To increase understanding and connection with peers, it is helpful to learn about cultural and religious holidays that impact others.
Here is a brief list of some 2023 Fall and Winter celebrations to familiarize yourself with.
- Holidays marked with (*) are observed as high holy days for those who celebrate the holiday and can have implications on being able to go to work or events.
- Holidays marked with (^) mean the observance begins at the sunset of the date listed and goes to the sunset of the following day.
| DATE(S) | RELIGIOUS/CULTURAL HOLIDAY |
| September 12 | Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) |
| September 16 | Mexican Independence Day |
| September 15-17 | Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)*^ |
| September 21-29 | Mabon (Neo-Pagan)* |
| September 24-25 | Yom Kippur (Jewish)* |
| September 29-October 6 | Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles, Jewish)*^ |
| October 6-8 | Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)*^ |
| October 7-8 | Simchat Torah (Jewish)*^ |
| October 9 | Canadian Thanksgiving |
| October 16 | Birth of the Báb (Bahá’i)*^ |
| October 15-24 | Navaratri Dassehra (Hindu)* |
| October 16-17 | Birth of the Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’i)*^ |
| October 31-November 1 | Samhain (Neo-Pagan/Gaelic) |
| November 1 | All Saints’ Day (Anglican and Roman Catholic) |
| November 1-2 | Día de los Muertos (Mexican/Christian/UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) |
| November 11 | Veteran’s Day (United States/Federal holiday) |
| November 12 | Diwali (Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist)* |
| November 23 |
Thanksgiving Day (United States) Important Note: This day is also commemorated by some Native tribes as a National Day of Mourning, first instituted by Wamsutta Frank James of the Wampanoag tribe in 1970. Read here. |
| November 27 | Birthday of Guru Nanak (Sikh) |
| December 8 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) |
| December 8 | Bodhi Day/Rohatsu (Buddhist) |
| December 7-15 | Hanukkah/Chanukah (Jewish)* |
| December 12 | Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican Catholic) |
| December 16-24 |
Las Posadas (Mexican) Simbang Gabi (Filipino Catholic) |
| December 21 | Winter Solstice/Yule (Neo Pagan) |
| December 25 | Christmas Day (Christian) |
| December 26-January 1 | Kwanzaa (African American) |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| January 6 | Dia de los Reyes/Three Kings Day/Epiphany (Mexican Christian/Christian) |
| January 7 | Orthodox Christmas (Christian Orthodox)* |