Cultural & Religious Celebrations

Holiday or observance: Hanuman Jayantï
Date: April 1
Description: Celebration of the birthday of Hanuman, devotee of Sri Rama and Sita.
Religion: Hindu
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Passover
Date: April 2–9 (varies)
Description: Commemorates the liberation of Israelites from slavery in Egypt under Moses.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions (first and last two days)

Holiday or observance: Holy Thursday
Date: April 2
Description: Commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles.
Religion: Christian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Good Friday
Date: April 3
Description: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
Religion: Christian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Holy Saturday
Date: April 4
Description: Observes the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Religion: Christian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Easter
Date: April 5
Description: Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Religion: Christian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Pascha
Date: April 12
Description: Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Orthodox Christianity).
Religion: Orthodox Christianity
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Vaisakhi
Date: April 14
Description: Marks the establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh.
Religion: Sikh
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Yom Ha’shoah
Date: April 14
Description: Jewish Holocaust Memorial Day
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Ridván
Date: April 21–May 2
Description: Twelve-day Bahá’í festival marking when Bahá’u’lláh declared his mission.
Religion: Bahá’í
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Yom HaZikaron
Date: April 29–30 (varies)
Description: Israeli Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Nineteen Day Fast
Date: March 2
Description: Sunrise-to-sunset fast marked by prayer to renew the soul and draw closer to God.
Religion: Bahá’í
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Purim
Date: March / February (varies by year)
Description: Commemorates the story of Esther and the deliverance of the Jewish people.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Fast of Esther
Date: March / February (varies by year)
Description: Fast observed in connection with the Purim story.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Sangha Day (Magha Puja)
Date: March 3
Description: Buddhist celebration honoring the monastic community.
Religion: Buddhist
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Holi
Date: Full moon of Phalguna (February–March, lunar calendar)
Description: Hindu festival celebrating spring, joy, and the victory of good over evil.
Religion: Hinduism
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Hola Mohalla
Date: March 4–6
Description: Sikh festival established by Guru Gobind Singh featuring martial displays and poetry.
Religion: Sikh
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Ash Wednesday
Date: March 5 (varies by year)
Description: Christian holy day marking the beginning of Lent.
Religion: Christian / Catholic
Resources: LEARN MORE
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Lent
Date: March 5 – April 19 (varies by year)
Description: Christian season of preparation for Easter through reflection and repentance.
Religion: Christian
Resources: Resources for Lent and Easter
Work restrictions or Fasting: Varies

Holiday or observance: Ta’anit Esther
Date: March 13 (varies by year)
Description: Jewish fast observed before Purim.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti
Date: March 15
Description: Celebrates the birth anniversary of Ramakrishna, Hindu mystic and teacher.
Religion: Hindu
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
Date: March 16 (varies by lunar calendar)
Description: Islamic holy night commemorating the revelation of the Qur’an.
Religion: Islam
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Varies

Holiday or observance: Nowruz
Date: March 20
Description: Persian New Year marking the first day of spring.
Religion: Persian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Nineteen Day Fast Ends
Date: March 20
Description: Conclusion of the Bahá’í Nineteen Day Fast.
Religion: Bahá’í
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Naw Rúz
Date: March 20
Description: Bahá’í and Zoroastrian New Year marking the spring equinox.
Religion: Bahá’í; Zoroastrian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Ostara
Date: March 20
Description: Pagan/Wiccan celebration of the vernal equinox and spring.
Religion: Pagan / Wiccan
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Feast of the Annunciation
Date: March 25
Description: Christian feast commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary.
Religion: Christian / Catholic
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Rama Navami
Date: March 26
Description: Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu.
Religion: Hindu
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Palm Sunday
Date: March 29
Description: Commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Religion: Christian / Catholic
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Ramadan Ends
Date: March 30
Description: Conclusion of the Islamic month of fasting.
Religion: Islam
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Eid al-Fitr
Date: March 20–31 (varies by lunar calendar)
Description: Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.
Religion: Islam
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Work Restrictions

Holiday or observance: Mahavir Jayanti
Date: March 31
Description: Celebrates the birth of Mahavira, founder of Jainism.
Religion: Jain
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation of Christ)
Date: February 2
Description: Christian feast commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:22–40).
Religion: Christian / Catholic
Resources: Learn more
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Tu BiShvat
Date: February 2
Description: Jewish holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, celebrating renewal, nature, and environmental stewardship.
Religion: Jewish
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Imbolc
Date: February (traditionally February 1–2)
Description: Pagan festival marking the beginning of spring and renewal.
Religion: Pagan / Wiccan
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Setsubun
Date: February 3
Description: Marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Religion: Shinto
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Buddha’s Passing (Nirvana Day)
Date: February 15
Description: Mahayana Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha’s death and attainment of parinirvana.
Religion: Buddhist
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

