Australia awareness days and key dates

Wednesday 21 October 2026

• Global Ethics Day

  Awareness

  Held on the third Wednesday of October to encourage people and organisations to talk about ethics in public life and business.

Thursday 22 October 2026

• International Stammering Awareness Day

  Awareness

  An international day on 22 October to raise awareness of stammering, also called stuttering, and the people who stammer.

Friday 23 October 2026

• International Day of the Snow Leopard

  Awareness

  The International Day of the Snow Leopard on 23 October raises awareness of threats to the snow leopard and the need to protect it.

Saturday 24 October 2026

• Children's Week (Australia)

  Awareness24 October to 1 November 2026

  A national celebration of children's rights held around the fourth Wednesday of October, with events run by councils, schools and early learning services.

• Disarmament Week

  Awareness24 to 30 October 2026

  Disarmament Week, 24 to 30 October, raises public awareness of disarmament and its role in peace and protecting civilians.

• Global Media and Information Literacy Week

  Awareness24 to 31 October 2026

  Global Media and Information Literacy Week, 24 to 31 October, helps people find, judge and share information responsibly.

• United Nations Day

  Awareness

  United Nations Day on 24 October marks the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into force in 1945.

• World Development Information Day

  Awareness

  World Development Information Day on 24 October draws attention to development problems and the need for international cooperation.

• World Polio Day

  Awareness

  World Polio Day on 24 October each year marks progress towards ending polio and raises funds for vaccination.

Sunday 25 October 2026

• NSW Grandparents Day

  Awareness

  A New South Wales day in late October recognising the role grandparents and older people play in families and communities.

• World Opera Day

  Awareness

  Celebrated on 25 October, the birthday of Georges Bizet and Johann Strauss II, to share opera with new audiences around the world.

Monday 26 October 2026

• Intersex Awareness Day

  Awareness

  Held on 26 October, Intersex Awareness Day raises awareness of intersex people and calls for an end to unnecessary medical interventions without consent.

Tuesday 27 October 2026

• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

  Awareness

  The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October highlights the urgent need to preserve film, sound and video records.

Wednesday 28 October 2026

• International Animation Day

  Awareness

  International Animation Day on 28 October celebrates animated film, marking the first public projection of moving images by Emile Reynaud in Paris in 1892.

Thursday 29 October 2026

• Bandanna Day

  Awareness

  Canteen's annual fundraising and awareness day for young people affected by cancer, held on the last Thursday in October.

• International Day of Care and Support

  Awareness

  The International Day of Care and Support on 29 October recognises the value of care work and calls for investment in care systems.

• World Ballet Day

  Awareness

  An annual day in late October when ballet companies around the world stream classes, rehearsals and performances online.

• World Psoriasis Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 29 October that raises awareness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and challenges stigma around them.

• World Stroke Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 29 October to raise awareness of stroke, its warning signs and how it can be prevented.

Saturday 31 October 2026

• Halloween

  Commercial and retail

  The evening of 31 October, known for costumes, pumpkins and trick or treating.

• Tax Return Deadline (Australia)

  Commercial and retail

  The 31 October deadline for Australians who lodge their own income tax return for the year to 30 June.

• World Cities Day

  Awareness

  World Cities Day on 31 October draws attention to urbanisation and how to make cities sustainable and good places to live.

• World Savings Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 31 October to encourage saving and to highlight the role of savings banks in helping people manage money.

Sunday 1 November 2026

• All Saints' Day

  Religious and cultural

  All Saints' Day on 1 November is a Christian festival honouring all saints, known and unknown.

• Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)

  Religious and cultural1 to 2 November 2026

  The Day of the Dead on 1 and 2 November is a Mexican tradition honouring loved ones who have died, with altars and marigolds.

• World Vegan Day

  Awareness

  World Vegan Day on 1 November celebrates veganism and the founding of The Vegan Society, and opens World Vegan Month.

