Religious Holidays 2023-2024
Below are many of the religious holidays observed by members of the Muhlenberg community.
Please note that individual practices may vary.
Fall 2023
June 29: Eid-al-Adha - Feast of the Sacrifice (Islam) *begins sundown June 28
August 15: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic Christianity) *not obligatory in 2023
September 9: Leil Selichot - Prayers for forgiveness for the New Year (Judaism) *takes place late evening September 9
September 16-17: Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year (Judaism) *work restriction both days, begins at sundown September 15
September 18: Tzom Gedaliah - Fast of the Seventh Month (Judaism) *minor fast, no work restriction
September 25: Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement (Judaism) *fast and work restriction, begins sundown September 24
September 30-October 6: Sukkot - Feast of the Tabernacles (Judaism) *work restriction, begins at sundown September 29
October 7: Shmini Atzeret - Eight Day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Judaism) *work restriction, begins sundown October 6
October 8: Simchat Torah - Celebrating the Beginning of the Annual Torah reading cycle (Judaism) *work restriction, begins sundown October 7
November 1: All Saints’ Day (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
November 2: All Souls Day (Christianity)
November 12: Diwali - Festival of Lights (Hinduism, Jain, Sikh)
December 8: Bodhi Day (Buddhism); The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic Christianity)
December 8-15: Chanukah - Festival of Lights (Judaism) *begins at sundown December 7
December 24: Christmas Eve (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox Christianity)
December 25: Christmas (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox Christianity)
Spring 2024
January 1: The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Roman Catholic Christianity)
January 6: Christmas Eve (Eastern Orthodox Christianity)
January 7: Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Christianity)
January 25: Tu BiShvat - New Year of Trees (Judaism) *begins at sundown January 24, no restriction
February 14: Ash Wednesday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity) *fasting
March 10-April 9: Ramadan (Islam) month of fasting, dawn until dusk or sundown
March 23: Ta'anit Esther - Fast of Esther (Judaism) *minor fast only when sun up
March 24: Purim - Festival of Lots (Judaism) *begins at sundown March 23, no restriction
March 24: Palm Sunday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
March 25: Holi - Festival of Colors (Hinduism) *fasting
March 29: Good Friday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
March 31: Easter (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
April 23 - April 30: Passover - Festival of Freedom (Judaism) *work restrictions on following set of days: evening of 4/22-evening of 4/24 and evening of 4/28-evening of 4/30, *begins at sundown April 22
May 3: Good Friday (Orthodox Christianity)
May 5: Easter (Orthodox Christianity)
May 5: Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Memorial Day (Judaism) *no restriction, begins at sundown May 4
May 9: Ascension (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
May 13: Yom HaZikaron - Israeli Memorial Day (Judaism) *no restriction, begins at sundown May 12
May 14: Yom HaAtzma'ut - Israeli Independence Day (Judaism) no restriction, begins at sundown May 13
May 19: Pentecost (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
May 26: Lag BaOmer - 33rd day of counting the Omer (Judaism) *no restriction, begins at sundown May 25
June 13: Ascension (Orthodox Christianity)
June 12-13: Shavuot - Festival of Weeks (Judaism) *work restriction, begins at sundown June 11
June 23: Pentecost (Orthodox Christianity)
Feel free to contact a member of the Religious Life staff for more information:
