Religious Observance Fact Sheets
Although Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University does not as an institution observe religious holidays, the academic calendar is designed to avoid conflicts with observed holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and Christmas. Consistent with our commitment to creating an academic community that is respectful of and welcoming to persons of differing backgrounds, every reasonable effort should be made to accommodate members of the University community for their religious observance without jeopardizing the fulfillment of their academic obligations. If you would like to learn more or need help navigating accommodations, please visit the Office of the Provost’s Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance.
2024-2025 Religious Observances
This table below is not an exhaustive list of religious observances. We are adding more each month throughout this year. To learn more about each religious observance, click on the holiday name in the table below to view an informational PDF.
If you have feedback or suggestions, send us feedback or email diversity@northwestern.edu for consideration.
Holiday | Affiliation | Date |
Yule | Paganism, Wicca | December 21 - January 1 |
Christmas Eve | Christianity | December 24 |
Christmas | Christianity | December 25 |
Hamukkah | Judaism | December 25 - January 2 |
Kwanzaa | Pan-African | December 26 - Janaury 1 |
Ramadan | Islam | February 28, 2025 - March 29, 2025 |
Sharada Navaratri | Hinduism | March 30, 2025 - April 7, 2025 |
Mabon | Pagan, Wiccan | September 22 |
Rosh HaShanah | Judaism | September 22 - 24, 2025 |
Yom Kippur | Judaism | October 1 - 2, 2025 |
Dussehra | Hinduism | October 2, 2025 |
Sukkot | Judaism | October 6 - 13, 2025 |
Diwali | Hiduism | October 20, 2025 |