January Celebrations and Spring 2026 Semester Kickoff
As the Spring 2026 semester begins on January 21, the Division of Inclusive Excellence welcomes students and faculty back with a spirit of unity and celebration. The month of January is filled with a rich tapestry of observances that enrich the community, such as New Year's Day (January 1), the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1), World Braille Day (January 4), Korean American Day (January 13), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday of January), Indian Republic Day (January 26), and International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27). January is also recognized as National Poverty Awareness Month—a time to reflect on supporting one another. In addition, the month highlights significant religious holidays, including Mahayana New Year (January 3), Feast of the Epiphany (January 6), Makar Sankranti or Magh (January 14), Lailat al-Mi'raj (January 15–16), and Vasant Panchami (January 23).
As the new academic year unfolds, the UAlbany community is encouraged and invited to participate in a variety of on-campus events throughout January. Opportunities for growth, meaningful achievements, and inspiring moments await. We wish all a year filled with success, resilience in the face of challenges, and experiences that are both memorable and rewarding. Our hope is for a bright, productive, and fulfilling year ahead.
University Events Calendar
You can also access videos, audio and presentations from the Division of Inclusive Excellence's previous events.
Great Dane Dialogue
In Fall 2024, with the backdrop of a contentious election season, global crises, and unrest on college campuses worldwide, the University at Albany stepped into its role as an educator with an expansive effort to encourage civil discourse and civic engagement among our students. Learn more about the Great Dane Dialogue.
Talking Traditions
In Building an Inclusive Community, it's important to understand and celebrate our friends' traditions, identities, and holidays, even if — or maybe, especially if — we come from different backgrounds.
Diversity is a core institutional priority and intrinsic to our goal of becoming the nation's leading diverse public research university. UAlbany is a proud recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award (HEED) for seven consecutive years.
In the Talking Traditions campaign, students, administrators, and faculty share what their traditions mean to them. The Great Dane Dialogue team explores heritage and cultural awareness, providing our community with an understanding of the inclusive Great Dane community.
Explore Talking Tradition videos:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Jewish High Holy Days
- LGBTQ+ History Month
- Diwali
- Black Solidarity Day
- Native American Heritage Month
- Kwanzaa
- Lunar New Year
- Black History Month | Video 2
- Ramadan
- Ash Wednesday
- Holi
- Women's History Month
- Eid al-Fitr
- Easter
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Heritage, Cultural & Religious Observances
The University acknowledges and observes various heritage months and cultural identity recognition days to celebrate the rich tapestry of the campus community.
The list is not exhaustive. Faculty and staff should continue to consult with their students to ensure that any holidays and observances are recognized and accommodated per the New York State Education Law 224-A. Members of our campus community may request accommodations for cultural and religious observances.
We have made every effort to ensure the information is accurate and inclusive. If you have any additions or corrections, contact us.
Heritage Observances
Heritage Observances
January 2026
- Poverty in America Awareness Month
February 2026
- Black History Month
- American History Month
- Human Relations Month
March 2026
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Greek American Heritage Month
- Gender Equality Month
- Irish American Heritage Month
- Ethnic Equality Month
- National Women's History Month
April 2026
- Community Service Month
- Earth Month
- Arab American Heritage Month
- Celebrate Diversity Month
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
May 2026
- National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Highlighting AAPI Faculty & Research: Learn more about AAPI faculty and research at UAlbany.
