Calendar of Dates

2024 Calendar of Cultural and Religious dates

We celebrate Australia’s multicultural identity, by uniting over 300 ancestries and embracing diverse cultures, beliefs, and traditions. From the indigenous First Australians to the newest arrivals, each contributes to the nation's success, thriving on common values of freedom, security, and prosperity.

Date	Event	Description
January
1-Jan	New Year's Day	New Year’s Day is the first day of the Gregorian calendar and is often celebrated with fireworks and parades.
1 - 2 Jan	Feast of St Basil	St Basil is considered one of the great leaders and thinkers of the Orthodox Christian Church. In many Greek homes, a special cake is baked on the eve of St Basil’s Day with a gold or silver coin hidden inside. Similar traditions exist for Western Christian Churches.
6-Jan	Epiphany	Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of God in human form as Jesus Christ.
7-Jan	The Holy Nativity Feast (Nativity of Christ)	Orthodox Churches that use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on this day, with some traditions observing a week-long period of holidays from 1 January.
15-Jan	Thai Pongal	Thai Pongal is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in India and Sri Lanka. It is observed at the start of the month Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar. It is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya.
19-Jan	Epiphany (Orthodox)	Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of God in human form as Jesus Christ.
20-Jan	Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji	Sikh communities celebrate the birthday of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (born in 1666).
21-Jan	World Religion Day	Observed in over 80 countries, World Religion Day aims to foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasising the common elements underlying all religions.
25-Jan	Buddhist New Year (Mahayana New Year)	Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the community. In Mahayana Buddhist countries, the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January.
26-Jan	Australia Day	Australia Day provides an opportunity for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate. It is about acknowledging the contribution every Australian makes to our diverse nation. From our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been here for more than 65,000 years, to those who have lived here for generations, and those who have come in the waves of migration as new citizens.
27-Jan	International Holocaust Remembrance Day	Holocaust Remembrance Day is a memorial for the six million Jews killed by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. Many people of Jewish and other faiths observe this day. It was designated by a United Nations General Assembly resolution on 1 November 2005. Many countries have instituted their own Holocaust Memorial Days, such as the UK's Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January), while others, such as Israel's Yom HaShoah, are observed at other times of the year.
February
6-Feb	Waitangi Day	The national day of New Zealand, marks the anniversary of the initial signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
10-Feb	Lunar New Year	Various East and Southeast Asian cultures and traditions celebrate New Year at this time. Family gatherings are common features across cultures, with those from near and far travelling to be with loved ones in time to welcome the new year.
10-Feb	Chinese Lunar New Year (Year of the Wood Dragon)	For Chinese communities across the world, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year. It is celebrated through a range of traditional customs, including ancestor worship, family gatherings, special foods and gift exchanges.
10-Feb	Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year—Year of the Dragon)	Tet is considered the first day of Vietnam’s spring, a time marked by new beginnings. The Vietnamese community celebrates Tet with many customs, ancestor worship, family gatherings, special foods and gift exchanges.
10-Feb	Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year—Year of the Dragon)	Known in the Koreas as Seollal, Lunar New Year typically lasts three days (the day before and after the New Year). Centred on charye—paying respect to elders—the new year is a time to remember a shared heritage and look forward to the future.
10-Feb	Lhosar (Tibetan New Year)	Lhosar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and India). The holiday is a new year's festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar, which corresponds to a date in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.
13-Feb	Shrove Tuesday	Shrove Tuesday is the English name for what is known in some other countries as Mardi Gras (French for 'Fat Tuesday') or Carnival in Spanish and Portuguese countries, and is the last day before Lent for many Christian communities. Famous celebrations include the Brazilian Carnival in Rio De Janeiro and the New Orleans Mardi Gras. It is observed in many Christian communities through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.
14-Feb	Ash Wednesday (Lent begins)	Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Christian calendar. Lent involves 40 days of fasting and reflection that concludes with Easter.
15-Feb	Nirvana Day (Parinirvana Day)	An annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80.
21-Feb	International Mother Language Day	The United Nations’ International Mother Language Day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity.
21-Feb	Shaheed Day	Bangladesh celebrates Shaheed Day on 21 February each year. This is a very solemn holiday that remembers the bravery and death of Dhaka University students who fought to keep Bengali as the national language. It is a day of national mourning to honour the memory of the nation’s martyrs.
24-Feb	Makha Bucha (Magha Puja)	Buddhist Festival celebrated non the full moon day of the third lunar month in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar
24-Feb	Lantern Festival	On the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year, another important traditional Chinese festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Festival is celebrated. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period.
March
1-Mar	St David’s Day	St David is the patron saint of Wales. St David’s Day has been a national celebration for the Welsh community since the 18th century, featuring parades, festivities and singing.
6-Mar	Maha Shivaratri	A festival honouring the Hindu god, Lord Shiva
11 Mar – 9 Apr	Ramadan	Ramadan is the most auspicious month in the Islamic Calendar, being the month the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset.
