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Holidays and Religious Observances
Celebrating Holidays and Diversity
It is important to acknowledge the diverse religious and cultural observances that occur throughout the year. This diversity of religious and cultural beliefs, like other forms of diversity, enriches our University community and the work and learning that occurs here. There are often questions on how to celebrate diversity while also being respectful of our individual differences. The display of religious symbols in private spaces, like the display of other personal objects in individual work areas, is permitted. In public spaces, promoting one religious practice or observance to the exclusion or diminution of others is inconsistent with the University's status as a public institution and its commitment to inclusion. Regardless of what religion one practices or whether one practices none at all, please be mindful to demonstrate respect for those whose beliefs and practices may differ. Please contact the University of Minnesota Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action should you have any questions.
Below is a list of major Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and Jewish holidays and religious observances, and U.S. public (Federal) holidays for the next two academic years. This list is not exhaustive and observances are not necessarily days when individuals will not attend work or school.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action encourages students, staff, and faculty to consult the calendar before scheduling events or exams. For more information on religious accommodations resources, please visit the EOAA website.
NOTES: Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and will be celebrated approximately around the dates listed. Dates listed with the word "evening" generally begin and end at sundown on the respective days. Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is observed weekly from around sundown on Friday to around sundown on Saturday and is a time where one is to refrain from work and other activities.
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Holiday or Observance
Religious Group
New Year's Day January 1, 2021 University closed
Orthodox Christmas Christian January 7, 2021
Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 18, 2021 University closed
Lunar New Year February 12, 2021
Presidents Day February 15, 2021
Maha Shivaratri Hindu March 11, 2021
Holi Hindu March 28 (evening) - March 29 (evening), 2021
Purim Jewish February 26 (evening) - February 27 (evening), 2021
Rama Navami Hindu April 21, 2021
Good Friday Christian April 2, 2021
Passover Jewish March 27 (evening) - April 3 (evening), 2021
Easter Christian April 4, 2021
Orthodox Good Friday Christian April 30, 2021
Orthodox Easter Christian May 2, 2021
Ramadan Muslim April 12 (evening) - May 11 (evening), 2021
Memorial Day May 31, 2021 University closed
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Muslim June 3 (evening) - June 5, 2019
Shavuot Jewish June 8 (evening) - June 10 (evening), 2019
Independence Day July 4, 2019 University closed
Eid al-Adha Musllm August 10 (evening) - August 11 (evening), 2019
Krishna Janmashtami Hindu August 24, 2019
Labor Day September 2, 2019 University closed
Rosh Hashanah Jewish September 29 (evening) - October 1 (evening), 2019
Navaratri Hindu September 29 - October 8, 2019
Vijayadashami Hindu October 8, 2019
Yom Kippur Jewish October 8 (evening) - October 9 (evening), 2019
Sukkot Jewish October 13 (evening) - October 20 (evening), 2019
Indigenous Peoples' Day October 14, 2019
Shemini Atzeret Jewish October 20 (evening) - October 22 (evening), 2019
Simchat Torah Jewish October 21 (evening) - October 22 (evening), 2019
Diwali Hindu October 27, 2019
Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2019 University closed
Hanukkah/Chanukah Jewish December 22 (evening) - December 30 (evening), 2019
Christmas Day Christian December 25, 2019 University closed
Lunar New Year January 25, 2020
Maha Shivaratri Hindu February 21, 2020
Holi Hindu March 9 (evening) - March 10 (evening), 2020
Purim Jewish March 9 (evening) - March 10 (evening), 2020
Rama Navami Hindu April 2, 2020
Passover Jewish April 8 (evening) - April 16 (evening), 2020
Good Friday Christian April 10, 2020
Easter Christian April 12, 2020
Orthodox Easter Christian April 19, 2020
Eid al-Fitr Muslim May 23 (evening) - May 24 (evening), 2020
Shavuot Jewish May 28 (evening) - May 30 (evening), 2020
Eid al-Adha Muslim July 30 (evening) - July 31 (evening), 2020