The following list of religious and cultural holidays may be used by instructors developing class syllabi and for planning or by supervisors of student employees.
Although many of these days are not university holidays, instructors or supervisors can use this information at their discretion when responding to student requests for accommodations for religious purposes. Making accommodations does not excuse a student from any course requirements but rather supports adjustments to honor their religious observances. For more information, refer to the Accommodation of Religious Creed policy.
This is not an exhaustive list and is not intended to include all religious observances; there may be other holidays that pose conflicts for students. Many religions contain multiple sects and multiple practices of religious celebrations. Several holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar, and dates are approximate. Some holidays begin and end at sundown.
Religious Creed Policy
The UC Berkeley campus’ Religious Creed Policy for accommodation of students who miss exams because of their religious commitment is distributed annually at the beginning of each fall semester. The most recent statement is dated August 18, 2010. The policy follows:
Accommodation of Religious Creed
In compliance with Education code, Section 92640(a), it is the official policy of the University of California at Berkeley to permit any student to undergo a test or examination, without penalty, at a time when that activity would not violate the student’s religious creed unless administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided. Requests to accommodate a student’s religious creed by scheduling tests or examinations at alternative times should be submitted directly to the faculty member responsible for administering the examination.
Reasonable common sense, judgment, and the pursuit of mutual goodwill should result in the positive resolution of scheduling conflicts. The regular campus appeals process applies if a mutually satisfactory arrangement cannot be achieved.
Note: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the first night/day of Passover are observed by the majority of Jews and are among the most important dates on the calendar for familial and Jewish communal gatherings.
Academic Year 2024-25
Fall 2024
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August 2024
8/1 — Lammas/Lughnasadh. Pagan.
8/6 — Transfiguration. Christian – Catholic, Orthodox.
8/12–13 — Tisha B’Av. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 8/12]; Work-restricted optional.
8/15 — Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Dormition of the Theotokos. Christian/Catholic, Orthodox. Special Worship.
8/16–17— Ashura. Islam.
8/26 — Krishna Janmashtami. Hindu. Work-restricted.
8/31–9/7 — Paryushan-parva. Jain. Work-restricted.
September 2024
9/1 — First Parkash. Sikh.
9/7 — Samvatsari. Jain.
9/15–16 — Mawlid al Nabi. Sunni Islam. [Begins at sundown on 9/15]; Work-restricted.
9/21 — Nativity of the Theotokos. Christian – Orthodox.
9/22 — Mabon (Autumn Equinox). Pagan.
October 2024
10/2–4 — Rosh Hashanah. Jewish New Year. [Begins at sundown on 10/2 and ends at sundown 10/4]; Work-restricted.
10/3–12 — Navaratri. Hindu.
10/11–12 — Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 10/11. Observed all day 10/12.]; Work-restricted.
10/16–10/23 — Sukkot. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 10/16 and ends at sundown 10/23]; Work-restricted.
10/20 — Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth. Sikh.
10/23–25 — Shemini Atzeret. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 10/23]; Work-restricted.
10/24–25 — Simchat Torah. Jewish. [Begins at sundown 10/24]; Work-restricted.
10/31 — Reformation Day. Protestant Christian.
10/31 — Bandi Chorh Diwas. Sikh.
10/31–11/1 — Samhain. Pagan.
November 2024
11/1 — All Saints Day. Christian.
11/1 — Bandi Chhor Divas. Sikh.
11/1 — Diwali. Hindu. Special Worship.
11/1–2 — Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Christian - Catholic (Mexico).
11/2 — All Souls Day. Christian/ Catholic. Special Worship.
11/3 — Birth of the Baha’u’llah. Baha’i. Work-restricted.
11/15 — Parkash Guru Nanak. Sikh. Work-restricted.
11/16 — Remembering the Martyrs of the UCA. Secular. Meaningful.
11/21 — Presentation of the Theotokos. Orthodox.
11/24 — Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Sikh. Work-restricted.
11/24 — Feast of Christ the King. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
11/26–27 — Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’i. [Begins at sundown 11/26]; Special Worship.
11/28 — Thanksgiving. Federal. Meaningful.
December 2024
12/1 — Advent Season. Christian. Meaningful.
12/3 — Feast of St. Francis Xavier. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
12/8 — Bodhi Day. Buddhism.
12/9 — Immaculate Conception of Mary. Christian - Catholic.
12/12 — Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
12/18 — Rohatsu (Bodhi Day/Awakening). Buddhist.
12/21–22 — Yule (Winter Solstice). Pagan.
12/24 — Christmas Eve. Christian - Western. Special Worship.
12/25 — Christmas. Christian - Western. Special Worship.
12/25–1/2 — Chanukah (or Hanukkah, multiple spellings). Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 12/25 and ends at sundown 1/2]; Special Worship.
12/26–1/1 — Kwanzaa. Meaningful.
