Observances

Mawlid al-Nabi (Sept. 15): Across the globe, including in the US, Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, is celebrated on the twelfth day of the month Rabi’ al-Awwal. Celebrations include festivals, prayer services, recitations of poetry and litanies, as well as religious gatherings. Celebrations of the Mawlid in America and distinctly English forms of poetry, songs, and literature show the increasing importance of Mawlid al-Nabi amongst American Muslims. Learn more about Muslim life at CC andengage with Muslim Futurism at  the ALHAMDU exhibit, now through Jan. 11 at the FAC.

 

Latine Heritage Month  (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) Aligning with the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico , and Chile,  Hispanic or Latin American/ Latinx/e Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and experiences of Latinos in the US who are an essential part of our nation's history and culture. With a vibrant and thriving Latin American Community to celebrate, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce offers an array of events and programs around the region.

 

Mabon (Friday, Sept. 21) Both Wiccans and Pagans use this day to celebrate the autumnal equinox, a day when the amount of sunlight and darkness is the same. This represents both balance and harmony. Learn more about religious and spiritual communities at CC. 

 

Orange Shirt Day (Monday, Sept. 30) Commemorating the impact of the residential school experience on Indigenous people, witnessing and honoring the healing journey of the survivors and their families. Learn about the recent bill passed in Colorado to make appropriation concerning former Native American Boarding schools by clicking here.

 

LGBTQ History Month (October):  In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month. Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other national organizations. In 2006 Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month. You can learn more about LGBTQ history and event at CC and across campus by visitng the Queer and Trans Collective at the Butler Center. Click here for more information. 

 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October): Observed each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or “NDEAM,” we celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM’s purpose is to confirm our commitment to ensuring disabled workers have access to good jobs, every month of every year. That’s the spirit behind this year’s official theme: “Access to Good Jobs for All.”  Join the Office of Accessibility Resources and Human Resources for a Disability and Its Role in the Workplace in celebration of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month on October 30th from 1:30pm-3:00pm - Click here to Resgister.  This session will explore the process for disability-related employment accommodations, as well as how to incorporate considerations of disability and access into job descriptions, search processes, office dynamics, staff support, and more. While the session is particularly beneficial for supervisors and department chairs, all are welcome to attend. Disability and access are essential elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion—let’s engage in this important conversation!

 

Indigenous People’s Day (Wednesday, Oct. 9) honors the culture, contributions, and history of the Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations Peoples. By promoting their rich heritage and remembering the challenges they have and continue to face, we can facilitate repair. Learn more about support and resources for the Indigenous Community at CC.

 

Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe in Judaism. Rosh Hashanah 5785 begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Oct. 2, 2024) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Oct. 4, 2024). Each year the CC Jewish community is invited to join a very special service on the other side of Pikes Peak called Mountain Minyan to welcome in the new year. This unique experience to hear the call of the shofar high in the Rockies at Catamount Center is not to be missed! Sign up for Mountain Minyan and other Rosh Hashanah services online here.(RSVPs required). Please note that Rosh Hashanah services conflict with school days this year and know that you can ask your professor for a religious exemption from classes if you plan to observe the holiday but should do so as soon as possible in order to receive reasonable accommodations. Please RSVP for Rosh Hashanah before Sept 30.

 

Yom Kippur, or the day of atonement, is considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism.  It will take place  on the 10th day of Tishrei (just before sunset on Friday, October 11, until after nightfall on Shabbat, October 12).  RSVPfor Yom Kippur services by Tuesday October 8 utilizing the same form.

 

National Coming Out Day (Friday, Oct. 11):  This annual observance is dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community as they share their authentic selves with the world. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of coming out, challenges stereotypes and prejudices, and promotes acceptance and inclusion.  Learn more or get connected to the Queer and Trans Collective at CC.

 

Navratri (October 12)is a ten-day Hindu festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga and is a major crop season event. Each day a new goddess is worshiped and changing of Hindu scriptures occurs as well as a period of fasting.

 

Sukkot (October 16-23), known also as “Festival of Tabernacles” and the “Feast of Booths.” It is one of Judaism’s three central pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Shavuot. Join the new Jewish Life Coordinators Barak and Ruthie from 3-5 pm on Tuesday October 15 for making Sukkot decorations at the Interfaith House with pizza provided. Look out for the sukkah and stay tuned for more activities over 2^nd block break and during the first week of block 3. RSVP for local synagogue services by Monday October 14.

 

Samhain (October 31): Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld.

 

Native American/Indigenous People's Heritage Month (November): November is National American Indian Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Here at Colorado College we have a vibrant Indigenous population wuth a growing committment to cntering the understanding of the complex history and present of people in this region. Learn more about the Sense of Place initiatve by clicking here or connect to the Native American Student Union, Elder in Residence Debbie Howell or other support resources by clicking here. 

 

Dia de los Muertos (November 1-2): Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a tradition that dates back around 3,000 years in Latin America. Mesoamerican cultures such as the Aztec, Toltec, Quechua, Mapuche, and others hold a cyclical view of the universe in which death is an integral part of life. The dead are still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit, and are welcomed back to Earth during el Día de Muertos. Join in a free commnity celebration of Dia de los Muertos at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center November 1 and 2 frm 1pm-4pm. 

