Religious and Spiritual Life

Holidays and Religious Observances

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Conscientious Religious Observance Policy

If religious observances cause absence from class, campus employment, athletic practice, and/or game days or necessitates accommodations, students should notify their faculty, coaches, or supervisors prior to the date(s) of their absence. New York State policy and Skidmore College policy mandates that students be allowed to make up academic work and/or campus employment requirements without penalty. These accommodations should not reduce the overall expectations of a course nor unduly burden the student requesting accommodation. Faculty must permit students to take a makeup examination without any penalty if they have to miss an examination due to religious observances. Similarly, faculty must permit students to submit missed assignments by an agreed upon due date, without penalty.

Although not required, the College highly recommends that students submit written notification of the pending religious observances at the start of the semester or at least one week before the date. As an option, students may use this form [here]. Distributing the written notification during the first week of classes, campus employment, or the start of the athletic season gives students, faculty, coaches, or supervisors time to prepare for the absence.

If a student, supervisor, coach, or faculty member feels the policy is being violated, they should contact the Dean of Faculty Office at 518-580-5705 (Palamountain 416), the Dean of Students Office at 518-580-5760 (Case Center 313), or Human Resources at 518-580-5800 (Barrett Center first floor).

The above language was adopted by CEPP and IPPC in Spring 2020

Religious Accommodations FAQs from the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

The following language is advice from ORSL. The official Conscientious Religious Observance Policy language is above.

What are accommodations? Accommodations vary depending on your situation but might include things like permission to miss class in order to observe a holiday, or changing a work schedule to align with prayer times. The plan you set with your instructor might include makeup work or other adjustments to assignments.
When should I request accommodations? We recommend starting the process as early as possible, ideally at or before the start of the semester or season, even if you're not absolutely sure yet about religious service times or other details.
Am I guaranteed to receive accommodations? Remember that a request to your instructor or supervisor is the start of a conversation. Some types of accommodations are required by law and College policy. However, the exact details of the accommodation may depend on course requirements and other factors (like whether or not there will be makeup work, and whether or not all of your requested dates will be approved).
Can I travel or go home for a holiday? Or can I arrive late or leave early for the semester? Students are generally expected to be present at Skidmore for the entire semester. Depending on your schedule it may not be possible to travel for holidays or other religious observances. ORSL can assist in identifying on-campus or local options, including connecting with other students who may be missing the chance to be with family and familiar communities at important times.
Where can I ask questions or get help with this? Not sure about any part of the policy or process? We can help. Email orsl@skidmore.edu or see our staff page for more contact information.

Calendar

Jump to Spring 2026 dates, Fall 2026 dates, or Spring 2027 dates

Academic Calendars with information about classes, examinations, and other important dates are available through theRegistrar's Office.

About this Calendar: Notes about specific observances are offered based on relevance to event planning (such as dietary or fasting considerations). These notes are not meant to be an exhaustive description of a holiday or observance. This Calendar is a work in progress. It does not contain every holiday or observance that may be important to members of our community. Suggestions and corrections are welcome. If you have questions, corrections, or additions regarding this calendar, please contact our office.

Dates change every year and may vary by community and tradition. Calendar systems vary and many religious observances occur on different dates of the (Gregorian) calendar each year. For example, observances that overlap with final exams one year might not overlap the next year. Additionally, members of the same overall religious tradition may observe a holiday on different days based on local traditions or different interpretations of religious guidelines.

Observance varies within communities and traditions. Not every member of a religious community will observe every holiday listed for that religion and there may be significant diversity and event strong disagreement regarding observance within and between communities, even when such variance is not specified below.

Daily, Weekly, and Monthly observances: This page does not include dates and times of daily, weekly, monthly, and other regular observances. We recommend checking published weekly schedules, asking for feedback from potential participants, and announcing dates and times as early as possible to accommodate these practices. We are happy to discuss potential accommodations including dietary considerations, prayer space, schedules for all-day events, alternative service times, and access to off-campus gatherings.

Terminology: Many names and terms used in this calendar have multiple spellings and transliterations in English usage. Effort has been made to use widely recognized spellings. Some terminology is used for efficiency and clarity (such as references to "Western" or "Eastern" Christianity) even as we acknowledge that they do not perfectly reflect current understandings of religious history and demographics. We welcome feedback and suggestions for continuing to improve this resource.

