Arts and culture awareness days
Awareness days for the arts, books, music, film, heritage and culture, plus the festivals and national days that bring them to a wider audience.
97 days, weeks and months in the next 12 months in the USA calendar.
Coming up next
October 2026
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LGBT History Month (US)
In the US, October is LGBT History Month, highlighting the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in history.
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World Opera Day
Celebrated on 25 October, the birthday of Georges Bizet and Johann Strauss II, to share opera with new audiences around the world.
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World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October highlights the urgent need to preserve film, sound and video records.
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International Animation Day
International Animation Day on 28 October celebrates animated film, marking the first public projection of moving images by Emile Reynaud in Paris in 1892.
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World Ballet Day
An annual day in late October when ballet companies around the world stream classes, rehearsals and performances online.
November 2026
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All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day on 1 November is a Christian festival honouring all saints, known and unknown.
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Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)
The Day of the Dead on 1 and 2 November is a Mexican tradition honouring loved ones who have died, with altars and marigolds.
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National Native American Heritage Month
November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States, recognising the history, cultures and contributions of Native peoples.
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All Souls' Day
All Souls' Day on 2 November is when many Christians remember and pray for those who have died.
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Diwali
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.
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World Philosophy Day
World Philosophy Day, on the third Thursday of November, celebrates philosophical thinking and open, reasoned debate.
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World Television Day
World Television Day on 21 November recognises the influence of television in drawing attention to global issues.
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Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, on the full moon of Kartik in November.
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Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's annual parade of giant balloons and floats through Manhattan on Thanksgiving morning; the 100th parade is on Thursday 26 November 2026.
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Advent Sunday
Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and begins the Christian season of Advent and the church year.
December 2026
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Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights in December, marked by lighting one more candle each night.
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World Turkic Language Family Day
World Turkic Language Family Day on 15 December celebrates the shared languages and cultural roots of Turkic-speaking peoples.
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Arabic Language Day
Arabic Language Day at the UN on 18 December celebrates Arabic, one of the UN's six official languages.
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Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven day African American and pan-African cultural celebration held each year from 26 December to 1 January.
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New Year's Eve
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.
February 2027
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Black History Month (US)
Black History Month runs through February in the United States, recognising the history, achievements and contributions of African Americans.
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Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year)
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, falls between late January and mid-February.
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Ramadan
Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset, lasting 29 or 30 days and ending with Eid al-Fitr.
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Christian year, falling 46 days before Easter Sunday.
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Lent
Lent is the Christian season of preparation for Easter, running from Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve.
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World Radio Day
World Radio Day on 13 February celebrates radio as the world's most widely used medium and its reach into remote communities.
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International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day on 21 February promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and learning in the language people know best.
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Pokemon Day
Pokemon Day on 27 February marks the anniversary of the first Pokemon games, with announcements, store events and online broadcasts for fans.
March 2027
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Women's History Month (US)
Women's History Month is marked across the United States every March to recognise the part women have played in American history.
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Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, family meals and gifts.
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MAR10 Day
MAR10 Day on 10 March is Nintendo's yearly celebration of Mario, chosen because the date written as Mar 10 looks like the character's name.
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St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's Day on 17 March is Ireland's national day, celebrated with parades and green landmarks around the world.
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French Language Day
French Language Day at the UN on 20 March celebrates the history, culture and use of French, one of the UN's six official languages.
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International Day of Nowruz
The International Day of Nowruz on 21 March marks the Persian new year, celebrated at the spring equinox by many communities worldwide.
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International Day of Nowruz
The International Day of Nowruz on 21 March marks the spring new year festival celebrated by millions across many countries.
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Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, when Christians remember Jesus entering Jerusalem and Holy Week begins.
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World Poetry Day
World Poetry Day on 21 March honours poets, promotes reading and writing poetry and supports linguistic diversity.
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World Puppetry Day
Marked on 21 March to celebrate the art of puppetry and the puppeteers who keep it alive around the world.
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Holi
Holi is the Hindu festival of colours in March, celebrating spring and the victory of good over evil.
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Purim
Purim is a joyful one-day Jewish festival in late winter or early spring, celebrating the story of Esther.
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Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday falls three days before Easter Sunday and remembers the Last Supper.
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Good Friday (Christian observance)
Good Friday, two days before Easter Sunday, is the day Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus.
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World Theatre Day
World Theatre Day on 27 March celebrates theatre worldwide, with an international message written each year by a leading theatre figure.
April 2027
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Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi, usually on 14 April, is the Sikh new year and harvest festival marking the founding of the Khalsa in 1699.
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World Art Day
A UNESCO day held on 15 April to celebrate the arts and the part they play in creativity and cultural life.
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World Circus Day
Held on the third Saturday of April to celebrate circus arts, with shows, open days and events by circuses around the world.
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International Day for Monuments and Sites
The International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April, also known as World Heritage Day, raises awareness of cultural heritage and its protection.
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Chinese Language Day
Chinese Language Day at the UN on 20 April celebrates Chinese, one of the UN's six official languages, and promotes multilingualism.
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World Creativity and Innovation Day
World Creativity and Innovation Day on 21 April highlights how creative thinking and new ideas help solve problems and drive development.
