New Zealand awareness days and key dates

Sunday 1 November 2026

• Auckland Diwali Festival

  Religious and cultural31 October to 1 November 2026

  A free weekend festival in central Auckland marking Diwali with Indian food, dance and music; the 2026 event is on 31 October and 1 November.

• 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.

• Marlborough Anniversary Day

  Public holidays

  Regional public holiday for Marlborough, with a historic date of 1 November, observed on the first Monday after Labour Day; Monday 1 November in 2027.

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.

Thursday 5 November 2026

• Bonfire Night

  Religious and cultural

  Held on 5 November across the UK with fireworks and bonfires, remembering the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

• 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

• Gumboot Friday

  Awareness

  A day when New Zealanders wear gumboots and donate to fund free counselling for young people aged 25 and under, held on 6 November in 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.

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 over five days in October or November by Hindus, Jains and some Sikhs and Buddhists; the main day in 2026 is 8 November.

• 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.

• 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.

• Canterbury A&P Show

  Commercial and retail11 to 13 November 2026

  Canterbury's agricultural and pastoral show, held over three days in Christchurch during November Cup and Show Week; 2026 runs 11 to 13 November.

• 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

• Canterbury Anniversary Day (Show Day)

  Public holidays

  Regional public holiday for Canterbury, with a historic date of 16 December, observed on the Friday of the Canterbury A and P Show in November; Friday 12 November in 2027.

• 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 is the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign, led by the International Diabetes Federation and recognised by the United Nations.

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.

• 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 looks at the wellbeing of men and boys, the issues they face and the positive contribution they 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.

• 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.

• Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week

  Religious and cultural22 to 28 November 2026

  A New Zealand week in late November for the Solomon Islands Pidgin language, one of the Pacific Language Weeks. In 2026 it runs 22 to 28 November.

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.

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

• Chatham Islands Anniversary Day

  Public holidays

  Regional public holiday for Chatham Islands, with a historic date of 30 November, observed on the Monday nearest 30 November; Monday 29 November in 2027.

• 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.

• Westland Anniversary Day

  Public holidays

  Regional public holiday for Westland, with a historic date of 1 December, observed on the Monday nearest 1 December, with local variation; Monday 29 November in 2027.