Religion and spirituality
Holy days and festivals
Find out about on-campus and community events which celebrate Holy Days and Festivals.
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At York St John University we pride ourselves on being open, inclusive and increasingly diverse.
On this page you will find details of upcoming religious events and holy days. If there is a specific service, festival or celebration you can join in with, details are here. If you just want to know more, contact details for the relevant Faith Adviser are also here.
Celebrating with a community is a great way to learn about their traditions. Don't be shy – join up with people of your own faith or explore that of others.
You’ll always find a warm welcome!
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Sunday, 2 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Candlemas
In Christianity, the presentation of Christ in the temple. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
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Wednesday, 12 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Magha Puja (Theravada Buddhism)
This day celebrates the Sangha, or the monastic community. It is marked by the February full moon. Get in touch with our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Saturday, 15 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Nehan-e (Japanese Mahayana Buddhism)
This day marks the Buddha's passing away. Get in touch with our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Tuesday, 25 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Ayyam-i-Ha
In Baha'i, this is a period dedicated to socialising, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and in need, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting. Get in touch with our Baha'i Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Friday, 28 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Losar (Vajrayana Buddhism)
Tibetan New Year. Get in touch with our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Friday, 28 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Fifteen Days of Miracles (Vajrayana Buddhism)
This marks how Shakyamuni Buddha showed his supernormal powers. It culminates on the full moon, Chotrol Duchen. Contact our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Friday, 28 February 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Ramadan
In Islam, Ramadan remembers the month the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book) was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan ends in the evening on 30 March. Read our short guide to Ramadan and supporting students and staff.
Open to everyone
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Tuesday, 4 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Shrove Tuesday
In Christianity, the day before Lent begins with eating up all the rich food in the house in the form of pancakes. It is called Mardi Gras in Spanish and South American culture. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
Wednesday, 5 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Ash Wednesday
In Christianity, this is the first day of Lent. It is a day of repentance and fasting, often marked by the sign of a cross in ash on the forehead. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
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Wednesday, 5 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Lent
Lent starts on 15 March and continues until 17 April. Many Christians fast by giving up something luxurious or take up charitable work. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
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Thursday, 13 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Purim
A joyful Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century BCE, were marked for death by their Persian rulers.
Open to everyone
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Friday, 14 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Start of Holi
Festival of Colours, the celebration of spring. Get in touch with our Hindu Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Monday, 17 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Higan-e (Japanese Mahayana Buddhism)
Within Japanese Mahayana Buddhism, this day serves as a reminder of impermanence. Get in touch with our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Wednesday, 19 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Naw-Ruz
This is the Bahá'í new year festival. The festival is usually observed with meetings for prayer and celebration. Get in touch with our Baha'i Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Wednesday, 26 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Maha Shivratri
In Hinduism, this festival is dedicated to Shiva. It involves all night worship the night before, fasting on the day, prayer and vigil. Get in touch with our Hindu Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
Sunday, 30 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Ugadi
The festival marks the beginning of a new Hindu calendar year. Get in touch with our Hindu Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
Sunday, 30 March 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Eid
In Islam, this celebratory festival follows the completion of Ramadan. Eid marks the end of a month of fasting from dawn to sunset, as well as spiritual prayer and reflection. Get in touch with our Muslim Faith Advisers for more information.
Open to everyone
Tuesday, 8 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Hanamatsuri (Japanese Mahayana Buddhism)
This day marks the Buddha’s birth. Contact our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Saturday, 12 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Start of Pesach (Passover)
Passover is one of the most important religious festivals for Jews and begins on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar.
Open to everyone
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Sunday, 13 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Palm Sunday
The start of Holy Week, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as the people waved palm branches. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
Sunday, 13 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
New Year (Theravada Buddhism)
Thai, Sri Lankan, Burmese, Cambodian and Lao New Year. Also known as Songkran in Thailand. Get in touch with our Buddhist Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
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Monday, 14 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)
Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in both the Sikh and Hindu calendars. This day marks founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa on 13 April 1699. Baisakhi marks the Spring Harvest Festival in Hinduism. For both religions, this day is a time to celebrate the religion and culture, a time to spend with family and friends whether it be at the temple, at home, in schools or cultural events.
Open to everyone
Thursday, 17 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Maundy Thursday
In Christianity, the day of the Last Supper and washing of the disciples’ feet. Email our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
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Friday, 18 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Good Friday
The Crucifixion. A day of fasting and prayer for Christians. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
Sunday, 20 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
Easter Sunday
The Resurrection. A big celebration for Christians! ‘Happy Easter’. Easter eggs are given and received. Get in touch with our Chaplain for more information.
Open to everyone
Sunday, 20 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.55 PM
First Day of Ridvan
The First Day of Ridván is the start of an important twelve-day festival that celebrates the beginnings of the Bahá'í Faith in 1863. Get in touch with our Bahá'i Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
Monday, 28 April 2025
12.00 AM to 11.00 PM
Ninth Day of Ridvan
In Bahá'í, the Ninth Day of Ridván honours the day when Baha’u’llah learned that he had been banished from the Ottoman Empire. Get in touch with our Bahá'í Faith Adviser for more information.
Open to everyone
Calendar of religious festivals
Find out more about upcoming dates with the Open University calendar of religious festivals. Their calendar aims to raise awareness of dates that are likely to have an impact on work or study.
