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Religious and Creed Observances

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As part of our Multi-Year Plan, The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is committed to championing supportive and inclusive practices to ensure equitable access to positive opportunities and outcomes for all​.​

​Through the Department of Indigenous Rights and Education, Human Rights, Equity & Inclusive Education and consultations with the Interfaith Council of Halton and other community stakeholders, the following list of religious and creed-based observances has been established. ​​​​​​​​​​​​

The below list of Religious and Creed Observances is a living document as we continue to review feedback from students, parents/guardians, staff and community stakeholders. It includes dates through August 2024.​ ​​While it identifies days of significance, it should not be viewed as an exhaustive or authoritative account of all creed and religious needs. ​We invite community members to refer to the Board Calendar of Events to view all dates recognized by the HDSB​.​​

HDSB Board Calendar of Events​​​


The following religions and creeds are represented in this list:

  • Bahá’i Faith​
  • Buddhism
  • Christianity
  • Confucianism
  • Daoism
  • ​​Hinduism​
  • Indigenous
  • Islam
  • Jainism
  • Judaism
 
  • ​Rastafarianism​​
  • Shintoism
  • Sikhism
  • Wicca/Paganism
  • Zoroastrianism


​HDSB 2023-2024 School Year Religious and Creed Observances​

Bahá’i Faith ​
  • July 10, 2023 - Martyrdom of the Bá’b 
  • October 16, 2023 - Birth of the Bá’b 
  • October 17, 2023 - Birth of Bahá’u’lláh 
  • November 26, 2023 - Day of the Covenant 
  • November 28, 2023 - Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá 
  • January 21, 2024 - World Religion Day 
  • February 26 - 29, 2024 - Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) 
  • March 20, 2024 - Naw-Rúz (Bahá’i New Year) 
  • April 20, 2024 - First Day of Ridván 
  • April 29, 2023 - Ninth Day of Ridván 
  • May 2, 2024 - Twelfth Day of Ridván 
  • May 24, 2024 - Declaration of the Bá’b 
  • May 29, 2024 - Ascension of Bahá’u’llah 
  • July 9, 2024 - Martyrdom of the Bá’b​
Buddhism
  • July 3, 2023 - Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day) 
  • July 3, 2023 - Guru Purnima Day 
  • August 13-15, 2023 - Obon (Bon Festival - Ulambana) 
  • November 4, 2023 - Descending Day of Lord Buddha 
  • February 3, 2024 - Setsubun 
  • February 10, 2024 - Lunar New Year 
  • February 10, 2024 - Losar Tibetan New Year 
  • February 15, 2024 - Nirvana Day 
  • February 24, 2024 - Māgha Pūjā Day 
  • March 28, 2024 - Kuan Yin Birthday 
  • April 13, 2024 - Sinhalese & Tamil New Year 
  • April 24, 2024 - Theravada New Year 
  • May 23, 2024 - Vesak (Wesak) Day 
  • July 21, 2024 - Asalha Puja Day (Dharma Day) 
  • July 21, 2024 - Guru Purnima Day 
  • August 13-15, 2024 - Obon (Bon Festival - Ulambana)​
Christianity
  • August 29, 2023 - Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist 
  • September 08, 2023 - Nativity of Mary 
  • September 11, 2023 - Coptic New Year - Feast of Nayrouz 
  • September 12, 2023 - Ethiopian New Year 
  • September 14, 2023 - Holy Cross Day 
  • September 27, 2023 - Elevation of the Cross 
  • November 01, 2023 - All Saints Day 
  • November 21, 2023 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
  • December 3-24, 2023 - Advent 
  • December 25, 2023 - Christmas Day 
  • January 05, 2024 - Twelfth Night 
  • January 06, 2024 - Feast of the Epiphany/Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) 
  • January 07, 2024 - Orthodox Christmas Day (Julian Calendar) Feast of the Nativity of Christ 
  • January 07, 2024 - Baptism of Jesus 
  • January 14, 2024 - Orthodox New Year’s Day 
  • January 27, 2024 - St. Sava Devine Day 
  • February 22, 2024 - Ash Wednesday (1st Day of Lent) 
  • April 07, 2024 - Good Friday (Gregorian Calendar) 
  • April 09, 2024 - Easter Sunday (Gregorian Calendar) 
  • April 14, 2024 - Orthodox Holy Friday 
  • April 16, 2024 - Orthodox Easter Sunday 
  • April 17, 2024 - Orthodox Easter Monday 
  • April 25, 2024 - Feast of St. Mark 
  • May 18, 2024 - Ascension Day 
  • May 28, 2024 - Pentecost 
  • June 24, 2024 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist 
  • August 29, 2024 - Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Confucianism
  • February 10, 2024 - Lunar New Year
Daoism
  • February 10, 2024 - Lunar New Year​
Hinduism
  • ​August 30, 2023 - Raksha Bandhan 
  • September 6 - 7, 2023 - Krishna Janmashtami 
  • September 19, 2023 - Ganesh Chaturthi 
  • October 15 - 24, 2023 - Navratri 
  • October 20 - 24, 2023 - Durga Puja 
  • October 24 - 25, 2023 - Dussehra/Vijayadashami 
  • October 31 - November 1, 2023 - Karva Chauth 
  • November 12, 2023 - Diwali 
  • January 13, 2024 - Lohri 
  • January 15 - 18, 2024 - Thai Pongal 
  • January 15, 2024 - Makar Sankranti 
  • January 21, 2024 - Pausha Putrada Ekadashi 
  • February 14, 2024 - Vasant Panchami 
  • March 25, 2024 - Holi 
  • March 30, 2024 - Shri/Rama Navami 
  • April 13, 2024 - Baisakhi/Vaisakhi 
  • April 13, 2024 - Mesha Sankranti (Solar New Year) 
  • April 22, 2024 - Akshaya Tritiya 
  • April 23, 2024 - Hanuman Jayanti 
  • August 19, 2024 - Raksha Bandhan​
Indigenous