11 Mar – 17 Mar	Masnytsia/Maslenitsa	Masnytsia/Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic religious and folk festival with roots in the Slavic pagan tradition of bidding farewell to winter. It is widely celebrated in various Eastern Slavic communities during the last week before Great Lent.
17-Mar	St Patrick’s Day	This day is Ireland’s National Day. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and brought Christianity to Ireland in the early days of the faith.
19-Mar	Naw-Ruz – begins on the evening of 20 March and ends on the evening of 21March	This is the Baha’i New Year, marking the first day in the Baha’i calendar. The festival is usually observed with meetings for prayer and celebration, often combined with a feast at sunset before Naw-Ruz to signal the end of a19-day fast.
20-Mar	Norouz New Year	Norouz means ‘new day’ in Farsi and is a traditional festival of spring that has been celebrated for more than 3000 years. The ancient celebration of Norouz is shared by many peoples from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, and others in the Black Sea basin, the Balkans, the Caucasus and Western, Central and Southern Asia. This festival has a number of different spellings.
23-Mar	Purim	Purim commemorates the time when the Jewish people living in the ancient Achaemenid Persian empire were saved from extermination by a courageous young Jewish woman named Esther and her uncle and adviser Mordechai. In 2024, Purim begins on the evening of 23 March and concludes on the evening of 24 March.
24-Mar	Palm Sunday	The final Sunday before Easter Sunday marks the beginning of Christian Holy Week and commemorates the story of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem before his crucifixion.
25-Mar	Holi (Festival of Colours)	Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated since ancient times to welcome spring and is seen as a new beginning. People cover each other with coloured water and bright powders.
28-Mar	Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)	Maundy commemorates the washing of the feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the Christian New Testament.
29-Mar	Good Friday	Good Friday is a solemn Christian remembrance of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many countries observe Good Friday as a national holiday on the Friday before Easter. For Orthodox Christians, Good Friday occurs on a different date.
30-Mar	Holy Saturday	Holy Saturday is a Christian commemoration of the final day of Christ’s death. It is associated with traditions regarding Christ’s triumphant descent into hell and a 40-hour-long vigil that followers of Jesus Christ held after his burial on Good Friday.
31-Mar	Easter Sunday	Easter Sunday is regarded by Christians as the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April
1-Apr	Easter Monday	Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday in Eastern or Western Christian traditions. The day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.
1-Apr	Kha b-Nisan (Assyrian and Chaldean New Year)	Assyrians and Chaldeans mark Kha b-Nisan, also known as Akitu, at the beginning of spring in the Northern hemisphere. Celebrated by indigenous Assyrians of Northern Iraq, North-eastern Syria, South-eastern Türkiyeand North-western Iran.
4-Apr	Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day)	Qingming is a time for Chinese people to show respect to their ancestors by visiting and cleaning their ancestors' tombs.
8-Apr	Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival)	In Japan, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on 8 April. The day features the display of flowers at temples and the viewing of cherry blossoms throughout the country.
9-Apr	Eid al Fitr	The Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, ends with the festival of Eid al Fitr. A celebratory meal breaks the fast, and good deeds have special significance during this time. Eid is also a time of forgiveness and making amends.
9-Apr	Ugadi (Telugu New Year)	Ugadi or Yugadi, also known as Samvatsarādi (meaning "beginning of the year"), is New Year's Day according to the Hindu calendar and is celebrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa in India.
13 - 17 Apr	Songkran (Thai New Year)	Songkran is the Thai New Year and Water Festival. Thai communities celebrate this festival with food, crafts and entertainment. Songkran begins on 13 April yearly and is recognised as a national holiday.
13 - 16 Apr	Thingyan (Burmese New Year)	Thingyan is the most significant annual festival on the Myanmar calendar. It marks the start of the New Year, the beginning of the Myanmar lunar calendar and celebrates life and rebirth.
13 - 16 Apr	Choul Chnam Thmey (Cambodian/Khmer New Year)	Khmer New Year is usually a three-day public holiday in Cambodia. 'Choul Chnam Thmey' means 'enter the new year'. The New Year coincides with the traditional solar new year in several parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Traditionally it marks the end of the harvesting season when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labour before the rainy season begins. A three-day public holiday is observed in the country.
14 - 16 Apr	Pii Mai (Lao New Year)	Lao New Year or Pii Mai is celebrated every year. The coming of the New Year is seen as an opportunity to let go of the past and embrace a promising new future. Water, which holds great symbolic value in Lao culture, is used to wash Buddha statues. Sand is brought to the temple grounds and is made into stupas or mounds, then decorated before being given to the monks as a way of making merit. People also splash water on each other during the celebrations that last three days.
14-Apr	Aluth Avurudda (Sinhalese New Year)	This festival is known as Aluth Ayurudda and marks the beginning of the solar New Year. It is traditionally celebrated by Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.
14-Apr	Puthandu (Tamil New Year)	Puthandu, also known as Puthu-varusham, is the beginning of the solar new year. It is celebrated by Tamils around the world.
14-Apr	Vaisakhi	Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is an ancient harvest festival that marks the beginning of a new solar year and harvest season. It is commonly celebrated by the Sikh community.
14-Apr	Navavarsha (Nepalese New Year)	Nepal relies upon more than one calendar. As such, residents of Nepal get to enjoy three New Year celebrations, namely New Year on the Gregorian calendar, Tibetan New Year and Navavarsha. Navavarsha is typically held in the second week of April, the first day of Baisakh on the Bikram Sambat calendar. Nepal also celebrates the lunar new year (Sonam Lhosar) with a public holiday.
