The Complete 2023-24 Diversity Calendar, Dates and Celebration Events
FREE Diversity Calendar 2024 GLOBAL DIVERSITY CALENDAR. A complete listing of important dates to celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusion around the world
Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and inclusion in 2023 & 2024 is as important as promoting them. Here is a list of important dates announced and supported by major diversity-related organizations around the world. If we have missed any dates, let us know!
Observations and cultural practices may vary. To learn more, check out our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Glossary
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Diversity Calendar Kit by Diversity for Social Impact
Embrace inclusivity and celebrate our world’s rich tapestry with a diversity calendar. Boost employee satisfaction and retention by recognizing and honoring diverse cultures, traditions, and events. Our calendar promotes unity and understanding, fostering a more engaged and happy workforce. Invest in your team’s happiness – unlock the power of diversity today!
Global Cultural & Festival Celebration Calendar around the world
Diversity & Multicultural Calendar 2024
Looking to make 2024 a standout year for diversity, equity and inclusion at your workplace? Our Diversity and Multicultural Calendar 2024 is more than just a way to keep track of the days. It’s a guide to celebrating holidays and key moments from cultures around the world.
It isn’t just a calendar; it’s a conversation starter. Use our Diversity Calendar 2024 to get people talking about important topics that can make a difference in your community. Leveraging opportunities for dialogue not only fosters a greater sense of belonging among your employees but also encourages inclusive scheduling and makes better connections with your diverse clients and business partners.
What we’re sharing below is just a sneak peek. By subscribing to our complete Diversity Calendar Kit, you’ll gain access to an expansive suite of tools and educational resources to save you hours of work. Take the proactive step to enrich your organization’s DEI initiatives – subscribe today and make 2024 a year of meaningful engagement and community impact.
January 2024 Diversity Calendar
January 1: New Year’s Day – The first day in the Gregorian calendar celebrated by most Western countries.
January 7: Orthodox Christmas Day – A special day when many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
January 14: Orthodox New Year – Also known as the Julian New Year, it’s a time for Eastern Orthodox communities to celebrate the start of their new year.
January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – A day to honour civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and to reflect on the ongoing fight for racial equality in America.
January 27: International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust – A day to remember and honour the millions lost in the Holocaust and to reaffirm a commitment to prevent such atrocities.
February 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
February 1: Black History Month Begins – The start of a month-long celebration and study of the achievements and history of African Americans in the U.S.
February 10: Lunar New Year – The start of the new year on the lunar calendar, a big celebration for many East Asian cultures.
February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science – A day to recognize and celebrate the critical role women and girls play in science and technology, aiming for greater equity in these fields.
February 13: Mardi Gras – A lively festival known for parades and costumes, traditionally celebrated before the Christian season of Lent begins.
February 20: World Day of Social Justice – A day to focus on fairness and equality, advocating for social justice issues like poverty, unemployment, and human rights.
March 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
March 8: International Women’s Day – A day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women globally and advocating for gender equality across all sectors.
March 10: Ramadan – The start of a sacred month in Islam where fasting from dawn to sunset, reflection, and community are emphasized.
March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – A day focused on combating racial discrimination and promoting unity and equal opportunity for all.
March 25: Holi – A Hindu festival of colours celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, marked by joyful gatherings and colour-throwing.
March 31: Transgender Day of Visibility – A day to honour the transgender and non-binary communities, celebrating their resilience while also raising awareness about the discrimination they still face.
March 31: Easter – A significant Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, often marked by gatherings, feasts, and traditions like egg hunts, recognized widely across Western cultures.
April 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day – A day to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, celebrating their unique talents and contributions.
April 7: World Health Day – A day to focus on global health issues, advocating for equal access to healthcare services for everyone, everywhere.
April 9: Eid al-Fitr – The Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, a time of feasting and giving thanks celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
April 13: Vaisakhi – An important festival in the Sikh and Hindu calendars, celebrating the start of the harvest season and the Sikh New Year.
