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
- Heathenism
- 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)
Nov 2, 2024 Birth of the Báb
Nov 3, 2024 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
Mar 20, 2025 Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year)
Apr 20, 2025 First Day of Ridván
Apr 28, 2025 Ninth Day of Ridván
May 1, 2025 Twelfth Day of Ridván
May 23, 2025 Declaration of the Báb
May 28, 2025 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
Jul 9, 2025 Martyrdom of the Báb
Days of Religious Significance
(Workdays and school days are not suspended)
Nov 25, 2024 Day of the Covenant
Nov 27, 2024 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Feb 25 – 28, 2025 Ayyám-i-Há
Mar 1-19, 2025 Days of Fasting
Holy Days
Dec 08, 2024 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)
Dec 17, 2024 Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
Jan 14, 2025 Mahayana New Year
Feb 13, 2025 Magha Puja/Sanga Day
Feb 15, 2025 Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day)
May 12, 2025 Vesak/Buddha Day(Commemoration of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment, Nirvana)
Jul 10, 2025 Asala – Dharma Day and Guru Punima
Jul 11, 2025 Vassa begins
Aug 13, 2025 Bon Festival (Japanese Buddhist Ancestors Festival)
Sept 6, 2025 Buddhist Hungry Ghost Festival (Ullabana)
Sept 21-13, 2025 Pchum Ben(Cambodian Buddhist Ancestors Festival)
Note: Orthodox Christians may use different calendars so there may be two dates listed for the same observance.
Holy Days
Dec 25, 2024 Christmas Day
Jan 7, 2025 Orthodox Christmas
Apr 18, 2025 Good Friday
Apr 18, 2025 Holy Friday (Orthodox)
Apr 20, 2025 Easter Sunday
Apr 20, 2025 Orthodox Easter – Pascha
Apr 21, 2025 Bright Monday (Orthodox)
May 29, 2025 Ascension (Orthodox)
Jun 8, 2025 Pentecost (Orthodox)
Aug 6 or 19, 2025 Transfiguration (Orthodox)
Please note that dates will vary for Family Patron Saints.
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 8 or 21, 2024 The Birth of Theotokos(Orthodox)
Sep 11, 2024 Coptic New Year
Sep 14 or 27, 2024 The Exaltation of the Cross (Orthodox)
Nov 1, 2024 All Saints Day
Dec 1-Dec 24, 2024 Advent
Jan 6, 2025 Epiphany
Jan 6 or 19, 2025 Theophany (Orthodox)
Mar 2, 2025 Transfiguration
Mar 5, 2025 Ash Wednesday
Apr 13, 2025 Palm Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
Apr 17, 2025 Maunday Thursday
May 29, 2025 Ascension Day
Jun 8, 2025 Pentecost
Jun 15, 2025 All Saints Day (Orthodox)
Aug 15 or 28, 2025 Dormition
Holy Days center on the ability to come together as a kindred to celebrate what are called blot and symbel, generally near the change of the seasons. Dates will vary depending on the chosen kindred.
Holy Days
Sept 7, 2024 Ganesh Chaturhi
Sept 16, 2024 Anant Chaturdashi
Oct 3, 2024 Sharad Navarati Begins
Oct 10, 2024 Durga Ashtami
Oct 11, 2024 Maha Navami/Sharad Navarati Ends
Oct 12, 2024 Vijaya Dashmi/Dussehra
Oct 29, 2024 Dhan Teras- Deepawali Begins
Oct 30, 2024 Narak Chaturdashi
Oct 31, 2024 Deepawali Day/Sharda Poojan
Nov 1, 2024 Govardhan Pooja
Nov 2, 2024 Bhai Dooj/Deepawali Ends
Jan 13-14, 2025 Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Maghi Bih, Pongal, Uttarayan
Feb 25, 2025 Mahashivaratri
Mar 14, 2025 Holi
Mar 30, 2025 Chaitra Navratri
April 5, 2025 Shri Ramnavmi
April 12, 2025 Hanuman Jayanti
Aug 15, 2025 Shri Krishna Janmaashtami
Aug 26, 2025 Ganesh/Vinayak Chauth
Days of Religious Significance
Nov 13, 2024 Tulsi Vivaah
Dec 11, 2024 Geeta Jayanti
Feb 2, 2025 Vasant Panchami
Indigenous philosophy and ceremony refer to the 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 by 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. Dates are also used from the Fiqh Council website.
