For questions, additions, or clarifications, please contact Gladys McCormick, Associate Dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Maxwell School, or Stephanie Williams, Academic Specialist for the Maxwell School.
Academic Year 23-24
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January
February
March
April
May
June
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August 2023
August 1: Lamas (Cristian)
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August 30: The Ghost Festival / Ullambrana (Buddhist, Taoist)
In Chinese culture, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day, and the seventh month, in general, is regarded as the Ghost Month. During this time, ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm.
September 2023
September 1: First Installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple (Sikh)
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September 28: Meskel (Ethiopian Orthodox Christian)
Meskel is the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century. It is celebrated soon after the beginning of the Ethiopian calendar year (mid-September).
Septmber 29 - October 6: Sukkot (Jewish)
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This day celebrates blasphemy as defined in the various national, state, or religious laws that encourage individuals and groups to openly express criticism of religion and blasphemy laws. Celebrations include educating about the importance of freedom of expression, even opinions contrary to religions or offensive to religious people.
October 2023
October 2: International Day of Nonviolence
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October 15 - 24: Navaratri (Hindu)
A nine-day festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura and the victory of good over evil.
October 16-17: Twin Holy Days – Birth of the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)
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A holiday celebrated in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, with international recognition. It's a multi-day event for gathering with family and friends to remember and support the spiritual journey of deceased loved ones. Traditions include ofrendas, calaveras, marigolds, favorite foods, and visits to graves.
November 2023
November 1: All Hallows' Day / All Saints’ Day / Hallowmas (Roman Catholic)
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Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honor of children.
December 2023
December 7-15: Hanukkah (Jewish)
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The day commemorating St. Stephen’s life and service as he became the first Christian to die for the faith
December 26th26-Jan 1st1: Kwanzaa (African American, African Diaspora)
This celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. It culminates in a feast and gift-giving.
December 26th- Zartosht 26: Zartosht No-Diso (Zoroastrian)
Commemorates the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
December 28th28: Holy Innocents Day (Christian)
Christian day of solemn memory of male children killed by King Herod in the attempt to destroy Jesus.
December 31st31: Feast of the Holy Family (Roman Catholic)
The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his father Saint Joseph as a family. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families.
January 2024
January 1-2: Feast Day of Saint Basil (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Orthodox Christian commemoration of St. Basil the Great, who wrote a Eucharist Liturgy that bears his name.
January 1: Gantan-sai (Shinto)
Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion.
January 1-5: Maidyarem Gahanbar (Zoroastrian)
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This “mid-winter feast” celebrates the winter solstice.
January 1: Solemnity of Mary / Mary, Mother of God (Roman Catholic)
A liturgical feast that celebrates M
ary’s motherhood of Jesus. Considered a Day of Obligation in some countries.
January 4: World Braille Day (United Nations)
World Braille Day was established by the UN General Assembly in December 2018. The date also marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, who at the age of 15, invented the tactile system for reading and writing for use by people who are blind or visually impaired.
January 7: Coptic Orthodox Christmas (Eastern Orthodox)
Using the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth
January 7: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Christian)
This feast day commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist.
January 13: Maghi (Sikh)
The festival of Lohri, which is celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus all across India, marks the end of the winter season and is traditionally believed to welcome the sun to the northern hemisphere.
January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (United States)
To mark the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
January 18: Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
Buddhist celebration of the time when Siddhartha Gautama took his place under the Bodhi tree, vowing to remain there until he attained supreme enlightenment.
January 20: Timkat (Ethiopian Orthodox)
Celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. This festival is best known for its ritual reenactment of baptism.
January 21: World Religion Day (Multi-Faith Organizations)
Established by the Bahá’ís in the United States, it is intended to foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common dimensions underlying all religions.
January 24: International Day of Education (United Nations)
A global observance established by the United Nations to promote education and raise awareness about its importance.
January 25: Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
The Mahayana New Year dates differ for each country based on their customs and traditions. While some Mahayana Buddhists observe the celebration on January 1 alongside the Gregorian New Year, others wait for the full moon of January.
January 25:Conversion of Saint Paul (Christian)
Christian observance of the experience of Paul when he was confronted by a vision of Jesus while on his way to persecute Christians and became a leading presenter of Jesus. Observed at worship services.
January 26: International Customs Day ( World Customs Organization)
This date commemorates the day of the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council, later renamed World Customs Organizations (WCO) held in Brussels in 1953. WCO dedicates a new theme every year.
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day (United Nations)
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7 that established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, also designated 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust – observed with ceremonies and activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at United Nations offices around the world.
February 2024
March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024
July 2024
Calendar information from UC DAVIS Multicultural Holidays, Worktango, Interfaith Calendar 2023, and other sources as needed.
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