Religious Holidays 2020-2021
Below are many of the religious holidays observed by members of the Muhlenberg community.
Please note that individual practices may vary.
Fall 2020
July 31: Eid-al-Adha - Feast of the Sacrifice (Islam) *begins at sundown July 30
August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
September 12: Leil Selichot - Prayers for forgiveness for the New Year (Judaism) *takes place late evening September 12
September 19-20: Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year (Judaism) *work restriction both days, begins at sundown September 18
September 21: Tzom Gedaliah - Fast of the Seventh Month (Judaism) *minor fast, no work restriction
September 28: Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement (Judaism) *fast and work restriction, begins sundown September 27
October 3-9: Sukkot - Feast of Tabernacles (Judaism) *work restriction, begins at sundown October 2
October 10: Shmini Atzeret - Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Judaism) *work restriction, begins sundown October 9
October 11: Simchat Torah - Celebrating the Beginning of the Annual Torah reading cycle (Judaism) *work restriction, begins at sundown October 10
November 14: Diwali - Festival of Lights (Hinduism, Jain, Sikh)
November 1: All Saints Day (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
November 2: All Souls Day (Christianity)
December 8: Bodhi Day (Buddhism)
December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
December 11-18: Hanukkah - Festival of Lights (Judaism) *begins at sundown December 10
December 24: Christmas Eve (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
December 25: Christmas (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
December 25: Asara B'Tevet - The Tenth Day of Tevet (Judaism) *fasting
Spring 2021
January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Roman Catholic)
January 6: Christmas Eve (Orthodox Christianity)
January 7: Christmas (Orthodox Christianity)
January 28: Tu BiShvat - New Year of Trees (Judaism) *begins at sundown January 27, no restrictions
February 17: Ash Wednesday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity) *fasting
February 25: Ta'anit Esther - Fast of Esther (Judaism) *minor fast only when sun up
February 26: Purim - Festival of Lots (Judaism) *begins at sundown February 25, no restriction
March 29-30: Holi - Festival of Colors (Hinduism) *fasting
March 28: Palm Sunday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
March 28 - April 4: Passover - Festival of Freedom (Judaism) *work restrictions on following set of days: evening of 3/27-evening of 3/29 and evening of 4/2-evening of 4/4, *begins at sundown March 27
April 2: Good Friday (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
April 4: Easter (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
April 30: Good Friday (Orthodox Christianity)
April 8: Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Memorial Day (Judaism) *no restrictions, begins at sundown April 7
April 13-May 12: Ramadan (Islam) month of fasting, dawn until dusk or sundown
April 30: Lag BaOmer - 33rd day of counting the Omer (Judaism) *no restrictions, begins at sundown May 29
May 2: Easter (Orthodox Christianity)
May 13: Ascension (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity)
May 17-18: Shavuot - Festival of Weeks (Judaism) *work restriction, begins at sundown May 16
May 23: Pentecost (Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity
May 20: Ascension (Orthodox Christianity)
June 30: Pentecost (Orthodox Christianity)
Feel free to contact a member of the Religious Life staff for more information: