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
These are Holy Days on which workdays and school days are suspended.
Days of Religious Significance
(Workdays and school days are not suspended)
|
Nov. 26, 2026 |
Day of the Covenant |
|
Nov. 28, 2026 |
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
|
Feb. 25 – Mar. 1, 2027 |
Ayyám-i-Há |
|
Mar 2-20, 2027 |
Days of Fasting |
Buddhism
Holy Days
|
Oct. 10, 2026 |
Pchum Ben (Cambodian Buddhist Ancestors Festival) |
|
Oct 25, 2026 |
Kathina – marks the end of Vassa |
|
Dec. 08, 2026 |
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) |
|
Jan. 22, 2027 |
Mahayana New Year |
|
Feb. 6, 2027 |
Lunar / Chinese New Year |
|
Feb. 7, 2027 |
Losar Tibetan New Year |
|
Feb. 15, 2027 |
Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day) |
|
Feb 21, 2027 |
Magha Puja/Sanga Day |
|
Apr. 13, 2027 |
Theravada New Year |
|
May 13, 2027 |
Vesak/Buddha Day(Commemoration of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment, Nirvana) |
|
May 22, 2027 |
Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday (to 25th) |
|
Jul. 18, 2027 |
Asala – Dharma Day and Guru Punima |
|
Jul. 19, 2027 |
Vassa begins |
|
Aug.13, 2027 |
Obon Festival (Japanese Buddhist Ancestors Festival) |
|
Aug. 24-26, 2027 |
Buddhist Hungry Ghost Festival (Ullabana) |
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, 2026 |
The Birth of Theotokos (Orthodox) |
|
Sep. 11, 2026 |
Coptic New Year |
|
Sep. 14, 2026 |
The Exaltation of the Cross (Orthodox) |
|
Nov. 1, 2026 |
All Saints Day |
|
Nov. 29 - Dec 24, 2026 |
Advent |
|
Jan. 6, 2027 |
Epiphany |
|
Jan 7, 2027 |
Christmas Day (Orthodox) |
|
Jan. 19, 2027 |
Theophany (Orthodox) |
|
Feb. 10, 2027 |
Ash Wednesday – Lent begins |
|
Mar. 21, 2027 |
Palm Sunday |
|
Mar. 25, 2027 |
Maundy Thursday – Lent ends |
|
Apr. 25, 2027 |
Palm Sunday (Orthodox) |
|
May 6, 2027 |
Ascension Day |
|
May 16, 2027 |
Pentecost |
|
Jun. 27, 2027 |
All Saints Day (Orthodox) |
|
Aug 28, 2027 |
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
|
Oct. 19, 2026 |
Maha Navami/Sharad Navarati Ends |
|
Nov. 21, 2026 |
Tulsi Vivaah |
|
Dec. 20, 2026 |
Geeta Jayanti |
|
Feb 11, 2027 |
Vasant Panchami |
|
May 9, 2027 |
Akshay Tritiya |
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
|
Aug 26, 2026 |
Malid un Nabi |
|
Jan. 6, 2027 |
Miraj |
|
Jan 24, 2027 |
Lailat al al Bara’ah |
|
Feb. 7, 2027 (evening) |
Ramadan Begins |
|
Mar. 5, 2027 |
Lailatul Qadr |
|
Mar. 5, 2027 |
Jumu’atul Wida (Last Friday of Ramadan) |
|
Mar. 9, 2027 (evening) |
Ramadan Ends |
|
May 16, 2027 |
Wuquf-ul-Arafa/Day of Hajj (dates may vary) (begins evening before) |
|
Jun. 6, 2027 |
Hijra/Muharram (New Year) (tentative) |
Jainism
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
|
Sept. 25, 2026 |
Anant Chaturdashi |
|
Nov. 5, 2026 |
Lokashah Jayanti |
|
Nov 8, 2026 |
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. 5-12, 2026 |
Hanukkah |
|
Jan 23, 2027 |
Tu Bishvat |
|
Jan. 27, 2027 |
International Holocaust Day |
|
Mar. 23, 2027 |
Purim |
|
May 3-4, 2027 |
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) |
|
May 25, 2027 |
Lag BaOmer |
|
Aug 12, 2027 |
Tish’a B’Av |
Sikhi
Note: Dates are lunar based and so dates may vary.
Holy Days
Days of Religious Significance
|
Sept. 1, 2026 |
Installation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
|
Nov. 24, 2026 |
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji |
|
Jan. 14, 2027 |
Maghi |
|
Mar. 23-25, 2027 |
Holla Mohalla |
|
Jun. 16, 2027 |
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji |
Wiccan
|
Sept. 22, 2026 |
Mabon |
|
Nov. 1, 2026 |
Samhain |
|
Dec. 21, 2026 |
Winter Solstice / Yule |
|
Feb. 1, 2027 |
Candlemas – Imbolc |
|
Mar. 20, 2027 |
Ostara / Vernal Equinox |
|
May 1, 2027 |
Beltane |
|
Jun. 21, 2027 |
Litha / Summer Solstice |
|
Aug. 1, 2027 |
Lughnasadh / 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, 2026 |
Paitishahem Ghambar (F) |
|
Oct. 12 – 16, 2026 |
Avathrem Ghambar (F) |
|
Dec. 31, 2026 – Jan. 4, 2027 |
Maidhyarem Ghambar (F) |
|
Mar. 16 – 20, 2027 |
Hamaspathmaidyem Ghambar (F) |
|
Apr. 30 – May 4, 2027 |
Maidyozarem Ghambar (F) |
|
Jun. 29 – July 3, 2027 |
Maidyoshem Ghambar (F) |