15-Apr	Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year)	Marks the first day of the Bangla Calendar. People clean and decorate their houses to welcome the New Year. They visit temples and pray for good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
15-Apr	Maithil New Year	Maithil New Year is celebrated by communities in various parts of India including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Tripura as well as in Nepal.
20 Apr - 1 May	Ridvan	Ridvan is the most significant festival of the Baha’i faith and is celebrated over 12 days. The First Day of Ridvan is the most important of the Baha’i Holy Days. It is the day Baha’u’lláh declared his mission as a messenger of God in the Garden of Ridvan. The festival’s first, ninth and twelfth days are considered significant days and work is suspended.
22 Apr – 30 Apr	Passover	Passover is the first and most significant of the Jewish pilgrim festivals. It celebrates the redemption by God of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Work is not permitted on the first two and last two days. Many Jews refrain from work during the whole festival.
23-Apr	St George’s Day	St George is the patron saint of England and one of the most venerated saints in the Anglican church. This day is generally celebrated with parades, dancing and other activities.
23-Apr	Hanuman Jayanti	Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu religious festival that celebrates the birth of the Hindu God Hanuman, who is highly venerated throughout India and Nepal. This festival is celebrated on different days across India.
24-Apr	Theravada New Year	Theravada New Year is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April every year. The day marks Buddha's birth, death, enlightenment, and the start of the rainy season.
25-Apr	ANZAC Day	ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC Day is an anniversary of the day when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed in Galipoli in 1915 as part of the Allies' invasion. It is a public holiday to recognise the contribution and sacrifices of all those who have served Australia in time of war and in war like conflicts. The day is observed with the dawn service, marches and ceremonies across Australia and New Zealand.
29-Apr	Hung Vuong Festival	The Hung Kings' Temple Festival is a Vietnamese festival held annually from the eighth to the eleventh day of the third lunar month in honour of the Hung Vuong or Hung Kings. The Festival commemorates the contributions of the Hung dynasty, who were the traditional founders of the nation and the first emperors of Vietnam. Since 2007 this has been a national holiday in Vietnam.
May
3-May	Orthodox Good Friday	Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as "Great Friday" to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.
5-May	Orthodox Easter	Easter Sunday is regarded by Christians as the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
5-May	Cinco de Mayo	Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of the 1862 victory over invading French forces by Mexican troops at the Battle of Puebla. It is an important day of celebration of Mexican culture.
18-May	Ascension of Christ	A Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, according to Christian belief.
19-May	Pentecost	A festival where Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter (the name comes from the Greek pentekoste, which means ‘fiftieth’).
20-May	Dehwa Daymaneh	This date marks the birthday of John the Baptist (also known as Yahya Yohana to Mandaeans).
22-May	Declaration of the Báb	This date marks the anniversary of the Báb’s announcement of his mission in 1844. The Báb is a prophet and is considered one of the founders of the Baha’i faith.
23-May	Vesak Day or Buddha Day	Vesak or Buddha Day is an important day of celebration for Buddhists around the world. The holiday is traditionally celebrated to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. The date varies by region and tradition.
27-May	Ascension of Baha’u’lláh	It commemorates the anniversary of the death in 1892 of Baha'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i faith. This solemn anniversary is a day of rest and is often observed by reading or chanting from the scriptures. Many pilgrims visit the Baha'i shrines and tomb in Israel to pray. The Baha'i day ends and a new one begins at sunset. Consequently, the day on which a Feast or Holy Day is observed starts at sundown of the day before the Gregorian calendar dates listed.
June
3-Jun	Mabo Day	The Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision on 3 June 1992, providing legal recognition that Indigenous people have a special relationship with the land. This decision paved the way for land rights known as native title. Mabo Day celebrates the life of activist Eddie Koiki Mabo.
10-Jun	Dragon Boat Festival	Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Jie or Double Fifth Festival) commemorates the death of the Chinese poet Qu Yuan. It is celebrated in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Indonesia. Cultural events involve eating rice dumplings and traditional dragon boat racing.
10-Jun	Dano Festival	Dano is an official holiday in both North and South Korea to celebrate the ending of spring as the summer season is welcomed. The day marks the beginning of growing season when the farmers have finished seeding and planting and theYangenergy is at its highest.
11-Jun	Shavuot	Shavuot is a Jewish celebration of Moses’s descent from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. It is the second of the Jewish pilgrim festivals. Some Jews refrain from working on Shavuot.
13-Jun	Ascension of Jesus (Orthodox)	A Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven, according to Christian belief. The Ascension of Jesus is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.
14-Jun	The Hajj (Pilgrimage) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia	On specific days of the Islamic month of Zu Al-Hijja, millions of Muslims from around the world congregate in the Prophet’s birthplace of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The Hajj is obligatory for all Muslims who have the means to undertake it. In 2024, Hajj is expected to begin on 14 June and end on 19 June
16 - 24 Jun	Refugee week	Refugee Week is celebrated around the country annually, providing the opportunity to acknowledge the success of refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australian society.
17-Jun	Eid al Adha	The Eid al Adha means Feast of Sacrifice and commemorates the ordeal of Ibrahim (Abraham) who was asked to sacrifice his only son to prove his faith to Allah (God). In 2024, Eid al Adha is expected to begin in the evening of 17 June (subject to the sighting of the moon) and conclude in the evening of 18 June.
20-Jun	World Refugee Day	This day honours refugees and celebrates the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