 

Diwali (November 1-5):one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Historically, the South Asian Sudent Association (SASA) has held Diwali celebrations here on campus. Click here to conect with the current leaders of SASA

 

Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19): Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community. Here at CC  you can find mentors, support and transition supplies through the Queer and Trans Collective at the Butler Center. 

 

Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20): Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated the one year anniversary of Hester’s death and all the transgender people lost to violence that year. That initial event began the world-wide observance that is the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. You can participate in TDOR by attending or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor all those whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence that year. Vigils are typically hosted by local transgender advocates or LGBTQ organizations, and held at community centers, parks, places of worship and other venues. The vigil often involves reading a list of the names of those who have been killed. To find more resources on how to become a better ally visit GLAAD's webpage by clicking here. 

 

Bohdi Day/Rohatsu (December 8): Buddhists around the world celebrate Gautama’s attainment of Enlightenment in 596 BCE on this day while sitting under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, in Northern India. Many consider this to be the most sacred of holy places as it was the birth place of their tradition. Bodhi Day is celebrated in many mainstream Mahayan traditions, including Zen, and in Pure Land Buddhist schools in China, Japan and Korea. Buddhist commemorate the day by meditating, studying the Dharma (teaching), chanting sutras (Buddhist texts) and performing kind acts toward other beings. Some celebrate by a traditional meal of tea, cakes and readings. Colored lights or Candles may also be used to recognise the day of enlightenment. Rohatsu means the 8th day of the 12th month, and the holiday is often celebrated in January by those who use the lunar calendar. Learn more about Bohdi Day.

 

Yule/Winter Solstice (December 21): Yule is a traditional winter holiday rooted in Pagan, Norse and Wiccan traditions. It is celebrated during the Winter Solstice, which occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the longest night of the year and the rebirth of the sun, symbolizing the cycle of death and renewal. Yule is centered around themes of light, warmth, and the enduring power of nature. Ancient customs include lighting Yule logs to symbolize the return of the sun and ward off darkness, feasting, singing, and honoring deities or spirits tied to the season. Evergreen decorations like holly, ivy, and mistletoe are common, representing eternal life and the resilience of nature. In modern times, many Yule traditions have blended into Christmas celebrations, but for those who celebrate it in its traditional form, it remains a deeply spiritual time for reflecting on nature’s cycles, family bonds, and the promise of brighter days ahead. Looking to connect with others who celebrate this holiday? The CC Chaplain's office can help! 

 

Christmas Day (December 25): Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. The holiday embodies themes of hope, love, and generosity, reflecting the message of Christ's life and teachings. It is also a time for family gatherings and exchanging gifts. While rooted in religious significance, Christmas has also become a widely celebrated cultural holiday, marked by traditions such as decorating Christmas trees, singing carols, and sharing festive meals. For many, it symbolizes a time of peace, unity, and reflection. Christmas is preceded by Advent, a 4-week preparation period that began on December 1 this year. You can join in the Advent celebration and learning at CC’s 63rd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 8th. 

 

Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1): Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration from December 26th to January 1st, honoring African heritage. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, it was designed to unite and empower African Americans by connecting them to their cultural roots. The name "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits," symbolizing the harvest celebrations in many African cultures. The holiday is centered around seven principles, known as the Nguzo Saba, which include unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Kwanzaa is marked by rituals like lighting the kinara (a seven-candle holder), storytelling, music, and a feast called the Karamu. It is a time for reflection, community, and reaffirmation of cultural identity. Learn more.

 

Hanukkah (Sundown, December 25 - Sundown, January 2): Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BCE. It celebrates the Maccabean Revolt, and the miraculous event that followed: when the Jewish people reclaimed and purified the temple, they found only enough sacred oil to light the temple's menorah for one day. The oil burned for eight days, allowing time to prepare more. Hanukkah symbolizes themes of faith, resilience, and divine intervention. It is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, one candle for each night, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. Traditions include playing dreidel games, eating oil-based foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and exchanging small gifts. While not as religiously significant as other Jewish holidays, Hanukkah holds deep cultural and historical importance, representing perseverance and the fight for religious freedom. Connect with the College Chaplains office to find resources.

  

Epiphany/Dia de Los Reyes (January 6): Epiphany, also known as Día de Los Reyes, Three Kings' Day, and The Feast of the Magi, is celebrated on January 6th. It honors the biblical story of the Three Wise Men (Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar) who followed a star to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Significant to Christians because it celebrates the revelation of Jesus to the “Gentiles” as a savior for all, it marks the culmination of the Christmas season in many Christian traditions, especially in Latin America, Spain, and parts of the Caribbean. Traditions often include gifts for children and the Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with a hidden figurine of baby Jesus baked inside. 

 

We will continue to add things each block. If there is something you would like to see added, please complete this form.

 

 Visit the Chaplain's Office to import a calendar of religious observances to your personal calendar.