Religious Accommodation Resource - 2021-2022 Academic Year

The following list of Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance is meant as a guide to religious accommodations for students.

The guide has been compiled in consultation with York’s student Interfaith Council to ensure it is inclusive for York’s student body. You can also consult the Interfaith Calendar (not maintained by York).

There are many religious observation dates associated with various faiths, and the absence of such dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that accommodation will not be provided to students who observe those days.

University event planners and faculty members are encouraged to take these days into consideration when scheduling events and due dates.

The complete policy, guidelines and procedures for Accommodation for Students' Religious Observances can be read on the York Secretariat Policies website. You can also read more information on Statutory Dates in the academic year.

Want to learn more about religious accommodation?

Review the Accommodating Creed (Religion): A Guide for Students, Faculty, and Staff) created by the Centre for Human, Rights, Equity & Inclusion.

Commonly Observed Dates of Religious Significance: 2021-2022

*Some observances are based on the lunar calendar, and thus may vary by one or two days. Local or regional customs may also use a variation of the dates listed below.

Religious Observance Date(s)
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Sept. 6, 2021 and ends at nightfall on Sept. 8, 2021.
Yom Kippur (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Sept. 15, 2021 and ends at nightfall on Sept. 16, 2021.
First Two Days of Sukkot (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Sept. 20, 2021 and the second day ends at nightfall on Sept. 22, 2021.
Shemini Atzeret (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Sept. 27, 2021 and ends at nightfall on Sept. 29, 2021.
Simchat Torah (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Sept. 27, 2021 and ends at nightfall on Sept. 29, 2021.
Dussehra (Hindu)* Oct. 15, 2021
Diwali - Deepavali (Hindu-Jain-Sikh) Nov. 4, 2021
Birth of the Báb (Baha’i) Nov. 6, 2021
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baha’i) Nov. 7, 2021
Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)* Nov. 19, 2021
Hanukkah (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Nov. 28, 2021 and ends at nightfall on Dec. 6, 2021.
Christmas Eve (Christian) Dec. 24, 2021
Christmas (Christian) Dec. 25, 2021
Epiphany (Christian) Jan. 6, 2022
Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian) Jan. 7, 2022
Makar Sankranti (Hindu) Jan. 14, 2022
Lunar New Year (Buddhist) Feb. 1, 2022
Magha Puja Day (Buddhist)* Feb. 16, 2022
Ash Wednesday (Christian) March 2, 2022
Purim (Jewish) Begins at sunset on March 16, 2022 and ends at nightfall on March 17, 2022.
Naw-Ruz New Year (Baha’i) March 21, 2022
Vaisakhi (Sikh) April 14, 2022
Passover - Pesach (Jewish) Begins at sunset on April 15, 2022 and ends at nightfall on April 23, 2022. The first and last two days are no work, no class days.
Good Friday (Christian) April 15, 2022
Easter Sunday (Christian) April 17, 2022
Ridván Festival (Baha’i) Begins at sunset on April 21 and ends on May 2, 2022. The first day (April 21), ninth day (April 29) and twelfth day (May 2) are considered particularly significant.
Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian) April 22, 2022
Easter (Orthodox Christian) April 24, 2022
Ramadan (Islam)* Begins at sunset April 2, 2022 and ends at nightfall on May 1, 2022. Muslims may fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Examinations scheduled in the evening may pose a special burden.
Eid-al-Fitr* (Islam) Begins at sunset on May 2, 2022 and ends May 5, 2022.
Vesak / Wesak (Buddhist)* May 15, 2022
Declaration of the Báb (Bahá’i) May 24, 2022
Ascension of the Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’i) May 29, 2022
Shavuot (Jewish) Begins at sunset on June 4, 2022 and ends at nightfall on June 6, 2022.
National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2022
Eid-al-Adha (Islam)* Begins at sunset on July 9, 2022 and ends July 13, 2022.
Hajj Pilgrimage (Islam)* July 7 to July 12, 2022 for students participating in the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’i) July 10, 2022
Tisha B’av (Jewish) Begins at sunset on Aug. 6, 2022 and ends at nightfall on Aug. 7, 2022.
Ashura (Islam)* Aug. 19, 2022