Indigenous Peoples' Day
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
A national holiday that celebrates the culture and history of Indigeous Peoples of the Americas.
Recognized by: Indigenous Spirituality
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 12, 2026.
Fall 2026 First Half - First-half grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Fall 2026 Second Half - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, October 19, 2026.
Installation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
This holiday celebrates Guru Gobind Singhi Ji (the 10th Guru) passing the Guruship to the Holy Scriptures.
Recognized by: Sikh
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to add, drop (delete), elect CR/NC, or audit classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to wait list
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, October 30, 2026.
Samhain
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Sunday, November 1, 2026.
All Saints Day
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Sunday, November 1, 2026.
All Souls Day
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Monday, November 2, 2026.
Spring 2027 - Registration dates begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Bandi Chhor Divas
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
"Commemorates the return of
Guru Hargobind Ji (the 6th Guru) to the holy city of Amritsar after negotiating the release of himself and 52 princes held for political reasons. This festival falls on the same day as Diwali. "
Recognized by: Sikh
Requested Accommodations: Work Restriction
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Diwali
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
Diwali—the Hindu “festival of lights”—is an extremely popular holiday for multiple religions throughout Southern Asia. Diwali extends over five days, and celebrates the victory of good over evil. ” Fireworks, oil lamps, and sweets are common, making this a favorite holiday for children. The lamps are lit to welcome Lakshmi the Goddess of good fortune into people’s homes.
Recognized by: Hindu/Buddhist/Sikh/Jain
Requested Accommodations: Work Restriction
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Twin Holy Birthdays
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
A celebration of two central figures in the Baha'i faith. The first day celebrates the birth of the Bab, and the second the birth of Baha'u'llah. The Bab, according to the Baha'i faith, was born to prepare the way for the Baha'u'llah, who founded the Baha'i faith
Recognized by: Baha'i
Requested Accommodations: Work Restriction
Learn more here.
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to withdraw from classes
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, November 13, 2026.
Birth Date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
Day of the Covenant
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 – Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Holiday: Thanksgiving Break
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, November 26, 2026 – Friday, November 27, 2026.
Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Saturday, November 28, 2026 – Sunday, November 29, 2026.
Advent
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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 29, 2026 – Saturday, December 19, 2026.
Spring 2027 - Open enrollment
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, November 30, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Last day to reverse CR/NC option
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 4, 2026.
Hanukkah/Chanukah
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Friday, December 4, 2026 – Saturday, December 12, 2026.
Buddha's Enlightenment Day (Bodhi Day)
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Second Half - Classes end
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Reading day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 11, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Final exam period
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, December 14, 2026 – Friday, December 18, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Fall 2026 Second Half - Second-half grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Holiday Recess (Dec 19 - Jan 10)
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Saturday, December 19, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027.
Martyrdom of the Sahibzade
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Monday, December 21, 2026.
Yule/Midwinter/Alban Arthan/Winter Solstice
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Monday, December 21, 2026.
Fall 2026 Full Term - Semester-length grades due
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
For more info visit registrar.utah.edu. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Thursday, December 24, 2026 – Friday, December 25, 2026.
Holiday: Christmas Day
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Friday, December 25, 2026.
Death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zartosht No-Diso)
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Saturday, December 26, 2026.
Kwanzaa
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Saturday, December 26, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027.
Martyrdom of the Sahibzade
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Saturday, December 26, 2026.
Gantan-sai
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Friday, January 1, 2027.
Spring 2027 - House Bill 60 registration
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
Epiphany/Twelfth Night/Three Kings Day/Theophany (Eastern Orthodox)
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
Christmas (Julian Calendar)
Interfaith & Cultural Holidays
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.
Thursday, January 7, 2027.
Spring 2027 First Half Classes - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.
Spring 2027 Term Length - Classes begin
Academic Deadlines
Event Categories: Academic & Holiday. Campus Wide Event: Yes.
Monday, January 11, 2027.