The Office of the Provost maintains a calendar of religious holidays along with guidance to students regarding conflicts between the University academic calendar and religious observances.

Official Academic Calendar

The University’s academic calendar as approved by the Board of Regents is posted on the Office of the Registrar website. The Final Exams schedule is also available from the Registrar’s website.

Religious Holidays

[Add religious holiday calendar to your personal Google calendar]

University statement on conflicts between the academic and religious calendars

Although the University of Michigan, as an institution, does not observe religious holidays, it has long been the University’s policy that every reasonable effort should be made to help students avoid negative academic consequences when their religious obligations conflict with academic requirements. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance shall be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent. Such notice must be given by the drop/add deadline of the given term. Students who are absent on days of examinations or class assignments shall be offered an opportunity to make up the work, without penalty, unless it can be demonstrated that a make-up opportunity would interfere unreasonably with the delivery of the course. Should disagreement arise over any aspect of this policy, the parties involved should contact the Department Chair, the Dean of the School, or the Ombudsperson. Final appeals will be resolved by the Provost.

Religious Holidays during the 2024-25 Academic Year

Many of the holidays listed below are linked to Fact Sheets prepared by a U-M School of Information Project Team with input and review from religious leaders and community organizations. The UMSI team members are Jacques Chestnut, Rebecca Epstein, Claudia Leo, James Reitz, Colum Slevin, Brian Schmidt, Barbara Smith (project lead), and Todd Stuart.

Most religions contain multiple sects, and even within a single sect – multiple practices around a holiday can be found. Authors of these Fact Sheets have attempted to generally describe an event that is likely celebrated in many different ways. If someone feels the authors have misrepresented any information or would like information added, they are open to feedback. Please email them to [email protected].

[Download 2024-25 holidays list]

2024-25 Holidays and Fact Sheets

* Jewish holy days begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed.
** These holidays are calculated on a lunar calendar and are approximate. Muslim holidays begin and end at sundown on the first and last days listed.
*** The Bahá’í day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequently, the day on which a Holy Day is observed begins at sunset of the day before the Gregorian calendar dates given above.

Additional Resources