Spring Semester 2026

January 2026

1 New Year's Day: Traditions vary, including some religious observances
- Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
- Shogatsu/Gantan-sai: Shinto
3 Mahayana New Year: Mahayana Buddhist
6 Epiphany, Three Kings Day: Christian, Western liturgical
6-7 Christmas: Christian, Julian/Eastern - evening of Monday January 6 - Tuesday January 7

February 2026

1-2 Tu B’Shvat: Jewish, evening of Sunday, February 1 - evening of Monday, February 2
2 Imbolc: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan, and other communities
8 or 15 Parinirvana Day: Mahayana Buddhist
15-16 Maha Shivaratri: Hindu
17 Lunar New Year: according to many lunisolar calendars including Chinese, Korean, Mongolian (Tsagaan Sar), and Vietnamese (Tết). Dates, traditions, and connection to religious and spiritual practice varies
17 Ramadan begins*: Muslim, *exact day is determined by religious authorities closer to the date and may vary by comunity. Once Ramadan begins observances include fasting from sunrise to sunset for 29-30 days.
17 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras: Christian (Western), additional communities and traditions
18 Ash Wednesday: Christian (Western liturgical),Observances may include attendance at services and fasting, begins the season of Lent (February 18 - April 2 for many churches), which may including fasting and other observances
23 Clean Monday: beginning of the Great Lent in many Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.
Feburay 23 through April 11 - Great Lent: Observances may include abstention from certain foods and drinks, often including meat. Traditions around fasting vary and include both daily and weekly practices.
February 25 – March 1, Ayyám-i-Há: Bahá’í

March 2026

Feburay 18 or 23 through April 2 or 11 - Lent/Great Lent: Christian, dates and observance vary, may include abstention from certain foods and drinks, often including meat. Traditions around fasting vary and include both daily and weekly practices.
February 25 – March 1, Ayyám-i-Há: Bahá’í
February 17* - March 19* Ramadan: Muslim, *anticipated days (official start and end days determined by religious leaders at the time, days begin at evening). Observances may include fasting with abstention from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, attendance at services, and additional prayer times.
2-20 Month of ‘Alá’: Bahá’í, observance may include fasting by abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset
2-3 Purim: Jewish, evening of Monday March 2 - evening of Tuesday March 3
3 Magha Puja Day: Buddhist, dates may vary
4 Holi: Hindu, South Asian cultural, dates vary.At Skidmore: student organizations often organize a Holi celebration for later in the semester closer to the arrival of warmer weather in upstate New York.
4-6 Hola Mohalla: Sikh
19-20* Eid al-Fitr: Muslim, *anticipated dates, official date to be determined by religious leaders closer to occurrenceObservances may include attendance at extended morning prayers and celebratory gatherings
19-27 Chaitra Navaratri/Vasanta Navaratri: Hindu, dates may vary, includes New Year’s Day for the Hindu lunisolar calendar
20 Spring Equinox: Northern hemisphere, various traditions
- 19-20 Naw-Rúz, Nowruz: Bahá’í, Persian cultural, and additional communities, dates vary
- 19-23 Ostara: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan and other communities, dates vary
29 Palm Sunday: Christian, Western/Gregorian

April 2026

Feburay 18 or 23 through April 2 or 11 - Lent/Great Lent: Christian, dates and observance vary, may include abstention from certain foods and drinks, often including meat. Traditions around fasting vary and include both daily and weekly practices.
2 Theravada New Year: Theravada Buddhist
2 Maundy Thursday: Christian (Western liturgical/Gregorian)
3 Good Friday: Christian (Western liturgical/Gregorian), Observance may include attendance at services and fasting
4 Holy Saturday: Christian (Western liturgical/Gregorian), Observance may include fasting and abstention from celebratory gatherings
4-11 Holy Week (Eastern/Julian): Christian (Eastern Orthodox, Julian calendar)
5 Easter: Christian (Western liturgical/Gregorian), Note: Services begin on Saturday in some churches.
April 1-9 Passover: Jewish, evening of Wednesday April 1- evening of Thursday April 9. Observances scheduled primarily on the first two and last two days, including seder gatherings the evenings of April 1 and 2. Dietary practices include abstention from leavened bread and other grain products.
13-14 Vaisakhi: Hindu, Sikh
12 Pascha/Easter: Christian (Eastern liturgical/Julian) Note: Services begin on Saturday in many churches.