Spring 2025
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January 2025
1/1 — The Solemnity of Mary. Christian - Catholic. Special Worship.
1/6 — Epiphany/Theophany. Christian. Meaningful.
1/6 — Guru Gobind Singh birthday. Sikh. Special Worship.
1/7 — Feast of the Nativity. Christian - Orthodox. Special Worship.
1/7 — Bodhi Day, Buddhist. Special Worship.
1/13 — Maghi. Sikh.
1/14 — Mahayana New Year. Buddhist.
1/26–27 — Laylat al-Mi’raj. Islam.
1/29 — Lunar New Year. Buddhist/Taoist/Confucian.
February 2025
2/1–2 — Imbolc. Pagan.
2/2 — Vasant Panchami. Hindu.
2/12 — Magha Puja (Sangha) Day. Buddhist.
2/12–13 — Tu BiShvat. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 2/12]
2/13–14 — Laylat al Bara’at. Islam. [Begins at sundown on 2/13]
2/14 — Saint Valentine’s Day. Christian.
2/15 — Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Orthodox Christian.
2/15 — Nirvana Day. Buddhist.
2/26 — Maha Shivaratri. Hindu. Work-restricted.
2/28–3/30 — Ramadan. Islam. [Begins at sundown on 2/28]; Work-restricted.
March 2025
3/3 — Great Lent Begins. Orthodox Christian.
3/5 — Ash Wednesday. Christian/ Catholic. Special Worship.
3/9 — Feast of Orthodoxy. Orthodox Christian.
3/13–14 — Purim. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 3/13]; Special Worship.
3/14–15 — Holi. Hindu.
3/14–16 — Hola Mohalla. Sikh.
3/15 — Shri Ramakrishna Jayanti. Hindu. Work-restricted.
3/19–20 — Naw-Rúz (New Year). Baháʼí. Work-restricted.
3/20 — Ostara (Spring Equinox). Pagan.
3/20–21 — Nowruz. Persian. Work-restricted.
3/25 — Feast of the Annunciation. Christian. Meaningful.
3/29–30 — Eid al-Fitr. Islam. [Begins at sundown on 3/30]; Work-restricted.
3/30 — Ramadan ends. Islam. Work-restricted (Sunday Afternoon).
April 2025
4/6 — Rama Navami. Hindu.
4/10 — Mahavir Jayanti. Jain.
4/12 — Hanuman Jayanti. Hindu.
4/12 — Lazarus Saturday. Orthodox Christian.
4/12–20 — Passover(Pesach). Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 4/12 and ends at sundown 4/20]; Work-restricted.
4/13 — Palm Sunday. Christian. Meaningful.
4/14 — Vaisakhi. Sikh. Special Worship.
4/17 — Maundy Thursday. Christian - Western.
4/18 — Good Friday. Christian. Special Worship.
4/20 — Easter/Pascha. Christian - Orthodox. Special Worship.
4/20–5/2 — Ridvan. Baha’i. [Begins at sundown 4/20 and ends at sundown 5/2]; Work-restricted.
4/23–24 — Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 4/23]
4/27 — Divine Mercy Sunday. Christian - Catholic.
Summer 2025
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May 2025
5/1 — Beltane. Pagan.
5/12 — Visakha Puja Day/Wesak (Buddha Day). Buddhism. Work-restricted.
5/15–16 — Lag B’Omer. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 5/15]
5/22–23 — Declaration of the Bab. Baháʼí. Work-restricted.
5/27–28 — Ascension of Baha’u’llah. Baháʼí. Work-restricted.
5/27 — Visakha Puja Day. Buddhist.
5/29 — Ascension. Christian. Special worship.
5/30 — Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib. Sikh. Work-restricted.
June 2025
6/1–3 — Shavuot. Jewish. [Begins at sundown on 6/01 and ends at sundown 6/3]; Work-restricted.
6/6–7 — Eid al-Adha. Islam. [Begins at sundown on 6/6]; Work-restricted.
6/8 — Pentecost. Christian. Meaningful.
6/14–15 — Eid Ghadeer. Shia Islam. [Begins at sundown on 6/14]
6/15 — Trinity Sunday. Catholic Christian. Meaningful.
6/16 — Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev. Sikh.
6/19 — Corpus Christi. Catholic Christian. Meaningful.
6/20 — Litha/Midsummer (Summer Solstice). Pagan.
6/24 — Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
6/27 — Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
6/29 — Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
July 2025
7/5–6 — Ashura. Islam. [Observed beginning at sunset 8/5]; Work-restricted.
7/8–9 — Martyrdom of the Bab. Baháʼí. [Begins at sundown 7/8]; Work-restricted.
7/10 — Asalha Puja Day (Dharma Day).
7/24 — Pioneer Day.
