Abstract snowflakes in dark purple fading to gray.
celebratediversity

Spiritual Seasonal Observances – Winter 2025-2026

Warm Greetings, Emersonians,

With the first half of the academic year coming to a close, the upcoming winter break provides an opportunity for joy, rest, and rejuvenation.

This time of year is also important for many spiritual and religious observations. Below is information about our Multifaith Observance Google Calendar, as well as important times of worship, celebration, and traditions of the various spiritual and seasonal holidays that take place throughout the Winter season from December through February.

As our community prepares to transition into break, we hope you find time to reflect on your accomplishments and goals this year. We offer well wishes to each of you and extend care to our community members marking holidays and celebrations important to faith, spiritual, and cultural traditions in the days and weeks ahead.

Multifaith Observance Resources

The Multifaith Observance Google Calendar (MOGC) displays information on important religious and spiritual dates, as well as restrictions to note when planning campus events, course deadlines, meetings, or programs. This campus resource can be synced to your Gmail account.

The MOGC was created through a collaboration between the Division of Community, Culture, and Belonging and Spiritual Life and is based on resources from Harvard Divinity School. Please remember that our Religious Accommodations Policy exists so that holidays can be recognized and honored by members of our community.

The lists and descriptions included on the MOGC are a work in progress. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at celebratediversity@emerson.edu if we can make this tool better.

Multifaith Observance Google Calendar. Text: Click to Add - Multifaith Observance Google Calendar - bit.ly/multifaithcal

Winter Spiritual Observances and Holidays

Hanukkah (Jewish)
Evening of Sunday, December 14 – Monday, January 22

A hand holding the leader candle out to light the menorah for Hanukkah.

  • Also known as the Festival of Lights, this eight-day-long holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabee Jews and the restoration of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Learn more: Hanukkah

Winter Solstice and/or Yule (Pagan)
Sunday, December 21

  • A winter sunset behind a snow-covered forest.The longest night of the year, this solar holiday in the Northern Hemisphere marks the first official day of winter. Yule is the pagan celebration of the rebirth of the sun.
  • Learn More: Yule Festival

Joseph Smith’s Birthday (Latter Day Saints)
Tuesday, December 23

  • Statue atop a Latter Day Saints temple.Celebration of the birthday of Joseph Smith, who founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (formerly known as the Mormon Church).
  • Learn More: Joseph Smith

 

Christmas (Christian)
Thursday, December 25

  • A Christmas nativity scene in clay depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.The annual observance of the birth of Jesus, associated with Advent, ornament-covered Christmas trees, gift giving, and family gatherings.
  • Orthodox Christians follow the Julian Calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7.
  • Learn More: Christmas

Kwanzaa (African-American, Pan-African)
Friday, December 26 – Thursday, January 1

  • A Kwanzaa kinara with three red candles on the left, a single black candle in the center, and three green candles on the right.A week-long celebration of African and African American culture that emphasizes the principles of Unity, Self-Determination, Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
  • Learn More: Kwanzaa

Pongal (Hindu)
Wednesday, January 14 – Saturday, January 17

  • The dish that Losar is named for, a mixture of boiled sweet rice.A four-day festival celebrating the beginning of Thai, an auspicious month in Hindu culture, also the name of the sweet rice dish meaning “to boil over.”
  • Learn More: Pongal

 

Lunar New Year (East Asian)
Tuesday, February 17

  • Two Chinese dragons in a garden.A fifteen-day-long observance of the beginning of a new year and the arrival of spring, involving red paper window decorations, open-air markets, and a Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner.
  • Learn More: Lunar New Year

 

Ramadan (Muslim)
Evening of Tuesday, February 17 – March 19

  • A traditional Ramadan lamp.The 9th month of the Islamic calendar when the Holy Qur’an was shared with Prophet Muhammad, and observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset.
  • Learn More: Ramadan

Losar (Buddhist)
Wednesday, February 18 – Friday, February 20

  • A Tibetan Chemar box containing roasted barley and barley flour.A celebration of both the Tibetan New Year and the achievement of cultural exchanges between the Han and Tibetan peoples, full of rituals, offerings, and family gatherings.
  • Learn More: Tibetan New Year

Ayyám-i-Há (Baháʼí)
Wednesday, February 25 – Sunday, March 1

  • A white cake with rainbow people and the words "Ayyám-i-Há" in icing.A celebration devoted to socialization, hospitality, and giving toward the less fortunate, followed by an annual Nineteen Day Fast.
  • Learn More: Ayyám-i-Há