|
Date(s) Observed |
|||||
|
AUGUST |
|||||
|
Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) This two-day festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, a widely-worshiped Hindu god. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher and philosopher. General practices: During this festival, Hindus are likely to forgo sleep in order to sing bhajans, traditional Hindu songs. Many Hindus also fast during the first day of the festival. Dances, songs and plays depicting the life of Krishna are common. Date details: The first day is called Krishan ashtami or Gokul ashtami. The second day is known as Kaal ashtami or more popularly Janam ashtami. Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that students will be operating on very little sleep. |
August 18, 2022 Sept. 6-7, 2023 |
||||
| SEPTEMBER | |||||
|
|
|||||
|
Rosh Hashanah - *begins at sundown (Jewish)
General Practices: Prayer in synagogue and festive meals Date details: Begins at sundown on preceding day. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
Sept. 25-27, 2022 Sept. 15-17, 2023 |
||||
|
Mabon / Alban Elfed / Autumnal Equinox (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid) Also referred to as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, and Meán Fómhair. Mabon is the second celebration of the harvest, a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: At Mabon, day and night are in equal balance. It is a time to offer gratitude for the blessings of the harvest and also to begin to prepare for turning inward. Making dishes with apples, squash and pumpkins as part of ritual celebration is customary. |
Sept. 21-29, 2022 Sept. 21-29, 2023 |
||||
|
Sept. 26, 2022 Oct. 15-24, 2023 |
||||
| October | |||||
|
Yom Kippur - *begins at sundown (Jewish)
General Practices: During Yom Kippur, Jews fast from before sundown until after sunset, and light a Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the night of Yom Kippur. Date details: Begins at sundown on preceding day. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting. |
Oct. 4-5, 2022 Sept. 24-25, 2023 · |
||||
|
Sukkot - *begins at sundown (Jewish)
General Practices: Families in the United States commonly decorate the sukkah with produce and artwork. Date details: Begins at sundown of previous day; work holiday varies by denomination. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
Oct. 9-16 2022 Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2023 |
||||
|
Shemini Atzeret - *begins at sundown (Jewish)
General Practices: Jews light a Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on Shemini Atzereth (the 8th night of Sukkot). Date details: Begins at sundown the preceding day. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply). |
Oct. 16-18, 2022 Oct. 7-8, 2023 · |
||||
|
Simchat Torah (Jewish)
General Practices: Practitioners dance in synagogues as all the Torah scrolls are carried around in seven circuits. Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Kosher restrictions apply. |
Oct. 17-18, 2022 Oct. 7-8, 2023 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Baha’i)
Recommended Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. (Baha’i employees ill likely request to have this day off.) |
Oct. 26-27, 2022 |
||||
|
Samhain (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid) One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events and other significant changes in life. General Practices: Paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died. |
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2022 Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2022 · |
||||
|
NOVEMBER |
|||||
|
All Saints' Day - or Solemnity of All Saints (Roman Catholic) All Saints' Day - or Solemnity of All Saints - is a solemnity celebrated on the first of November in honor of all saints, either known or unknown. It is the day after the feast of All Hallows' Evening (also known as Halloween). this solemnity comes from the Christian tradition celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their death. General Practices: Roman Catholics are obliged to attend the Holy Eucharist and abstain from unnecessary works. |
Nov. 1, 2022 Nov. 1, 2023 |
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
DECEMBER |
|||||
|
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic) The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, was the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. Mary was conceived naturally, but God kept her soul immaculate, i.e. free from original sin. General Practices: Roman Catholics are obliged to attend the Holy Eucharist and abstain from unnecessary works. |
Dec. 8, 2020 | ||||
|
Hanukkah / Chanukah - *begins at sundown (Jewish)
General Practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah candelabrum until all eight candles are lit. Jews celebrate with food and song, as well as exchanging gifts for eight days. Date details: Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first day. Recommended Accommodations: Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary). |
Dec. 18-22, 2020 Dec. 7-15, 2023 Dec. 25, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024 · |
||||
|
Yule / Midwinter / Alban Arthan / Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid) The longest night of the year followed by the sun's "rebirth" and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals. General Practices: Burning the yule log (which was traditionally part of last year’s yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return. |
Dec. 21, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023 · |
||||
|
Christmas (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)
General Practices: Many celebrate this holiday by giving gifts, attending church services, decorating Christmas trees, and visiting family. Date details: Begins at sundown on Dec. 24 annually and continues with all day celebration on Dec. 25. Recommended Accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required. Kwanzaa As an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Given the profound significance Kwanzaa has for African Americans and indeed, the world African community, it is imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols and practice. Dr. Maulana Karenga marked Kwanzaa as a cultural holiday, not a religious holiday, because he wanted all Africans across all faiths to be able to celebrate the holiday. *To learn more about this cultural holiday, visit the official Kwanzaa website. General Practices: During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and lmani (Faith). Participants also celebrate with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles and other central cultural values. (*Information from the official Kwanzaa website.) Date Details: Kwanzaa is celebrated each year from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
|
Dec. 24-25, 2022 Dec. 24-25, 2023 Dec. 24-25, 2024 ·
Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023 Dec. 26, 2023-Jan. 1, 2024 Dec. 26, 2024-Jan. 1, 2025 |
This guide is intended as an educational resource by including dates and practices of the diverse religious and spiritual observations celebrated by members of the University of South Dakota community that may impact one's school or work responsibilities. Possible academic and food accommodations are include for informational purposes, as well. We hope that the information will be valuable to those planning classroom activities and other academic co-curricular events.
Points to Remember