28-Jun	Matariki	A New Zealand national holiday to celebrate the first rising of the Pleiades star cluster, which marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar.
July
1-Jul	Coming of the Light Festival	The Coming of the Light is celebrated by Torres Strait Islanders and commemorates the arrival of the London Missionary Society on Erub Island in the Torres Strait in 1871. It led to the adoption of Christianity through island communities during the late 19th century.
1-Jul	International Tartan Day	International Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage commemorating the repeal of an English law in 1782 that banned the wearing of tartan. In North America, this day is celebrated on 6 April, the date the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.
7-Jul	Al Hijri (Islamic New Year)	According to the lunar or Islamic Calendar, Al Hijri (Al Hijrah in Arabic) is the Islamic New Year observed on the first day of Muharram. Muharram is the Islamic Calendar’s first month of the year and is the second holiest month after Ramadan.
7 – 14 Jul	NAIDOC Week	National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week is held annually in early July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. It is an opportunity to recognise Indigenous Australians’ contributions to our country and society. This year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.
16-Jul	Ashura	For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks Noah's departure from the ark and the exodus of Moses from Egypt and is usually marked by a day of non-obligatory fasting. For Shia Muslims, it marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein in Karbala, Iraq, and is commemorated with public processions.
16 Jul – 17 Jul	Karsa (Mandaean New Year)	Karsa marks the beginning of a new year for Mandaeans and is spent and celebrated with family. It begins at dusk on 16 July and ends 36 hours later.
21-Jul	Asalha Puja (Dhamma Day)	Asalha Puja Day or the Dhamma Day celebrates the first teaching of the Buddha. This Buddhist event commemorates the first sermon delivered by the Buddha after his enlightenment. This event is one of the most important festivals for Theravada Buddhists.
August
4-Aug		National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
6-Aug	Hiroshima Day	Observed annually, Hiroshima Day commemorates those who lost their lives in the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945, and to pray for lasting world peace.
9-Aug	Nagasaki Day	Three days following the observance of Hiroshima Day, Nagasaki Day commemorates the victims of the second atomic bombing of the city of Nagasaki in 1945.
9-Aug	International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples	The United Nations’ annual International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples encourages people to spread the United Nation’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples.
15-Aug	Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	The Christian feast day of the Assumption of Mary celebrates the belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into heaven following her death. The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus.
19-Aug	Raksha Bandhan	Raksha Bandhan means bond of protection. This Hindu festival honours the love between brothers and sisters and is marked by the tying of a rakhi thread by the sister on her brother’s wrist.
25-Aug	Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day	In 1994, the Commonwealth Government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group. A formal Recognition Statement followed this by the Queensland Government in September 2000.
26-Aug	Krishna Janmashtami	One of the most important Hindu festivals, this day celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, believed to be the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, who gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita - the guiding principles for every Hindu.
September
5-Sep	Onam	A Hindu harvest festival celebrated predominantly in Kerala, India.
6-Sep	Ganesh Chaturthi	Celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha.
11-Sep	Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year)	New Year in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
11-Sep	Nayrouz (Coptic New Year)	The Nayrouz feast commemorates martyrs and confessors within the Coptic Orthodox Church. The day marks the start of the Coptic new year and its first month.
15-Sep	Mawlid Al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)	The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is commemorated in most Muslim-majority countries and is usually marked by prayers, carnivals, fairs and public processions.
16 Sep – 18 Sep	Chuseok	Chuseok is a special holiday in Korean culture with roots in celebrating good harvest, family and the importance of the full moon as a symbol of harmony and the hope for good fortune.
17-Sep	Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival	The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular East and South East Asian celebration of abundance and togetherness, dating back over 3000 years. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, which has different variations depending on the country.
17-Sep	Tết Trung Thu	Tết Trung Thu is a traditional Vietnamese festival which involves watching the moon, a feast and children singing and dancing.
17-Sep	Tsukimi	Tsukimi is a special holiday in Japanese culture that employs the symbolism of the full moon to celebrate togetherness and hopes for good fortune.
17-Sep	Australian Citizenship Day	Citizenship Day was introduced in 2001. It is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and value Australian citizenship, the peaceful, prosperous and inclusive society we share, and to reflect on our role in building our nation and shaping our country's future as proud Australian citizens.
October
2-Oct	Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti	This day commemorates Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. It is marked with a prayer for peace, ceremonies and events throughout India. The United Nations has further declared this day the International Day of Non-Violence in honour of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa).
2-Oct	Rosh Hashanah	Beginning at nightfall on 2 October and ending at nightfall on October 4, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, commemorates the creation of the world. Customs include the blowing of the Shofar, a ram's horn trumpet, and the dipping of apples in honey as a symbol of the sweet New Year ahead. Work is not permitted on this day.
3 Oct - 12 Oct	Dashain	Dashain is the most important festival for Nepalis. It is a celebration of good prevailing over evil.
