las Posadas  LatinX/Christian
December 25 **Christmas Christian
December 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa  Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Disapora 
February 10 Lunar New Year Many traditions in most Asian nations
February 14  Ash Wednesday-Lent Begins  Catholic/Protestant Christian
March 10*-April 9 Ramadan Islam
March 24-25 Holi Hindu
March 29 **Good Friday Catholic/Protestant Christian
March 31 **Easter  Catholic/ProtestantChristian
April 13-15 Water Festival Many traditions in most Asian nations
April 22*-30 Pesach/Passover Jewish
May 2 National Day of Prayer Interfaith
 May 5 **Pascha Orthodox Christian
May 5*-6  Yom HaShoah  Jewish

 

  • 2024/2025 Calendar
    2024/2025 Calendar
     Date  Holiday Religious Observations
    June 11-13 Shavuot Jewish
    June 16-17 **Eid al-Adha Islam
    July 7-8 New year-Hijra Islam
    July 16*-17 **Ashura Islam
    August 19 Raksha Bandhan** Hindu
    August 26 Krishna Janmashtami** Hindu
    October 2-4 Rosh HaShanah Jewish
    October 3-12  **Navaratri Hindu
    October 11-12 Yom Kippur Jewish
    October 16-23 Sukkot Jewish
    November 1 Diwali begins (5 days) Hindu/Jain/Sikh
    December 25-Jan 2 Hanukkah Jewish
    December 25 **Christmas Christian
    December 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa  Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Disapora 
    January 29 Lunar New Year Many traditions in most Asian nations
    February 28-March 30 Ramadan Islam
    March 5 Ash Wednesday (Lent begins) Catholic/Protestant Christian
    March 13*-14 Holi Hindu
    April 12-20 Pesach/Passover Jewish
    March 30-31  **Eid al-Fitr  Islam
    April 18 **Good Friday Catholic/Protestant Christian 
     April 20 **Pascha Orthodox Christian
    April 20 Easter Catholic/Protestant Christian
    April 24*-25  Yom HaShoah  Jewish
    May 1 National Day of Prayer Interfaith
    June 1*-3 Shavuot Jewish

     

  • 2025/2026 Calendar
    2025/2026 Calendar
     Date  Holiday Religious Observations
    June 6*-10 Eid al-Adha Jewish
    June 26 New year-Hijra Islam
    August 9 Raksha Bandhan** Hindu
    August 15 Krishna Janmashtami** Hindu
    July 5* - 6 **Ashura Islam
    September 22*-24 **Rosh Hashanah Jewish
    September 22*-October 1 **Navaratri Hindu
    October 1-2 **Yom Kippur Jewish
    October 6*-13 Sukkot Jewish
    October 20 Diwali begins (5 days) Hindu/Jain/Sikh
    December 16-24 Posadas Navidenas/Las Posadas LatinX/Christian
    December 14*-22 Hanukkah Jewish
    December 25 **Christmas Christian
    December 26-Jan 1 Kwanzaa  Celebrates African heritage, unity and culture/African American, parts of African Disapora
    February 17 Lunar New Year Many traditions in most Asian nations
    February 18  Ash Wednesday-Lent Begins Catholic/Protestant
    February 18*-March 19 Ramadan Islam
    March 3*-4 Holi Hindu
    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*-14 Yom HaShoah Jewish
    April 13-15 (dates may vary) Water Festival Many traditions in most Asian natio
    May 7 National Day of Prayer Interfaith
    May 19*-20 (dates may vary) **Eid al-Fitr  Islam
    May 21*-23 Shavuot Jewish
  • 2026/2027 Calendar

    2026 - 2027 Holidays & Religious Observances
    Dates   Holidays Religious Observances
    August 28 Raksha Bandhan** Hindu
    September 4 Krishna Janmashtami** Hindu
    September 11*-13 **Rosh Hashanah Jewish
    September 20*-21 **Yom Kippur Jewish
    September 25*-October 2 Sukkot Jewish
    October 11-20 **Navaratri Hindu
    November 8 Diwali begins (5 days long) Hindu/Jain/Sikh
    December 4-12 Hanukkah Jewish
    December 16-24 Posadas Navidenas/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 10 Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins  Catholic/Protestant Christian
    February 7*- March 8 Ramadan Islam
    March 9*-10 Eid al-Fitr Islam
    March 22*- 23  Holi Hindu
    March 26 **Good Friday 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 Jewish
    June 10*- 12 Shavuot Jewish
    June 14*-June 15 Ashura Muslim 
    June 6 New year-Hijri Islam
  • 2027/2028 Calendar
    2027 - 2028 Holidays & Religious Observances
    Dates  Holidays Religious Observances
    August 17 Raksha Bandhan** Hindu
    August 25 Krishna Janmashtami** Hindu
    September 30- October 9 **Navaratri Hindu
    October 2 **Rosh Hashanah Jewish
    October 11  **Yom Kippur Jewish
    October 15-*22 Sukkot Jewish
    October 29 Diwali begins (5 days long) Hindu/Jain/Sikh
    December 16-25 Posadas Nacidenas/ 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 28*- February 26 Ramadan Islam
    February 27 Eid al-Fitr Islam
    March 1 Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins  Catholic/Protestant Christian
    March 11*-12 Holi Hindu
    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 **Pascha Orthodox Christian
    April 22*-23  Yom HaShoah Jewish
    May 4  National Day of Prayer Interfaith
    May 5 Eid al-Adha Jewish
    May 24*-25 New year-Hijri Islam
    May 30*- June 1 Shavuot Jewish
    June 2*-June 3 Ashura Muslim 

  • Ashura
    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.
  • Ash Wednesday
    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.
  • Christmas
     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.
  • Diwali
     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.
  • Easter/Pascha
     A day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Absence from work or school is common.
  • Eid al-Adha
     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.
  • Eid al-Fitr
     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.
  • Good/Holy Friday
     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.
  • Hanukkah
     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.
  • Holi
     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.
  • Lunar New Year
     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.
  • National Day of Prayer

    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.


  • Pesach/Passover
     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.
  • Ramadan
     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.
  • Rosh Hashanah
     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.
  • Shavuot
     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.
  • Sukkot
     Sukkot, meaning "booths" or "huts," is the seven-day festival of giving thanks for the fall harvest.
  • Yom HaShoah
    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.
  • Yom Kippur
    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.
  • Water Festival
    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.

Additional Interfaith calendar or Diversity Central calendar information.

For any additional information or to update discrepancies, please e-mail diversity@csusm.edu.