January - February

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. It joins communitarian values and practices of Continental African and African American culture. Activities are organized around The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba): umoja (unity), kujichaguilia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamma (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith).

General Practices: Celebrations include feasts, music, dance, poetry and narratives. The holiday concludes with a days of reflection and commitment to the Seven Principles.

Gantan-sai (Shinto)

Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion.

General Practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on this date (work holiday).

Epiphany / Twelfth Night / Three Kings Day (Christian / Roman Catholic and Protestant)

This date is also known as Befana Day; commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus.

General Practices: Prayer, festive meals, offerings, gifts.

Christmas (Eastern Orthodox Christian)

Christmas is an annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah whose message and self-sacrifice began the Christian religion.

General Practices: Many celebrate this holiday by attending church services, holding celebratory meals and visiting family.

Date details: Eastern Orthodox Christmas is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Because this holiday typically falls during winter break, academic accommodations may not be required. However, many Eastern Orthodox employees will probably request this day off.

Imbolc/Candlemas (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)

Also referred to as the Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Lights, and Oimele. Celebrates the coming of spring and recovery of the Earth Goddess after giving birth to the Sun God at Yule. For many traditions, a time for initiations, re-dedication and pledges for the coming year. One of the four “greater Sabbats.”

General Practices: Activities might include making candles, reading poetry and telling stories.

Setsubun-sai (Shinto)

Setsubum-sai marks the beginning of spring, and is known as the “bean-throwing festival. The faithful scatter roasted beans to bring good luck to the new season.

Chinese New Year (Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist)

This is the most important of traditional Chinese holidays.

General Practices: Families gather together to spend the evening preparing boiled dumplings and festive meals and giving of money to children in red envelopes.

Date details: Corresponds to the New Moon in Aquarius, which can fall from late January to mid-February.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Many Chinese employees will probably request this day off.

Ash Wednesday (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant)

This is the first day of Lent, the period of forty days before Easter in which many Christians sacrifice ordinary pleasures to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

General Practices: On this day, there are special church services, and the faithful wear a cross of ashes marked on foreheads. Most Christians abstain from meat on this day.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Provide food accommodation as requested—prohibitions include animal products.

Magha Puja Day (Buddhist)

Magha Puja Day commemorates an important event in the life of the Buddha, in which the four disciples traveled to join the Buddha.