April 22: Earth Day – A day of action and advocacy for environmental protection and sustainability, emphasizing the social justice aspects of environmentalism.
April 22: Passover – A Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, marked by special meals and rituals.
May 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
May 5: Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) – A day to solemnly remember the lives lost in the Holocaust and to educate future generations about the dangers of bigotry.
May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – A day to rally against LGBTQ+ discrimination and promote a more inclusive and accepting world.
May 19: Malcolm X Day – A day to honour civil rights leader Malcolm X, reflecting on his advocacy for African American rights and social justice.
May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – A day to celebrate cultural diversity and to encourage dialogue that leads to better mutual understanding and cooperation.
May 23: Vesak (Buddha Day) – A significant day for Buddhists, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, usually marked by prayer and meditation.
June 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
June 1: Pride Month Begins – The kickoff for a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on history, rights, and advocacy.
June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – A day to spotlight the often-overlooked issue of elder abuse, promoting the welfare and rights of the older generation.
June 16: Eid al-Adha – One of the holiest days in Islam, Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son for God, marked by prayers, charity, and community gatherings.
June 19: Juneteenth – Commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, focusing on education and reflection about African American history.”
June 27: Birthday of Helen Keller – A day to honour Helen Keller, an advocate for people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and equal opportunity.
July 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
July 4: Independence Day – A U.S. holiday celebrating the nation’s freedom, providing a platform to discuss the complexities and challenges of achieving true equality for all.
July 18: Nelson Mandela International Day – A global observance to honour Mandela’s legacy, encouraging individual and collective actions to fight injustice and promote social equality.
July 24: International Self-Care Day – A day promoting the importance of self-care for mental and physical well-being, emphasizing how self-care practices vary across cultures.
July 28: World Hepatitis Day – A day to elevate awareness about viral hepatitis, aiming to reduce the disease’s unequal impact on marginalized communities around the world.
July 30: International Day of Friendship – A United Nations-recognized day that celebrates friendships across borders and cultures, fostering global unity and understanding.
Professional Diversity Calendar Kit
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August 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – A day focused on recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples while also addressing the challenges they face.
August 12: International Youth Day – A day to spotlight the energy, initiatives, and aspirations of young people worldwide while discussing the unique challenges they face in different cultural contexts.
August 24: Birthday of Marlee Matlin – Celebrating the birthday of Marlee Matlin, an Oscar-winning deaf actress and advocate, this day prompts conversations about representation and accessibility in the arts and media.
August 26: Women’s Equality Day – Commemorating the adoption of the 19th Amendment in the U.S., granting women the right to vote, and sparking conversations on the ongoing fight for gender equality globally.
September 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
September 5: International Day of Charity – A day to celebrate and promote charitable giving, focusing on how philanthropy can address systemic inequities globally.
September 8: International Literacy Day – A day highlighting the importance of literacy as a human right while acknowledging the varied literacy challenges across different cultures and communities.
September 11: Patriot Day – A U.S. observance to honour the victims of the 9/11 attacks, serving as a platform to discuss the complexities of national security and civil liberties.
September 15: Mawlid al-Nabi – Commemorating the birth of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, this day is an opportunity to explore the rich diversity within Islamic traditions and their global impact.
October 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
October 2: Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, a day to reflect and renew, providing a space to discuss Jewish traditions and their contributions to global culture
October 10: World Mental Health Day – A day to highlight the importance of mental well-being, recognizing that mental health issues manifest differently across cultures and social contexts.
October 11: Yom Kippur – The Jewish Day of Atonement, emphasizing the importance of repentance and forgiveness, sparking conversations about these universal themes across different faiths.
October 11: National Coming Out Day – A day to celebrate coming out as LGBTQ+, encouraging discussions about the varying challenges and triumphs experienced in different cultural settings.
October 16: Bosses’ Day – A day to acknowledge leadership in the workplace, serving as an entry point to discuss power dynamics and equitable management styles.
