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Religious, Secular & Spiritual Life

The Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Life initiative supports students, faculty, and staff looking to discover their beliefs, explore them more deeply, or learn about the beliefs of others.

What we do

Through events, campus programs, and helpful resources, we offer a welcoming community where you can:

  • Join student organizations and explore campus resources
  • Discover different religions and cultures through engaging events
  • Help create a respectful community for people of all faiths
  • Navigate religious holidays during the school year
  • Find local places of worship

Find resources, events, and more

Religious Holidays and Observances

The University of Michigan is home to a diverse community of students and a vibrant array of spiritual beliefs, practices, and expressions. Highlighted below are key observance dates for the academic year. This calendar is intended as a general resource and is not exhaustive.

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  • 2026-27 Academic Year

    July 22–23, 2026 / Tisha B’Av*

    September 8–15, 2026 / Paryushan**

    August 4, 2026 / Arbaʽeen**
    August 25, 2026 / Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Sunni)**
    August 30, 2026 / Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Shia)**

    Sunset on September 11–13, 2026 / Rosh Hashanah*
    Sunset on September 20–21, 2026 / Yom Kippur*
    Sunset on September 25–October 2, 2026 / Sukkot*

    Sunset on October 2–4, 2026 / Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah*

    November 8, 2026 / Diwali**
    November 9-10, 2026 / Birth of the Báb
    November 11, 2026 / Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

    December 4–12, 2026 / Hanukkah*
    December 23, 2026 / Birthday of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
    December 25, 2026 / Christmas
    December 26, 2026–January 1, 2027 / Kwanzaa

    January 6, 2027 / Feast of Epiphany
    January 7, 2027 / Eastern Orthodox Christmas
    January 15, 2027 / Sankranti

    February 6, 2027 / Lunar New Year
    February 8 (first day of fasting) – March 8, 2027 / Ramadan**
    February 10, 2027 / Ash Wednesday
    February 10, 2027 / Lent Begins

    March 6, 2027 / Laylatul Qadr
    Evening of March 1 into March 2, 2027 / 23rd Night of Ramadan**
    Sunset March 9 – March 10, 2027 / Eid al-Fitr**
    March 15, 2027 / Eastern Orthodox Beginning of Lent
    Sunset March 22–23, 2027 / Purim*
    March 21, 2027 / Naw-Rúz
    March 22, 2027 / Holi
    March 26, 2027 / Good Friday
    March 28, 2027 / Easter

    April 14, 2027 / Vaisakhi
    Sunset April 21–29, 2027 / Passover (Pesach)*
    Evening of April 20- May 2, 2027 / Ridván
    April 30, 2027 / Eastern Orthodox Good Friday

    May 2, 2027 / Eastern Orthodox Easter
    May 13, 2027 / Vesak (Mahayana)
    May 15, 2027 / Holy Day of Arafah**
    May 16, 2027 / Eid al-Adha**
    May 20, 2027 / Vesak (Theravada)
    May 24, 2027 / Declaration of the Báb
    May 24, 2027 / Eid al-Ghadeer**
    May 29, 2027 / Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

    June 6, 2027 / Muharram **
    Sunset June 10–12, 2027 / Shavuot*
    June 15, 2027 / Day of Ashura**
    June 19, 2027 / Juneteenth
    July 10, 2027 / Martyrdom of the Báb
    Every week, Friday before sunset to Saturday after nightfall / Shabbat*
    Every week on Friday around midday prayer time / Jumu’ah

    * Begin and end at sunset on the first and last days listed
    ** These holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate.

Upcoming Events

Connect with what grounds you! Whether you’re seeking interfaith celebrations, social gatherings, wellness pop-ups, or community service events, discover upcoming RSSL events happening across campus.

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