- Haitian Heritage Month
- Indian Heritage Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Month
- National Military Appreciation Month
June 2026
- National Immigrant Heritage Month
- National Caribbean American Heritage Month
- Black Music Month
- Pride Month
- Celebrating Pride Month: Learn more about UAlbany's queer and trans community
July 2026
- French American Heritage Month
- Disability Pride Month
October 2026
- Hispanic Heritage Month (ends October 15)
- LGBTQ+ History Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Filipino American Heritage Month
- Italian American Heritage Month
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
September 2026
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
November 2026
- Native American Heritage Month
- National Native American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month
Cultural Observances
Cultural Observances
January 2026
- New Year's Day — January 1
- Emancipation Proclamation — January 1
- World Braille Day — January 4
- Korean American Day — January 13
- Makar Sankranti or Magh — January 14
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 19
- Indian Republic Day — January 26
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day — January 27
February 2026
- National Freedom Day — February 1
- Kashmir Solidarity Day — February 5
- National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day — February 7
- Valentine’s Day — February 14
- Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week — February 15 to 21
- President’s Day — February 16
- Lunar New Year — February 17
March 2026
- International Women’s Day — March 8
- Harriet Tubman Day — March 10
- St. Patrick’s Day — March 17
- Ugadi — March 19
- Naw-Ruz (Persian New Year) — March 20
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — March 21
- International Transgender Day of Visibility — March 31
April 2026
- Passover/Pesach — April 1 (evening) to April 9 (ends at nightfall)
- World Autism Awareness Day — April 2
- Easter — April 5
- International Asexuality Day — April 6
- Day of Silence — April 10
- Earth Day — April 22
- Gathering of Nations — April 24 to 26
- Lesbian Visibility Day — April 26
May 2026
- International Labor Day (May Day) — May 1
- Constitution Memorial Day — May 3
- Cinco de Mayo — May 5
- National Day of Prayer — May 7
- Mother’s Day — May 10
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia — May 17
- Agender Pride Day — May 19
- Harvey Milk Day — May 22
- Pansexual Visibility Day — May 24
- May Revolution Day — May 25
- Memorial Day — May 25
June 2026
- Pulse Night of Remembrance — June 12
- Puerto Rican Day Parade — June 14
- National Children’s Day — June 14
- Juneteenth — June 19
- Father’s Day — June 21
- Stonewall Riots Anniversary — June 28
July 2026
- Independence Day — July 4
- Non-Binary Awareness Day — July 14
- International Drag Day — July 16
- Pioneer Day — July 24
- Parents’ Day — July 26
- International Friendship Day — July 30
August 2026
- International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples — August 9
- International Youth Day — August 12
- World Humanitarian Day — August 19
- Women’s Equality Day — August 26
- Individual Rights Day — August 29
September 2026
- Slovakia Constitution Day — September 1
- National Suicide Prevention Week — September 6 to 12
- Labor Day — September 7
- Brazil Independence Day — September 7
- Patriot Day — September 11
- Rosh Hashanah — September 11 (evening) to September 13 (ends at nightfall)
- International Day of Democracy — September 15
- Mexican Independence Day — September 16
- Bisexual Awareness Week — September 16 to 23
- Yom Kippur — September 20 (evening) to September 21 (ends at nightfall)
- Autumnal Equinox — September 22
- Saudi National Day - September 23
October 2026
- German-American Day - October 6
- World Mental Health Day — October 10
- National Coming Out Day — October 11
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day — October 12
- LGBTQ+ Spirit Day — October 16
- Diwali — October 18
- International Pronouns Day — October 21
- Ace Week (formerly Asexual Awareness Week — October 25 to 31
- Intersex Awareness Day — October 26
- National Immigrants Day — October 28
- Halloween — October 31
November 2026
- Black Solidarity Day — November 2
- Election Day — November 3
- Veterans Day — November 11
- Transgender Awareness Week — November 13 to 19
- International Day for Tolerance — November 16
- International Education Week — November 16 to 20
- Transgender Day of Remembrance — November 20
- National Day of Mourning /Thanksgiving — November 26
December 2026
- World AIDS Day — December 1
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities — December 3
- Human Rights Day — December 10
- Las Posadas — December 16 to 24
- International Migrants Day — December 18
- Christmas — December 25
- Hanukkah / Chanukah — December 14 to December 22
- Kwanzaa — December 26 to January 1
Major Religious Holidays & Observances
Major Religious Holidays & Observances
The UAlbany community is enriched by the diverse faiths and traditions of our students, faculty, and staff. The Registrar's Office has provided a list of some of the upcoming major religious holidays and observances.