November 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
November 1: Diwali – The Hindu Festival of Lights, a celebration of good over evil that offers a vibrant lens into the richness of Indian culture while inspiring conversations about the universal theme of hope.
November 2: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – A Mexican tradition celebrating deceased loved ones, sparking conversations about how different cultures approach death and remembrance.
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance – A solemn day to memorialize those lost to anti-transgender violence, advocating for safer and more inclusive environments.
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – A global day to combat gender-based violence, emphasizing the pressing need for collective action and intersectional feminism.
December 2024 Diversity Calendar 2024
December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities – A day to focus on the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, sparking dialogue about accessibility and inclusion in diverse cultural contexts.
December 25: Christmas – A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, which has also evolved into a global cultural event, offering a platform to discuss the commercialization and universal themes of peace and goodwill.
December 25: Hanukkah – An eight-day Jewish festival of lights, offering an opportunity to explore Jewish traditions, resilience, and their impact on global culture.
December 26: Kwanzaa – A seven-day African-American and Pan-African celebration emphasizing communal values and heritage, encouraging conversations about the diaspora and its cultural contributions.
Diversity Calendar 2023
| DATES | DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CELEBRATION |
EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| January | Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (Canada) | Learn more about dementia and its impact |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | Celebrated within most Western countries |
| January 1 | Shogatsu / Gantan-sai (New Year) | The most important holiday in Japan |
| January 1 | Feast Day of St. Basil | Eastern Orthodox Church holiday |
| January 2 | World Introvert Day | Introverts are usually misunderstood, and this day honors the accomplishments and contributions of those born this way. Among the world s notable people were originally introverts. |
| January 4 | World Braille Day | Enable the full knowledge of human rights for the blind and partially sighted to become accomplished through the universal touch-based communication system. |
| January 5 | Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh | A celebration honoring the birthday of the 10th Sikh Guru commemorates a man who emulated God. Individuals pray during the event, praying for prosperity and well-being. |
| January 6 | Epiphany or Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day); Armenian Orthodox Christmas | Protestant Christian and Roman Catholic celebrate Epiphany and Armenian Christmas. |
| January 6 | Mahayana New Year (Buddhist) Bodhi Day (Buddhist) |
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| January 7 | Eastern Orthodox Christmas Christmas in Russia |
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| January 13 | Lori-Maghi; Makar Sankranti or Maghi | A month-long religious festival is organized by the Sikhs each year to commemorate the memory of 40 martyrs who were slain. Hindu: Celebrates the harvest. |
| January 14 | Eastern Orthodox New Year | |
| January 15 | World Religion Day | Highlight how the ideas within many of the world’s religious systems are harmonious in nature, and that religions play an important role in all countries’ addressing of societal issues. |
| January 16 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. |
| January 20 | Timkat | Orthodox Tewahedo celebration of Epiphany |
| January 22 | Lunar New Year (Year of Rabbit) | Lunar New Year is celebrated in many different countries. There are twelve zodiac signs associated with the Lunar New Year, and each one has a different meaning. |
| January 24 | International Day of Education | Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind. |
| January 24 | World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture | Celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world. |
| January 25 | Bell Let’s Talk Day (Canada Mental Health) | Spread the word about mental health. |
| January 26 | Vasant Panchami | Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring |
| January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day | Registered by the United Nations General Assembly on November 1, 2005, as a day to raise remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust. |
| January 29 | Oprah Winfrey’s birthday | Let’s All Win: How Oprah Helps Inclusive Leaders Grow? |