May 2026

1 Beltane: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan and other communities, dates vary
1 Vesak, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima: Buddhist, dates may vary by community
4-5 Lag BaOmer: Jewish, evening Monday May 4 – evening Tuesday May 5
14 Ascension of Jesus: Christian (Western Liturgical) - Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics
21-23 Shavuot: Jewish, evening of Thursday May 21 through evening of Saturday May 23
23-24 Declaration of the Báb: Baháʼí, evening of Saturday May 23 through evening of Sunday May 24
26-27Eid al Adha: Muslim, evening of Tuesday May 26 through evening of Wednesday May 27
28-29 Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh: Baháʼí, evening of Thursday May 28 through evening of Friday May 29

Fall Semester 2026

August 2026

1 Lughnasadh/Lammas: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan
15 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Christian (Roman Catholic), Holy Day of Obligation

September 2026

4 Sri Krishna Janmashtami: Hindu
8-15 Paryushana: Jain, dates and duration vary
11 Nayrouz (Coptic): Christian (Coptic Orthodox)
11-13Rosh Hashanah: Jewish, evening Friday September 11 through evening Sunday September 13
- Observance may include attendance at services including the first evening and during the following two days
13-14 Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindu, dates and duration may vary
20-21 Yom Kippur: Jewish, evening Sunday September 20 - evening Monday September 21
September 25 - October 2 Sukkot: Jewish, evening Friday September 25 through evening Friday October 2
22 Autumnal Equinox: Northern hemisphere, multiple traditions, including Wiccan and Neo-Pagan observance of Mabon (September 21-29, dates and duration vary).

October 2026

September 25 - October 2 Sukkot: Jewish, evening Friday September 25 through evening Friday October 2
2-3 Shemini Atzeret: Jewish, evening Friday October 2 - evening Saturday October 3
3-4 Simchat Torah: Jewish, evening Saturday October 3 - evening Sunday October 4
17-21 Durga Puja: Hindu
Ocrober 31 - November 1-2: Day of the Dead, Samhain, All Saints and All Souls: Multiple overlapping religious traditions and cultures, including Christian and Wiccan/Neo-Pagan communities and Mexican and other Latine/x communities. Observance and duration vary. November 1st: All Saints, Christian, Holy Day of Obligation for attendance at Mass for Roman Catholics

November 2026

Ocrober 31 - November 1-2: Day of the Dead, Samhain, All Saints and All Souls: Multiple overlapping religious traditions and cultures, including Christian and Wiccan/Neo-Pagan communities and Mexican and other Latine/x communities. Observance and duration vary. November 1st: All Saints, Christian, Holy Day of Obligation for attendance at Mass for Roman Catholics
8 Diwali, Tihar, Lakshmi Puja, Bandi Chhor Divas, and additional observances: dates and duration may vary, celebrated in multiple communities and a variety of observances including Hindu, Jain, and Sikh
10-11 Birth of the Báb and The Birth of Bahá’u’lláh: Baháʼí
24 Guru Nanak Jayanti/Gurpurab: Sikh, dates may vary
25-26 Day of the Covenant: Bahá’í, evening of November 24 through evening of November 25
28 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Bahá’í
November 28/29* - December 24/January 6: Advent or Nativity Fast: Christian, varies by community and calendar. *Some begin November 15

December 2026

November 28/29* - December 24 or January 6: Advent or Nativity Fast: Christian, varies by community and calendar. *Some begin November 15
4-12 Hanukkah: Jewish, evening of Friday December 4 through evening of Saturday December 12. Last night of candlelighting on Friday December 11.
6 or 19: St. Nicholas Day, observance and date vary by community
21 Winter Solstice: Northern hemisphere, multiple traditions, including Wiccan and Neo-Pagan observance of Yule (December 21- January 1, dates and duration vary).
24-25 Christmas Eve and Christmas: Christian, primarily "Western" denominations and churches using a Gregorian calendar
December 26 - January 1: Kwanzaa, African-American and African diaspora cultural observances including religious and spiritual traditions, observance varies

Spring Semester 2027

January 2027

1 New Year's Day: Traditions vary, including some religious observances
- Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
3 Mahayana New Year: Mahayana Buddhist
6 Epiphany: Christian, Western liturgical
6-7 Christmas: Christian, Julian/Eastern - evening of Monday January 6 - Tuesday January 7
22-23 Tu B’Shvat: Jewish, evening of Friday, January 22 - evening of Saturday, January 23