9 Oct - 13 Oct	Durga Puja	Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga. It is popular and traditionally celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, the country of Bangladesh, and in the Mithilanchal regions of Bihar and Nepal. It is marked with worship rituals, performance arts, gift giving, family visits, feasting and public processions.
12-Oct	Vijay Dashami	Vijay Dashami or Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil. The celebration of Dussehra concludes the festival of Navaratri, which extends over several days.
12-Oct	Yom Kippur	This holiest day of the Jewish year is observed with fasting and repentance. Many Jews will refrain from work and attend synagogue services
13-Oct	White Sunday	White Sunday is a day when childhood is celebrated in Samoan Christian communities worldwide.
17-Oct	Kathina	A Buddhist festival which marks the end of the rainy season. Buddhists express their gratitude to monks by giving donations to temples and providing monks with new clothes.
20-Oct	Gurgaddi (Inauguration) of Guru Granth Sahib	This day commemorates the inauguration of the Sikh holy scripture, called the Guru Granth Sahib or Adi Sri Granth Sahib Ji, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Sikhs regard and respect the Holy Scripture as their living Guru.
25-Oct	Simchat Torah	Simchat Torah, commencing on the evening of the 24th and concluding at sundown 25th, is a celebratory Jewish holiday that marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle. Simchat Torah means ‘Rejoicing in the Law’ in Hebrew. Special attention is given to children who join the celebrations with flags and singing.
24-Oct	United Nations Day	Celebrates the entry into force of the United Nations Charter in 1945 and highlights the promotion of peace, human rights and social and economic development globally.
28-Oct	Oxi Day	Commemorates the rejection by then Greek Prime Minister of the ultimatum made by Axis forces to occupy Greek territory in 1940.
31-Oct	Deepavali	Deepavali, also known as Diwali, Tihar and the Festival of Lights celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
November
1-Nov	Bandi Chhor Divas (The Celebration of Freedom)	Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release from prison of the sixth guru Sri Guru Hargobind Ji, who also rescued 52 Hindu kings held captive with him, by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in the Gwalior Fort in 1619. Celebrations include lighting oil lamps, candles and fireworks.
1-Nov	All Saints’ Day	This Christian day honours saints, known and unknown. Saints are men and women recognised for lives of holiness and devotion to God or who were martyred for their faith.
2-Nov	All Soul’s Day	This day is a time for all Christians to remember and pray for the souls of the departed.
2 Nov – 3 Nov	Birth of the Báb and Birth of Bahá'u'lláh	Two successive holy days that celebrate the births of two central figures in the Baha’i faith. Each day’s worth of celebration starts and ends with the setting of the sun.
2-Nov	Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year)	This date is celebrated with enthusiasm across the state of Gujarat, as it marks the beginning of the new year for Gujarati people.
2-Nov	Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)	Dia de los Muertos combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s.
3-Nov	Bhai Tika	Bhai Tika, also known as Bhai Dooj, Bhaubeej or Bhai Phonta, marks the final day of Deepavali or Tihar and is a time to celebrate family relationships.
15-Nov	Loy Krathong	Loy Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. During the festival, many Thai communities float small lantern boats of offerings as tokens of gratitude toward the Goddess of Water and to seek her forgiveness.
15-Nov	Guru Nanak Gurpurab	This day commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru.
16-Nov	International Day for Tolerance	The United Nations’ annual International Day for Tolerance fosters mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.
26-Nov	The Ascension of Abdu'l Baha	Commemorates the passing of Abdu’l-Bahá on 28 November 1921, the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh (the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i faith).
30-Nov	St Andrew’s Day	St Andrew's Day is celebrated annually in Scotland on 30 November to commemorate St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland since 1320. He is also the patron saint of Romania, Greece, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. The day is usually celebrated with traditional recitations, cuisine, dancing and singing.
December
3-Dec	First Sunday of Advent	Christians celebrate Advent by lighting advent candles, displaying wreaths and hosting special ceremonies. Advent also anticipates the coming again to Earth of Jesus Christ.
7 Dec - 15 Dec	Chanukah	Chanukah or Hanukkah commemorates the recapture and rededication by the Jewish people of the Jerusalem Temple. The festival lasts eight days and nights, with an additional candle lit each night to symbolise the miracle of the cruse of oil that lasted eight days.
8-Dec	Bodhi Day	Bodhi Day commemorates the day Buddha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. It generally falls on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunisolar calendar. Mahayana Buddhists in China, Korea and Vietnam celebrate Lunar Bodhi day on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. In Japan, Bodhi Day follows the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated on 8 December every year.
17-Dec	Shahidi (Martyrdom) of Guru Tegh Bahadur	On this day in 1675, Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, sacrificed his life to defend the religious freedom of another faith. This was a significant event in Sikh history that profoundly impacted the future direction of Sikhism.
18-Dec	International Migrants Day	A United Nations observance that calls us to remember and honour the contribution of all migrants, their stories and cultures, to our multicultural nation.
25-Dec	Christmas Day	Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus and is celebrated by many in Australia regardless of religious affiliation. Christmas lights and trees are displayed, carols are sung, and individuals come together to exchange gifts and spend time with family and friends.
25 Dec – 1 Jan	Kwanzaa	This week-long celebration honours African and African-American cultures, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. It was first celebrated in 1966.
31-Dec	New Year’s Eve	This date commemorates the arrival of a new year following the Gregorian calendar. New Year’s Eve is a time for communities, families and friends to celebrate the year past and the year to come.

