UAE and Gulf awareness days and key dates

Saturday 1 November 2031

• 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 2031

  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.

Sunday 2 November 2031

• 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.

Monday 3 November 2031

• 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.

• International Stress Awareness Week

  Awareness3 to 7 November 2031

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

• UAE Flag Day

  Religious and cultural

  UAE Flag Day on 3 November marks the anniversary of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed becoming President, with the national flag raised across the country at 11am.

Wednesday 5 November 2031

• World Tsunami Awareness Day

  Awareness

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

Thursday 6 November 2031

• 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 8 November 2031

• Gulf Diabetes Week

  Awareness8 to 14 November 2031

  A week of diabetes awareness from 8 to 14 November, run across the Gulf states by the Gulf Health Council and ending on World Diabetes Day.

• International Day of Radiology

  Awareness

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

Monday 10 November 2031

• 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.

Tuesday 11 November 2031

• 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.

Wednesday 12 November 2031

• 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.

Thursday 13 November 2031

• Trans Awareness Week

  Awareness13 to 19 November 2031

  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.

Friday 14 November 2031

• 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.

Saturday 15 November 2031

• 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.

• 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.

Sunday 16 November 2031

• 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.

• International Fraud Awareness Week

  Awareness16 to 22 November 2031

  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.

Monday 17 November 2031

• Global Entrepreneurship Week

  Awareness17 to 23 November 2031

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

Tuesday 18 November 2031

• World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week

  Awareness18 to 24 November 2031

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

• 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.

Wednesday 19 November 2031

• 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 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 Toilet Day

  Awareness

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

Thursday 20 November 2031

• Africa Industrialization Day

  Awareness

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

• Oman National Day

  Public holidays

  Oman's National Day is on 20 November, the date set by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in 2025, and is marked with a public holiday.

• 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.

• 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.

Friday 21 November 2031

• World Television Day

  Awareness

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

Saturday 22 November 2031

• 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.

Monday 24 November 2031

• World Conjoined Twins Day

  Awareness

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

Tuesday 25 November 2031

• 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

  Awareness25 November to 10 December 2031

  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.

Wednesday 26 November 2031

• World Sustainable Transport Day

  Awareness

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

Thursday 27 November 2031

• 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.

Friday 28 November 2031

• Black Friday

  Commercial and retail

  The big retail sales day, held the day after US Thanksgiving and now widely marked by UK shops too.

Saturday 29 November 2031

• International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

  Awareness

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

Sunday 30 November 2031

• Commemoration Day (UAE)

  Religious and cultural

  Commemoration Day, held on 30 November each year, honours Emiratis who gave their lives in military, civil and humanitarian service to the UAE.

• 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.