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Religious Observance Calendar

Religious Observance Calendar

At Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), we understand that our students come from diverse backgrounds and have various religious beliefs. To ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, we have created this calendar to highlight the dates of important religious observances throughout the year. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you have additional observances you wish to add, please email the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Associate Director of DEI, Dr. Mia Harper, at mharper@nvcc.edu.

At NOVA, we also have a policy on religious accommodation that aims to support students, faculty and staff in practicing their faith. If you have any questions or concerns regarding religious accommodation, please refer to the policy or contact Dr. Mia Harper at mharper@nvcc.edu for further assistance.
Thank you for helping us foster a respectful and inclusive community at NOVA.

2023 Date Holiday Religion
January 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Roman Catholic
January 1 Oshogatsu Shinto
January 3 Asara B'Tevet Judaism
January 6 Epiphany or Three Kings Day Christian
January 13 Maghi Sikh
January 15 Makar Sankranti Hindu
January 15 World Religion Day Baha'i
January 22 Lunar New Year Buddhist
February 2 Imbolc Pagan and Wiccan
February 3 Setsubun Shinto
February 5 - 6 Tu BiShvat Judaism
February 15 Nirvana Day Buddhist
February 17 - 18 Lailat al Miraj Islam
February 18 Maha Shivaratri Hindu
February 22 Ash Wednesday Christian
February 22 - April 8 Lent Christian
February 25 - March 1 Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha Baha'i
March 6 Ta'anit Esther Judaism
March 6 - 7 Purim Judaism
March 7 - 8 Mid-Sha'ban Islam
March 8 - 10 Hola Mohalla Sikh
March 8 Holi Hindu/Sikh/Buddhist/Jain
March 13 Birthday of L. Ron Hubbard Scientology
March 19 Feast of St. Joseph Roman Catholic
March 21 Ostara Pagan and Wiccan
March 21 Naw Rúz Baha'i/Zoroastrian
March 22 - April 21 Ramadan Islam
March 30 Magha Puja Buddhist
April 2 Palm Sunday Christian
April 4 Mahavir Jayanti Jain
April 4 Memorial of Jesus’ Death Christian (Jehovah’s Witness)
April 6 Maundy (Holy) Thursday Christian
April 5 - 13 Passover Judaism
April 7 Good Friday Christian
April 8 Holy Saturday Christian
April 9 Easter Sunday Christian
April 14 Vaisakhi Hindu/Sikh
April 16 Easter/Pascha (Orthodox) Christian
April 17 - 18 Yom HaShoah Judaism
April 18 Laylat al-Qadr Islam
April 21 - 22 Eid al-Fitr Islam
April 24 - 25 Yom HaZikaron Judaism
April 25 - 26 Yom HaAtzma'ut Judaism
May 1 Beltaine Pagan and Wiccan
May 5 Vesak Buddhist
May 8 - 9 Lag B'Omer Judaism
May 23 Declaration of Bab Bahá'í
May 25 - 27 Shavuot Judaism
May 26 Buddha's Birth Buddhist
May 28 Pentecost Sunday Christian
May 28 - 29 Ascension of Baha'u'lláh Bahá'í
June 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Sikh
June 24 Litha Pagan and Wiccan
June 26 - July 1 The Hajj Islam
June 28 - 29 Eid al-Adha Islam
July 5 - 6 Fast of Tammuz Judaism
July 7 Eid Al-Ghadir Shia Muslim
July 9 Martyrdom of Báb Baha'i
July 18 - 19 Islamic New Year Islam
July 24 Pioneer Day Christian
July 26 - 27 Tisha B'Av Judaism
July 28 Day of Ashura Shia Muslim
August 1 Lughnasadh Pagan and Wiccan
August 15 Feast of the Assumption Roman Catholic
September 5 - 6 Arba'een Islam
September 6 - 7 Krishna Janmashtami Hindu
September 15 - 17 Rosh Hashanah Judaism
September 18 Tzom Gedaliah Judaism
September 21 - 29 Mabon Pagan and Wiccan
September 24 - 25 Yom Kippur Judaism
September 26 - 27 Mawlid Islam
September 29 - October 6 Sukkot Judaism
October 6 - 8 Shemini Atzeret Judaism
October 7 - 8 Simchat Torah Judaism
October 15 - 24 Navaratri Hindu
October 16 Birthday of Báb Baha'i
October 17 Birthday of Baha'u'llah Baha'i
October 24 Dussehra Hindu
October 31 Samhain Pagan and Wiccan
November 1 All Saints Day Christian
November 2 All Souls' Day Christian
November 12 Diwali Hindu/Sikh/Jain
November 24 Martyrdom of Guru Bahadur Sikh
November 28 - January 6 Christmas Fast Christian
December 3 - 24 Advent Christian
December 7 -15 Hanukkah Judaism
December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic
December 8 Bodhi Day Buddhist
December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast Day) Christian
December 16 - 24 Las Posadas Christian
December 21 - January 1 Yule Pagan and Wiccan
December 22 Asara B'Tevet Judaism
December 24 Christmas Eve Christian
December 25 Christmas Day Christian
December 26 St. Stephen's Day Christian

Drexel University (n.d.). Religious observance holiday. Office of Provost. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://drexel.edu/provost/policies-calendars/religious-observances/

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