Monday 2 November 2026

• All Souls' Day

  Religious and cultural

  All Souls' Day on 2 November is when many Christians remember and pray for those who have died.

• International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

  Awareness

  On 2 November the UN condemns attacks on journalists and urges states to bring those responsible to justice.

• International Sherry Week

  Commercial and retail2 to 8 November 2026

  A week in early November when bars, restaurants and shops around the world hold tastings and events celebrating sherry.

• International Stress Awareness Week

  Awareness2 to 6 November 2026

  A week in early November that raises awareness of stress and wellbeing, especially at work. The 2026 week runs 2 to 6 November.

Tuesday 3 November 2026

• International Day for Biosphere Reserves

  Awareness

  A UNESCO day on 3 November that highlights biosphere reserves, places where people and nature are managed together sustainably.

• Melbourne Cup Day public holiday

  Public holidays

  A Victorian public holiday on the first Tuesday in November, the day of the Melbourne Cup horse race. It falls on 2 November 2027.

Thursday 5 November 2026

• Outdoor Classroom Day (November)

  Awareness

  The autumn date of Outdoor Classroom Day, when schools take lessons and play outside to show the value of time outdoors.

• World Tsunami Awareness Day

  Awareness

  World Tsunami Awareness Day on 5 November promotes understanding of tsunami risks and the steps that save lives.

Friday 6 November 2026

• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

  Awareness

  On 6 November the UN highlights the often overlooked damage that war and armed conflict do to the environment.

Saturday 7 November 2026

• Garage Sale Trail

  Awareness7 to 15 November 2026

  A national event over two November weekends when households and community groups hold garage sales to reuse unwanted items. In 2026, 7 to 8 and 14 to 15 November.

Sunday 8 November 2026

• Bandi Chhor Divas

  Religious and cultural

  Bandi Chhor Divas is the Sikh festival of freedom, held on the same day as Diwali, falling on 8 November 2026.

• Diwali

  Religious and cultural

  Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in October or November, the biggest date in the Hindu year.

• International Day of Radiology

  Awareness

  A global day on 8 November, the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays, recognising medical imaging.

Monday 9 November 2026

• International Week of Science and Peace

  Awareness9 to 15 November 2026

  The International Week of Science and Peace, held in the week of 11 November, promotes links between science, cooperation and peace.

• National Recycling Week (Australia)

  Awareness9 to 15 November 2026

  Planet Ark's week each November encouraging households, schools and workplaces to recycle correctly and cut waste. In 2026 it runs from 9 to 15 November.

• World Quality Week

  Awareness9 to 13 November 2026

  A week in November when organisations recognise the work of quality professionals and the value of quality management.

Tuesday 10 November 2026

• Hindu New Year (Annakut)

  Religious and cultural

  Hindu New Year, the day after Diwali in the Gujarati calendar, is marked with Annakut, a vast offering of food in temples.

• NET Cancer Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 10 November that raises awareness of neuroendocrine cancers and the need for earlier diagnosis.

• World Science Day for Peace and Development

  Awareness

  World Science Day for Peace and Development on 10 November highlights the role of science in society and in building sustainable futures.

Wednesday 11 November 2026

• Armistice Day

  Religious and cultural

  The anniversary on 11 November of the end of First World War fighting in 1918, marked with a two-minute silence at 11am.

• Singles' Day (11.11)

  Commercial and retail

  Singles' Day on 11 November is a major online shopping event, led by Alibaba's 11.11 festival in China.

Thursday 12 November 2026

• World Pneumonia Day

  Awareness

  Held on 12 November, World Pneumonia Day raises awareness of pneumonia, a leading infectious cause of death, and calls for better prevention and treatment.

Friday 13 November 2026

• Chhath Puja

  Religious and cultural13 to 16 November 2026

  Chhath Puja is a four day Hindu festival honouring the Sun God, held six days after Diwali, from 13 to 16 November 2026.

• Trans Awareness Week

  Awareness13 to 19 November 2026

  A week from 13 to 19 November raising awareness of trans people and the issues they face, leading into Trans Day of Remembrance.

