Please note the following dates, understanding that students and colleagues may request temporary absence or annual leave or adjustments to their schedules to accommodate religious observance. All holidays marked with * begin the prior evening.
Further communication will follow in February, with information about Ramadan and other festivals falling between March and April.
December
The following two festivals occur during the holiday period 14 December – 5 January. They mostly fall within University closure days but are included for awareness:
25 December: Christmas (Christian) Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. A day of reflection, worship, and gathering with family and friends to share food and gifts.
26 December – 2 January: Hanukkah* (Jewish): The eight-day festival of lights in which Jews remember and celebrate their victory over Syrian Greeks in the second century BCE and the re-dedication of their holy temple. This is a time for special prayers, nightly lighting of the menorah and for sharing food together.
January
7 January: Christmas (Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christian)
This Christmas celebration follows the Julian calendar and honours the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a day for reflection, worship, and gathering with family and friends.
17 January: Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab (Sikh)
This day commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, who established the Khalsa and reinforced Sikh values. Sikhs honour his legacy through prayer, gatherings, and acts of service.
29 January – 2 February: Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated across East and Southeast Asia. Families gather for festive meals and cultural activities, welcoming the Year of the Snake with hopes for prosperity and good fortune.
February
24 February: The Great Lent (Coptic Orthodox Christian)
The Great Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance, leading up to Easter in the Coptic Orthodox faith. It’s a time of spiritual discipline, reflection, and seeking closer communion with God.
26 February: Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
Maha Shivaratri honours Lord Shiva, celebrating his divine power and significance in Hinduism. Devotees fast, chant, and hold night vigils, dedicating the day to reflection and spiritual growth.