Holiday or observance: Maha Shivaratri
Date: February 15
Description: Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva and his union with Goddess Parvati.
Religion: Hindu
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Optional

Holiday or observance: Forgiveness Sunday
Date: February 22
Description: Orthodox Christian observance marking the final day before Great Lent.
Religion: Orthodox Christian
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Ramadan Begins
Date: February 28 – March 30 (dates vary by lunar calendar)
Description: Islamic holy month commemorating the first revelation of the Qur’an.
Religion: Islam
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: Yes – Fasting

Holiday or observance: Ayyám-i-Há
Date: February 25–28
Description: Bahá’í intercalary days devoted to charity, hospitality, and preparation for the Fast.
Religion: Bahá’í
Resources: Learn More
Work restrictions or Fasting: No

January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Catholic feast day honoring Mary as the mother of Jesus and a holy day of obligation.
Catholic
Learn More
Work Restrictions

January 1 – Oshogatsu
Shinto New Year celebration involving shrine visits, gratitude to the kami, and prayers for good fortune.
Shinto
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 5 (Gregorian Calender) – Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
Celebrates the birth of the tenth and final Sikh Guru.
Sikh
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 6 – Epiphany (Three Kings Day)
Christian celebration of the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God, including the visit of the Magi.
Christian/Catholic
Learn More
Work restrictions or fasting varies

January 7 (varies by country) – Mahayana New Year
New Year celebration in Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
Buddhist
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 7 – Christmas (Orthodox)
Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Orthodox Christian calendar.
Orthodox Christian
Learn More
Work restrictions

January 13 – Maghi
Sikh observance commemorating the martyrdom of forty Sikh warriors.
Sikh
Learn More
Work restrictions

January 13 – Makara Sankranthi
Hindu festival honoring the Sun God.
Hindu
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 14 – Orthodox New Year (Old New Year)
New Year observed by Orthodox Christians using the Julian calendar.
Orthodox Christian
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 14 – Pongal
Hindu harvest festival celebrating gratitude, food, and family.
Hindu
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 15 – Makar Sankranti
Hindu seasonal celebration marking the sun’s northward movement.
Hindu
Learn More
Optional work restrictions or fasting

January 16 – Lailat al-Miʿraj
Commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and ascension.
Islam
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

Third Sunday in January – World Religion Day
Observance promoting unity among world religions.
Bahá’í
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 22 (varies by Lunar Calendar) – Lunar New Year
Marks the beginning of the lunisolar calendar.
Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism
Learn More
Work restrictions or fasting varies

January 23 – Vasant Panchami
Hindu festival honoring Goddess Saraswati.
Hindu
Learn More
Optional work restrictions or fasting

January 26 – Bodhi Day (Lunar Calendar)
Buddhist observance commemorating the Enlightenment of the Buddha.
Buddhist
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Day honoring the victims of the Holocaust.
Jewish
Learn More
No work restrictions or fasting

December 3 – Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Commemorates the death of St. Francis Xavier in 1552. It is a time of reflection and celebration of his missionary work, particularly in spreading the Christian faith throughout Asia.
Christian and Catholic
Learn More
Work is restricted.

December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Celebrates the solemn belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Roman Catholic
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Oneonta, NY
Work is restricted.

December 8 – Bodhi Day (Gregorian calender)
Commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautauma (Shakyamuni), attained enlightenment.
Buddhist
Learn More
No restrictions or fasting

December 12 – Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A feast day that commemorates when the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatz in 1531.
Roman Catholic
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Oneonta, NY
Work is restricted.

December 14-22 – Hanukkah
Festival of Lights commemorating rededication of Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem at time of Maccabean Revolt.
Jewish
Temple Beth El, Oneonta, NY
Learn More
Work is restricted.

December 21 – Yule
Winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, time to meditate on cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Pagan & Wiccan
Learn More
No restrictions or fasting

December 24 – Advent Season Ends
A period of spiritual preparation when Christians make themselves ready for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas.
Christian
Learn More
Work restrictions or fasting

December 25 – Christmas
Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christian
Work is restricted.

December 26 – Zarathosht Diso
Commemorates death of Zarathustra.
Zoroastrian
Learn More
Work is restricted.