November - December

All Saints Day (Christian / Roman Catholic)

All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a Christian festival celebrated in honor of saints known and unknown.

General Practices: All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation on the Catholic religious calendar, where practicing Catholics are required to attend Mass and have a day of rest.

Date details:  All Saints Day is a day on the General Roman Calendar, confirmed by the Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America, which regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic churches in the United States.  

Commonly Used Accommodations: Academic accommodations may be required. Practicing Catholic students and employees may request this day off.

Hanukkah / Chanukah – Begins at Sundown (Jewish)

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and lasts for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. The history of the holiday involves a historic military victory in which a Jewish sect called the Maccabees defeated the Syrian Greeks. The celebration commemorates a miracle in which a sacred temple flame burned for eight days on only one day’s worth of oil.

General Practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah candelabrum until all eight candles are lit. Jews celebrate with food and song, as well as exchanging gifts for eight days.

Date details: Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first day.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).

Yule/Midwinter/Alban Arthan/Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)

The longest night of the year followed by the sun’s “rebirth” and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.

General Practices: Burning the yule log (which was traditionally  part of last year’s yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return.

Christmas (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant)

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 giving gifts, attending church services, decorating Christmas trees, and visiting family.

Date details: Begins at sundown on Dec. 24 annually and continues with all day celebration on Dec. 25.

Commonly Used Accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required.

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.

All Saints Day (Christian / Roman Catholic)

All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, Hallowmas, the Feast of All Saints, or Solemnity of All Saints, is a Christian festival celebrated in honor of saints known and unknown.
General Practices: All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation on the Catholic religious calendar, where practicing Catholics are required to attend Mass and have a day of rest.
Date details:  All Saints Day is a day on the General Roman Calendar, confirmed by the Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America, which regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic churches in the United States.  
Commonly Used Accommodations: Academic accommodations may be required. Practicing Catholic students and employees may request this day off.

Yule/Midwinter/Alban Arthan/Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)

The longest night of the year followed by the sun’s “rebirth” and lengthening of days. In most traditions, Yule is celebrated as the rebirth of the Great God, who is viewed as the newborn solstice sun. Some pagans consider Yule to be the beginning of the new year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.

General Practices: Burning the yule log (which was traditionally  part of last year’s yule tree) is an act of faith and renewal that, indeed, the light, and the warmth will return.

Christmas (Christian/Roman Catholic and Protestant)

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 giving gifts, attending church services, decorating Christmas trees, and visiting family.

Date details: Begins at sundown on Dec. 24 annually and continues with all day celebration on Dec. 25.

Commonly Used Accommodations: This is a national holiday in the United States, so special accommodations are likely not required.

Hanukkah / Chanukah – Begins at Sundown (Jewish)

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, and lasts for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. The history of the holiday involves a historic military victory in which a Jewish sect called the Maccabees defeated the Syrian Greeks. The celebration commemorates a miracle in which a sacred temple flame burned for eight days on only one day’s worth of oil.

General Practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah candelabrum until all eight candles are lit. Jews celebrate with food and song, as well as exchanging gifts for eight days.

Date details: Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first day.

Commonly Used Accommodations: Academics and work permitted, not a work holiday. Provide food accommodation as requested (kosher restrictions apply—potato pancakes, doughnuts or other fried food is customary).

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.