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)
- October 26, 2022 – Birth of the Báb
- October 27, 2022 – Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Naw -Rúz (Bahá’ i New Year)
- March 21, 2023 – First Day of Ridván
- April 21, 2023 – Ninth Day of Ridván Twelfth
- April 29, 2023 – Day of Ridván
- May 2, 2023 – Declaration of the Báb
- May 24, 2023 – Ascension of Bahá’u’ lláh
- July 10, 2023 Martyrdom of the Báb
Days of Religious Significance
(Workdays and school days are not suspended)
- November 26, 2022 – Day of the Covenant
- November 28, 2023 – Ascension of Ábdu’l-Bahá
- February 26 to March 1, 2023 – Ayyám-i-Há
- March 2 to 20, 2023 – Days of Fasting
Holy Days
- October 14, 2022 – Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Pravrajya
- November 8, 2022 – Ananpanasati Day/Loi Krathong
- December 10, 2022 – Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
- December 31, 2022 – Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)
- January 7, 2023 – Mahayana New Year
- January 22, 2023 – Chinese New Year
- February 5, 2023 – Magha Puja/Sanga Day
- February 15, 2023 – Parinirvana Day
- February 21, 2023 – Tibetan New Year (Losar)
- April 13 & 14, 2023 – Theravada New Year
- May 5, 2023 – Vesak/Buddha Day (Commemoration of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment, Nirvana)
- June 14, 2023 – Poson Poya Day (Asalha Puja Day)
- July 3, 2023 – Asalha Puja
- July 3, 2023 – Guru Purnima
- July 13, 2023 – Vassa begins
- August 13, 2023 – Bon Fesitval
Holy Days
- December 25, 2022 – Christmas Day
- January 7, 2023 – Orthodox Christmas
- April 7, 2023 – Good Friday
- April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday
- April 14, 2023 – Holy Friday (Orthodox)
- April 16, 2023 – Orthodox Easter – Pascha
- April 17, 2023 – Bright Monday (Orthodox)
- May 25, 2023 – Ascension (Orthodox)
- June 4, 2023 – Pentecost (Orthodox)
- August 19, 2023 – Transfiguration (Orthodox)
- Date will vary based on patron saint of individual Family Patron Saint
Please note that dates will vary for Family Patron Saints.
Days of Religious Significance
- September 11, 2022 – Coptic New Year
- November 1, 2022 – All Saints Day
- November 27 to December 24, 2022 – Advent
- January 6, 2023 – Epiphany
- January 6, 2023 – Theophany (Orthodox)
- February 19, 2023 – Transfiguration
- February 22, 2023 – Ash Wednesday
- April 2, 2023 – Palm Sunday
- April 6, 2023 – Maunday Thursday
- April 9, 2023 – Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
- May 18, 2023 – Ascension Day
- May 28, 2023 – Pentecost
- June 11, 2023 – All Saints Day (Orthodox)
- August 15, 2023 – Dormition
Holy Days
- October 24, 2022 – Diwali
- January 14, 2023 – Makar Sankranti
- February 5, 2023 – Thaipusam
- February 18, 2023 – Maha Shivaratri
- March 7, 2023 – Holi
Days of Religious Significance
- September 26, 2022 – Sharad Navarati Begins
- October 4, 2022 – Sharad Navarati Ends
- October 5, 2022 – Dasera
- January 25, 2023 – Vasant Panchami
- March 22, 2023 – Chaitra Navratri
- March 30, 2023 – 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
- April 21 to 22, 2023 – Eid-ul-Fitr
- June 28 to 29, 2023 – Eid-ul-Adha
- July 27 to 28, 2023 – Ashura
Religious Days of Significance
- October 8, 2022 – Mawlid al Nabi
- February 17, 2023 – Isr’a Wa Me’raaj / Lailat al Miraj
- March 22, 2023 – Ramadan Begins
- April 18, 2023 – Lailat-ul-Qadr
- April 20, 2023 – Ramadan Ends
- April 21, 2023 – Jum’atul-Wida
- June 27, 2023 – Wuquf-ul-Arafa / Day of Hajj
- July 19, 2023 – Hijra / Muharram (New Year)
Holy Days
- October 24, 2022 – Diwali
- April 4, 2023 – Mahavira Jayanti
Days of Religious Significance
- August 23 to 30, 2022 – Payushana Parva
- September 9, 2022 – Anant Chaturdashi
- November 22, 2022 – Lokashah Jayanti
- February 15, 2023 – 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
- September 25, 2022 – Rosh Hashanah (Day 1)
- September 26, 2022 – Rosh Hashanah (Day 2) Ending at sundown September 27, 2022
- October 5, 2022 – Yom Kippur
- October 9, 2022 – Sukkot – (Day 1)
- October 10, 2022 – Sukkot – (Day 2)
- October 9 to 16, 2022 – Sukkot
- October 17, 2022 – Shemini Atzeret
- October 18, 2022 – Simchat Torah
- April 5 to 6, 2023 – Pesach/Passover (First Days)
- April 5 to 13, 2023 – Pesach/Passover
- April 12 to 13, 2023 – Pesach/Passover (Last Days)
- May 25, 2023 – Shavuot (First Day)
- May 26, 2023 – Shavuot (Second Day) Ends Sundown May 27, 2023
- July 26, 2023 – Tish’a B’av -Ends Sundown July 27, 2023
Days of Religious Significance
- December 18 to 26, 2022 – Hannukah
- January 27, 2023 – International Holocaust Day
- February 5, 2023 – Tu B’Shevat
- March 7, 2023 – Purim
- April 17, 2023 – Yom HaShoah
- April 25, 2023 – Yom Ha’Atzmaut
- May 28, 2023 – Lag B’Omer Ends Sundown May 9, 2023
Holy Days
- October 24, 2022 – Bandi Chhor Divas
- November 8, 2022 – Birth of Guru Nank Dev Ji
- January 5, 2023 – Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- March 14, 2023 – Sikh New Year (Nanakshahi Calendar)
- April 14, 2023 – Vaisakhi /Khalsa Day
Days of Religious Significance
- September 1, 2022 – Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
- November 24, 2022 – Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
- January 13, 2023 – Maghi
- March 14, 2023 – Holla Mohalla
- June 16, 2023 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Holy Days
- September 22, 2022 – Mabon – Imbolic
- October 31 to November 1, 2022 – Samhain
- December 21, 2022 – Winter Solstice/Yule
- February 2, 2023 – Candlemas – Imbolic
- March 21, 2023 – Ostara/Vernal Equinox
- May 21, 2023 – Beltane
- June 21, 2023 – Litha/Summer Solstice
- July 31 or August 1, 2023 – Lughnassad/Lammas
Iranian Zarathustis follow the Fasli Calendar (F)
Most Parsi Zarathustis follow the Shenshahi Calendar (S)
Holy Days
- December 26, 2022 – Zarthost – no Diso (F and S)
(death anniversary of Prophet Zarathustra) - March 21, 2023 – Norouz (F and S)
- March 26, 2023 – Khoradad Sal (birthday of Prophet Zarathustra) (F)
Days of Religious Significance
- September 12 to 16, 2022 Paitishahem Ghambar (F)
- October 12 to 16, 2022 Avathrem Ghambar (F)
- December 31, 2022 to January 4, 2023 Maidhyarem Ghambar (F)
- March 16 to 20, 2023 Hamaspathmaidyem Ghambar (F)
- April 30 to May 4, 2023 Maidyozarem Ghambar (F)
- June 29 to July 3, 2023 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 Friday, October 07, 2022.