 

2024 Calendar of Diversity and Inclusion dates
Important diversity and inclusion days of celebration, solidarity, commemoration and awareness.


January 2024
Thursday 4 - World Braille Day
Sunday, 21 January to Sunday, 11 February - Midsumma Festival
Saturday, 27 - Holocaust Remembrance Day

 

February 2024
Sunday, 4 - Physical Disability Awareness Day
Saturday, 10 - Lunar/Chinese New Year
Sunday, 11 - International Day of Women & Girls in Science
Sunday, 11 - Victoria Pride
Tuesday, 13 - National Apology Anniversary
Friday, 16 to Sunday, 3 March - Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sunday, 18 to Saturday, 24 - Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
Tuesday, 20 - World Day of Social Justice
Wednesday, 21 - International Mother Language Day

 

March 2024
Friday, 1 - Zero Discrimination Day
Friday, 1 - International Wheelchair Day
Saturday, 2 - Sydney Mardi Gras Parade
Friday, 8 - International Women's Day (IWD)
Monday, 18 to Sunday, 24 - Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Thursday, 21 to Wednesday 27 - Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination
Thursday, 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Thursday, 21 - National Close the Gap Day
Thursday, 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
Sunday, 31 - Transgender Day of Visibility

 

April 2024
Tuesday, 2 - World Autism Awareness Day
 Monday, 22 to Sunday, 28 - Lesbian Visibility Week
Wednesday, 24 - International Guide Dog Day
 Sunday, 28 - World Day for Safety & Health at Work

 

May 2024
Sunday, 5 - International Family Equality (Family Pride) Day
Wednesday, 15 - International Day of Families
Thursday, 16 - Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Friday, 17 - International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT)
Tuesday, 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Sunday, 26 - National Sorry Day
Monday, 27 to Monday, 3 June - Reconciliation Week
29 May  Torres Strait Islander Flag Day

 

June 2024
Saturday, 1 to Sunday, 30 - Pride Month
Saturday, 1 - Global Day of Parents
Monday, 3 - Mabo Day (End of Reconciliation week)
Sunday, 23 - International Women in Engineering Day
Friday, 28 - Stonewall Riots Anniversary

 

July 2024
Sunday, 14 - International Non-Binary People's Day
Monday, 15 - World Youth Skills Day

 

August 2024
Friday, 9 - International Day of the World's Indigenous People
Friday, 16 - National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence
Friday, 30 - Wear it Purple Day
Saturday, 31 - International Day for People of African Descent

 

September 2024
Sunday, 1 to Monday, 30 - Supplier Diversity September
Tuesday, 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day
Thursday, 12 - RUOK Day
Monday, 16 to Sunday, 22 - World Childless Week
Wednesday, 18 - International Equal Pay Day
Monday, 23 - Bi Visibility Day
Monday, 23 - International Day of Sign Languages

 

October 2024
Tuesday, 1 to Thursday, 31 - Mental Health Month
Tuesday, 1 to Thursday, 31 - AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Awareness Month
Tuesday, 1 - International Day of Older Persons
Tuesday, 8 - International Lesbian Day
Thursday, 10 - World Mental Health Day
Friday, 11 - National Coming Out Day
Friday, 11 - International Day of the Girl
Sunday, 13 to Saturday, 19 - National Carers Week
Wednesday, 16 - International Pronouns Day
Friday, 18 - World Menopause Day
Sunday, 20 to Saturday, 26 - Ace Week (Asexual Awareness Week)
Saturday, 26 - Intersex Awareness Day

 

November 2024
Friday, 8 - Intersex Solidarity Day
Monday, 11 - Remembrance Day
Wednesday, 13 to Tuesday, 19 - Transgender Awareness Week
Saturday, 16 - International Day for Tolerance
Monday, 18 to Friday 22 - Inclusion at Work Week
Tuesday, 19 - World Toilet Day
Wednesday, 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
Monday, 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign)

