This list is a living document as we review feedback from the FCAC and communities which we serve. We recognize that not all creeds, faiths and spiritualities are represented in this listing and invite community members to share additional dates and information through this feedback form.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to working with students and families to create inclusive classroom and school environments. Through HWDSB’s Faith Community Advisory Committee (FCAC) and Student and Staff Census Data, the following listing of religious and creed-based observances/days of significance has been established.
The following religions and spirituality are represented in this calendar include:
| Baha’i | Hinduism | Jainism | Wiccan |
| Buddhism | Islam | Judaism | Zoroastrianism |
| Christianity | Indigenous Philosophy | Sikh |
Students, families and community members are invited to complete this feedback form to share information not captured in the existing listing. Information submitted can include creeds or faiths, holy days, days of significance or more.
Please note that information submitted will be collected and reviewed by HWDSB staff for consideration in future listings. All listings will be determined in consultation with HWDSB’s Faith Community Advisory Committee. Submissions will not receive individual replies.
- Baha'i
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Indigenous Philosophy
- Islam
- Jainism
- Judaism
- Sikh
- Wiccan
- Zoroastrianism
All Baha’I Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset.
Holy Days
(These are Holy Days on which workdays and school days are suspended)
Oct 16, 2023 Birth of the Báb
Oct 17, 2023 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Mar 21, 2024 Naw -Rúz (Bahá’ i New Year)
Apr 20, 2024 First Day of Ridván
Apr 29, 2024 Ninth Day of Ridván
May 2, 2024 Twelfth Day of Ridván
May 24, 2024 Declaration of the Báb
May 29, 2024 Ascension of Bahá’u’ lláh
Jul 9, 2024 Martyrdom of the Báb
Days of Religious Significance
(Workdays and school days are not suspended)
Feb 26 – 29, 2024 Ayyám-i-Há
Nov 26, 2023 Day of the Covenant
Nov 28, 2023 Ascension of Ábdu’l-Bahá
Mar 1-19, 2024 Days of Fasting
Holy Days
Dec 08, 2023 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)
Dec 10, 2023 Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
Jan 25, 2024 Mahayana New Year
Feb 10, 2024 Chinese New Year
Feb 10, 2024 Tibetan New Year (Losar)
Feb 15, 2024 Parinirvana Day
Feb 24, 2024 Magha Puja/Sanga Day
April 13, 2024 Theravada New Year
May 23, 2024 Vesak/Buddha Day(Commemoration of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment, Nirvana)
Jul 21, 2024 Asala – Dharma Day)
Jul 21, 2024 Guru Purnima
Jul 22, 2024 Vassa begins
Aug 13, 2024 Bon Fesitval
Holy Days
Dec 25, 2023 Christmas Day
Jan 7, 2024 Orthodox Christmas
Mar, 29, 2024 Good Friday
Mar 31, 2024 Easter Sunday
May 3, 2024 Holy Friday (Orthodox)
May 5, 2024 Orthodox Easter – Pascha
May 6, 2024 Bright Monday (Orthodox)
June 13, 2024 Ascension (Orthodox)
June 23, 2024 Pentecost (Orthodox)
Aug 6 or 19, 2024 Transfiguration (Orthodox)
Please note that dates will vary for Family Patron Saints.
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 8 or 21, 2023 The Birth of Theotokos(Orthodox)
Sep 12, 2023 Coptic New Year
Sep 14 or 27 The Exaltation of the Cross (Orthodox)
Nov 1, 2023 All Saints Day
Dec 3-Dec 24, 2023 Advent
Jan 6, 2024 Epiphany
Jan 6 or 19, 2024 Theophany (Orthodox)
Feb 11, 2024 Transfiguration
Feb 14, 2024 Ash Wednesday
Mar 24, 2024 Palm Sunday
Mar 28, 2024 Maunday Thursday
Apr 28, 2024 Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
May 9, 2024 Ascension Day
May 19, 2024 Pentecost
May 26, 2024 All Saints Day (Orthodox)
Aug 15 or 28, 2024 Dormition
Holy Days
Nov 12, 2023 Diwali
Jan 15, 2024 Makar Sankranti
Jan 25, 2024 Thaipusam
Mar 8, 2024 Maha Shivaratri
Mar 25, 2024 Holi
Days of Religious Significance
Oct 15, 2023 Sharad Navarati Begins
Oct 23, 2023 Sharad Navarati Ends
Oct 23, 2023 Dasera
Feb 13, 2024 Vasant Panchami
Apr 9, 2024 Chaitra Navratri
Apr 16, 2024 Ram Navami
Indigenous Philosophy and ceremony refer to the spiritual beliefs and practices that Indigenous peoples identify as being ‘traditional’ or ‘customary’ among Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous traditions and ceremonies differ amongst Indigenous peoples. For example, Anishinaabe traditions and ceremonies will vary from Indigenous people who identify as Haudenosaunee. Ceremonies often follow a seasonal cycle.