| January 29 | National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (Canada) | Islamophobia is an extreme fear of and hostility toward Islam and Muslims. It often leads to hate speech and hate crimes, social and political discrimination, can be used to rationalize policies such as mass surveillance, incarceration, and disenfranchisement, and can influence domestic and foreign policy. |
| DATES | DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CELEBRATION |
EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Month of February | Black History Month Recreation Therapy Awareness Month LGBT+ History Month Heart Month Psychology Month |
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| February 1 | National Freedom Day | Celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in 1865. |
| February 1 | Imbolc | Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. |
| February 3 | Setsubun-Sai (Beginning of Spring) | Roshomon (the Japanese lunar calendar)-based: One day before the beginning of spring. It is not a countrywide holiday. In many centuries, people have been performing rituals to chase away evil spirits at the beginning of spring. |
| February 4 | World Cancer Day | |
| February 5 | Lantern Festival | Marks the end of the Lunar New Year period |
| February 5 | Maghi-Purnima | A Hindu festival especially for worshippers of Lord Vishnu. Millions of devotees take a holy bath on this day. They also perform charity work on this day. |
| February 6 | Tu B’Shevat | The Jewish new year for trees – a day for environmental awareness. |
| February 11 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science | Encourage access and participation for women and girls in science. |
| February 14 | Have a Heart Day (Canada) | Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are. |
| February 14 | Pink Triangle Day | The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) community has appropriated the national emblem in celebration of its rights movement. |
| February 14 | St. Valentine’s Day | The history of Valentine’s Day |
| February 14 | Birthday of Frederick Douglass | Renowned abolitionist, who helped free the slaves |
| February 15 | Parinirvana or Nirvana Day | Remembers Buddha getting born in 483 BC and celebrating his birthday. Commemorative commemoration of Buddha s death at the age of 80. |
| February 15 | Birthday of Susan B. Anthony | The women’s rights advocate who helped women gain the right to vote. |
| February 18 | Lailatal Miraj | Muslims celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s nighttime journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he ascended to heaven. |
| February 18 | Maha Shivarati | Hindu: One of the major festivals in Hinduism dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva. People celebrate Maha Shivratri by fasting, keeping vigil and doing pujas at homes and temples. |
| February 20 | Presidents Day (US) | Federally recognized holiday commemorating the birthday of the first President of the United States, George Washington, every year. |
| February 20 | World Day of Social Justice | The observance of the day should contribute to the further consolidation of the efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all. |
| February 21 | Losar | The Tibetan Buddhist New Year |
| February 21 | Mardi Gras | New Orleans, Louisiana, is renowned for Mardi Gras. The last day of merrymaking before it begins the more modest, but longer, sober weeks (Lent) of fasting for Catholics. |
| February 21 | Shrove Tuesday | The big hurrah before Christians start Lent, a season of prayer, penance and fasting in preparation for the Easter season. |
| February 21 | International Mother Language Day | Recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. |
| February 22 | Ash Wednesday | Christians, especially Catholics, wearing a smudge of ashes on their foreheads. |
| February 22 | Pink Shirt Day (Canada) | National Anti-Bullying Day |
| February 26 | Intercalary/Ayyam-i-ha | These days are devoted to spiritual preparation for the month long fast, Alá that follows. These days are festive times in the community, characterized by hospitality, charity, service and gift-giving. (Bahá’í) |
| February 27 | Clean Monday – Lent Begins | “Kathara Deftera,” Greek for “Clean Monday,” is considered one of the most important annual feasts in Greece, commencing the 40-day period of Great Lent, or “Sarakosti,” for the Greek Orthodox Church. |
| DATES | DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CELEBRATION |
EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Month of March | Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month National Women’s History Month Ethnic Equality Month National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness and Education Month Gender Equality Month National Kidney Month Greek-American Heritage Month National Colon Cancer Awareness Month Irish-American Heritage Month Deaf History Month |
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| March 1 | Zero Discrimination Day | Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination. |