 

December 2024
Sunday, 1 - World AIDS Day
Tuesday, 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Tuesday, 10 - Human Rights Day

2024 Calendar of Health Awareness dates

 

January

24   International Day of Education   

28   World Leprosy Day  

30   World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day  

 

 

February

1   to 28   Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month  

1   to 29   REDFEB  

1   to 29   febfast  

4   World Cancer Day  

4   to 10   Healthy Lunchbox Week  

4   to 10   Feeding Tube Awareness Week  

6   International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation  

6   Safer Internet Day  

10  World Pulses Day   

11  to 17   Heart Failure Awareness Week  

12  International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism  

13  World Radio Day  

14  V-DAY to end violence against women

14  National Condom Day   

28  Summer’s Day  button battery awareness

28  Teal Ribbon Giving Day  

29  Rare Disease Day  

 

 

March 

1  to 31   Endometriosis Awareness Month  

1  to 31   World’s Greatest Shave  

1  to 31   The March Charge  

1  to 31   March into Yellow  

1  to 31   Make March Purple for Epilepsy  

3   World Hearing Day   

4   World Obesity Day   

9   World Kidney Day  

9   The National Day of Women Living with HIV  

10   to 16   World Glaucoma Week  

14   International School Meals Day  

14   World Kidney Day  

15   World Sleep Day  

17   to 24   Multiple Birth Awareness Week  

18   to 24   Neurodiversity Celebration Week  

18   to 24   National Advance Care Planning Week  

19   World Social Work Day  

20   International Day of Happiness  

20   World Oral Health Day     

22   National Ride2School Day  

24   World Tuberculosis Day  

26   Purple Day  for Epilepsy

30   World Bipolar Day   

 

April

1  to 30   Parkinson’s Awareness Month  

1  to 30   IBS Awareness Month  

1  to 30   FND Awareness Month   

5   International Day of Conscience  

7   World Health Day  

8  to 14   Dietitians Week  

11   World Parkinson’s Day  

14   World Chagas Disease Day  

17   World Haemophillia Day  

21   World Creativity and Innovation Day   

24  to 30   World Immunization Week  

24   International Guide Dog Day  

25   World Malaria Day  

28   World Day for Safety and Health at Work  

29  to 5  May Heart Week  

29  to 3 May Human Experience Week  

 

May

1  to 31  Macula Month  

1  to 31  Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month  

1  to 31  Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month  

1  to 31  Thyroid Awareness Month  

1  to 31  Miracle Month of May  

1  to 31  Mindful in May  

5  International Day of the Midwife   

5  World Hand Hygiene Day  

6  International No Diet Day  

7  World Asthma Day  

8  World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day  

8  International Thalassaemia Day  

8  World Ovarian Cancer Day  

10  World Lupus Day  

11  to 17  Kidney Action Week  

12  International Nurses Day  

12  International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases   

13  to 19  World Salt Awareness Week 2024  

15  International Day of Families   

16  Coeliac Awareness Day   

19  World IBD Day  

19  World Family Doctor Day  

19  to 25  National Palliative Care Week   

20  to 26  Kidney Health Week  

20  to 26  Exercise Right Week  

20  International Clinical Trials Day  

20  to 26  National Volunteer Week  

20  to 26  Spinal Health Week    

23  International Day to End Obstetric Fistula   

24  Don’t Fry Day  

25  to 31  Spinal Health Week  

25  to 31  International World Thyroid Awareness Week  

25  World Thyroid Day  

26  to 1 June Food Allergy Week    

30  World MS Day  

31  World No Tobacco Day  

31  Tracky Dack Day  

 

June

1  Global Day of Parents  

1 to 7  World Haemochromatosis Week  

1 to 30  Bowel Cancer Awareness Month  

1 to 30  Migraine Awareness Month  

1 to 31 August Beard Season

2  to 8  Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week  

3  World Bicycle Day  

3  World Orthoptic Day  

3  Mabo Day  

3  to 9  World Heart Rhythm Week  

3  to 7  Orthoptics Awareness Week    

5  World Orthoptic Day  

5  International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

7  World Food Safety Day   

10  to 16  Men’s Health Week  

12  World Day Against Child Labour  

12  to 19  National Blood Donor Week  

13  International Albinism Awareness Day  

14  World Blood Donor Day  

15  World Elder Abuse Awareness Day   

18  International Day for Countering Hate Speech  

18  Sustainable Gastronomy Day  

19  World Sickle Cell Day  

19  Red Apple Day  

21  MND Global Awareness Day  

21  International Day of Yoga  

26  International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking  

29  World Scleroderma Day  

 