Indigenous peoples have the right to promote, develop and maintain their institutional structures and their distinctive customs, spirituality, traditions, procedures, practices and, in the cases where they exist, juridical systems or customs, in accordance with international human rights standards.” – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In HWDSB, we respect our role as treaty partners, to honour and protect the earth and the sacred integrity of Indigenous ceremony.
Muslim holidays are based on the Lunar Calendar. Observances may vary a day before or after the dates given below. Dates are subject to the appearance of the moon. A representative of the Muslim Association will advise HWDSB on the event of variance from the dates shown below
Holy Days
Apr 9-10, 2024 Eid-ul-Fitr
Jun 16, 2024 Eid-ul-Adha
Jul 16, 2024 Ashura
Religious Days of Significance
Sept 27, 2023 Malid un Nabi
Feb 08, 2024 Miraj
Mar 11, 2024 Ramadan Begins
Apr 06, 2024 Lailatul Qadr
Apr 5, 2024 Jumatul Wida
April 09, 2024 Ramadan Ends
Jun 15, 2024 Wuquf-ul-Arafa/Day of Hajj
Jul 07, 2024 Hijra/Muharram (New Year)
Holy Days
Nov 12, 2023 Diwali
Apr 21, 2024 Mahavira Jayanti
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 11-19, 2023 Payushana Parva
Sep 19 , 2023 Samvatsari Day
Sep 28, 2023 Anant Chaturdashi
Oct 28, 2023 Lokashah Jayanti
Feb 15, 2024 Nirvana Day
Please note that Friday evening (sunset) to Saturday evening (sunset) is considered the Sabbath Day and events should not be planned during this time. All Jewish Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset. On Jewish Holy Days, no work is permitted.
Holy Days
Sep 15, 2023 Rosh Hashanah (Day 1)
Sep 17, 2023 Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) Ending at sundown
Sep 24, 2023 Yom Kippur (Day 1)
Sep 25, 2023 Yom Kippur (Day 2) Ending at sundown
Sep 29, 2023 Sukkot – (Day 1)
Sep 30, 2023 Sukkot – (Day 2)
Sep 29-Oct 6, 2023 Sukkot
Oct 6, 2023 Shemini Atzeret
Oct 7, 2023 Simchat Torah
Apr 22-30, 2024 Pesach/Passover
Apr 22-23, 2024 Pesach/Passover (First Days)
Apr 29-30, 2024 Pesach/Passover (Last Days)
Jun 11, 2024 Shavuot (First Day)
Jun 12, 2024 Shavuot (Second Day) Ends Sundown Jun 13, 2024
Aug 12, 2024 Tish’a B’av -Ends Sundown Aug 13, 2024
Days of Religious Significance
Dec 7-15, 2023 Hannukah
Jan 27, 2024 International Holocaust Day
Jan 24, 2024 Tu B’Shevat
March 23, 2024 Purim
May 4, 2024 Yom HaShoah
May 12, 2024 Yom Ha’Atzmaut
May 25, 2024 Lag B’Omer Ends Sundown May 26, 2024
Holy Days
Nov 12, 2023 Bandi Chhor Divas
Nov 27, 2023 Birth of Guru Nank Dev Ji
Jan 17, 2024 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Mar 14, 2024 Sikh New Year (Nanakshahi Calendar)
Apr 13, 2024 Vaisakhi /Khalsa Day
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 16, 2023 Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Nov 24, 2023 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Jan 13, 2024 Maghi
Mar 25, 2024 Holla Mohalla
June 16, 2024 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Holy Days
Sep 21, 2023 Mabon – Imbolic
Oct 31-Nov 1, 2023 Samhain
Dec 21, 2023 Winter Solstice/Yule
Feb 2, 2024 Candlemas – Imbolic
Mar 20, 2024 Ostara/Vernal Equinox
May 1, 2024 Beltane
Jun 20, 2024 Litha/Summer Solstice
Aug 1, 2024 Lughnassad/Lammas
Iranian Zarathustis follow the Fasli Calendar (F)
Most Parsi Zarathustis follow the Shenshahi Calendar (S)
Holy Days
Dec 26, 2023 Zarthost – no Diso (F and S) (death anniversary of Prophet Zarathustra)
Mar 19, 2024 Norouz (F and S)
March 26, 2024 Khoradad Sal (birthday of Prophet Zarathustra) (F)
Days of Religious Significance
Sept 12-16, 2023 Paitishahem Ghambar (F)
Oct 12-16, 2023 Avathrem Ghambar (F)
Dec 31, 2022 -Jan 4, 2024 Maidhyarem Ghambar (F)
Mar 16-20, 2024 Hamaspathmaidyem Ghambar (F)
Apr 30 – May 4, 2024 Maidyozarem Ghambar (F)
Jun 29 – July 3, 2024 Maidyoshem Ghambar (F)
Additional Resources
- Faith and Creed-based Accommodations
- Parent Guide: Religious and Creed-based Accommodations
- Religious Accommodation Procedure
- Religious and Creed Observances and Days of Significance Feedback Form
Updated on Monday, September 18, 2023.