February 2027

2 Imbolc: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan, and other communities
6 Lunar New Year: according to many lunisolar calendars including Chinese, Korean, Mongolian (Tsagaan Sar), and Vietnamese (Tết). Dates, traditions, and connection to religious sand spiritual practice varies
February 7* – March 8* Ramadan: Muslim, *anticipated days (official start and end days determined by religious leaders at the time, days begin at evening)
- Observances may include fasting with abstention from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, attendance at services, and additional prayer times
8 or 15 Parinirvana Day: Mahayana Buddhist
9 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras: Christian (Western), additional communities and traditions
10 Ash Wednesday: Christian (Western), Observances may include attendance at services and fasting
February 10-March 25 Lent: Christian, Western Liturgical. Observances may include some fasting or abstention from certain foods.
21 Magha Puja Day: Buddhist (some communities, dates may vary)
February 26 - March 1 Ayyám-i-Há: Bahá’í

March 2027

February 7* – March 8* Ramadan: Muslim, *anticipated days (official start and end days determined by religious leaders at the time, days begin at evening)
- Observances may include fasting with abstention from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, attendance at services, and additional prayer times
February 10-March 25 Lent: Christian, Western Liturgical. Observances may include some fasting or abstention from certain foods.
1 - 20 Month of ‘Alá’: Bahá’í, begins the evening of Monday Marach 1.
6 Maha Shivaratri: Hindu
8-9* Eid al-Fitr: Muslim, *anticipated dates, official date to be determined by religious leaders closer to occurrence.
- Observances may include attendance at extended morning prayers and celebratory gatherings
13-14 Purim: Jewish, evening of Thursday March 13 - evening of Friday March 14
15 CleanMonday: beginning of the Great Lent in many Eastern Orthodox Christian churches
February 15-March 23 Great Lent: Christian, Orthodox/Eastern. Observances may include fasting
20: Spring Equinox: Northern hemisphere, various traditions
19-20 Naw-Rúz, Nowruz: Bahá’í, Persian cultural, and additional communities, dates vary
19-23 Ostara: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan and other communities, dates vary
21 Palm Sunday: Christian, Western/Gregorian, beginning of Holy Week for Christians using a Gregorian calendar
22 Holi: Hindu, South Asian cultural, dates vary. At Skidmore: student organizations often organize a Holi celebration for later in the semester closer to the arrival of warmer weather in upstate New York.
22-23 Purim: Jewish, evening of Monday March 22 - evening of Tuesday March 23. Note that Monday March 22 is Ta'anit Esther, and some may fast from the evening of March 21 - evening of March 22.
23-25 Hola Mohalla: Sikh
26 Good Friday: Christian, Western/Gregorian litugrical, observance may include attendance at services and fasting
28 Easter: Christian, Western Liturgical/Gregorian Calendar. *Observances may begin the previous evening

April 2027

7-15 Chaitra Navaratri/Vasanta Navaratri: Hindu, dates may vary, includes New Year’s Day for the Hindu lunisolar calendar
12-14: Theravada New Year: Theravada Buddhist, dates and duration vary
14 Vaisakhi: Sikh, Hindu
21- 29 Passover: Jewish, evening of Wednesday April 21 - evening of Thursday April 29
Dietary practices include abstention from leavened bread and other grain products.
Observances scheduled primarily on the first two and last two days, including seder gatherings the evenings of April 21 and 22 and additional observance on April 28 and 29.

30 Holy Friday: Christian, Eastern Orthodox/Julian Calendar. Observance may include attendance at services and fasting.

May 2027

1 Beltane: Wiccan, Neo-Pagan and other communities, dates vary
2 Pascha: Christian, Eastern Orthodox/Julian Calendar. *Observances may begin the previous evening
16 or 17* Eid al-Adha: Muslim, *anticipated dates, official date to be determined by religious leaders closer to occurrence. Observances may include attendance at extended morning prayers and celebratory gatherings.
20 Vesak, Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima: Buddhist, dates may vary by community
24-25 Lag BaOmer: Jewish, evening Monday May 24 – evening Tuesday May 25
29 Ascension of Jesus: Christian (Western Liturgical) - Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics

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