• World Kindness Day

  Awareness

  World Kindness Day on 13 November encourages people everywhere to carry out acts of kindness in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

Saturday 14 November 2026

• World Diabetes Day

  Awareness

  World Diabetes Day on 14 November raises awareness of diabetes and how type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed.

Sunday 15 November 2026

• International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime

  Awareness

  On 15 November the UN raises awareness of the threats posed by organised crime that crosses borders and the need to tackle it together.

• International Fraud Awareness Week

  Awareness15 to 21 November 2026

  A global week in November that promotes fraud prevention and awareness, held from 15 to 21 November in 2026.

• National Skin Cancer Action Week

  Awareness15 to 22 November 2026

  Cancer Council's annual sun safety campaign in the third week of November, running 15 to 22 November 2026 and 21 to 28 November 2027.

• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

  Awareness

  The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, on the third Sunday of November, remembers people killed and injured on the roads.

• World Prematurity Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 15 November that raises awareness of preterm birth and the needs of babies born too early and their families.

Monday 16 November 2026

• Global Entrepreneurship Week

  Awareness16 to 22 November 2026

  A worldwide week of events in mid November that encourages people to start and grow businesses, held from 16 to 22 November in 2026.

• International Day for Tolerance

  Awareness

  The International Day for Tolerance on 16 November promotes respect for the world's diverse cultures and action against intolerance.

• International Day of the Mediterranean Diet

  Awareness

  The International Day of the Mediterranean Diet on 16 November celebrates a healthy way of eating that is also recognised as living cultural heritage.

Wednesday 18 November 2026

• World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

  Awareness18 to 24 November 2026

  World AMR Awareness Week, 18 to 24 November, raises awareness of drug-resistant infections and encourages careful use of antibiotics and other medicines.

• World COPD Day

  Awareness

  A global day in November that raises awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday 18 November.

• World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence

  Awareness

  On 18 November the UN raises awareness of child sexual abuse, supports survivors and calls for prevention and accountability.

Thursday 19 November 2026

• International Men's Day

  Awareness

  International Men's Day on 19 November each year focuses on men's health and wellbeing and the positive contributions men make.

• World Pancreatic Cancer Day

  Awareness

  A global day in November, on 19 November in 2026, that asks people to learn the warning signs of pancreatic cancer.

• World Philosophy Day

  Awareness

  World Philosophy Day, on the third Thursday of November, celebrates philosophical thinking and open, reasoned debate.

• World Toilet Day

  Awareness

  World Toilet Day on 19 November raises awareness of the billions of people who still lack safe sanitation.

Friday 20 November 2026

• Africa Industrialization Day

  Awareness

  Africa Industrialization Day on 20 November builds international support for industrial development across Africa.

• National Agriculture Day (Australia)

  Awareness

  AgDay, held on the third Friday of November, celebrates Australian farmers and the agriculture sector. In 2026 it falls on Friday 20 November.

• Transgender Day of Remembrance

  Awareness

  A day on 20 November remembering trans people whose lives were lost to anti-trans violence.

• World Children's Day

  Awareness

  World Children's Day on 20 November is UNICEF's day of action for children's rights, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Saturday 21 November 2026

• International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

  Awareness

  A day on the Saturday before US Thanksgiving when people bereaved by suicide gather for support. The 2026 day is 21 November.

• World Television Day

  Awareness

  World Television Day on 21 November recognises the influence of television in drawing attention to global issues.

Sunday 22 November 2026

• Christ the King

  Religious and cultural

  Christ the King is the Christian festival on the Sunday before Advent, closing the church year; it falls on 22 November 2026.

Tuesday 24 November 2026

• Guru Nanak Gurpurab

  Religious and cultural

  Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, on the full moon of Kartik in November.

• World Conjoined Twins Day

  Awareness

  World Conjoined Twins Day on 24 November raises awareness of conjoined twins and promotes their wellbeing and inclusion.

