International awareness days and key dates

Friday 4 September 2026

• Janmashtami

  Religious and cultural

  Janmashtami is the Hindu festival in August or September celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.

Saturday 5 September 2026

• International Day of Charity

  Awareness

  The International Day of Charity on 5 September encourages people and organisations to help others through volunteering and giving.

• International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls

  Awareness

  On 5 September the UN highlights the leadership, contributions and challenges of Indigenous women and girls around the world.

Monday 7 September 2026

• International Day of Clean Air for blue skies

  Awareness

  The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on 7 September calls for faster action to cut air pollution for health and climate.

• International Day of Police Cooperation

  Awareness

  The International Day of Police Cooperation on 7 September highlights the value of international cooperation between police forces.

• World Duchenne Awareness Day

  Awareness

  World Duchenne Awareness Day on 7 September raises awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the needs of people with rare diseases.

Tuesday 8 September 2026

• International Literacy Day

  Awareness

  International Literacy Day on 8 September highlights literacy as a human right and the millions of people who still cannot read and write.

• World Physiotherapy Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 8 September highlighting how physiotherapists help people stay active and independent.

Wednesday 9 September 2026

• International Day to Protect Education from Attack

  Awareness

  On 9 September the UN calls for schools, students and teachers to be protected from attack during conflict.

Thursday 10 September 2026

• World Suicide Prevention Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 10 September that raises awareness that suicide can be prevented and encourages action to reduce it.

Saturday 12 September 2026

• Rosh Hashanah

  Religious and cultural12 to 13 September 2026

  Rosh Hashanah is the two-day Jewish New Year, usually in September or early October.

• United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

  Awareness

  On 12 September the UN celebrates cooperation and the sharing of solutions between developing countries of the Global South.

Sunday 13 September 2026

• World Sepsis Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 13 September that raises awareness of sepsis, how to prevent it and the need for early treatment.

Monday 14 September 2026

• Ganesh Chaturthi

  Religious and cultural

  Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival in late summer honouring Lord Ganesh, remover of obstacles.

Tuesday 15 September 2026

• International Day of Democracy

  Awareness

  The International Day of Democracy on 15 September is a chance to review the state of democracy around the world.

• World Lymphoma Awareness Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 15 September that raises awareness of lymphoma symptoms, diagnosis and life with the disease.

Wednesday 16 September 2026

• International Day for Interventional Cardiology

  Awareness

  The International Day for Interventional Cardiology on 16 September raises awareness of heart disease and treatments such as angioplasty.

• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

  Awareness

  On 16 September the UN celebrates efforts to protect the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful solar radiation.

• International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South

  Awareness

  On 16 September the UN promotes science and innovation in developing countries and calls for fairer access to technology.

Thursday 17 September 2026

• World Patient Safety Day

  Awareness

  World Patient Safety Day on 17 September promotes action to make health care safer for patients everywhere.

Friday 18 September 2026

• International Equal Pay Day

  Awareness

  International Equal Pay Day on 18 September calls for equal pay for work of equal value.

Sunday 20 September 2026

• World Cleanup Day

  Awareness

  World Cleanup Day on 20 September encourages communities everywhere to clean up litter and manage waste sustainably.

Monday 21 September 2026

• International Day of Peace

  Awareness

  The International Day of Peace on 21 September promotes peace as a human right and calls for a day of non-violence and ceasefire.

• World Alzheimer's Day

  Awareness

  A global awareness day for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, held on 21 September each year.

• Yom Kippur

  Religious and cultural

  Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year, marked by a 25-hour fast.

Tuesday 22 September 2026

• World Rhino Day

  Awareness

  Held on 22 September, World Rhino Day celebrates all five rhino species and supports efforts to protect them.

Wednesday 23 September 2026

• Bi Visibility Day

  Awareness

  A day on 23 September celebrating bisexual people and challenging bi erasure.

• International Day of Sign Languages

  Awareness

  The International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September promotes the recognition of sign languages and the rights of deaf people.

Thursday 24 September 2026

• World Gorilla Day

  Awareness

  Held on 24 September, World Gorilla Day celebrates gorillas and encourages action to protect them in the wild.

• World Maritime Day

  Awareness

  World Maritime Day, held in late September, celebrates shipping and the seafarers who carry more than 80 per cent of world trade.

Friday 25 September 2026

• Mid-Autumn Festival

  Religious and cultural

  The Mid-Autumn Festival, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, celebrates the harvest moon with mooncakes and lanterns.

• World Lung Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 25 September that promotes lung health and action on air pollution, smoking and access to care.

• World Pharmacists Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 25 September recognising the role of pharmacists in health care.

Saturday 26 September 2026

• International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

  Awareness

  On 26 September the UN raises awareness of the threat nuclear weapons pose and calls for a world free of them.

• Sukkot

  Religious and cultural26 September to 2 October 2026

  Sukkot is a seven-day Jewish harvest festival in autumn, when families eat in temporary outdoor huts.

• World Contraception Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 26 September that promotes awareness of contraception and informed choices about sexual health.

Sunday 27 September 2026

• World Rivers Day

  Awareness

  Held on the fourth Sunday of September, World Rivers Day celebrates rivers and encourages people to help protect and restore them.

• World Tourism Day

  Awareness

  World Tourism Day on 27 September highlights the role of tourism in jobs, culture and sustainable development.

Monday 28 September 2026

• International Day for Universal Access to Information

  Awareness

  On 28 September the UN promotes everyone's right to seek, receive and share information.

• World Rabies Day

  Awareness

  Marked on 28 September, World Rabies Day raises awareness of rabies prevention, including dog vaccination, and supports the goal of ending human deaths from the disease.

Tuesday 29 September 2026

• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

  Awareness

  On 29 September the UN encourages action to reduce the food lost on farms and in supply chains and wasted in shops and homes.

• World Heart Day

  Awareness

  A global day on 29 September that raises awareness of heart disease and stroke and how to prevent them.

Wednesday 30 September 2026

• International Translation Day

  Awareness

  International Translation Day on 30 September pays tribute to translators, interpreters and other language professionals.