Event Date
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The Multicultural Calendar serves as a resource for students, staff, and faculty to plan events, activities, meetings, retreats, and courses throughout the year. It is a resource for understanding religious and cultural observances.
Multicultural Calendar - January 2026
Feast Day of Saint Basil
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Orthodox Christian commemoration of St. Basil the Great, who wrote a Eucharist Liturgy that bears his name.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Gantan-sai
Shinto
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities.
Gantan-sai is the annual New Year festival of the Shinto religion.
General Practices: Practitioners pray for inner renewal, prosperity, and health, as well as visiting shrines and visiting friends and family.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Solemnity of Mary / Mary, Mother of God
Roman Catholic
A liturgical feast that celebrates Mary's motherhood of Jesus. Considered a Day of Obligation in some countries.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Mahayana New Year
Buddhist
Mahayana Buddhism is the largest branch or sub-division of the Buddhist religion. Honoring and praying to their deities, particularly Buddha, is the most important activity, along with meditation and reflection.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
Sikh
Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last living of the Guru faith, born in 1666 and founded the Khalsa brotherhood where they initiated adopted the five k's: Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (steel bracelets), Kirpan (sword), Kaccha (pair of shorts), and Kesh (long hair).
Monday, January 5, 2026
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Sikh
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the 10th Sikh Guru of Nanak. He was born at Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666.
Date Details: His birthday sometimes falls either in December or January or even both months in the Gregorian calendar. The annual celebration of the Guru's birthday is based on the Nanakshahi calendar.
Thursday, January 5, 2026
Epiphany / Twelfth Night / Three Kings Day / Dia de los Reyes
Roman Catholic, Protestant Christian, Eastern Orthodox Christian
This date is also known as Befana Day. Commemorates the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and marks the time the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem and presented gifts to the baby Jesus.
General practices: Prayer, festive meals, offerings, gifts.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Christmas / Feast of the Nativity
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Recommended Accommodation: Because this holiday does not fall within the winter break, Eastern Orthodox practitioners will likely request this day off.
Eastern Orthodox Christmas is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Nativity of Christ
Armenian Orthodox
The Armenian Church celebrates the nativity (Sourp Dznount) of Jesus Christ on January 6. In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Christian
This feast day commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist.
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Lohri
Hindu, Sikh
The festival of Lohri, which is celebrated primarily by Sikhs and Hindus across India, marks the end of winter season and is traditionally believed to welcome the sun to the northern hemisphere.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Maghi / Makar Sankranti
Hindu, Sikh
Sikh commemoration of a battle in which forty Sikhs died for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji. Also celebrated as a winter harvest festival through bathing and giving charity.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Isra'a and Mi'raj
Islam
Isra'a and Mi'raj Night marks the Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascent into heaven, sometime around the year 621, according to Islamic belief. In Jerusalem, the Prophet Muhammad met and prayed with many prophets including Moses, Abraham and Jesus. This part of the journey is known as "Isra'a." This second part of the journey is known as the Mi'raj, which means ladder in Arabic.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Christian
An international Christian ecumenical observation that focuses on prayer for Christian unity.
Sunday, January 18 to Sunday, January 25, 2026
World Religion Day
Baháʼí
Established by the Baháʼí in the United States, it is intended to foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common dimensions underlying all religions.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Timkat
Ethiopian Orthodox
Celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. This festival is best known for its ritual reenactment of baptism.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Vasant Panchami
Hindu
Hindu celebration dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning. Vasant Panchami initiates the spring festive cycle and heralds its summation that occurs with Holi.
Friday, January 23, 2026
Conversion of Saint Paul
Christian
Christian observance of the experience of the Paul when he was confronted by a vision of Jesus while on his way to persecute Christians and became a leading presenter of Jesus. Observed at worship services.
Sunday, January 25, 2026