| March 3 | Employee Appreciation Day | |
| March 7 | Holi | What is the Festival of Colors? |
| March 7 | Purim | Their Jewish community in Persia was saved from genocide on the festival of Purim. Purim entails celebrating and giving charity, and Jewish people do all of this with their friends. |
| March 8 | Hola Mohalla | A three-day long Sikh festival which normally falls in March. |
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | By celebrating all women and their remarkable contributions to collective progress, it is possible to record the progress we’ve made for posterity while our historical battle to eradicate gender inequality, and no nation has reached that goal. |
| March 10 | Harriet Tubman Day | Leader of the Underground Railroad who helped slaves escape to freedom |
| March 14 | Pi Day | Pay tribute to the symbol that constant in mathematics and physics gets when you divide the diameter of the circle by its circumference. It is expressed by the Greek letter π in English, pi. Museums and science centers celebrate this day with educational programs, songs, pi memorization challenges and at least one event, though many mathematical lovers celebrate simply through enjoying. |
| March 17 | St Patrick’s Day | St. Patrick’s Day is commemorated by the Irish community in honor of . |
| March 21 | Naw-Ruz ; Nowruz | Baha’I New Year; Ismaili Muslims worldwide observe Navroz (Nowruz), a festival that marks the beginning of the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. |
| March 21 | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | |
| March 23 | Ramadan Begins | Ramaḍān is the month of fasting during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. |
| March 25 | International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | |
| March 31 | International Transgender Day of Visibility | |
| March 31 | Equal Pay Day |
| DATES | DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CELEBRATION | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Month of April | Arab-American Heritage Month Tartan (Scottish-American) Heritage Month Autism Awareness Month National Volunteer Month Celebrate Diversity Month National Child Abuse Prevention Month Earth Month |
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| April 2 | World Autism Awareness Day | Throughout its history, the United Nations family has celebrated diversity and promoted the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, including learning differences and developmental disabilities. |
| April 2 | Palm Sunday | Christians throughout the world celebrate the day Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem days before his crucifixion. |
| April 5 – 13 | Pesach*/Passover | Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays.
Jewish: From how to host online to how to make a digital Haggadah. |
| April 6 | Maundy Thursday | What is Maundy Thursday and how is it celebrated? |
| April 7 | Good Friday | What Is Good Friday and Why Do We Celebrate It? |
| April 9 | Easter | Easter, Easter eggs and Easter bunnies |
| April 9 | Palm Sunday | Orthodox |
| April 14 | Vaisakhi | What is Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi and how is it celebrated? |
| April 14 | Good Friday | Orthodox |
| April 16 | Pascha/Easter | Orthodox |
| April 17 | Easter Monday | Orthodox |
| April 17 | Yom Hashoah | This annual day of remembrance of the victims is observed by Jewish communities worldwide. |
| Second Wednesday of April | International Day of Pink | Anti-Bullying |
| April 17 | Laylat al Qadr | What Is The Significance Of This Night In Islam? |
| April 21 | Start of Riḍván | The First Day of Ridván is an important Baha’i holiday. Riḍván is a twelve-day festival that celebrates the beginnings of the Bahá’í Faith. |
| April 21 | Eid al-Fitr | Eid-ul-Fitr: Know Its History, Traditions And Significance |
| April 22 | International Earth Day | |
| April 25 | Yom Ha’Atzmaut | The celebration of Israeli independence is marked each year on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. |
| April 23 | National Day of Silence (LGBTQIAA+) | Spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ2+ people. |
| April 22-24 | Gathering of Nations | More than 500 Native American tribes meet to celebrate their traditions and cultures |
| Month of May | ALS Awareness Month Asian Heritage Month South Asian American Heritage Month Haitian Heritage Month Older Americans Month Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Mental Health Awareness Month |
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| May 1 | Beltane | A fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. |
| May 3 | Asian-American Women’s Equal Pay Day | To bring about greater awareness of racial pay disparities, the Japanese-American community has organized events. |
| May 5 | Red Dress Day (Canada) | National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls |
| May 5 | Wesak (Buddha Day) | What is Wesak and how is it celebrated? |