Wednesday 25 November 2026

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

  Awareness25 November to 10 December 2026

  An international campaign running from 25 November to 10 December calling for an end to violence against women and girls.

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

  Awareness

  On 25 November the UN calls for an end to violence against women and girls and launches 16 days of activism.

• White Ribbon Day (Australia)

  Awareness

  White Ribbon Australia's annual day in November asking Australians to reflect on gender equality and act to prevent men's violence against women.

Thursday 26 November 2026

• World Sustainable Transport Day

  Awareness

  World Sustainable Transport Day on 26 November promotes safe, affordable, accessible and clean transport for everyone.

Friday 27 November 2026

• International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage

  Awareness

  On 27 November the UN calls for an end to child, early and forced marriage.

Sunday 29 November 2026

• Advent Sunday

  Religious and cultural

  Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and begins the Christian season of Advent and the church year.

• International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

  Awareness

  On 29 November the UN expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Monday 30 November 2026

• Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

  Awareness

  On 30 November the UN and OPCW honour the victims of chemical warfare and renew the commitment to eliminate chemical weapons.

Tuesday 1 December 2026

• Giving Tuesday

  Awareness

  Giving Tuesday falls on the Tuesday after US Thanksgiving and encourages people around the world to give time, money or skills to good causes.

• GivingTuesday (UK)

  Awareness

  A global day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, encouraging people to donate, volunteer or help others, on 1 December 2026.

• World AIDS Day

  Awareness

  World AIDS Day on 1 December highlights the work to end HIV and AIDS and remembers those who have died.

Wednesday 2 December 2026

• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

  Awareness

  The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December focuses on ending modern slavery, including trafficking and forced labour.

Thursday 3 December 2026

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities

  Awareness

  A United Nations day on 3 December promoting the rights and wellbeing of disabled people.

Friday 4 December 2026

• International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures

  Awareness

  On 4 December the UN raises awareness of the harm caused by unilateral coercive measures that do not comply with international law.

• International Day of Banks

  Awareness

  The International Day of Banks on 4 December recognises the role of development banks and banking systems in financing sustainable development.

Saturday 5 December 2026

• Hanukkah

  Religious and cultural5 to 12 December 2026

  Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights in December, marked by lighting one more candle each night.

• International Volunteer Day

  Awareness

  International Volunteer Day on 5 December thanks volunteers and promotes volunteering for peace and sustainable development.

• World Soil Day

  Awareness

  World Soil Day on 5 December raises awareness of healthy soil and its role in food security and nature.

Monday 7 December 2026

• International Civil Aviation Day

  Awareness

  International Civil Aviation Day on 7 December highlights the importance of air travel to economic and social development.

Tuesday 8 December 2026

• Bodhi Day

  Religious and cultural

  Bodhi Day on 8 December marks the Buddha's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, kept mainly in Japanese and Zen Buddhist traditions as Rohatsu.

Wednesday 9 December 2026

• International Anti-Corruption Day

  Awareness

  International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December raises awareness of corruption and the UN convention that fights it.

• International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime

  Awareness

  On 9 December the UN honours the victims of genocide and raises awareness of the Genocide Convention and its role in prevention.

Thursday 10 December 2026

• Human Rights Day

  Awareness

  Human Rights Day on 10 December marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948.

Friday 11 December 2026

• International Mountain Day

  Awareness

  International Mountain Day on 11 December brings mountain issues, such as melting glaciers, to the attention of politicians and the public.

Saturday 12 December 2026

• International Day of Neutrality

  Awareness

  The International Day of Neutrality on 12 December promotes neutral policies as a tool for preventive diplomacy.

• International Universal Health Coverage Day

  Awareness

  Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December calls for strong health systems that give everyone access to care without financial hardship.

Monday 14 December 2026

• International Day against Colonialism in All its Forms and Manifestations

  Awareness

  On 14 December the UN calls for an end to colonialism in all its forms and supports the right of peoples to self-determination.

