Religious Holidays and Observances
As we continue to enhance our commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive community for all our students regardless of their background, Trinity College recognizes that cultural diversity extends to a variety of religious and spiritual practices in our community. As members of our campus community will be celebrating their respective upcoming religious holidays this academic year, we can show we care by being aware, respectful, and supportive to all.
2026 Religious Observances
| Date | Days | Observance |
|---|---|---|
| January 7 | Wednesday | Christmas (Orthodox Christianity) |
| February 2-February 3 | Monday (Sundown)-Tuesday (Sundown) | Laylat al-Bara’at (Islam) |
| February 15 | Wednesday | Maha Shivarati (Hinduism) |
| February 17 | Tuesday | Lunar New Year (Confucianism, Doaism, Buddhism) |
| February 17-March 18 | Tuesday (Sundown)-Wednesday (Sundown) | Ramadan (Islam) |
| February 18 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday (Western Christianity) |
| February 23 | Monday | Great Lent begins, Clean Monday (Orthodox Christianity) |
| March 2-3 | Monday (Sundown)-Tuesday (Sundown) | Purim (Judaism) |
| March 3-4 | Wednesday (Sundown)-Thursday (Sundown) | Holi (Hinduism) |
| March 16 | Monday | Laylat al-Qadr (Islam) |
| March 19-March 20 | Thursday (Sundown)-Friday (Sundown) | Eid al-Fitr (Islam) |
| April 1-8 | Wednesday (Sundown)-Wednesday (Sundown) | Passover (Reform Judaism) |
| April 1-9 | Wednesday (Sundown)-Thursday (Sundown) | Passover (Judaism) |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday (Western Christianity) |
| April 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Western Christianity) |
| April 12 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Orthodox Christianity) |
| May 21-May 23 | Thursday (Sundown)-Saturday (Sundown) | Shavuot (Judaism) |
| May 24 | Sunday | Pentecost (Western Christianity, Orthodox Christianity) |
| May 26-May 27 | Tuesday (Sundown)-Wednesday (Sundown) | Eid al-Adha (Islam) |
| August 25-26 | Tuesday (Sundown)-Wednesday (Sundown) | Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam) |
| September 4 | Friday | Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism) |
| September 11-September 13 | Friday (Sundown)-Sunday (Sundown) | Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) |
| September 20-September 21 | Sunday (Sundown)-Monday (Sundown) | Yom Kippur (Judaism) |
| September 25-October 2 | Friday (Sundown)-Friday (Sundown) | Sukkot (Judaism) |
| October 2-October 4 | Friday (Sundown)-Sunday (Sundown) | Shemini Atzeret (Judaism) |
| October 3-October 14 | Saturday (Sundown)-Sunday (Sundown) | Simchat Torah (Judaism) |
| October 11-October 20 | Sunday (Sundown)-Tuesday (Sundown) | Navaratri (Hinduism) |
| November 8 | Sunday | Diwali (Hinduism) |
| December 4-December 12 | Friday (Sundown)-Saturday (Sundown) | Hanukkah (Judaism) |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas (Western Christianity) |
2027 Religious Observances
| Date | Days | Observance |
|---|---|---|
| January 7 | Thursday | Christmas (Orthodox Christianity) |
| January 24–25 | Sunday (Sundown)–Monday (Sundown) | Laylat al-Bara’at (Islam)* |
| February 6 | Saturday | Lunar New Year (Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism) |
| February 13 | Saturday | Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism) |
| February 7–March 8 | Sunday (Sundown)–Monday (Sundown) | Ramadan (Islam)* |
| February 10 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday (Western Christianity) |
| February 15 | Monday | Great Lent begins, Clean Monday (Orthodox Christianity) |
| March 9–10 | Tuesday (Sundown)–Wednesday (Sundown) | Eid al-Fitr (Islam)* |
| March 22 | Monday | Holi (Hinduism) |
| March 22–23 | Monday (Sundown)–Tuesday (Sundown) | Purim (Judaism) |
| April 30 | Friday | Good Friday (Western Christianity) |
| May 2 | Sunday | Easter Sunday (Western Christianity and Orthodox Christianity) |
| May 16–17 | Sunday (Sundown)–Monday (Sundown) | Eid al-Adha (Islam)* |
| June 10–12 | Thursday (Sundown)–Saturday (Sundown) | Shavuot (Judaism) |
| July 26–27 | Monday (Sundown)–Tuesday (Sundown) | Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam)* |
| August 31 | Tuesday | Krishna Janmashtami (Hinduism) |
| October 1–3 | Friday (Sundown)–Sunday (Sundown) | Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) |
| October 10–11 | Sunday (Sundown)–Monday (Sundown) | Yom Kippur (Judaism) |
| October 15–22 | Friday (Sundown)–Friday (Sundown) | Sukkot (Judaism) |
| October 22–23 | Friday (Sundown)–Saturday (Sundown) | Shemini Atzeret (Judaism) |
| October 23–24 | Saturday (Sundown)–Sunday (Sundown) | Simchat Torah (Judaism) |
| October 10–18 | Sunday–Monday | Navaratri (Hinduism) |
| November 5 | Friday | Diwali (Hinduism) |
| December 15–23 | Wednesday (Sundown)–Thursday (Sundown) | Hanukkah (Judaism) |
| December 25 | Saturday | Christmas (Western Christianity) |
Guidance for Students
Any student who is unable to attend classes on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day because of the tenets of a sincerely held religious practice should discuss with their course instructor their request to be excused from any academic activities on such particular day or days or at such particular time of day. Course instructors should make available to each student who is absent from academic activities because of a sincerely held religious practice or belief an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which has been missed because of such absence.
Students requesting a religious accommodation should make the request directly to their instructor with as much notice as possible. Being absent from class or other educational responsibilities does not excuse a student from keeping up with any information shared or expectations set during the missed class(es). Students are responsible for obtaining the materials and information provided during any class(es) missed. The student can work with the instructor to determine a schedule for making up missed work.
Guidance for Faculty
Course instructors are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations in response to student requests to complete work missed by absence resulting from observation of religious holidays. Such accommodations should be made in ways that do not significantly alter the requirements or learning outcomes for the course to the extent reasonably practical.
Course instructors ordinarily would not ask a student for proof that their religious practices or beliefs are sincerely held in determining a religious accommodation. Course instructors with concerns or questions regarding a student’s stated religious belief may contact the College Chaplain for additional guidance.
Examples of religious accommodations that instructors may consider include: rescheduling an exam or giving a make-up exam for the student in question; altering the time of a student’s presentation; allowing extra-credit assignments to substitute for missed class work or flexibility in assignment due dates; allowing a student to view a recording of a class session missed due to religious observance; or releasing a graduate assistant from teaching or research responsibilities on a given day. Please note that the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life does not provide proctoring for exams.
The student should be given the opportunity to complete appropriate make-up work that is generally equivalent to a missed exam or assignment to the extent reasonably practical.
If there are concerns about a request for accommodation, the instructor may consult the College Chaplain, or their department chair or dean for assistance and determination as to whether a reasonable accommodation can be provided.
Policy on Nondiscrimination
The University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of religion. For more information, refer to the Trinity College Policy on Nondiscrimination.
