International Days 2026
Observances recognised worldwide, many of them set by the United Nations and its agencies.
January
World Braille Day
A UN day raising awareness of braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people.
International Day of Education
A United Nations day that celebrates the role of education in peace and development and calls for quality learning for everyone.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
A UN day commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27, 1945.
February
World Wetlands Day
A UN day raising awareness of wetlands, which store water, protect coasts and support wildlife.
World Cancer Day
A global awareness day led by the Union for International Cancer Control to improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
A UN day promoting full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
World Radio Day
A UNESCO day celebrating radio as a powerful, low-cost medium that reaches people everywhere.
World Day of Social Justice
A UN day promoting efforts to tackle poverty, exclusion, inequality and unemployment.
International Mother Language Day
A UNESCO day that promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingual education, born from Bangladesh's Language Movement of 1952.
March
World Wildlife Day
A UN day celebrating wild animals and plants and raising awareness of the threats they face.
International Women’s Day
A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calling for gender equality.
International Day of Happiness
A UN day that recognises happiness and well-being as universal goals and calls for public policies that put people's well-being first.
International Day of Forests
A UN day celebrating forests and trees and their role in climate, water, biodiversity and livelihoods.
World Down Syndrome Day
A UN-recognised day raising awareness of Down syndrome and celebrating the lives and rights of people with it.
World Poetry Day
A UNESCO day celebrating poetry as one of humanity's oldest and most diverse forms of expression.
World Water Day
A UN day focused on the importance of fresh water and on reaching safe water and sanitation for everyone.
World Tuberculosis Day
A global health day raising awareness of tuberculosis, one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.
April
World Autism Awareness Day
A UN day promoting understanding and acceptance of autistic people and their full participation in society.
World Health Day
Held on the anniversary of the World Health Organization's founding, World Health Day puts a global spotlight on one health priority each…
Earth Day
An annual day of action for the environment, first held in the United States in 1970 and now observed in more than…
World Book and Copyright Day
A UNESCO day celebrating books and reading, authors and publishers, and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.
World Malaria Day
A WHO day highlighting global efforts to prevent, control and eliminate malaria.
May
International Workers’ Day
Also known as May Day or Labour Day, a day honouring workers and the labour movement, observed as a public holiday in…
World Press Freedom Day
A UN day defending media independence, honouring journalists who lost their lives, and reminding governments to respect freedom of expression.
International Day of Families
A UN day celebrating families and drawing attention to the social, economic and demographic issues that affect them.
World Bee Day
A UN day raising awareness of bees and other pollinators and their importance for food and biodiversity.
World No Tobacco Day
A WHO day highlighting the health risks of tobacco use and calling for effective policies to reduce it.
June
World Environment Day
The United Nations' principal day for environmental action, led by UNEP and hosted by a different country each year.
World Oceans Day
A UN day celebrating the ocean that covers most of our planet and calling for its protection and sustainable use.
World Blood Donor Day
A WHO day thanking voluntary blood donors and encouraging more people to give blood regularly.
World Refugee Day
A UN day honouring refugees around the world and the strength of people forced to flee their homes.
International Day of Yoga
A UN day promoting awareness of the physical and mental benefits of yoga, celebrated on the June solstice.
July
World Population Day
A UN day drawing attention to population issues, including reproductive health, gender equality and the needs of young people.
World Hepatitis Day
A WHO day raising awareness of viral hepatitis and the tests, vaccines and treatments that can stop it.
International Day of Friendship
A UN day celebrating friendship between people, cultures and countries as a foundation for peace. Many countries also celebrate Friendship Day on…
August
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
A UN day promoting and protecting the rights of the world's Indigenous peoples.
International Youth Day
A UN day recognising young people as partners in change and drawing attention to the challenges they face.
World Humanitarian Day
A UN day honouring aid workers who risk their lives to help others and the people affected by crises around the world.
September
International Literacy Day
A UNESCO day highlighting the importance of reading and writing for dignity, rights and development.
International Day of Democracy
A UN day reviewing the state of democracy in the world and promoting its principles.
International Day of Peace
The UN's day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, marked by a call for 24 hours of global ceasefire and non-violence.
World Tourism Day
A UN Tourism day highlighting tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value and its role in sustainable development.
World Heart Day
A global day raising awareness of cardiovascular disease, the world's leading cause of death, and how to prevent it.
October
International Day of Older Persons
A UN day recognising the contributions of older people and drawing attention to the issues of ageing, from health care to age…
International Day of Non-Violence
A UN day held on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, promoting non-violence through education and public awareness. In India the day is…
World Teachers’ Day
A UNESCO day celebrating teachers and the role they play in quality education, and calling for better support for the teaching profession.
World Mental Health Day
A global day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
World Food Day
A UN day promoting action against hunger and for healthy, sustainable food for everyone, held on the anniversary of the founding of…
United Nations Day
The anniversary of the UN Charter entering into force in 1945, a day to reflect on the purposes and work of the…
November
World Science Day for Peace and Development
A UNESCO day highlighting the role of science in society and the need to involve the public in debates on science.
World Diabetes Day
The world's largest diabetes awareness campaign, led by the International Diabetes Federation on the birthday of insulin co-discoverer Frederick Banting.
International Day for Tolerance
A UN day promoting mutual understanding among cultures and peoples and respect for diversity.
World Toilet Day
A UN day raising awareness of the billions of people living without safely managed sanitation.
World Children’s Day
UNICEF's day of action for children's rights, marking the adoption of the Declaration and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
World Television Day
A UN day recognising the role of television in informing the public and shaping public opinion.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
A UN day calling for an end to violence against women and girls, which opens the 16 Days of Activism ending on…
December
World AIDS Day
The first-ever global health day, dedicated to raising awareness of HIV, supporting people living with HIV and remembering those who have died…
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
A UN day promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in every sphere of society.
International Volunteer Day
A UN day celebrating volunteers and the difference they make in communities around the world.
World Soil Day
An FAO-led day highlighting the importance of healthy soil for food, water and climate.
International Anti-Corruption Day
A UN day raising awareness of corruption and of the UN Convention against Corruption.
Human Rights Day
The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948.
International Mountain Day
A UN day highlighting the importance of mountains for water, biodiversity and the people who live in them.
International Migrants Day
A UN day recognising the contributions of migrants and the importance of protecting their rights.
World Arabic Language Day
A UNESCO day celebrating the Arabic language and its contribution to culture, science and civilisation.