Tisha B'Av
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Tisha B'Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in Jerusalem. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 – Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Learn the Basics of How and When to Claim Social Security
If you anticipate that Social Security will be your primary source of income in retirement, learn when and how to claim your benefit.
Online Location Details: A Zoom link will be provided once registered. Open to Public: No. Primary Audience: Faculty. Staff. Postdoctoral Fellows. Event Type: Training/Workshop. Event Subject: Financial Health. RSVP Information: https://fmr.zoom.us/j/98562643411?pwd=eGF90sgNb5EJ3kFLlqB48UPIeZSF9e.1.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit fmr.zoom.us. Pioneer Day
Multifaith Observances
(Church of Latter Day Saints) Mormon observance of the arrival of Brigham Young at the site of Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1847.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, July 24, 2026.
Dharma Day
Multifaith Observances
(Buddhism) Commemorates the Buddha's first teaching following his enlightenment. The date and name of this Buddhist celebration varies significantly among cultures and communities.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Lammas/Lughnasa
Multifaith Observances
(Wicca/Paganism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. The first harvest festival, celebrating the sacrifices of the Earth and the sun for the harvest and the diminishing strength of summer.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, July 31, 2026 – Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Multifaith Observances
(Christianity-Catholic) Commemorates the assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Dormition of the Theotokos
Multifaith Observances
(Christianity-Orthodox) The Dormition of the Mother of God is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. It celebrates the "falling asleep" of Mary the Theotokos, and her being taken up into heaven.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Birth of Muhammad, Mawlid an-Nabi
Multifaith Observances
(Islam) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. First day may be dependent on the sighting of the moon. Milad an-Nabi, also known as Mawlid, is celebrated by Muslims as the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Raksha Bandan
Multifaith Observances
(Hinduism) Also abbreviated to Rakhi, it is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. It is celebrated on the full moon in the month of Sravana in the lunar calendar.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Thursday, August 27, 2026.
First Parkash (First Installation)
Multifaith Observances
(Sikhism) Celebrates the installation of the Adi Granth, a compilation of scripture. Compiled by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Matriculation
Parents and families are welcome to attend the Matriculation Ceremony (the official welcoming of new students); it will also be livestreamed.
Please note: This event takes place outside on the Academic Quad. In the event of inclement weather, the indoor location accommodates students only; there will be additional indoor spaces where parents and families who are on campus can watch the livestream.
A link to watch the livestream will be available on the Orientation Programs and Communications web page.
Campus: Medford/Somerville campus. Open to Public: Yes.
Thursday, September 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Krishna Janmashtami
Multifaith Observances
(Hinduism) Celebrates the birthday of Krishna. According to the Hindu epics, Krishna was the eighth incarnation of the God Vishnu, opposed to the demon Kansa, who was responsible for the increase of evil in the world. Worship of Krishna is characteristically expressed in dance and song.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, September 4, 2026.
Labor Day
University Holidays
The university observes a holiday on this day.
Event Type: University Holiday.
Monday, September 7, 2026.
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Multifaith Observances
(Christianity-Orthodox) The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Paryusana Festival
Multifaith Observances
(Jainism) Considered the holiest period of the year, these eight days are marked for Jains by fasting, meditation, prayer and public readings of the life story of Lord Mahavira. Observed especially by the followers of the Shvetambara sect, Paryusana concludes on Samvatsari, the most solemn occasion of self-scrutiny and forgiveness. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work and may include fasting.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Rosh Hashanah
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. The Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the creation of humankind, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (also known as the Ten Days of Repentance) that conclude on Yom Kippur. It marks the beginning of the holiest time of the year for Jews. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, September 11, 2026 – Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Ghambar Paitishem
Multifaith Observances
(Zoroastrianism) Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop and the return of herds from pasture.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Fast of Gedaliah
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at dawn. A minor Jewish fast. Observances during this time may include fasting.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Monday, September 14, 2026.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Multifaith Observances
(Hinduism) A celebration of Ganesh’s birthday, one of the major Hindu deities. Ganesh, who has the head of an elephant, is the God of Success and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Monday, September 14, 2026.