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Passover (Pesach)
Passover is the eight-day Jewish spring festival recalling the Exodus from Egypt, opening with the Seder meal.
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English Language Day
English Language Day at the UN on 23 April celebrates English, one of the UN's six official languages, on the traditional date of Shakespeare's birth and death.
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Spanish Language Day
Spanish Language Day at the UN on 23 April celebrates Spanish, one of the UN's six official languages, on the anniversary of Cervantes' death.
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World Book and Copyright Day
World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April celebrates books and reading and recognises the role of copyright.
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International Dance Day
International Dance Day on 29 April celebrates dance in all its forms, falling on the birthday of the ballet reformer Jean-Georges Noverre.
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International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day on 30 April celebrates jazz and its power to bring people together and promote peace and dialogue.
May 2027
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Every May the United States recognises the history and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
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Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day is held on the first Saturday in May, when taking part comic shops give away specially printed comics to visitors.
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Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month takes place every May and recognises the contribution of Jewish Americans to the life and culture of the United States.
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Orthodox Easter
Orthodox Easter, or Pascha, is the main festival of the Eastern Orthodox churches and often falls later than Western Easter.
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Star Wars Day
Star Wars fans' annual celebration on 4 May, based on the pun 'May the Fourth be with you'.
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Cinco de Mayo
A celebration of Mexican American culture held in the US on 5 May, recalling the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
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World Portuguese Language Day
World Portuguese Language Day on 5 May celebrates the Portuguese language and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.
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Ascension Day
Ascension Day falls on a Thursday 39 days after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus ascending into heaven.
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Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is the Muslim festival of sacrifice, held during the Hajj pilgrimage season on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.
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Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
Pentecost, also called Whit Sunday, falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday and celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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International Museum Day
International Museum Day on 18 May highlights the role of museums in society, with museums worldwide running events around a yearly theme.
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Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon
The UN recognises Vesak, the most sacred day for Buddhists, which falls on the full moon in May and marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing.
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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
On 21 May the UN celebrates the world's many cultures and the role of cultural dialogue in peace and development.
June 2027
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Islamic New Year
Islamic New Year, the first day of the month of Muharram, begins the new year in the Islamic lunar calendar.
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Russian Language Day
Russian Language Day at the UN on 6 June celebrates Russian, one of the UN's six official languages, on the birthday of the poet Alexander Pushkin.
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International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations
The International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations on 10 June promotes respect for the world's diverse civilisations and dialogue between them.
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Shavuot
Shavuot is a two-day Jewish festival, seven weeks after Passover, marking the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
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Flag Day (US)
Flag Day on 14 June marks the date in 1777 when the Continental Congress adopted the design of the United States flag.
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Fete de la Musique (Make Music Day)
Fete de la Musique, also called Make Music Day, fills streets and venues with free live music on 21 June each year.
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International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
On 21 June the UN recognises the solstices and equinoxes as symbols of fertility, food production and shared cultural heritage.
July 2027
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Independence Day (4th of July)
The US national holiday on 4 July, celebrating the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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World Kiswahili Language Day
World Kiswahili Language Day on 7 July celebrates Kiswahili, spoken by more than 200 million people across East, Central and Southern Africa.
August 2027
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International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
On 9 August the UN raises awareness of the rights and needs of Indigenous Peoples around the world.
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World Steelpan Day
World Steelpan Day on 11 August celebrates the steelpan, the musical instrument from Trinidad and Tobago, and its cultural importance.
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World Photography Day
World Photography Day on 19 August celebrates the art, science and history of photography and encourages people to share their own pictures.
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Janmashtami
Janmashtami is the Hindu festival in August or September celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.
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International Day for People of African Descent
On 31 August the UN celebrates the heritage and contributions of people of African descent and calls for an end to racial discrimination.
September 2027
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International Dot Day
International Dot Day, held on or around 15 September, invites schools and families to celebrate creativity and courage inspired by the book The Dot.
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Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, celebrates the harvest moon with mooncakes and lanterns.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from 15 September to 15 October, celebrating the histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
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World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day on 27 September highlights the role of tourism in jobs, culture and sustainable development.
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International Podcast Day
International Podcast Day on 30 September celebrates podcasts, with meet-ups and events for podcasters and listeners around the world.
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International Translation Day
International Translation Day on 30 September pays tribute to translators, interpreters and other language professionals.
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Navratri
Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival in autumn honouring the goddess Durga, famous for Garba and Dandiya dancing.
October 2027
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LGBT History Month (US)
In the US, October is LGBT History Month, highlighting the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in history.
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Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the two-day Jewish New Year, usually in September or early October.
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Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week takes place each October in the US, highlighting attempts to remove books from libraries and schools and supporting the freedom to read.
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World Architecture Day
World Architecture Day falls on the first Monday in October and focuses attention on architecture and the built environment, on 5 October in 2026.
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Leif Erikson Day
Leif Erikson Day on 9 October honours the Norse explorer and the Nordic heritage of many Americans.
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Columbus Day
A US federal holiday on the second Monday in October. Many states and cities mark it as Indigenous Peoples' Day instead.
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Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year, marked by a 25-hour fast.
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Sukkot
Sukkot is a seven-day Jewish harvest festival in autumn, when families eat in temporary outdoor huts.