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York Region District School Board

Significant Faith Days

York Region is rich in culture and diverse in religious beliefs and practices based on faith.

The dates listed below are some faith holidays of particular significance to members of the major faith communities in our Board. We are committed to affirm and value equally the faith diversity in our schools, therefore, events such as field trips, school concerts, conferences, meetings, workshops, other professional events, co-curricular activities, and exams/tests will not be scheduled on these dates:

DateFaith Day / CelebrationFaith
October 3 - 4, 2024Rosh Hashanah **Judaism
October 12, 2024Yom Kippur **Judaism
November 1, 2024DiwaliHinduism
December 25, 2024ChristmasChristianity (Western)
January 7, 2025ChristmasChristianity (Eastern)
January 29, 2025Lunar New YearBuddhism
March 31, 2025Eid-ul-Fitr* **Islam
April 13, 2025Pesach/Passover **Judaism
April 14, 2025VaisakhiSikhism
April 18, 2025Good Friday Christianity (Western)
April 18, 2025Holy FridayChristianity (Eastern)
April 20, 2025RidvanBaha’i
June 6, 2025Eid-ul-Adha * **Islam

* Dates are subject to the sighting of the moon and may vary for different members of the Islamic faith

** All Jewish and Islamic Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset.

Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of extended field trips. These exceptions are made with Superintendent approval and take into consideration the impact to students participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value.

Please note that in addition to the above-listed dates, YRDSB will take reasonable steps to accommodate students and staff members of a faith group for whom the Board’s and the school’s operations or requirements create undue hardship and interfere with their ability to exercise their religious beliefs and practices.

These dates may include, but are not limited to the following:

DateFaith Day/CelebrationFaith
June 21, 2024National Indigenous Peoples Day 
July 17, 2024Ashura* **Islam
October 17-23, 2024Sukkot**Judaism
October 24-25, 2024Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah**Judaism
November 1, 2024All Saints’ DayChristianity (Western)
November 15, 2024Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev JiSikhism
January 5, 2025Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh JiSikhism
March 1, 2025-March 30, 2025Ramadan* **Islam
March 5, 2025Ash WednesdayChristianity (Western)
March 14, 2025Purim **Judaism
March 14, 2025HoliHinduism
March 20, 2025Naw-RuzBaha’i
March 21, 2025Nowruz (Ismaili) * **Islam
March 21, 2025Nowruz (New Year’s Day)Zoroastrianism
April 13-April 20, 2025Pesach/Passover ** ***Judaism
April 21-May 2, 2025RidvanBaha’i
May 12, 2025WesakBuddhism
June 2 - 3, 2025Shavuot **Judaism
June 21, 2025National Indigenous Peoples DayIndigenous

 

* Dates are subject to the sighting of the moon each month and may vary for different members of the Islamic faith

** All Jewish and Islamic Holy Days commence on the preceding evening at sunset.

*** The first two days and last two days of Passover are observed as full Holy Days

The Board also advocates the recognition of faith days as outlined in the Multifaith Calendar, throughout the school year.

It is recommended that individual schools, in consultation with their School Councils, develop appropriate ways of celebrating such significant days in keeping with inclusive curriculum.


This list does not represent all observances practiced by YRDSB diverse-faith community.

For additional information please contact your school’s Principal or Superintendent.​​