Australia awareness days and key dates

Wednesday 1 December 2021

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

  Awareness25 November to 10 December 2021

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

• World AIDS Day

  Awareness

  Held every 1 December since 1988, World AIDS Day raises awareness of HIV, supports people living with it and remembers those who have died.

Friday 3 December 2021

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities

  Awareness

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

Sunday 5 December 2021

• International Volunteer Day

  Awareness

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

Friday 24 December 2021

• 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.

Saturday 25 December 2021

• 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.

Sunday 26 December 2021

• 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.

Friday 31 December 2021

• 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.