Tuesday 15 December 2026

• World Turkic Language Family Day

  Awareness

  World Turkic Language Family Day on 15 December celebrates the shared languages and cultural roots of Turkic-speaking peoples.

Friday 18 December 2026

• Arabic Language Day

  Awareness

  Arabic Language Day at the UN on 18 December celebrates Arabic, one of the UN's six official languages.

• International Migrants Day

  Awareness

  International Migrants Day on 18 December raises awareness of the challenges of migration and calls for safer and fairer systems.

Saturday 19 December 2026

• International Day of Recognition for Women Searchers of Missing Persons

  Awareness

  On 19 December the UN recognises the women who search for missing persons.

Sunday 20 December 2026

• International Human Solidarity Day

  Awareness

  International Human Solidarity Day on 20 December celebrates unity in diversity and the importance of solidarity.

Monday 21 December 2026

• World Basketball Day

  Awareness

  World Basketball Day on 21 December celebrates basketball and its power to bring people together.

• World Meditation Day

  Awareness

  World Meditation Day on 21 December raises awareness of meditation and its benefits for physical and mental health.

Thursday 24 December 2026

• Christmas Eve

  Religious and cultural

  Christmas Eve on 24 December is the evening before Christmas Day, when many churches hold carol, Christingle and Midnight Mass services.

• Christmas Eve part-day public holiday (Australia)

  Public holidays

  A part-day public holiday on the evening of 24 December in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

• International Anti-Cybercrime Day

  Awareness

  International Anti-Cybercrime Day on 24 December raises awareness of cybercrime and the UN convention to combat it.

Friday 25 December 2026

• Christmas Day

  Religious and cultural

  The Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, held on 25 December and one of the biggest dates of the year for families and retailers.

Saturday 26 December 2026

• Boxing Day (Australia)

  Public holidays

  A public holiday on 26 December across Australia. In South Australia the day is observed as the Proclamation Day holiday.

Sunday 27 December 2026

• International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

  Awareness

  The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on 27 December promotes education and planning to prevent and respond to epidemics.

Thursday 31 December 2026

• New Year's Eve

  Religious and cultural

  New Year's Eve on 31 December is the last day of the year, marked with parties and midnight fireworks such as the London display.

• New Year's Eve part-day public holiday (Australia)

  Public holidays

  A part-day public holiday from 7pm to midnight on 31 December in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Friday 1 January 2027

• New Year's Day (Australia)

  Public holidays

  A national public holiday on 1 January in every Australian state and territory, marking the first day of the new year.

Monday 4 January 2027

• World Braille Day

  Awareness

  World Braille Day on 4 January highlights braille as an essential means of communication for blind and partially sighted people.

Wednesday 6 January 2027

• Epiphany

  Religious and cultural

  Epiphany on 6 January is the Christian feast marking the visit of the Magi and the revealing of Jesus to the wider world.

Thursday 7 January 2027

• Sydney Festival

  Religious and cultural7 to 25 January 2027

  Sydney's summer arts festival of theatre, music, dance and free events, running from 7 to 25 January 2027.

Thursday 14 January 2027

• Makar Sankranti

  Religious and cultural

  Makar Sankranti is a Hindu harvest festival in mid-January marking the sun's move into Capricorn, known as Uttarayan in Gujarat.

• World Logic Day

  Awareness

  A UNESCO day on 14 January that celebrates logic and its place in science, technology and everyday reasoning.

Friday 15 January 2027

• Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab

  Religious and cultural

  Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab marks the birth of the tenth Sikh Guru, falling on 15 January 2027 in the SGPC calendar.

• Tamworth Country Music Festival

  Religious and cultural15 to 24 January 2027

  Australia's biggest country music festival, held in Tamworth, New South Wales, from 15 to 24 January 2027.

Monday 18 January 2027

• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

  Religious and cultural18 to 25 January 2027

  Observed from 18 to 25 January, when churches of different traditions pray together for Christian unity.