Das Laxana Festival
Multifaith Observances
(Jainism) In the Paryusana Festival of Jain Digumbar Sect, this is 10-day festival that is considered to be a holy convocation. During these days, Jains impose some restraints on their daily activities by fasting, meditation and prayer. The last day of Paryusana is the most solemn occasion of forgiveness and the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. On this day, Jains ask for forgiveness from their relatives and friends for any offense they may have committed by deed, word or thought. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work and may include fasting.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – Friday, September 25, 2026.
2026 Stanley N. Gershoff Memorial Lecture
11:30am – 12:00pm: Reception
12:00pm – 1:15pm: Lecture
1:15pm – 2:30pm: Lunch.
Join us in September for the annual Stanley N. Gershoff Memorial Lecture at the Friedman School. Rafael Perez-Escamilla, PhD, will deliver this year’s lecture. Dr. Perez-Escamilla is a Professor of Public Health, and Director of the Office of Public Health Practice, the Global Health Concentration, and the Maternal Child Health Promotion track at the Yale School of Public Health. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.
Campus: Boston Health Sciences campus. Open to Public: No. Primary Audience: Faculty. Postdoctoral Fellows. Staff. Students (Graduate). Students (Postdoctoral). Students (Undergraduate). Event Type: Lecture/Presentation/Seminar. Speaker Name: Rafael Perez-Escamilla, PhD. RSVP Information: https://rsvp.tufts.edu/kw8yxo. Event Contact Name: Nancy Mehegan. Event Contact Email: Nancy.Mehegan@Tufts.edu.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
Yom Kippur
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Day of Atonement, the conclusion of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. It is characterized by repentance, fasting, and forgiveness. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work and may include fasting.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Sunday, September 20, 2026 – Monday, September 21, 2026.
Mabon
Multifaith Observances
(Wicca/Paganism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Autumnal equinox and the second harvest festival, celebrating the equivalence of light and dark, the arrival of Autumn, and thanksgiving for the Earth's bounty.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Sukkot
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Also known as Feast of Booths. An eight-day Jewish festival of booths (or tabernacles) and the fall harvest. The name refers to the booths (sukkot) used by Israelites during desert wanderings and constructed in the fields during the harvest season. It is a time of thanksgiving for God's presence in creation and among the Jewish people. The Eighth Day (Shmini 'Atzeret) is considered both the end of Sukkot and a distinct festival. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, September 25, 2026 – Friday, October 2, 2026.
[ENVS] Environmental Hub Annual Lunch
We're looking forward to gathering with the ENV Hub community to kick off the academic year, reconnect with colleagues and students, and enjoy lunch together.
We hope you'll be able to join us!
Campus: Medford/Somerville campus. Location Details: Bromfield-Pearson Lawn. Wheelchair Accessible: Yes. Open to Public: No. Event Type: Community Engagement.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Shemini Atzeret
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Translates as "Eighth Day of the Assembly;" unclear purpose in the bible and has had many forms of celebration. Comes at the end of Sukkot and almost coincides with Simchat Torah. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Friday, October 2, 2026 – Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Simchat Torah
Multifaith Observances
(Judaism) Begins at sundown on the first day listed. Translates as "Rejoicing of the Law." Joyous festival in which the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue is completed and its first book begun again. The celebration typically includes singing, dancing, and marching with Torah scrolls. Observances may include limits to participation in academics or work.
Event Type: Multifaith Observance.
Saturday, October 3, 2026 – Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Tufts Community Day
Join neighbors, families, and friends for Tufts Community Day on Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on the Academic Quad (labeled as "The Green" in Google maps) of the Medford/Somerville campus. Enjoy activities such as: Live performances: song, dance, music, and theater! , Children’s activities including, crafts, STEM, portrait artists, and lawn games , Medford and Somerville community groups and resources , Research projects by Tufts University faculty , Free raffle to local restaurants and small businesses , Free food and refreshments (while supplies last!)
All activities are free and open to the public.
Campus: Medford/Somerville campus. Open to Public: Yes. Event Type: Community Engagement. Event Subject: Community Celebration. Admission/Cost: Free. Event Contact Name: Leah Boudreau. Event Contact Email: leah.boudreau@tufts.edu. Event Contact Phone: 978-257-5066.
Sunday, October 4, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit communityrelations.tufts.edu.