Below you’ll find a small sampling of our October interfaith calendar events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar.
Every month, we focus on an assortment of different events to allow you to learn more about other religions and their most important days. Our 2023 Interfaith Calendar offers an an-inclusive look at all of the most popular religious holidays, high holy days, and religious festivals. Our monthly blog post is just a sampling of events occurring each month.
In our monthly samples, we aim to share October awareness days, October diversity days, October heritage months, October high holy days, October religious holidays, and religious festivals.
Please note that if a holiday begins the evening before, we will mark it with an asterisk (*).
October Religious Holidays
October 6-8* – Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that follows Sukkot, a seven-day festival where Israelites were commanded to go to the temple in Jerusalem. This day celebrates the end of Sukkot and the restart of the annual schedule of Torah readings.
October 15 – 24* – Navaratri
This annual Hindu festival honors Durga, a goddess known as Adi Parashakti, who defeated a demon after a battle that lasted nine days and nights. It’s celebrated with worship, scripture readings, and dancing. It ends on the tenth day with Dussehra, which commemorates her victory.
Learn more about Hinduism holy days and Hindy religious observances.
October 16* – Birth of the Bab
The Bab, also known as Siyyid-Ali-Muhammad, is a symbolic figure believed to have been sent to tell the Manifestations of God or Baha’u’llah. The Birth of the Bab and the Birth of Baha’u’llah (the Twin Holy Days) are celebrated continuously.
October 24 – Dussehra
One of the major Hindu festivals celebrated at the end of Navaratri, Dussehra holds different significance in various regions of India. For some, it represents the end of Durga Puja, commemorating Durga’s victory in restoring dharma. For others, it marks Rama’s victory over Ravana during Ramlila. The festival is celebrated with fireworks, music performances, and waterfront processions with Durga clay statues.
October 31 – Samhain
This Gaelic festival marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter or the darker half of the year. In ancient times, it involved large feasts and bonfires, And it was considered a time when the veil between the physical world and the Otherworld was thin.
Did You Know?
When you consciously learn about other cultures and religions, you help the world to be understood. In the workplace, a workforce is made of different genders, religions, races, and ethnicities. These differences are what make us so unique.
Our 2023 Diversity Calendar and 2023 Interfaith Calendar both are powerful resources to use to not only learn more about those around you but to provide inclusive scheduling for your employees. To learn more about our DEI calendar, enjoy a free trial of our interactive DEI Calendar.