| May 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia | More than one-third of all countries criminalize same-sex relationships. LGBTQIA+ people face prejudice, discrimination, stigma, hostility, violence. They are denied legal protections, essential health care, civil and human rights, including a right to bodily autonomy when forced to go through medical treatment or needless surgery. |
| May 18 | Ascension Day | Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated the 40th day after Easter Sunday, that commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven. |
| May 19 | Birthday of Malcolm X | The civil rights leader |
| May 20 | Asian Gold Ribbon Day | Stand in Solidarity against Anti-Asian Racism |
| May 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development | Protect the diversity of cultural expressions |
| May 23 | Declaration of the Bab | Baha’i |
| May 25 | Shavuot | Shavuot, the feast of weeks, is celebrated seven weeks after the second Passover seder. Although Shavuot began as an ancient grain harvest festival, the holiday has been identified since biblical times with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. |
| May 25 | Ascension | Orthodox |
| May 28 | Pentecost | |
| May 28 | Ascension of Baha’u’llah | Baha’i |
| Month of June | Pride Month (LGBTQIAA+) Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month National Caribbean American Heritage Month Black Music Month National Indigenous History Month (Canada) |
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| June 4 | Trinity Sunday | What is Trinity Sunday and how is it celebrated? |
| June 5 | World Environment Day | World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. |
| June 8 | Corpus Christi | What is Corpus Christi and how is it celebrated? |
| June 13 | International Albinism Awareness Day | Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. |
| June 11 | National Puerto Rican Day Parade | 10 Caribbean Festivals Worth Traveling For |
| June 19 | International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict | |
| June 19 | Juneteenth | Black American; Commentates the liberation of slaves in Texas, and celebrated nationwide |
| June 21 | Litha or Summer Solstice | Litha is a pagan holiday and celebrates the beginning of summer. |
| June 21 | National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada) | This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. |
| June 22 | Dragon Boat Festival | The history and evolution of the Dragon Boat Festival |
| June 26 | The Hajj | Hajj in Mecca is specific to Muslims, and it is required of all able Muslims at least once in their life. |
| June 27 | Canadian Multiculturalism Day | Canadian Multiculturalism Day was marked in various ways by people across the country |
| June 27 | Birthday of Helen Keller | People With Disabilities; the pioneer in advocating for those with disabilities |
| June 28 | Eid al-Adha | One of Islam’s most important holidays |
| DATE | DIVERSITY & CULTURAL CELEBRATION | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| Month of October | Global Diversity Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month Bullying Prevention Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month Filipino-American Heritage Month Italian-American Heritage Month LGBTQ History Month National Work and Family Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month Polish-American Heritage Month Family History Month |
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| October 1 | National Seniors Day (Canada) | All Canadians to join in celebrating older adults across Canada. |
| October 2 | International Day of Nonviolence | |
| October 6 | Shmini Atzeret | What is Shemini Atzeret? |
| October 7 | Simchat Torah | The two holidays at the conclusion of Sukkot. |
| October 10 | World Mental Health Day | |
| October 11 | National Coming Out Day | LGBTQIAA+ |
| October 9 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America |
| October 11 | International Day of the Girl Child | United Nations |
| October 15 | White Cane Safety Day | Blind awareness |
| October 15 | Navrati begins | Hindu – What is Navratri all about? |
| October 16 | Bosses’ Day | |
| October 16 | Birth of the B’ab | Bahá’í |
| October 17 | Birth of Bahá’u’lláh | Bahá’í |
| October 18 | National Persons Day (celebrates Women recognized as people) | Canada |
| October 19 | Spirit Day | LGBTQ2+; observers wear purple to support LGBTQ youth and prevent bullying |
| October 20 | Birth of Guru Granth Sahib | Sikh |
| October 22 | International Stuttering Awareness Day | International Stuttering Association |
| October 26 | Eid Milad ul-Nabi | Muslim |
| October 26 | Intersex Awareness Day | |
| October 31 | Halloween | |
| Month of November | Movember National Native American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native Heritage Month |
Awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer |
