Saint Nicholas Day (Christian)
Christian celebration of the birth of Saint Nicolas, patron saint of children and role model for gift giving. Many churches named for this saint who is also the Dutch version of Santa Claus.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
Hanukkah / Chanukah (Jewish)
Recommended accommodations: Work is permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and lasts for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. The history of the holiday involves a historic military victory in which a Jewish sect called the Maccabees defeated the Syrian Greeks. The celebration commemorates a miracle in which a sacred temple flame burned for eight days on only one day’s worth of oil.
General practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, 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: Begins at sundown on the first day.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Thursday, December 7, 2023 – Friday, December 15, 2023.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic)
A Catholic feast day of celebrating the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life.
General practices: Considered a day of obligation and required church attendance.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Friday, December 8, 2023.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Roman Catholic)
Serves as a tribute to Jesus' mother Mary and is particularly celebrated by those of Mexican descent. The day is particularly special for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, as it honors the belief that Jesus' mother Mary, who is Mexico's patron saint, appeared to a man in Mexico City twice in 1531.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Salgirah (Ismaili Muslim)
Observation of the birth of the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
Posadas Navideñas (Christian)
Hispanic Christian feast of The Lodgings commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in preparation for the birth of Jesus.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Saturday, December 16, 2023 – Sunday, December 24, 2023.
Yalda Night / Shab-e Yalda / Shab-e Chelleh (Persian, Iranian, Zoroastrian)
Iranian winter solstice celebrated on “the longest and darkest night of the year.” This is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink, and read poetry (especially the poems of poems of Divan-e Hafez) until well after midnight. In Zoroastrian tradition the longest and darkest night of the year was a particularly inauspicious day, and the practices of what is now known as "Shab-e Chelleh/Yalda" were originally customs intended to protect people from evil during that long night. People were advised to stay awake most of the night, lest misfortune should befall them, and people would then gather in the safety of groups of friends and relatives, share the last remaining fruits from the summer, and find ways to pass the long night together in good company. Fruits and nuts are eaten, and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life.
Date details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Thursday, December 21, 2023 – Friday, December 22, 2023.
Christmas (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian)
Holiday with significant work restriction, Recommended accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required.
Christmas is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose message and self-sacrifice began the Christian religion.
General practices: Many celebrate this holiday by giving gifts, attending church services, decorating Christmas trees, and visiting family.
Date details: Begins at sundown on the first day and continues with an all-day celebration on the second day.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, December 24, 2023 – Monday, December 25, 2023.
Christmas (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christian)
Holiday with significant work restriction, Recommended accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required.
Christmas is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose message and self-sacrifice began the Christian religion.
General practices: Many celebrate this holiday by giving gifts, attending church services, decorating Christmas trees, and visiting family.
Date details: Begins at sundown on the first day and continues with an all-day celebration on the second day.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, December 24, 2023 – Monday, December 25, 2023.
Kwanzaa (African American, African Diaspora)
This celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. It culminates in a feast and gift-giving. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest." Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the following principles: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith).
General practices: Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, Kikombe cha Umoja, passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa. The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa.".
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023 – Monday, January 1, 2024.
Zartosht No-Diso (Zoroastrian)
Commemorates the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
Holy Innocents Day (Christian)
Christian day of solemn memory of male children killed by King Herod in the attempt to destroy Jesus.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Thursday, December 28, 2023.
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.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, December 31, 2023.
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.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, December 31, 2023.
Watch Night (Christian)
Christian occasion to thank God for bringing people safely through another year. It has a controversial history. Some sources link the observance to the Black Christian celebration of Emancipation in 1862.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Monday, January 1, 2024.
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.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Monday, January 1, 2024 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Gantan-sai (Shinto)
Holiday with significant work restriction, Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date.
Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion.
General practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Monday, January 1, 2024.
Gantan-sai (Shinto)
Holiday with significant work restriction, Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date.
Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion.
General practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Monday, January 1, 2024.
Maidyarem Gahanbar (Zoroastrian)
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This “mid-winter feast” celebrates the winter solstice.
General practices: Each Gahanbar is a period to focus on worship and those celebrating will perform only necessary work.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Monday, January 1, 2024 – Friday, January 5, 2024.
Solemnity of Mary / Mary, Mother of God (Roman Catholic)
A liturgical feast that celebrates Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. Considered a Day of Obligation in some countries.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Monday, January 1, 2024.
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.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 – Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
Christmas / Feast of the Nativity (Eastern Orthodox Christian)
Recommended accommodations: Because this holiday does not fall within the winter break, Eastern Orthodox practitioners will likely request this day off.
Date details: Eastern Orthodox Christmas is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.
Location of Event: Other. Event Type: Special Events. Presented by: Multicultural Holidays and Accommodations.
Sunday, January 7, 2024.