Major Religious Observances

Major Religious Observances

Examples of Dates of Relevance for 2020-21

Many of the relevant dates for the 2019-20 academic year are outlined in the table appended below. These dates are provided to assist instructors and those planning academic activities to anticipate when students might choose to seek accommodations for religious observances. Additional dates of religious observances may be found in the Interfaith Calendar. (www.interfaith-calendar.org)

It is important to note that there are many holy days associated with various faiths, and that the absence of such dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that there should be no accommodation for students who observe those holy days. Also, some observances are based on an interpretation of the lunar calendar, and thus may vary by one or two days, depending on the interpretation relevant to a student's faith tradition.
 
For assistance in interpreting the Policy, and for support in the development of divisional or departmental procedures which are consistent with the Policy, please contact Meredith Strong, Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students and Student Policy Advisor by phone at 416-978-4027, or by e-mail at meredith.strong@utoronto.ca. 
 
Holiday May 2020 to June 2021

Ramadan*

Begins at sunset on April 23, 2020, and ends on May 23, 2019. 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*

Begins at sunset on May 23, 2020, and ends on May 24, 2020

Shavuot

Begins at sunset on May 28, 2020, and ends at nightfall on May 30, 2020

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 2020

Tish’a B’av

Begins at sunset on July 29, 2020, and ends at nightfall on July 30, 2020

Eid-al-Adha*

Begins at sunset on July 30, 2020, and ends on Aug. 3, 2020

Rosh Hashanah

Begins at sunset on Sept. 18, 2020, and ends on Sept. 20, 2020

Yom Kippur

Begins at sunset on Sept. 27, 2020, and ends on Sept. 28, 2020

Sukkot

Begins at sunset on Oct. 2, 2020, and ends Oct. 9, 2020

Shemini Atzeret

Begins at sunset on Oct. 9, 2020, and ends at nightfall on Oct. 10, 2020

Simchat Torah

Begins at sunset on Oct. 10, 2020, and ends at nightfall on Oct. 11, 2020

Diwali

Nov. 14, 2020

Bodhi Day

Dec. 8, 2020

Dhanu Sankrati

Dec. 15, 2020

Hanukkah

Begins at sunset on Dec. 10, 2020, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 18, 2020

Christmas Day

On Dec. 25, 2020

Epiphany

Jan. 6, 2021

Lunar New Year

Jan. 25, 2020

Ash Wednesday

Feb. 26, 2020

Purim    

Begins at sunset on March 9, 2020 and ends at nightfall on March 10, 2020

Norooz

March 20, 2020

First two days of Passover

Begins at sunset on April 8, 2020 and ends at nightfall on April 10, 2020

Maundy Thursday

April 9, 2020

Last two days of Passover

Begins at sunset on April 14, 2020 and ends at nightfall on April 16, 2020

Holy Friday (Orthodox)

April 17, 2020

Easter (Orthodox)

April 19, 2020

Ramadan*

Begins at sunset on April 23, 2020 and ends on May 23, 2020. 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*

Begins at sunset on May 23, 2020 and ends on May 26, 2020

Shavuot

Begins at sunset on May 28, 2020 and ends at nightfall on May 30, 2020

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 2020

* Some observances are based on the lunar calendar, and thus may vary by one or two days.
** Information regarding the Hajj Pilgrimage is articulated in Accommodation for the Hajj Pilgrimage.

Click Here to read more about accommodations for religious observances. 

Note: This information was obtained from UofT's Office of the Vice-Provost, Students & First Entry Divisions.  

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