Calendar of Religious and Cultural Celebrations
Introduction
The Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto is committed to cultivating inclusivity and belonging for all members of its community. Fundamental to this mission is encouraging respect for diverse cultures and religions.
The department’s Calendar ofReligious and Cultural Celebrations is based on the Calendar of Significant Dates and the Dates of Recognition, Observance & Celebration which are curated by The UofT Multi-Faith Centre and the The Institutional Equity Office, respectively.
Our calendar shares information on the traditions celebrated by many members of our community. In addition to promoting awareness of these significant dates, we recommend that persons also refer to this list when planning events, to minimize overlaps and to ensure that the beliefs of all members of our community are respected.
Our calendar shares information on the traditions celebrated by many members of our community. In addition to promoting awareness of these significant dates, we recommend that persons also refer to this list when planning events, to minimize overlaps and to ensure that the beliefs of all members of our community are respected.
Guidelines for planning an event in the department
- Before planning your event, refer to the calendar [insert link] to ensure that your preferred date does not coincide with a religious holiday or observance with any work restrictions.
- If your preferred date conflicts with a work restricted holiday, we strongly encourage you to select another date with no overlaps for your event.
Dates Not Listed? Let us know!
If you know of a day of significance or religious holiday or observance that is not included in our calendar, please contact us.
Unavoidable conflicts and accommodations
For unavoidable conflicts, we encourage you to offer accommodations for persons who cannot attend. Accommodations may include a recording of the session or event, the option for persons to participate remotely or at a later date.
Our Calendar of Significant Dates is not just about avoiding conflicts, but about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. By being mindful and respectful, we can ensure our department’s events are a success for everyone.
What is a work restricted holy day?
A work-restricted holy day is a day when certain work activities are prohibited or restricted due to religious observances. These days are often based on religious traditions and are meant to allow individuals to focus on spiritual practices, rest, and worship.
The specific nature of these restrictions can vary depending on the religion and its traditions.
Out of respect for our community members and their beliefs and traditions, our department recommends that events are not held on holy dates which may have work restrictions.
Dates for 2024-25
August 2024
|
Date |
Religious and Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
August 12 – 13, 2024 |
Tisha B'Av |
Judaism |
A traditional day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples. |
Please note there are some work restrictions through mid-day of both days. |
|
August 26, 2024 |
Krishna Janmashtami |
Hinduism |
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. |
This is a work restricted holiday. |
September 2024
|
Date |
Religious and Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
September 7, 2024 |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Hinduism |
A Hindu festival that tributes Hindu deity Ganesha. |
This is not a work-restricted holiday. However, prepare to make accommodations for persons who cannot attend events scheduled for this day. |
|
September 15 - 16, 2024 |
Mawlid |
Islam |
Mawlid, also known as Eid-e-Milad an-Nabi, is an observance of the day when the Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported to have been born. |
Some persons may be unable to attend events scheduled on this date. |
|
September 30, 2024 |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation /Orange Shirt Day |
N/A |
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day, is a Canadian holiday to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system. |
This is not a work restricted holiday. |
October 2024
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
October 1 – 31, 2024 |
Canadian Islamic History Month |
N/A |
Islamic Heritage Month is a time to reflect, celebrate, learn, and appreciate the diversity within Canada's Muslim communities. |
There are no work restrictions in place. |
|
October 2 – 4, 2024 |
Rosh Hashanah |
Judaism |
Rosh HaShanah is the New Year in Judaism. |
This is a work-restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you schedule events on this date. |
|
October 7, 2024 |
Anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel |
Day of Significance |
|
This is not a work restricted holiday but we do not recommend that you schedule an event on this date. |
|
October 11-12, 2024 |
Yom Kippur |
Judaism |
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. |
No work is permitted. We recommend that you do not schedule events for these days. |
|
October 16 – 23, 2024 |
Sukkot |
Judaism |
The Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Booths, begins on the 15th day of the seventh month in the biblical calendar. |
No work is permitted on October 17 – 18, 2024. We do not recommend that you schedule events on those dates. However, some events may be scheduled from the 19-23. |
|
October 23 – 25, 2024 |
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah |
Judaism |
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah mark the conclusion of Sukkot. |
No work is permitted. Consider not hosting any events on these dates. We recommend that you do not schedule events for these days. |
|
October 31 – November 1, 2024 |
Diwali |
Hinduism |
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. |
This is not a work restricted holiday but persons prepared to offer accommodations to persons who cannot attend because of religious reasons. |
November 2024
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
*October 31 – November 1, 2024 |
Diwali |
Hinduism |
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. |
This is not a work restricted holiday but persons should be prepared to offer accommodations to persons who cannot attend because of religious reasons. |
|
November 1-30, 2024 |
Hindu Heritage Month |
N/A |
Hindu Heritage Month is an observance aimed at celebrating and recognizing the contributions, history, and cultural richness of Hindu traditions and heritage. |
There are no restrictions in place. |
|
November 2, 2024 |
Birth of the Bab |
Bahá'í |
This is the anniversary of the birth of one of the twin Prophet Founders of the Bahá’í Faith. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
November 15, 2024 |
Birthday of Guru Nanak |
Sikhism |
This date marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru and the founder of Sikhism. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
November 20, 2024 |
Trans Day of Remembrance and Significance |
N/A |
The Transgender Day of Remembrance also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually from its inception on November 20 to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. |
This is not a work restricted date. |
|
November 24, 2024 |
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Martyrdom Day |
Sikhism |
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of ten gurus who founded the Sikh religion and was the leader of Sikhs from 1665 until his beheading in 1675. |
May be work restricted for some persons. Consider not hosting any events on this date or providing accommodations if you do. |
December 2024
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 3, 2024 |
International Day of Persons with Disabilities |
N/A |
First launched in 1992, the event has championed three decades of meaningful change for the disabled community. |
There are no work restrictions affiliated with this date. |
|
December 6, 2024 |
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women |
N/A |
A day in recognition of the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, during which fourteen women were murdered and fourteen others were injured. |
There are no work associated with this date. |
|
December 8, 2024 |
Bodhi Day |
Buddhism |
Bodhi Day is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
December 25, 2024 |
Christmas Day |
Christianity |
The celebration of the birth of The Christ. |
This is not a work-restricted holiday, but some practitioners will request the day off to celebrate. |
|
December 2, 2024 – January 2, 2025 |
Hanukkah |
Judaism |
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. |
Tradition limits work during the time the Hanukkah candles are lit. If scheduling events during this time, be mindful that some community members may require accommodations. |
January 2025
|
Date |
Holy Day/ Day of Significance |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Work Restricted |
|
January 1, 2025 |
Gantan-sai |
Shinto |
Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
*December 2, 2024 – January 2, 2025 |
Hanukkah |
Judaism |
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. |
Tradition limits work during the time the Hanukkah candles are lit. If scheduling events during this time, be mindful that some community members may require |
|
January 6, 2025 |
Observance of Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib |
Sikhism |
This event commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
January 7, 2025 |
Lunar Bodhi Day |
Buddhist |
This commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama attained awakening or enlightenment and became the Buddha 2,600 years ago |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
January 25, 2025 |
Lunar New Year |
N/A |
Lunar New Year is the beginning of a new year based on lunar calendars |
This is not a work-restricted holiday, but some practitioners will request the day off to celebrate. |
February 2025
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
February 26, 2025 |
Maha Shivaratri |
Hindu |
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the deity Shiva, between February and March. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
February 28 – March 29, 2025 |
Ramadan |
Islam |
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community |
Please provide accommodations to Muslims during Ramadan if you host an event during this month. |
March 2025
|
Date |
Religious and Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March 3, 2025 |
Ash Wednesday |
Christianity |
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. |
This is not work restricted but is a day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
March 13, 2025 |
Purim |
Judaism |
Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the wicked Haman in the days of Queen Esther of Persia. This |
This is not work restricted but consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
March 15, 2025 |
Ramakrishna Jayanti |
Hinduism |
