Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance
At Northwestern University we honor the rich diversity of beliefs and practices within our community. This Interfaith calendar reflects our commitment to equity and belonging by providing a resource to help students, faculty, staff, and community members plan with consideration for the holy days, holidays, and festivals observed by some members of the Northwestern community.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of religious or cultural observances. Many holidays—especially those based on lunar calendars—may vary in date depending on regional, cultural, or denominational traditions. In particular, Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the date listed.
This calendar is intended for informational purposes and may not include all major holidays or detailed descriptions of each. We encourage all members of our community to use it as a guide to respectfully engage with one another and to deepen their understanding of the diverse traditions that shape our shared experience. If we have not included a major religious holiday of significance to you, please notify Religious and Spiritual Life at spiritual.life@northwestern.edu.
The Office of the Provost has outlined academic policies for Religious Observance. Students are encouraged to communicate as early as possible with their faculty if accommodations are needed.
While we have made an effort to verify the accuracy of the information included here, some inaccuracies may remain. The dates of some holidays, particularly those that are calculated according to a lunar calendar (e.g., Islamic holidays), vary from region to region, and other observances and dates (e.g., Buddhist holidays) vary across cultures.
Holidays marked with an asterisk (*) begin at sundown.
(language adapted from the George Washington University's Interfaith Calendar webpage)
Religious Holiday Calendar 2026-27
Find more information & schedules for Jewish High Holidays click here.