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 - November 2026
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.
Saturday, October 31 to Wednesday, November 11, 2026
All Hallows' Day / All Saints' Day / Hallowmas
Roman Catholic
It is an opportunity for believers to remember all saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.
General Practices: As part of this day of obligation, believers are required to attend church and try not to do any servile work.
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos
Mexican, Central American, South American, Caribbean
A holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died and help support their spiritual journey. Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually, it was associated with October 31, November 1, and November 2. Dates between October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called "ofrendas," honoring the deceased using calaveras, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
Saturday, November 1 to Sunday, November 2, 2026
All Souls'Day
Roman Catholic
An opportunity for Roman Catholics and Anglo-Catholic churches to commemorate the faithful departed. The official name of the celebration in the Roman Rite liturgy is "The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.
General Practices: Remembering and praying for the souls of people who are in Purgatory, the place (or state) in which those who have died atone for their less grave sins before being granted the vision of God in Heaven (called the Beatific vision).
Monday, November 2, 2026
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.
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.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Twin Holy Days, Birth of the Bab and Baha’u’llah
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Those celebrating will likely request to have these days off.
This holiday celebrates the birthdays of the Bab and of Baha’u’llah, two of the Bahá'í faith's most important figures. For Bahá’í the Twin Holy Days celebrate the rebirth of the world through the love of God, just as Christmas is for Christians.
Tuesday, November 10 to Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Nativity Fast
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Recommended Accommodation: If planning an event, provide food accommodations as stipulated. A period of abstinence and penance in preparation for Christmas.
The fast traditionally entails fasting from red meat, poultry, meat products, eggs, dairy products, fish, oil, and wine. Fish, wine and oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays, and oil and wine are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Saturday, November 15 to Wednesday, December 24, 2026
Feast of Christ the King
Christian
Christ the King Sunday celebrates the all-embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the cosmos. Officially called the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, it is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent.
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Sikh
The birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and first of the ten Sikh Gurus, is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, the full-moon day in the month of Katak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.
Monday, November 24, 2026
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
Sikh
A time of remembering the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, by the Moghul Emperor in India. Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice was for the right of a person to freely practice their religion without interference or hindrance.
Monday, November 24, 2026
Day of Covenant
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Work is not suspended on this day.
Baháʼís celebrate the appointment of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá as the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant and designated this day as the "Centre of Covenant" to unite the community.
Tuesday, November 25 to Wednesday, November 26, 2026
Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Work is not suspended on this day.
Marks the passing of Abdul l-Bahaj in Haifa, Israel in 1921.
Friday, November 28, 2026
Advent
Christian
Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The word advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming. Traditionally, it is a penitential season but is no longer kept with the strictness of Lent, and Christians are no longer required to fast.
General Practices: Practices associated with Advent include keeping an Advent calendar, praying an Advent daily devotional, lighting a candle each Sunday, and setting up Christmas decorations.
Saturday, November 29 to Monday, December 29, 2026
Saint Andrew's Day
Christian
Christian observance of the coming of Christianity to the area now known as Scotland. The martyrdom of St. Andrew is remembered as the season of Advent is about to begin.
Monday, November 30, 2026