International awareness days and key dates

Tuesday 1 December 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.