Cal Poly recognizes that students, faculty, and staff observe a wide range of cultural and religious traditions. While the dates provided highlight major holidays most likely to affect academic work and schedules, this list is not exhaustive.
Please keep in mind:
-
Different cultures and traditions may use different calendars and mark the start of the day at varying times.
-
Jewish and Muslim holidays begin at sundown.
-
The dates and lengths of certain holidays and festivals may vary by region and community.
-
Many Muslim holidays begin with the sighting of the new moon, so dates are approximate.
Buddhist
-
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu): December 8, 2025
-
Nirvana (Parinirvana) Day: February 15, 2026
-
Losar (Tibetan New Year): February 17-18, 2026
-
Vesak (Buddha Day): May 1, 2026 (observance dates may vary by region)
Catholic*
-
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: September 8, 2025
-
Exaltation of the Holy Cross: September 14, 2025
-
All Saints’ Day: November 1, 2025
-
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: December 8, 2025
-
Mary, the Holy Mother of God: January 1, 2026
-
Annunciation of the Lord: March 25, 2026
-
Ascension of the Lord: May 14, 2026
Christian (Western)
-
Christmas Day: December 25, 2025
-
Epiphany: January 6, 2026
-
Ash Wednesday: February 18, 2026
-
Palm Sunday: March 29, 2026
-
Maundy Thursday: April 2, 2026
-
Good Friday: April 3, 2026
-
Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026
-
Pentecost Sunday: May 24, 2026
Hindu / Sikh
-
Sharada Navaratri: September 22-October 2, 2025
-
Dasara/Dussehra: October 2, 2025
-
Diwali (Festival of Lights): October 20-21, 2025
-
Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday: January 14, 2026
-
Maha Shivaratri: February 26, 2026
-
Holi (Festival of Colours): March 3-4, 2026
-
Rama Navami: April 6, 2026
-
Vaisakhi: April 13-14, 2026
Jewish
-
Rosh Hashanah: September 22–24, 2025
-
Yom Kippur: October 1-2, 2025
-
Sukkot: October 6- 13, 2025
-
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah: October 14, 2025
-
Hanukkah Begins: December 15, 2025
-
Tu BiShvat: February 2, 2026
-
Purim: March 2, 2026
-
Passover Begins: April 2, 2026
-
Yom HaShoah: April 14, 2026
-
Yom Ha'atzmaut: April 22, 2026
-
Lag BaOmer: May 5, 2026
-
Shavuot: May 21-23, 2026
Muslim
-
Mawlid an-Nabi: September 4, 2025
-
Laylat al-Mi'raj: January 15, 2026
-
Laylat al-Bara'at: February 3, 2026
-
Ramadan Begins: February 18, 2026
-
Eid al-Fitr: March 20, 2026
-
Day of Arafah: May 26, 2026
-
Eid al-Adha: May 27, 2026
-
Eid al-Ghadeer: June 4, 2026
Orthodox Christian*
-
Presentation of the Theotokos: November 21, 2024
-
Orthodox Christmas: January 7, 2026
-
Theophany (Epiphany): January 19, 2026
* Catholics and Orthodox Christians observe many of the same core religious holidays as Protestants—such as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost—while also celebrating additional feast days and traditions rooted in their own liturgical calendars.
Dietary Accommodations
-
Halal: Follows Islamic dietary laws year-round. Individuals who observe Halal do not consume pork or alcohol.
-
Kosher: Follows Jewish dietary laws daily. Individuals who observe Kosher do not eat pork or shellfish (fish with fins and scales is permitted) and do not mix meat with dairy in the same meal.
Help Us Improve
If an important holiday or observance meaningful to you is not currently listed, please let us know so we can include it in future updates.
