Calendar of events
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January
6 Jan
Epiphany
in various Christian traditions, commemorates the manifestation of the deity in human form as Jesus Christ; the date on which certain Christian churches celebrate Christmas (Armenian)
7 Jan
Feast of the Holy Nativity
Eastern Orthodox Churches that use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on this day
first full moon day in January, tbc
Buddhist New Year (Mahayana New Year)
Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the particular Buddhist community; in Mahayana Buddhist countries, New Year starts on the first full moon day in January
26 Jan
Australia Day / Survival Day
Publicly observed as ‘Australia Day’, but also known variously as ‘Survival Day’ or ‘Aboriginal Sovereignty Day’
This has become a contentious day for many. For some Australians, especially but not exclusively from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it is not a day of celebration as it marks the beginning of formal European settlement of land that has not subsequently been ceded. ABLE respects individual conscience and does not propose to endorse formal observance.
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February
1-15 Feb
Lunar New Year
celebrated variously as Chunjie (China),Tết Festival (Vietnam), Solnal / Seollal (Korea) and in these and other diasporas
13 Feb
Anniversary of National Apology Day
Marks the National Apology by the Australian Parliament to Australia’s Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on 13 February 2008, for the injustices of past government policies, particularly to the Stolen Generations.
21 Feb
International Mother Language Day
The United Nations endorses this day ‘to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world.’
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March
1 Mar
endorsed by UNAIDS[i]
8 Mar
endorsed by UN Women,[ii] celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements internationally
variable
Ash Wednesday
In the Christian tradition, initiates Lent, a period of 40 days of fasting and reflection before Easter
3rd Thursday in March
aims to raise awareness about the health and life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians [iii]
18 Mar (tbc)
Holi (Festival of Colours)
Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, Holi also commemorates some key figures in Hindu mythology.
21 Mar (variable)
Naw-Ruz
Baha’I New Year, marking the first day in the Baha’I calendar
21 Mar
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
On the day marking the Sharpeville Massacre of peaceful protesters in South Africa in 1960, adopted as a day to reflect on the collective responsibility to act to end racism [iv]
21-27 Mar (variable)
Harmony Week
celebrates the inclusive nature of Australia as diverse nation
Variable (March/April)
Passover / Pesach
In the Jewish tradition, on the 15th day of Nisan, commemorating the Biblical account of the escape of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt
31 Mar
international celebration of trans pride and awareness
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April
March 23 - April 21
Ramadan
the most auspicious month on the Islamic Calendar, daily fasting from sunrise to sunset
tbc (April)
Songkran (Thai New Year) /
Choul Chnam Thmey (Cambodian/Khmer New Year) / Thingyan (Burmese New Year) /
Pii Mai (Lao New Year) /
Sinhalese (Aluth Avurudda) and Tamil (Puthandu or Puthu-varusham) New Year / Nava Varsha (Nepalese New Year)
solar new year in several parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand / traditionally the end of harvest and an opportunity to gather as a community and look to the future
13-14 Apr (tbc)
Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)
the most important occasion in the Sikh calendar
15 Apr (tbc)
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year)
first day of the Bangla Calendar
7 April
Good Friday
most solemn day in the Christian Calendar, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
9 April
Easter Sunday
most significant event of the Christian calendar, making the resurrection of Jesus Christ
21 Apr – 2 May (tbc)
Ridvan
the most significant festival of the Baha’I faith
14 April
Holy Friday (Orthodox)
Good Friday in the Orthodox tradition (Julian Calendar)
9 April
Pascha (Easter Sunday)
Orthodox Easter in the Julian Calendar
27 Apr
Yom HaShoah V’Hagevurah
Holocaust Memorial Day (‘Day of /Remembrance of the Holocaust and the Heroism’)
Variable (late April/ early Mary)
Eid al Fitr
In the Muslim tradition, the end of Ramadan is marked with celebratory meals, acts of charity and of making amends
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May
Variable (May)
Vesak Day or Buddha Day
commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha
17 May
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
people are encouraged to wear the rainbow on 17 May and use the day as a catalyst for creating safe spaces for LGBTIQ people[i]
26 May
National Sorry Day
acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture
27 May - 3 June
celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians
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June
June
Pride Month
celebrates the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community
3 Jun
Marks the date of the Australian High Court decision in 1992 that paved the way for native title.
20 Jun
UNHCR-endorsed day to celebrate the courage and contribution of those who have been forced to flee conflict or persecution
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July
2 July - 9 July
National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week is held every year in early July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.
Variable
Eid al Adha
Feast of Sacrifice commemorates the ordeal of Ibrahim (Abraham) who was asked to sacrifice his only son to prove his faith to Allah (God); one of the two major Muslim festivals
variable
Al Hijri (first day of Muharram) – Islamic New Year
Muharram is the first month of the year on the Islamic Calendar and is the second holiest month after Ramadan
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August
9 Aug
encourages people to spread the UN’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples[i]
18-19 Aug (tbc)
Krishna Janmashtami
one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna, eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita – the guiding principles for every Hindu
25 Aug
Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day
marks recognition of the Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) as a distinct cultural group by the Commonwealth Government in 1994
tbc
Australian equal pay day moves according to the number of extra days women would need to work to achieve pay equity with men based on the most recent data re the gendered pay gap. In 2022, it was 30 August representing 60 additional days work to achieve pay equity = pay gap of 14.1%.[ii] The UN-endorsed ‘Equal Pay Day’ is 18 September (marks longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value[iii])
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September
8 Sep
empowers people to start conversations about mental health[i]
11 Sep
Nayrouz (Coptic New Year)
marks both the start of the Coptic new year and its first month
15 Sep - 17 Sept
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Jewish New Year festival commemorates the creation of the world
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October
1 Oct
UN-endorsed day to raise awareness of the impact of an aging population[i]
Variable (tbc)
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with fasting and repentance
7-8 Oct (tbc)
Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid Al-Nabi)
the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is commemorated in most Muslim-majority countries
10 Oct
to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilise efforts in support of mental health[ii]
24 Oct (variable)
Deepavali (Diwali, Festival of Lights)
Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths celebration of the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance
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November
8 Nov
Birth of Guru Nanak
founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru; may also be called Guru Nanak Gurpurb, Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav or Guru Nanak Dev Hi Jayanti
25 Nov
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
observed since 1981, date chosen to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo[i]
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December
3 Dec
to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements[i]
10 Dec
marks adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948[ii]
18 Dec
to mark the anniversary of the 1990 adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families[iii]
7 Dec - 15 Dec
Chanukah (Hanukkah)
Jewish Festival of Lights / commemorates the recapture and rededication by the Jewish people of the Jerusalem Temple
25 Dec
Christmas Day
In the Christian tradition, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ as incarnation of the deity (observed on this date by churches following the Gregorian calendar). Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All.