Holy Days
Mar 30-31, 2025 Eid-ul-Fitr
Jun 7, 2025 Eid-ul-Adha
Jul 5, 2025 Ashura
Religious Days of Significance
Sept 16, 2024 Malid un Nabi
Jan 27, 2025 Miraj
Feb 28, 2025 Ramadan Begins
Mar 27, 2025 Lailatul Qadr
Mar 31, 2025 Jumatul Wida
Mar 31, 2025 Ramadan Ends
Jun 6, 2025 Wuquf-ul-Arafa/Day of Hajj
Jun 26, 2025 Hijra/Muharram (New Year)
Holy Days
Oct 31, 2024 Diwali
Apr 10, 2025 Mahavira Jayanti
Days of Religious Significance
Aug 31-Sep 7, 2024 Payushana Parva
Sep 7, 2024 Samvatsari Day
Sep 16, 2024 Anant Chaturdashi
Nov 15, 2024 Lokashah Jayanti
Feb 15, 2025 Nirvana Day
Note: 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
Oct 2, 2024 Rosh Hashanah (Day 1)
Oct 4, 2024 Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) Ending at sundown
Oct 11, 2024 Yom Kippur
Oct 16, 2024 Sukkot – (Day 1)
Oct 17, 2024 Sukkot – (Day 2)
Oct 16-23, 2024 Sukkot
Oct 23, 2024 Shemini Atzeret
Oct 24, 2024 Simchat Torah
Apr 12-20, 2025 Pesach/Passover
Apr 12-13, 2025 Pesach/Passover (First Days)
Apr 19-20, 2025 Pesach/Passover (Last Days)
Jun 1, 2025 Shavuot (First Day)
Jun 2, 2025 Shavuot (Second Day) Ends Sundown Jun 3, 2025
Aug 2, 2025 Tish’a B’av -Ends Sundown Aug 3, 2025
Days of Religious Significance
Dec 25, 2023-Jan 2, 2024 Hannukah
Jan 27, 2025 International Holocaust Day
Feb 12, 2025 Tu B’Shevat
Mar 13, 2025 Purim
Apr 23, 2025 Yom HaShoah
May 2, 2025 Yom Ha’Atzmaut
May 15, 2025 Lag B’Omer Ends Sundown May 16, 2025
Note: Dates are lunar based and so dates may vary.
Holy Days
Nov 1, 2024 Bandi Chhor Divas
Nov 15, 2024 Birth of Guru Nank Dev Ji
Jan 6, 2025 Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Mar 14, 2025 Sikh New Year (Nanakshahi Calendar)
Apr 14, 2025 Vaisakhi /Khalsa Day
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 4, 2024 Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Nov 24, 2024 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Jan 14, 2025 Maghi
Mar 14, 2025 Holla Mohalla
June 16, 2025 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Holy Days
Sep 22, 2024 Mabon – Imbolic
Oct 31-Nov 1, 2024 Samhain
Dec 21, 2024 Winter Solstice/Yule
Feb 2, 2025 Candlemas – Imbolic
Mar 20, 2025 Ostara/Vernal Equinox
May 1, 2025 Beltane
Jun 20, 2025 Litha/Summer Solstice
Aug 1, 2025 Lughnassad/Lammas
Iranian Zarathustis follow the Fasli Calendar (F)
Most Parsi Zarathustis follow the Shenshahi Calendar (S)
Holy Days
Dec 26, 2024 Zarthost – no Diso (F and S)(death anniversary of Prophet Zarathustra)
Mar 21, 2025 Norouz (F and S)
Mar 26, 2025 Khoradad Sal (birthday of Prophet Zarathustra) (F)
Days of Religious Significance
Sept 12-16, 2024 Paitishahem Ghambar (F)
Oct 12-16, 2024 Avathrem Ghambar (F)
Dec 31, 2024 -Jan 4, 2025 Maidhyarem Ghambar (F)
Mar 16-20, 2025 Hamaspathmaidyem Ghambar (F)
Apr 30 – May 4, 2025 Maidyozarem Ghambar (F)
Jun 29 – July 3, 2025 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 Tuesday, July 23, 2024.