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.
The following
religions and creeds are represented in this list:
- Bahá’i Faith
- Buddhism
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Christianity
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Confucianism
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Daoism
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Hinduism
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Indigenous
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Islam
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Jainism
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Judaism
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Rastafarianism
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Shintoism
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Sikhism
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Wicca/Paganism
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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
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
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August 9, 2023 - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
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September 19, 2023 - Powley Day
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September 30, 2023 - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
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September 30, 2023 - Orange Shirt Day
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November 7, 2023 - Inuit Day
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November 8, 2023 - National Indigenous Veterans’ Day
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November 16, 2023 - Louis Riel Day
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June 21, 2024 - National Indigenous Peoples Day
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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
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August 30, 2023 - Raksha Bandhan
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September 11 - 18, 2023 - Paryushan Parva
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September 28, 2023 - Anant Chaturdashi
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November 12, 2023 - Diwali
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November 18, 2023 - Gyana Panchami
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July 21, 2024 - Guru Purnima Day
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August 19, 2024 - Raksha Bandhan
Judaism
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September 6 - 8, 2023 - Shemini Atzeret
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September 15 - 17, 2023 - Rosh Hashanah
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September 24 - 25, 2023 - Yom Kippur
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September 29 - October 6, 2023 - Sukkot
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October 7 - 8, 2023 - Simchat Torah
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December 7 - 15, 2023 - Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)
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January 24 - 25, 2024 - Tu B’Shevat
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March 23 - 24, 2024 - Purim
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April 22 - 30, 2024 - Pesach/Passover
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May 5 - 6, 2024 - Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
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June 11 - 13, 2024 - Shavuot
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August 12 - 13, 2024 - Tisha B’av
Rastafarianism
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August 17, 2023 - Marcus Garvey’s Birthday
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September 12, 2023 - Ethiopian New Year
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November 2, 2023 - Crowning of Emperor Haile Selassie
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April 21, 2024 - Grounation Day
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July 16, 2024 - Ethiopian Constitution Day
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July 23, 2024 - Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie
Shintoism
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February 3, 2024 - Setsubun
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July 13 - 15, 2024 - Obon (Bon Festival - Ulambana)
Sikhism
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September 1, 2023 - Installation of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji
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October 20, 2023 - Gurgadi of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru
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November 12, 2023 - Bandi Chhor Divas
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November 24, 2023 - Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
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November 27, 2023 - Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib
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January 13, 2024 - Lohri
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January 17, 2024 - Guru Gobind Singh Ji Birthday
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January 24, 2024 - Maghi
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March 14, 2024 - Chet (Sikh New Year)
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March 25 - 27, 2024 - Hola Mohalla
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April 13, 2024 - Baisakhi/Vaisakhi
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June 16, 2024 - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Wicca/Paganism
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August 1, 2023 - Lughnasadh/Lammas
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September 23, 2023 - Mabon (Autumn Equinox)
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November 1, 2023 - Samhain
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December 22, 2023 - January 1, 2024 - Yule (Winter Solstice)
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February 1-2, 2024 - Imbolc
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March 20, 2024 - Ostara (Spring Equinox)
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May 1, 2024 - Beltane
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June 21, 2024 - Litha/Summer Solstice
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August 1, 2024 - Lughnasadh/Lammas
Zoroastrianism
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December 26, 2023 - Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra)
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January 30, 2024 - Jashan-e-Sadeh
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March 26, 2024 - Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zarathushtra)