A Guide to Religious Observances
Have you ever wondered about the significance of Sukkot? The importance of Easter? The customs of Ramadan?
Brandeis is home to rich and diverse cultural and religious traditions. We invite you to explore the significance of just some of the celebrations you might encounter here on campus.
View Brandeis' Academic Coursework and Religious Observance Policy.
Summer Break
- 'Arafa (Islam) - July 8, 2022
- Ashura (Islam) - August 8, 2022
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christianity) - August 15, 2022
Fall Semester
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism) - August 30, 2022
- High Holy Days (Judaism) - September 26-27, October 5, 10-18, 2022
- Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) - September 26-27, 2022
- Navaratri (Hinduism) - September 26 - October 4, 2022
- Yom Kippur (Judaism) - October 5, 2022
- Milad al-Nabi (Islam) - October 7-8, 2022
- Sukkot (Judaism) - October 10 - 16, 2022
- Shemini Atzeret (Judaism) - October 17, 2022
- Simchat Torah (Judaism) - October 18, 2022
- Diwali (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism) - October 24, 2022
- All Saints Day and All Souls Day (Christianity) - November 1-2, 2022
- Advent (Christianity) - November 27 - December 24, 2022
- Gita Jayanti (Hinduism) - December 3, 2022
- Immaculate Conception of Mary - December 8, 2022
Winter Break
- Hanukkah (Judaism) - December 19-26, 2022
- Christmas (Christianity) - December 25, 2022
- Kwanzaa (African-American) - December 26, 2022 - January 1, 2023
- Makar Sankranti (Hinduism) - January 14, 2023
Spring Semester
- Shivaratri (Hinduism) - February 18, 2023
- Ash Wednesday (Christianity) - February 22, 2023
- Purim (Judaism) - March 7, 2023
- Holi (Hinduism) - March 8, 2023
- Ramadan (Islam) - March 22 - April 21, 2023
- Ram Navami (Hinduism) - March 30, 2023
- Palm Sunday (Christianity) - April 2, 2023
- Passover (Judaism) - April 6-13, 2023
- Easter (Christianity) - April 9, 2023
- Eid al-Fitr (Islam) - April 22, 2023
Summer Break
- Shavuot (Judaism) - May 26 - 27, 2023
- Pentecost (Christianity) - May 28, 2023
*Jewish and Muslim holidays begin at sundown the night before the date listed above