Religious and Creed Observances and Days of Significance
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to working with students and families to create inclusive classroom and school environments. Through HWDSB’s Faith Community Advisory Committee (FCAC) and Student and Staff Census Data, the following listing of religious and creed-based observances/days of significance has been established.
The following religions and spirituality are represented in this calendar include:
| Baha’i | Hinduism | Jainism | Wiccan |
| Buddhism | Islam | Judaism | Zoroastrianism |
| Christianity | Indigenous Philosophy | Sikh |
Students, families and community members are invited to complete this feedback form to share information not captured in the existing listing. Information submitted can include creeds or faiths, holy days, days of significance or more.
Please note that information submitted will be collected and reviewed by HWDSB staff for consideration in future listings. All listings will be determined in consultation with HWDSB’s Faith Community Advisory Committee. Submissions will not receive individual replies.
Baha'i
All Baha’I Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset.
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
(Workdays and school days are not suspended)
Nov 25, 2025 Day of the Covenant
Nov 27, 2025 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Feb 25 – March 1, 2026 Ayyám-i-Há
Mar 2-20, 2026 Days of Fasting
Buddhism
Holy Days
Sept 6, 2025 Buddhist Hungry Ghost Festival (Ullabana)
Dec 08, 2025 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)
Jan 3, 2026 Mahayana New Year
Feb 15, 2026 Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day)
March 3, 2026 Magha Puja/Sanga Day
May 5, 2026 Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
May 24, 2026 Vesak/Buddha Day (Commemoration of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment, Nirvana)
Jul 29, 2026 Asala – Dharma Day and Guru Punima
Jul 24, 2026 Vassa begins
Aug 13, 2026 Bon Festival (Japanese Buddhist Ancestors Festival)
Sept 21, 2026 Pchum Ben (Cambodian Buddhist Ancestors Festival)
Christianity
Note: Orthodox Christians may use different calendars so there may be two dates listed for the same observance.
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 21, 2025 The Birth of Theotokos (Orthodox)
Sep 11, 2025 Coptic New Year
Sep 14, 2025 The Exaltation of the Cross (Orthodox)
Nov 1, 2025 All Saints Day
Nov 30-Dec 24, 2025 Advent
Jan 6, 2026 Epiphany
Jan 19, 2026 Theophany (Orthodox)
Feb 15, 2026 Transfiguration
Feb 18, 2026 Ash Wednesday
March 29, 2026 Palm Sunday
Apr 5, 2026 Palm Sunday (Orthodox)
Apr 2, 2026 Maunday Thursday
May 14, 2026 Ascension Day
May 24, 2026 Pentecost
Jun 6, 2026 All Saints Day (Orthodox)
Aug 28, 2026 Dormition
Heathenism
Holy Days center on the ability to come together as a kindred to celebrate what are called blot and symbel, generally near the change of the seasons. Dates will vary depending on the chosen kindred.
Hinduism
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Nov 20, 2025 Tulsi Vivaah
Dec 1, 2025 Geeta Jayanti
Jan 23, 2026 Vasant Panchami
Indigenous Philosophy
Indigenous philosophy and ceremony refer to the beliefs and practices that Indigenous peoples identify as being ‘traditional’ or ‘customary’ among Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous traditions and ceremonies differ amongst Indigenous peoples. For example, Anishinaabe traditions and ceremonies will vary from Indigenous people who identify as Haudenosaunee. Ceremonies often follow a seasonal cycle.
Indigenous peoples have the right to promote, develop and maintain their institutional structures and their distinctive customs, spirituality, traditions, procedures, practices and, in the cases where they exist, juridical systems or customs, in accordance with international human rights standards.” – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In HWDSB, we respect our role as treaty partners, to honour and protect the earth and the sacred integrity of Indigenous ceremony.
Islam
Muslim holidays are based on the Lunar Calendar. Observances may vary by a day before or after the dates given below. Dates are subject to the appearance of the moon. A representative of the Muslim Association will advise HWDSB on the event of variance from the dates shown below. Dates are also used from the Fiqh Council website.
Holy Days
Religious Days of Significance
Sept 5, 2025 Malid un Nabi
Jan 16, 2026 Miraj
Feb 17, 2026 Ramadan Begins
Mar 15, 2026 Lailatul Qadr
Mar 31, 2025 Jumatul Wida
Mar 19, 2026 Ramadan Ends
May 24, 2026 Wuquf-ul-Arafa/Day of Hajj
May 27, 2026 Hijra/Muharram (New Year)
Jainism
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Sept 8-15, 2026 Payushana Parva
Sep 15, 2026 Samvatsari Day
Sep 6, 2025 Anant Chaturdashi
Nov 5, 2025 Lokashah Jayanti
Feb 15, 2025 Nirvana Day
Judaism
Note: Friday evening (sunset) to Saturday evening (sunset) is considered the Sabbath Day and events should not be planned during this time. All Jewish Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset. On Jewish Holy Days, no work is permitted.
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Dec 14, 2025-Dec 22, 2025 Hannukah
Jan 27, 2026 International Holocaust Day
Feb 2, 2026 Tu B’Shevat
Mar 3, 2026 Purim
Apr 14, 2026 Yom HaShoah
April 22, 2026 Yom Ha’Atzmaut
May 5, 2026 Lag B’Omer Ends Sundown May 16, 2025
Sikhi
Note: Dates are lunar based and so dates may vary.
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Sep 1, 2025 Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Nov 24, 2025 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Jan 13, 2026 Maghi
Mar 4, 2026 Holla Mohalla
June 16, 2026 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Wiccan
Sep 22, 2025 Mabon – Imbolic
Oct 31-Nov 1, 2025 Samhain
Dec 21, 2025 Winter Solstice/Yule
Feb 2, 2026 Candlemas – Imbolic
Mar 20, 2026 Ostara/Vernal Equinox
May 1, 2026 Beltane
Jun 20, 2026 Litha/Summer Solstice
Aug 1, 2026 Lughnassad/Lammas
Zoroastrianism
Iranian Zarathustis follow the Fasli Calendar (F)
Most Parsi Zarathustis follow the Shenshahi Calendar (S)
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
Sept 12-16, 2025 Paitishahem Ghambar (F)
Oct 12-16, 2025 Avathrem Ghambar (F)
Dec 31, 2025 -Jan 4, 2026 Maidhyarem Ghambar (F)
Mar 16-20, 2026 Hamaspathmaidyem Ghambar (F)
Apr 30 – May 4, 2026 Maidyozarem Ghambar (F)
Jun 29 – July 3, 2026 Maidyoshem Ghambar (F)