7/26–27 — Al-Hijra (New Year). Islam. [Begins at sundown 7/26]
7/31 — Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola. Christian/Catholic. Meaningful.
Academic Year 2025-26
Fall 2025
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August 2025
8/1 — Lammas/Lughnasadh. Pagan.
8/2–3 — Tisha B’av. Jewish.
8/6 — Transfiguration. Christian - Catholic, Orthodox.
8/12–8/13 — Tisha B’Av (Jewish); 25 hours fasting; Work-restricted optional.
8/15 — Feast of the Assumption of Mary (Christian/Catholic); Special Worship.
8/16 — Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu); Work-restricted.
8/28 — Samvatsari. Jain.
8/31–9/7 — Paryushan (Jain); Special Worship.
10/1–10/2 — Yom Kippur (Jewish); Sundown Wednesday to Sundown Thursday; Work-restricted.
10/6–10/13 — Sukkot (Jewish); Sundown Monday to Sundown Monday; First and last day of holiday work-restricted.
10/13–10/15 — Shemini Atzeret (Jewish); Sundown Monday to Sundown Wednesday; Work-restricted.
10/14–10/15 — Simchat Torah (Jewish); Sundown Tuesday to Sundown Wednesday; Work-restricted.
10/20 — Diwali (Hindu/Jain); Special Worship.
10/22 — Birth of the Bab, Baháʼí; Work-restricted.
November 2025
11/1 — All Saints Day (Christian/Catholic); Special Worship.
11/2 — Birth of the Bab (Baháʼí); Work-restricted.
11/2 — All Souls Day (Catholic); Special Worship.
11/3 — Birth of Baháúllah (Baháʼí); Work-restricted.
11/15 — Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (Sikh); Work-restricted.
11/16 — Remembering the Martyrs of the UCA (Secular); Meaningful.
11/23 — Feast of Christ the King (Christian/Catholic); Meaningful.
11/24 — Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib (Sikh); Work-restricted.
11/26–11/27 — Ascension of ‘Abdú’l-Bahá (Baháʼí); Special Worship.
11/27 — Thanksgiving (Federal); Meaningful.
11/30 — Advent Season. Christian. Meaningful.
December 2025
12/1 — Advent Season (Christian); Meaningful.
12/3 — Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Christian/Catholic); Meaningful.
12/8 — Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Christian/Catholic); Special Worship.
12/12 — Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Christian/Catholic); Meaningful.
12/14–12/22 — Hanukkah (Jewish) Sundown Thursday to Sundown Friday; Special Worship.
12/24 — Christmas. Christian. Special Worship.
12/25 — Christmas (Christian); Special Worship.
12/26–1/1 — Kwanzaa. Meaningful.
Spring 2026
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January 2026
1/7 — Christmas (Orthodox Christian).
February 2026
2/17 — Lunar New Year (Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism).
2/17–2/18 — Ramadan (Islam); Sundown Tuesday to Sundown Wednesday; Work-restricted.
2/18 — Ash Wednesday (Christian); Special Worship.
2/23 — Great Lent begins, Clean Monday (Orthodox Christian).
March 2026
3/2–3/3 — Purim (Judaism); Sundown Monday to Sundown Tuesday; Special Worship.
3/3–3/4 — Holi (Hindu) Sundown Wednesday to Sundown Thursday.
3/19–3/20 — Eid al-Fitr (Islam); Sundown Thursday to Sundown Friday; Work-restricted.
April 2026
4/1–4/9 — Passover (Judaism); Sundown Wednesday to Sundown Thursday; First and last day of holiday work-restricted.
4/3 — Good Friday (Christian); Special Worship.
6/10–6/12 — Shavuot (Jewish); Sundown Thursday to Sundown Saturday;
Work-restricted.
Work-restricted Religious Holy Days
A recognized denominational sacred or holy day that is observed by persons or groups who are required—through a set or system of religious beliefs, laws/doctrines, tenets, canons, or theology—to restrict or limit work and/or physical or mental activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something; toil; labor. This definition may include academic endeavors (e.g., examinations, classroom activities, research, or out-of-classroom learning experiences).
Hindu, Jain, and Sikh holy days are calculated according to the lunar calendar and observed at different times in different regions.
All Jewish and Bahá’í holy days begin at sunset the previous day.
Observances/practices vary from culture to culture within and across denominations.
Sunday is widely observed as a Sabbath and day of worship for many faith traditions. In the Jewish faith, Saturday (beginning at sunset on Friday) is a work-restricted Sabbath. Regulations governing worship observance depend on regional customs.
There are no work-restricted holy days within the Christian faith by tenet. By custom, in the United States, Easter and Christmas (a federal holiday) are considered to be non-work days.
Special worship: Such religious observances listed above are NOT work-restricted by definition but may involve special worship or observance.
Meaningful: Such days are NOT work-restricted by definition but may be particularly significant to persons or groups.