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Religious holidays

Concordia recognizes and respects the diversity of its community, including diversity of religious faiths and observances. The University is committed to providing an environment in which its faculty, staff and students can fulfill both their university and their religious commitments.

Every year, many important days and months of note are marked around the world. Please visit the Days of significance calendar to view days that raise awareness about creating a more equitable, inclusive and just society.

Religious holidays 2023-2024

*Please note that some religious holidays start at different times during the day
and, in some cases, dates may vary between branches of a tradition.

September 2023
Date Observance Faith
September 16 Rosh Hashana Judaism
September 19 Ganesh Chatuthi Hinduism
September 23 Mabon (autumn equinox) Wicca
September 24
Yom Kippur Judaism
September 24 Navratri starts Religious/Tewahedo Orthodox
September 26 Mawlid Al-Nabi
Islam
September 27 Meskel Tewahedo Orthodox
September 30 First day of Sukkot Judaism
October 2023
Date Observance Faith
October 4 Feast of St Francis of Assisi Christianity 
October 5 Hoshana Rabbah Judaism
October 6 Shemini Atzeret Judaism
October 6 Hoshana Rabbah Hinduism
October 7 Shemini Atzeret Judaism
October 7 Simchat Torah Judaism
October 8 Mawlid Al-Nabi Islam
October 16/17 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í
October 20 Installation of the Holy Scriptures as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Sikhism
October 24 Dussehra Hinduism
October 31 Samhain Wicca
November 2023
Date Observance Faith
November 1 All Saint's Day Christianity 
November 2 All Souls Day Christianity 
November 12 Bandi Chhor Divas Sikhism
November 12 Diwali (Deepavali) Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism
November 24 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sikhism
November 27 Guru Nanak Gurpurab Sikhism
December 2023
Date Observance Faith
December 3 First Sunday of Advent Christianity
December 7 First Day of Hanukkah Judaism
December 8 Bodhi Day Buddhism
December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Christianity (Catholic)
December 15 Hanukkah (Last day) Judaism
December 21 Yule Wicca
December 24 Christmas Eve Christianity 
December 25 Christmas Christianity
December 26 Kwanzaa (Dec 26 - Jan 1, 2024) Kwanzaa
January 2024
Date Observance Faith
January 1 Gantan-Sai (New Year's Day) Shinto 
January 5 Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Sikhism
January 6 Feast of Epiphany Christianity
January 7 Eastern Orthodox Christmas Christianity
January 20 Maghi Sikhism
January 24 Orthodox New Year Christianity
January 25 Sankranti or Makar Sankranti Hinduism
January 25 Tu B'Shvat Judaism
February 2024
Date Observance Faith
February 1  Imbolc  (The Feast of Waxing Light) Wicca
February 2 Candlemas Christianity
February 3 Setsumbum-sai Shinto
February 10
Lunar New Year/Losar Multiple faiths
February 14 Vasant Pachami Hinduism
February 14 Ash Wednesday Western Christianity
February 6 Lailat al Isra' wal Mi'raj Islam
February 24  Makha Bucha (Māgha Pūjā) Buddhism
February 24 Lailat al Bara'a (15 Sha‘bān) Islam
March 2024
Date Observance Faith
March 10 Ramadan begins Islam
March 18 Beginning of Lent (Eastern Orthodox) Orthodox Christianity
March 19 Noruz  Zoroastrianism
March 19 Ostara Wicca
March 20 Naw Ruz Baha’i
March 24 Palm Sunday Western Christianity
March 24 Purim  Judaism
March 25 Holi Hinduism
March 25 Khordad Sal  Zoroastrianism
March 29 Good Friday Western Christianity
March 31 Easter Western Christianity
April 2024
Date Observance Faith
April 6 Laylat al-Qadr Islam
April 9 Ramadan ends/Eid al-Fitr Islam
April 14 Baisakhi Sikism
April 17 Rama navami Hindu
April 20 First day of Ridván Baha'i
April 23 Passover begins Judaism
     
April 28 Ninth day of Ridván Baha'i
April 30 Passover ends Judaism
May 2024
Date Observance Faith
May 1 Beltane Wicca
May 1 Twelfth Day of Ridván  Baha’i
May 3 Holy Friday (Orthodox/Eastern) Orthodox Christianity
May 5 Easter/Pascha (Orthodox/Eastern) Orthodox Christianity
May 6 Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day  Judaism
May 23 Wesak/Vesak Buddhism
May 24 Declaration of the Báb  Baha’i
May 25 Ascension Day (Orthodox) Orthodox Christianity 
May 26 Lag Ba'Omer Judaism
May 27 Shavout Judaism
May 29 Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh  Baha’i
June 2024
Date Observance Faith
June 12 Shavout begins Religious/Judaism
June 13 Ascension Day (Western) Orthodox Christianity 
June 14 Shavout ends Judaism
June 15 Holy Day of Arafah  Islam
June 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Sikism
June 16 Eid al-Adha  Islam
June 21 Litha  Wicca
June 23 Pentecost (Orthodox) Orthodox Christianity 
July 2024
Date Observance Faith
July 6 Al-Hijra Muharram * (Islamic New Year-1446) Islam
July 9 Martyrdom of the Báb Baha'i
July 16 Ashura Islam
July 19 Hijra Islam
July 27 Tish'a B'av Judaism
August 2024
Date Observance Faith
August 1 Fast in Honour of Holy Mother of Jesus Orthodox Christianity 
August 1 Lammas & Lughnassad Imbolc Wicca
August 6 Transfiguration Day Christianity 
August 13 Tish'a B'Av Judaism
August 19 Raksha Bandhan  Hinduism
August 15 Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholicism
August 31 First day of Paryushan Mahaarva Jainsim
     

Religious accomodations

Policy for students on the accommodation of religious observances

Concordia University recognizes diversity and places a high value on inclusion and respect for differences. 

This Policy outlines the process of student accommodations for religious beliefs, observances and obligations in the context of evaluative exercises set out in course outlines. Evaluative exercises include, but are not limited to, class attendance, lectures, labs, tests, assignments, practicum, in-class examinations and centrally supervised final examinations.

*Please note that some religious holidays start at different times during the day and, in some cases, dates may vary between branches of a tradition.

Multi-Faith and Spirituality Centre

The MFSC is a home on campus for all those who wish to celebrate the human spirit in the widest sense of the word; open to all students whether spiritual, secular or religious. Their approach is pluralistic, accepting and energizing and they encourage students to live with integrity & authenticity. The MFSC can provide support services on these topics: 

  • Discussing requests for religious accommodations:
    • Days off for holy days.
    • Dietary restrictions and laws.
    • Daily spiritual practices (such as prayer, devotion).
    • Dress and clothing.
  • Handling conversations about religion:
    • Countering stereotypes or dealing with disrespectful comments.
    • Exploration of religion & queerness.
    • Advice on how to lead respectful conversations.
  • Spiritual and religious support and connection to local communities.
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