The MOGC was created through a collaboration between the Division of Community, Culture, and Belonging<\/a> and Spiritual Life<\/a> and is based on resources from Harvard Divinity School. Please remember that our Religious Accommodations Policy<\/a> exists so that holidays can be recognized and honored by members of our community.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> if we can make this tool better.<\/p>\n Hanukkah (Jewish) Winter Solstice and\/or Yule (Pagan) Joseph Smith\u2019s Birthday (Latter Day Saints) <\/p>\n Christmas (Christian) Kwanzaa (African-American, Pan-African) Pongal (Hindu) <\/p>\n Lunar New Year (East Asian) <\/p>\n Ramadan (Muslim) Losar (Buddhist) Ayy\u00e1m-i-H\u00e1 (Bah\u00e1\u02bc\u00ed)![\"Multifaith](\"https:\/\/websites.emerson.edu\/celebrate-diversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/12\/multifaith-observance-google-calendar-_8_-300x169.png\")
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\nWinter Spiritual Observances and Holidays<\/h2>\n
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\nEvening of Sunday, December 14 \u2013 Monday, January 22<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/websites.emerson.edu\/celebrate-diversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/12\/2-300x300.png\")
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\nSunday, December 21
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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.<\/li>\n
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\nTuesday, December 23
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Celebration of the birthday of Joseph Smith, who founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (formerly known as the Mormon Church).<\/li>\n
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\nThursday, December 25
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The annual observance of the birth of Jesus, associated with Advent, ornament-covered Christmas trees, gift giving, and family gatherings.<\/li>\n
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\nFriday, December 26 \u2013 Thursday, January 1
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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.<\/li>\n
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\nWednesday, January 14 \u2013 Saturday, January 17
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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.”<\/li>\n
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\nTuesday, February 17
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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\u2019s Eve reunion dinner.<\/li>\n
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\nEvening of Tuesday, February 17 \u2013 March 19
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The 9th month of the Islamic calendar when the Holy Qur\u2019an was shared with Prophet Muhammad, and observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset.<\/li>\n
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\nWednesday, February 18 \u2013 Friday, February 20
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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.<\/li>\n
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\nWednesday, February 25 \u2013 Sunday, March 1
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A celebration devoted to socialization, hospitality, and giving toward the less fortunate, followed by an annual Nineteen Day Fast.<\/li>\n