Emersonians,
We send warm greetings to each of you.
The end of the fall semester closes the first half of our academic year. The upcoming break provides an opportunity for respite and reflection, and we hope you find space to celebrate accomplishments and share joy with loved ones.
We also take this opportunity to share information about times of worship, celebration, and traditions of some of the many religious, spiritual, and cultural holidays and observances that come between December and February.
We encourage you to explore your own way of finding comfort and connection this season.
Multifaith Observance Resources
A reminder that the Multifaith Observance Google Calendar can be synced to your personal Gmail account. The Multifaith Observance Google Calendar displays information on important religious and spiritual dates, as well as restrictions to note when planning campus events, course deadlines, meetings, or programs. The detailed spreadsheet list of these dates is also available at Multifaith Holidays through Academic Year 2027. This resource from the Center of Spiritual Life, based on resources from Harvard Divinity School, provides vital information. Please remember that our Religious Observance Policy exists so that holidays can be recognized and honored by members of our community.
Please know that these lists and descriptions are a work in progress; even within faith communities there is diversity as to how and when people mark ceremonies and rituals. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at celebratediversity@emerson.edu if we have inadvertently missed or erred in any of the information in this communication.
Winter Spiritual Observances and Holidays
Winter Solstice and/or Yule (Pagan)
- Saturday, December 21.
- Winter Solstice: A solar holiday in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest nightof the year.
- Yule: One of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins from thousands of years ago.
- Learn More: Yule Festival
Joseph Smith’s Birthday (Latter Day Saints)
- Saturday, December 23.
- Celebration of the birthday of the founder of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
- Learn More: Joseph Smith
Hanukkah (Jewish)
- Evening of Wednesday, December 25–Thursday, January 2.
- Hebrew for “dedication,” also known as the Festival of Lights.
- Learn More: The History of Hanukkah.
Christmas (Christian, Buddhist)
- Wednesday, December 25.
- Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Tuesday, January 7.
- Annual observance of the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Learn More: Nativity Fast.
Kwanzaa (African-American, Pan-African)
- Thursday, December 26–Wednesday, January 1.
- Week-long celebration of African thought, practice, community, culture and heritage.
- Learn More: National Museum of African American History: Kwanzaa
Pongal (Hindu)
- Tuesday, January 14-Friday, January 17.
- A multi-day festival celebration to thank the Sun, Mother Nature, and farm animals that help to contribute to a bountiful harvest.
- Learn More: Pongal 2024.
Lunar New Year (East Asian)
- Wednesday, January 29.
- Most important holiday in China and widely celebrated in many Asian cultures; marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
- Learn More: What is Lunar New Year?
Ayyám-i-Há (Baháʼí)
- Tuesday, February 25–Friday, February 28.
- Celebration devoted to charity, gift-giving and festivities prior to the annual Nineteen Day Fast.
- Learn More: An Introduction to
Ayyam-i-Ha.
Losar (Buddhist)
- Friday, February 28– Sunday, March 2.
- Tibetan New Year festival, falls on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan lunisolar calendar (in February or March), as determined by astrologers.
- Learn More: Tibetan New Year 2025.