The 2027 edition of the Pagan EdNet Holiday Accommodation Calendar is now available. It is written for the people who make schedules: school administrators, human resources staff, shift supervisors, and event planners.
This is the fifth annual edition. The calendar was first published for 2023 after employers and school districts told our Speakers Bureau, again and again, that they were willing to accommodate Pagan holy days and simply did not know when they were.
What the Calendar Contains
- Exact 2027 dates for the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year.
- A line on each festival explaining what observance usually involves and when it begins.
- Other widely kept observances, including the twelve nights of Yule and Winter Nights as kept by many Heathens, and the dates of the full moons.
- A page of guidance on handling requests for leave.
- A note on which dates are most often requested.
2027 Festival Dates
| Festival | 2027 date | Typical observance |
|---|---|---|
| Imbolc | Monday, February 1, to Tuesday, February 2 | Evening ritual at home; candle lighting |
| Ostara (Spring Equinox) | Saturday, March 20 | Daytime or evening ritual; family meal |
| Beltane | Saturday, May 1 | Outdoor gathering; often begins the evening of April 30 |
| Litha (Summer Solstice) | Monday, June 21 | Sunrise or evening ritual outdoors |
| Lughnasadh | Sunday, August 1 | Shared meal; community gathering |
| Mabon (Autumn Equinox) | Wednesday, September 22, to Thursday, September 23 | Evening ritual; harvest meal |
| Samhain | Sunday, October 31, to Monday, November 1 | Evening ritual honoring the dead; may run late |
| Yule (Winter Solstice) | Tuesday, December 21 | Evening ritual or night vigil; family celebration |
The autumn equinox of 2027 falls late on September 22 in the western time zones and early on September 23 in the eastern ones, so communities may gather on either evening.
Planning Notes for 2027
- Samhain falls on a Sunday and Monday. Expect requests for a late start or a day of leave on Monday, November 1.
- Yule falls on a Tuesday, in a week when many workplaces are already short-staffed. Early requests help everyone.
- The summer solstice falls on a Monday. Some employees will ask for the morning, in order to greet the sunrise.
- Three festivals fall entirely on weekends in 2027: Ostara, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. This will reduce the number of requests in most workplaces.
A Reminder
Not every Pagan observes every festival, and some follow other calendars. The calendar is a planning aid. It is not a list of what any individual is expected to request. When a student or an employee asks for time, the request should be considered on its own terms, as with any religious observance.
How to Get a Copy
The calendar is free. Write to education@paganednet.org with the name of your school, organization, or business, and we will send it by return email. It may be copied and posted without charge for non-commercial use.
For background on the festivals, see The Wheel of the Year. For guidance on requests, see A Guide for Employers and A Guide for Educators. A one-hour briefing on the winter holidays for schools and employers is listed on the Events Calendar.