This holiday commemorates the birthday of Sri Ramakrishna, a 19th century mystic and philosopher who is revered for his teachings on love, harmony, and devotion. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
March 19 - 20, 2025 |
Naw-Rúz |
Baháʼí |
Naw-Rúz is the first day of the Baháʼí calendar year and one of eleven holy days for adherents of the Baháʼí Faith. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
*February 28 – March 29, 2025 |
Ramadan |
Islam |
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community |
Please provide accommodations to Muslims during Ramadan if you host an event during this month. |
|
March 29 – 30, 2025 |
Eid al-Fitr |
Islam |
Eid-ul-Fitr, or the ‘festival of breaking the fast’, is a religious holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
April 2025
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
April 6, 2025 |
Rama Navami |
Hinduism |
Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Rama, one of the most popularly revered deities in Hinduism. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host events on this date. |
|
April 12 – 20, 2025 |
Passover |
Judaism |
Passover celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Biblical Egypt. |
Work is restricted on April 12-14 and April 18-20. We do not recommend that you host an event on these dates. |
|
April 14, 2025 |
Vaisakhi/ Baisakhi |
Hinduism and Sikhism |
It is the time of the traditional spring harvest festival in the Punjab. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
April 18, 2025 |
Good Friday |
Christianity |
Good Friday is a Christian holy day observing the crucifixion and death of The Christ at Calvary. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
|
April 20 – May 2, 2025 |
Ridvan |
Baháʼí |
Riḍván is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. |
Work is restricted on the first, ninth and twelfth days. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on these dates. |
|
April 20, 2025 |
Easter Sunday |
Christianity |
A Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of The Christ. |
Day of special worship. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on this date. |
May 2025
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
*April 20 – May 2, 2025 |
Ridvan |
Baháʼí |
Riḍván is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. |
Work is restricted on the first, ninth and twelfth days. Consider providing accommodations if you host an event on these dates. |
|
May 12, 2025 |
Vesak |
Buddhism |
This is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
May 22 - 23, 2025 |
Declaration of the Bab |
Baháʼí |
The date commemorates the date that the Bab announced that he was a messenger of God and foretold the coming of another messenger of God in the near future. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
|
May 29, 2025 |
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh |
Baháʼí |
Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, passed away on 29 May, 1892. This holy day is commemorated by Baha’is all over the world and is known as ‘The Ascension of Baha’u’llah’. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
June 2025
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
June 1 – 3, 2025 |
Shavuot |
Judaism |
Shavuot, or Shvues, is a Jewish holiday, one of the biblically ordained Three Pilgrimage Festivals. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on these dates. |
|
June 6 – 10, 2025 |
Eid-al-Adha |
Islam |
Eid al-Adha, commonly translated as the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second of the two main Islamic holidays alongside Eid al-Fitr. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on these dates. |
|
June 16, 2025 |
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib |
Sikhism |
Guru Arjan Dev Ji who is the fifth Guru and first martyr of the Sikhs died through torture after pursuing his task of preaching about God. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on this date. |
July 2025
|
Date |
Religious/Cultural Event |
Religion/Culture |
Details |
Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
July 5 – 6, 2025 |
Ashura |
Islam |
Ashura marks the parting of the Red Sea by Moses and the salvation of the Israelites. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on these dates. |
|
July 8 – 9, 2025 |
Martyrdom of the Bab |
Baháʼí |
Commemorates the execution of the Baha'i co-founder. |
This is a work restricted holiday. We do not recommend that you host an event on these dates. |
Resources that underscore the University’s commitment to cultivating inclusivity and belonging for all members of our community.
Explore the list below of significant religious, spiritual and cultural days around the world every year. Learn more about the holidays of different faith and ethnic groups, when they are celebrated and how to greet or acknowledge those who observe.
The University of Toronto welcomes and includes students, staff and faculty from a broadly diverse range of communities and backgrounds. The University community comprises one of the most diverse campus populations anywhere. Students, staff and faculty have a wide range of backgrounds, cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs. With reference to the University’s commitment to human rights as articulated in the Statement on Human Rights and in accordance with the accommodation principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code, this policy is concerned with accommodations for students with respect to observances of religious holy days.