Event Date
⭐️ Presented by DEI
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 - October 2025
Navaratri
Hindu
Durga is the mother goddess, and so Hindus try to visit their mothers and other relatives during this time. Some Hindus will pray and fast, and there are often feasts and dances.
September 22, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Navratri
Hindu
Navarati is one of the greatest Hindu festivals and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. During this time, Hindus worship Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
General Practices: Durga is the mother goddess, and so Hindus try to visit their mothers and other relatives during this time. Some Hindus will pray and fast, and there are often feasts and dances.
September 22, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Dasara / Dussehra
Hindu
Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Celebrates the victory of King Rama from defeating the demon, Ravana, who stole King Rama's wife.
General Practices: Many people perform "Aditya Homa" as a "Shanti Yagna" and recite Sundara Kanda of Srimad Ramayana for five days. These Yagna performances are thought to create powerful agents in the atmosphere surrounding the house that will keep the household environment clean and healthy.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Mehregan
Zoroastrian
This day honors Mehr, the one who is believed to create bonds of friendship and love. This is also the time for the Autumn Festival in Iran.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Yom Kippur
Jewish
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting. Avoid scheduling activities after 3:00 pm on the first day.
Yom Kippur is often considered the holiest day of the year for Jews, and the day is dedicated to atonement and abstinence. During Yom Kippur, Jews fast from before sundown on the first day until after sunset on the second day, and light a Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the night of Yom Kippur.
Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
October 2, 2025 - October 3, 2025
Saint Francis Day
Roman Catholic
The feast commemorates the life of St. Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church's patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be blessed.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Blessing of the Animals
Christian
Christian observance of showing respect for the domestic animals that mean much to people. Observed on various dates, especially related to St. Francis.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Sikh
Sikhism
First Installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple.
Sikh remembrance of the eternal installation of the holy books, Granth Sahib.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Sukkot
Jewish
Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities after sundown on the first evening and on the following two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation (kosher restrictions apply). Work holiday varies by denomination.
A week-long celebration that begins with the building of Sukkah for sleep and meals. Sukkot is named for the huts Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert before reaching the promised land.
Date Details: Begins at sundown of the first day.
October 6, 2025 - October 13, 2025
Shemini Atzeret
Jewish
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodations (kosher restrictions apply).
Also known as Atzereth, this is a fall festival, which includes a memorial service for the dead and features prayers for rain in Israel.
Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
October 13, 2025 - October 15, 2025
Simchat Torah
Jewish
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation (kosher restrictions apply).
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue and the beginning of the new cycle.
Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
October 14, 2025 - October 15, 2025
Diwali / Deepavali
Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date. Those celebrating will likely request the day off.
Diwali‚ the Hindu "festival of lights‚" is an extremely popular holiday for multiple religions throughout Southern Asia. Diwali extends over five days and celebrates the victory of good over evil. The Times of India described Diwali as reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple. Fireworks, oil lamps, and sweets are common, making this a favorite holiday for children. The lamps are lit to help the goddess Lakshmi find her way into people's homes.
General Practices: Lighting oil lamps and candles, setting off fireworks, and prayer.
Monday, October 20, 2025
New Year
Jain
After celebrating Diwali at the end of Ashwina, Jains celebrate new year on the first day of the following month of Kartika. Mahavira's chief disciple Gautama Swami attained keval gyan on this day.
General Practices: Ritual of Snatra Puja is performed at the temple.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Milvian Bridge Day
Christian
Christian day of solemn reflection on the relationship of the spiritual community and the powers of civil government. On October 28, 312 CE, Emperor Constantine prevailed in a battle and proceeded to make Christianity the legal religion of the Roman Empire.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
All Hallows' Eve / All Saints' Eve / Halloween
Roman Catholic
Christian celebration of mystery combining prayers and merriment involving children and families. It is a prelude to All Saint's Day and begins the three-day observation of Allhallowtide dedicated to remembering the dead.
Friday, October 31, 2025
Reformation Day
Protestant
Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted a belief statement on Wittenberg Church door.
Date Details: The date of public observation is the Sunday before October 31.
Friday, October 31, 2025
Samhain
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid
One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events, and other significant changes in life.
Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
October 31, 2025 - November 1, 2025