Guide considerations, clarifying choices, decision points.

 Guide considerations, clarifying choices, decision points.

• Considerations: many holidays follow lunar or lunisolar calendars (Islamic, Jewish, some Buddhist/Hindu dates) and shift year to year; work/food restrictions vary by community.

• Clarifying choice made: I list major, widely observed holidays across major world religions and note typical timing/impact.

• Decision points for you: Do you want a yearly printable calendar for 2026 specifically, workplace accommodation guidance, or local Auburn, CA observance notes?

Major religious holidays and observances (grouped by tradition)

Tradition	Key Holidays	Typical Timing	Work/Practice Notes
Christianity (Western)	Christmas; Easter; Ash Wednesday; Good Friday; Pentecost	Dec; Mar/Apr; Feb/Mar; Mar/Apr; May/Jun	Worship services; Lent fasting; Good Friday often observed. Harvard Divinity School
Eastern Orthodox Christianity	Orthodox Christmas; Orthodox Easter; Feast days	Jan; Apr/May; year‑round	Dates follow Julian calendar; major liturgies differ. Harvard Divinity School
Judaism	Rosh Hashanah; Yom Kippur; Sukkot; Passover; Hanukkah	Sep/Oct; Sep/Oct; Sep/Oct; Mar/Apr; Dec	Work restrictions on holy days; multi‑day observances. Xavier University resources.finalsite.net
Islam	Ramadan; Eid al‑Fitr; Eid al‑Adha; Muharram/Ashura	Lunar months; shifts ~11 days/year	Daytime fasting during Ramadan; Eid days are major public holidays in many countries. Xavier University
Hinduism	Diwali; Holi; Navaratri; Maha Shivaratri; Raksha Bandhan	Oct/Nov; Mar; Sep/Oct; Feb/Mar; Aug	Regional variation; many are work‑restricted in communities. Interfaith Action
Sikhism	Vaisakhi; Guru Nanak Gurpurab; Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday	Apr; Nov; Jan	Community worship and langar (community meals). Xavier University
Buddhism	Vesak/Buddha Day; Bodhi Day; Uposatha observances	Apr/May; Dec; monthly	Dates vary by tradition and country. Xavier University
Bahá’í	Naw‑Rúz; Ridván; Births/Ascensions of founders; Fast	Mar 20/21; Apr 21–May 2; various; March	Work suspension on holy days; 19‑day feast cycle. Xavier University
Jainism	Paryushana; Mahavir Jayanti	Aug/Sep; Mar/Apr	Fasting and intense worship during Paryushana. Interfaith Action
Other/Indigenous	Lunar New Year; Kwanzaa; Pagan/Wiccan Sabbats; Indigenous seasonal festivals	Jan/Feb; Dec 26–Jan 1; seasonal	Wide cultural variation; local observance matters. Good Good Good

Why this matters (risks, trade‑offs, practical limits)

• Scheduling conflicts: Schools, workplaces, and services must balance inclusivity with operational needs; failing to recognize movable dates causes exclusion. Verify dates yearly. Interfaith Action

• Legal/HR trade‑offs: Some observances require time off or accommodation; employers should adopt flexible leave policies. Harvard Divinity School

• Cultural nuance: Not every member of a faith observes every holiday; avoid assumptions. Good Good Good

1. Pick the faiths most present in your community and subscribe to an interfaith calendar for 2026. Xavier University Interfaith Action

2. Flag movable dates (Ramadan, Passover, Lunar New Year) in your planning tool.

2. Ask individuals how they observe personal practice varies.

Note: Dates vary by year and sect; consult local faith authorities for exact observance windows. Xavier University Harvard Divinity School