Please note the following dates, understanding that students and colleagues may request temporary absence or request annual leave or adjustments to their schedules to accommodate religious observance.
There are no major Christian or Muslim festivals during this term, but the dates of those falling later in the academic year during term will be circulated nearer the time.
October
The following festivals fall within the induction/welcome period at the beginning of the academic year:
2-4 October: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
Jewish New Year - a time of celebration and reflection Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at sunset until nightfall of Friday, 4 October 2024. No work permitted.
3-12 October: Navratri (Hindu)
‘Nav’-nine; ‘Ratri’-nights in celebration of the goddess Durga, ending with Dusshera, a commemoration which celebrates goodness overcoming evil. Some devotees may choose to fast from certain foods during this festival.
For further information, please read 'Returning Students, Navratri and Me' by Rakhee Patel.
11-12 October: Yom Kippur (Jewish)
The holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A day of prayer and fasting. From Friday, 11 October 2024 at sunset until nightfall of Saturday, 12 October 2024. No work is permitted.
16-18 October: Sukkot (Jewish)
Celebrates the gathering of the harvest and God’s protection of Jewish people in the escape from Egypt, as in the book of Exodus). From Wednesday, 16 October 2024 at sunset until nightfall of Friday, 18 October 2024. The first two days of this festival are considered the most holy and may result in requests for absence.
23-25 October: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Jewish)
A celebration of the significance of the Torah, the Jewish Bible. From Wednesday, 23 October 2024 at sunset until nightfall of Friday, 25 October 2024.
November
1 November: Diwali/Deepavali
Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali through different stories: (Hindu) Festival of Lights which celebrates the triumph of goodness over evil; (Sikh) Bandi Chor, the day of liberation; (Jain) marks the end of the year and the day of liberation of the soul.
15 November: Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism)
One of the most important Sikh holy days marking the birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of the faith. Festivities begin two days before this with a reading of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scriptures) in the Gurdwara. Communities gather for special food and music.