| 1st week of November | Treaties Recognition Week | Ministry of Indigenous Affairs |
| November 1 | All Saints Day | How to celebrate All Saints Day |
| November 2 | Dia de los Muertos begins | Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. While the holiday originated in Mexico, it is celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons). |
| Hindu | ||
| November 6 | Birth of the Bab | Baha’i |
| November 7 | Birth of Baha’u’llah | Baha’i |
| November 9 | World Freedom Day | |
| November 10 | World Science Day for Peace and Development | United Nations |
| November 10 | Veterans Day (US) | What is Veterans Day |
| November 12 | Diwali | Hindu, Jain and Sikh celebration – What to Know About Diwali, and How It’s Celebrated |
| November 13 | World Kindness Day | The occasion is observed in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Italy, and Japan |
| November 16 | Dutch American Heritage Day | |
| November 16 | International Day for Tolerance | |
| November 20 | Transgender Day of Remembrance | GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) |
| November 20 | National Child Day | Canada |
| November 23 | Thanksgiving (US) | |
| November 25 | Day of the Covenant | Baha’i |
| November 25 | International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women | United Nations |
| November 28 | Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha | Baha’i |
| I | ||
| December 1 | World AIDS Day | |
| December 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Promotes the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities |
| December 3 – 24 | Advent | What is Advent? And what traditions do people follow worldwide? |
| December 6 | National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women | Canada |
| December 8 | Bodhi Day | Buddhists Prepare To Observe Bodhi Day, When Siddhartha Gautama Became Buddha |
| December 8 | Hanukkah begins | Lasting eight days, the joyous Jewish holiday celebrates a miracle from more than 2,000 years ago. |
| December 10 | International Human Rights Day | |
| December 10 | Human Rights Day | United Nations |
| December 16-24 | Las Posadas | Las Posadas is a Christmas festival celebrated in Latin America, especially Mexico, and in Hispanic communities in the United States. |
| December 18 | International Migrants Day | United Nations |
| December 21 | Yule Winter Solstice | The pagan celebration of the winter solstice is known as Yule, and it’s one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. |
| December 25 | Christmas | Christian; celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christian messiah |
| December 26 | Kwanzaa begins | Kwanzaa celebrates African-American heritage. Here’s how it came to be—and what it means today. |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve | 24 Best New Year’s Movies To Watch As You Ring In 2023 |
What is a Diversity and Inclusion Calendar?
A diversity and inclusion calendar is a tool that lists various cultural, religious, and social events, holidays, and awareness days from different groups throughout the year. The purpose of this calendar is to help people learn about and respect the unique backgrounds, beliefs, and customs of others. This calendar can be used in schools, workplaces, or personal life to promote a more inclusive and diverse environment.
How to teach children the importance of a Diversity and Inclusion Calendar?
A diversity and inclusion calendar is like a special planner or schedule that highlights different cultural, religious, and social events, holidays, and awareness days from various groups of people throughout the year. The main goal of having this calendar is to help everyone understand and appreciate the uniqueness of each other’s backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions.
It’s kind of like if you had a calendar that showed not just the big holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but also included celebrations from different cultures, like Diwali, Ramadan, or Lunar New Year. It also helps to make sure everyone feels included and respected, no matter their background. This calendar can be used at schools, workplaces, or even in your own personal life to create a more inclusive and diverse environment.
Why is a Diversity Calendar important to building a diverse workplace?
A diversity calendar is important to a workplace for several reasons:
- Fosters inclusivity. By recognizing various cultural, religious, and social events, the calendar helps create an inclusive environment where employees from different backgrounds feel respected and valued.
- Raises awareness. The calendar educates employees about the diversity of their colleagues, which can lead to greater understanding, empathy, and collaboration.
- Encourages engagement. Celebrating diverse events can encourage employees to participate in activities, share their own traditions, and learn about others, which can strengthen team bonds.
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