2026-27 List of Religious Holidays

СÓÅÊÓƵ fully supports the right of students and faculty to observe religious holidays. Below is information on important religious holidays and on СÓÅÊÓƵ policies regarding class attendance and students’ responsibilities to make up missed work.

Per university policy, the University Academic Policy Committee encourages all faculty to honor the desire of students to observe major religious holidays by permitting students to make up work missed on the day or days in question, including any tests or examinations. This position is endorsed with the understanding that students are responsible for all class work missed.

Faculty observing these holidays are encouraged to communicate with students via Canvas and/or email if they plan on cancelling the class meeting to observe the holiday. Students who are missing class to observe the holiday need to email the professor prior to missing class and request the opportunity to make arrangements to complete any missed work.

Please note these holidays occurring during the 2026-2027 academic year:

  • Rosh Hashanah will be observed from sundown Friday, September 11, 2026 through nightfall on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
  • Yom Kippur will be observed from sundown Sunday, September 20, 2026 through nightfall on Monday, September 21, 2026.
  • Sukkot will be observed from sundown Friday, September 25, 2026 through nightfall on Friday, October 2, 2026.
  • Navaratri will be observed from Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
  • Diwali will be observed on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
  • Guru Nanak Jayanti will be observed on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
  • Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur will be observed on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
  • Hanukkah will be observed from sundown Friday, December 4, 2026 through nightfall on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
  • Christmas Eve will be observed Thursday, December 24, 2026.
  • Christmas will be observed Friday, December 25, 2026.
  • Kwanzaa will be observed Saturday, December 26, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027.
  • New Year will be observed Friday, January 1, 2027.
  • Lunar New Year will be observed on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
  • Ramadan will be observed beginning the evening of Sunday, February 7, 2027 and is expected to end the evening of Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
  • Hola Mohalla will be observed from Tuesday, March 23, 2027 through Thursday, March 25, 2027.
  • Good Friday will be observed on Friday, March 26, 2027.
  • Easter will be observed on Sunday, March 28, 2027.
  • Passover will be observed beginning at sundown on Wednesday, April 21, 2027 and ending at nightfall on Thursday, April 29, 2027.
  • Hajj Days will begin in the evening of Friday, May 14, 2027 and end in the evening of Wednesday, May 19, 2027.
  • Day of Arafah will begin in the evening of Friday, May 14, 2027 and end in the evening of Saturday, May 15, 2027.
  • Eid al-Adha will begin in the evening of Saturday, May 15, 2027 and end in the evening of Sunday, May 16, 2027.
  • Islamic New Year will begin in the evening of Saturday, June 5, 2027 and end in the evening of Sunday, June 6, 2027.

Please note the exact dates of Islamic holidays cannot always be determined in advance, due to the nature of the Islamic Lunar Calendar.

Your sensitivity is greatly appreciated. If there are other important religious holidays which may affect class attendance or offerings, please contact the Provost's office, or send an email to vpaa@rider.edu.