July

1 July to 31 July Dry July  

11 July World Population Day  

14 July to 20 July National Diabetes Week  

22 July to 28 July National Pain Week  

25 July World Drowning Prevention Day  

28 July World Hepatitis Day  

28 July to 4 August DonateLife Week  

30 July International Day of Friendship  

August

1 August to 7 August World Breastfeeding Week  

1 August to 31 August Tradies National Health Month  

2 August Jeans for Genes   

5 August to 11 August Loneliness Awareness Week  

5 August to 11   Dental Health Week  

5 August to 11 August National Stroke Week  

5 August to 11 August Dental Health Week   

16 August National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence  

19 August World Humanitarian Day  

19 August to 25 August Brain Injury Awareness Week  

21 August to 26 August Speech Pathology Week  

30 August Wear it Purple Day  

31 August International Overdose Awareness Day  

September

1 September to 30 September World Alzheimer’s Month  

1 September to 30 September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month  

1 September to 30 September Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month  

1 September to 30 September Biodiversity Month  

1 September Gold Bow Day  

1 September to 30 September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month  

1 September to 30 September STEPtember  

2 September to 6 September Women’s Health Week  

4 September PKD Awareness Day  

4 September World Sexual Health Day  

4 September Indigenous Literacy Day  

5 September International Day of Charity  

6 September Walk to Work Day  

7 September World Duchenne Awareness Day  

7 September International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies  

8 September International Literacy Day  

8 September World Physiotherapy (PT) Day  

9 September International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day  

9 September World First Aid Day  

10 September World Suicide Prevention Day  

12 September R U OK? Day  

16 September International Day of the Preservation of the Ozone Layer  

16 September International Day for Interventional Cardiology  

17 September World Patient Safety Day  

19 September Dietitians Day  

21 September World Alzheimer’s Day  

23 September International Day of Sign Languages  

24 September World Rivers Day  

25 September World Pharmacists Day  

28 September World Rabies Day  

29 September World Heart Day  

 

October

1 October to 31 October Breast Cancer Awareness Month  

1 October to 31 October Spina Bifida Awareness Month  

1 October World Vegetarian Day  

1 October to 31 October National Safe Work Month  

1 October to 31 October Mental Health Month  

1 October to 7 October BPD Awareness Week  

1 October International Day of Older Persons  

2 October International Day of Non-Violence  

6 October World Cerebral Palsy Day  

6 October World Smile Day  

9 October to 15   Podiatry Week  

10 October World Homeless Day  

10 October World Mental Health Day  

12 October World Sight Day  

13 October to 19 October National Carers Week  

13 October International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction  

14 October Allied Health Professions Day  

15 October International Day of Rural Women  

16 October World Food Day  

16 October National Ride2Work Day  

24 October World Polio Day  

27 October World Occupational Therapy Day  

 

November

1 November to 30 November Workout 4 Women Challenge  

1 November to 30 November Movember  

1 November to 30 November Epilepsy Awareness Month  

1 November to 30 November Lung Cancer Awareness Month  

5 November World Tsunami Awareness Day  

6 November International Pathology Day  

8 November International Day of Radiology  

9 November Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day  

10 November to 16 November Perinatal Mental Health Week  

13 November World Kindness Day  

14 November World Diabetes Day  

16 November International Day of Tolerance  

17 November Cervical Cancer Elimination Day  

17 November World Prematurity Day  

18 November to 24 November World Antimicrobial Awareness Week  

18 November to 24 November National Skin Cancer Action Week  

19 November International Men’s Day  

19 November World Toilet Day  

20 November World Children’s Day  

25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women  

29 November World Movement Disorders Day  

December

1 December World AIDS Day  

1 December to 31 December beard and hair Australia   

5 December International Volunteer Day  

10 December Human Rights Day  

12 December International Universal Health Coverage Day  

20 December International Human Solidarity Day  

27 December International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

 

2024 Calendar of Environmental Awareness Dates

January
26 International Day of Clean Energy

February
2  World Wetlands Day
11 International Day of Women and Girls in Science

March
1  World Seagrass Day
3  World Wildlife Day
3  Clean Up Australia Day
14  International Day of Action for Rivers
21 International Day of Forests
22 World Water Day
23 World Meteorological Day
30 Zero Waste Day

April
17  International Bat Appreciation Day
18  to 19 May Australian Heritage Festival
18  International Day for Monuments and Sites
(World Heritage Day)
22  Earth Day
22  International Mother Earth Day

May
5  to 11 Compost Awareness Week
11 World Migratory Bird Day
12 International Day of Plant Health
19 to 25 National Archaeology Week
20 World Bee Day
22 International Day for Biological Diversity
23 World Turtle Day
31 World Parrot Day

June
5  World Environment Day
8  World Oceans Day
15  Global Wind Day
17  World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
22  World Rainforest Day

July
2 to 9 July NAIDOC week
11 July World Population Day
12 July International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms
26 July
Schools Tree Day
28 July National Tree Day
August
4 August National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
9 August International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
September
September History Week (NSW)
7 September National Threatened Species Day
7 September International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
16 September International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
22 September World Car Free Day
29 September World Rivers Day
October
4 October World Animal Day
7 October World Habitat Day
13 October International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
14 to 15 October Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney
16 October National Ride to Work Day
21 to 27 October National Water Week
November
26 November World Sustainable Transport Day
December
5 December World Soil Day
11 December International Mountain Day
18 December International Migrants Day