  • August 9, 2023 - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 
  • September 19, 2023 - Powley Day 
  • September 30, 2023 - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 
  • September 30, 2023 - Orange Shirt Day 
  • November 7, 2023 - Inuit Day 
  • November 8, 2023 - National Indigenous Veterans’ Day 
  • November 16, 2023 - Louis Riel Day 
  • June 21, 2024 - National Indigenous Peoples Day​
  • August 9, 2024 - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples​​

Islam
  • September 27, 2023 - Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday) 
  • December 13, 2023 - Birthday of Imam Aga Khan (Salgirah) 
  • February 6, 2024 - Isra’a and Miraj 
  • February 23, 2024 (TBC) - Sha’ban 
  • March 10, 2024 - Ramadan 
  • April 4 - 5, 2024 - Jumu’atul-Wida 
  • April 6, 2024 - Laylat al-Qadr 
  • April 10, 2024 - Eid al-Fitr 
  • June 14 - 19, 2024 - Hajj 
  • June 15 - 16, 2024 - Waqf al Arafa 
  • June 16 - 17, 2024 - Eid al Adha 
  • July 7, 2024 - Al-Hijra New Year 
  • July 11, 2024 - Imamat Day 
  • July 16 - 17, 2024 - Ashura​
Jainism
  • August 30, 2023 - Raksha Bandhan 
  • September 11 - 18, 2023 - Paryushan Parva 
  • September 28, 2023 - Anant Chaturdashi 
  • November 12, 2023 - Diwali 
  • November 18, 2023 - Gyana Panchami 
  • July 21, 2024 - Guru Purnima Day 
  • August 19, 2024 - Raksha Bandhan​
Judaism
  • September 6 - 8, 2023 - Shemini Atzeret 
  • September 15 - 17, 2023 - Rosh Hashanah 
  • September 24 - 25, 2023 - Yom Kippur 
  • September 29 - October 6, 2023 - Sukkot 
  • October 7 - 8, 2023 - Simchat Torah 
  • December 7 - 15, 2023 - Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) 
  • January 24 - 25, 2024 - Tu B’Shevat 
  • March 23 - 24, 2024 - Purim 
  • April 22 - 30, 2024 - Pesach/Passover 
  • May 5 - 6, 2024 - Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) 
  • June 11 - 13, 2024 - Shavuot 
  • August 12 - 13, 2024 - Tisha B’av​​
Rastafarianism
  • August 17, 2023 - Marcus Garvey’s Birthday 
  • September 12, 2023 - Ethiopian New Year 
  • November 2, 2023 - Crowning of Emperor Haile Selassie 
  • April 21, 2024 - Grounation Day 
  • July 16, 2024 - Ethiopian Constitution Day 
  • July 23, 2024 - Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie​​
Shintoism
  • February 3, 2024 - Setsubun 
  • July 13 - 15, 2024 - Obon (Bon Festival - Ulambana)​
Sikhism
  • September 1, 2023 - Installation of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji 
  • October 20, 2023 - Gurgadi of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru 
  • November 12, 2023 - Bandi Chhor Divas 
  • November 24, 2023 - Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur 
  • November 27, 2023 - Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib 
  • January 13, 2024 - Lohri 
  • January 17, 2024 - Guru Gobind Singh Ji Birthday 
  • January 24, 2024 - Maghi 
  • March 14, 2024 - Chet (Sikh New Year) 
  • March 25 - 27, 2024 - Hola Mohalla 
  • April 13, 2024 - Baisakhi/Vaisakhi 
  • June 16, 2024 - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji​​
Wicca/Paganism
  • August 1, 2023 - Lughnasadh/Lammas 
  • September 23, 2023 - Mabon (Autumn Equinox) 
  • November 1, 2023 - Samhain 
  • December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024 - Yule (Winter Solstice) 
  • February 1-2, 2024 - Imbolc 
  • March 20, 2024 - Ostara (Spring Equinox) 
  • May 1, 2024 - Beltane 
  • June 21, 2024 - Litha/Summer Solstice 
  • August 1, 2024 - Lughnasadh/Lammas​
Zoroastrianism
  • December 26, 2023 - Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) 
  • January 30, 2024 - Jashan-e-Sadeh 
  • March 26, 2024 - Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathushtra)​

We invite com​munity members to share additional dates and information through the HDSB Religious and Creed Observances ​Feedback form.
​
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