Samhain
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
Recognized by: Pagan, Wiccan, Druid
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 31, 2025 – Saturday, November 1, 2025.
All Saints Day
Honoring all Saints, canonized Saints and even those only known to God.
Recognized by: Christian/Catholic/Protestant
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Saturday, November 1, 2025.
All Souls Day
Celebrating all the faithful departed, all who have died.
Recognized by: Christian/Catholic/Protestant
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Birth Date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
The founder of the Sikh faith, an accomplished poet and the first of the Ten Gurusin 1469 CE.
Recognized by: Sikh
Requested Accommodations: Work Restriction
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Day of the Covenant
A festival to celebrate the appointment of Abdul'-Baha as the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant.
Recognized by: Baha'i
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 24, 2025 – Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
The ninth of the Ten Gurus. He’s remembered for his defense of the Sikh faith, but also for being willing to give up his life for religious liberty of all faiths (1621–1675).
Recognized by: Sikh
Requested Accommodations: Work Restriction
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 24, 2025.
Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha
This Holy Day marks the passing of Abdu'l-Baha, the appointed successor of the Baha'I faith in Haifa.
Recognized by: Baha'i
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, November 28, 2025 – Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Advent
Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. In Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and is the beginning of the liturgical year. In many Eastern churches, the Nativity Fast is a similar period of penance and preparation that occurs during the 40 days before Christmas.
Recognized by: Christian/Catholic/Protestant
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
Buddha's Enlightenment Day (Bodhi Day)
Also called Rohatsu or Bodhi Day. The day many Buddhist traditions celebrate the enlightenment of the Buddha, achieved after continous meditation for many days. Some celebrate according to the lunar calender, so the date may vary, but in Japan, and a large portion of the Western world, it is celebrated on the 8th of December every year.
Recognized by: Buddhist
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 8, 2025.
Hanukkah/Chanukah
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and lasts for eight nights. 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. On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah (hanukkiah) until all eight candles are lit. Jews celebrate with fried food such as potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and song, as well as exchanging gifts for eight nights.
Recognized by: Jewish
Requested Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, December 14, 2025 – Monday, December 22, 2025.
Martyrdom of the Sahibzade
A day of rememberance for the 4 martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh. The two elder sons were killed in the battle of Chamkaur, and the younger sons were executed after their capture. These Martyrs are observed 21 December and 26 December respectively.
Recognized by: Sikh
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Yule/Midwinter/Alban Arthan/Winter Solstice
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.
Commonly, there is the burning of the yule log (which was traditionally part of last year’s yule tree) which is an act of faith and renewal.
Recognized by: Pagan, Wiccan, Druid
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, December 21, 2025.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
An annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrations differ by household, but usually include various acts of service, special church services, and spending time with extended family.
Recognized by: Christian/Catholic/Protestant
Requested Accommodations: Provide accommodations as requested, avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zartosht No-Diso)
A holiday commemorating the death of the founder of one of the world's oldest organized religions, the prophet Zarathustra, who died in c. 551 BCE. Common practices include visiting a temple fire, and praying.
Recognized by: Zoroastrian
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 26, 2025.
Kwanzaa
A secular celebration of African-American culture and history, and an opportunity for Black individuals to connect with their hertiage and ancestry. Each day corresponds to a focus on one of the 7 values of Kwanzaa, unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani).
Lean more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 26, 2025 – Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Martyrdom of the Sahibzade
A day of rememberance for the 4 martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh. The two elder sons were killed in the battle of Chamkaur, and the younger sons were executed after their capture. These Martyrs are observed 21 December and 26 December respectively.
Recognized by: Sikh
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 26, 2025.
Gantan-sai
Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Epiphany/Twelfth Night/Three Kings Day/Theophany (Eastern Orthodox)
This date is also known as Befana Day; commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus.
General practices include prayer, festive meals, offerings, and gifts.
Recognized by: Christian/Catholic/Protestant/Eastern Orthodox
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Christmas (Julian Calendar)
An annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated according to the Julian Calendar.
Recognized by: Christian Eastern Orthodox
Requested Accommodations: Provide accommodations as requested, avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities.
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Maghi
A gathering to remember the martyrdom of a group of 40 Sikhs killed fighting the Mughal Empire. If possible, Sikhs will take a journey to the site of the war and swim in the sacred water tanks of Muktsar.
Recognized by: Sikh
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Makar Sankranti
A harvest festival marks the Sun moving northwards. the passing of the winter solstice.
Recognized by: Hindu
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Birth Date of Guru Gobind Singh
The 10th Sikh Guru, who assumed leadership of the Sikhs at age 9 after the execution of his father. He is revered as a philosopher, poet, warrior, and spiritual master.
Recognized by: Sikh
Requested Accommodations: Some work restrictions
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Sikh New Year's Day
This holiday marks the first day of the year in the
Nanakshahi Era.
Recognized by: Sikh
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Contact Name: Shawn Wood. Contact Phone: 8015859244. Contact Email: shawn.wood@utah.edu. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Vasant Panchami
A celebration associated with Saraswati and Lakshmi (the Goddess of Learning and the Goddess of Wealth) welcoming spring.
Recognized by: Hindu/Sikh/Jain
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, January 23, 2026.