Looking Ahead: Your NSW Cultural Calendar for 2026

January

• 26 Jan – Australia Day
  See above under public holidays.
  

February

• 17 Feb – Lunar New Year
  Celebration of the new year in Chinese and many Asian cultures.
  
• 13 Feb – Anniversary of the Apology to Stolen Generations
  Marks the Australian Government’s apology to First Nations people affected by past policies.
  
• 20 Feb – World Day of Social Justice
  Focuses on social equality and eliminating poverty and discrimination.
  

March

• 1 Mar – Clean Up Australia Day
  Community action to clean local environments.
• 8 Mar – International Women’s Day
  Celebrates women’s achievements and calls for gender equality.
• 17 Feb – Ramadan begins (ends ~19 Mar)
  Islamic holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
• Harmony Week: 16–22 Mar
  Celebrates cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
• 18 Mar – World Social Work Day
  Highlights the role of social workers in enhancing community well-being.
• 21 Mar – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  Promotes equality and fights racism.
• 21 Mar – National Close the Gap Day
  Raises awareness of health and life expectancy gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
  

April

• 7 Apr – World Health Day
  Promotes global health awareness.
  
• ~19 Mar or 20 Mar – Eid al-Fitr
  Celebration marking the end of Ramadan.
  
• 22 Apr – Earth Day
  Focuses on environmental protection and sustainability.
  

May

• 11–17 May – Neighbourhood Centre Week
  Celebrates local community centres and their services.
• 17 May – IDAHOBIT
  International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism & Transphobia.
• 18–24 May – National Volunteer Week
  Recognises the contributions of volunteers in the community.
• 26 May – National Sorry Day
  Acknowledges the harm caused by the forced removal of Indigenous children (the Stolen Generations).
• 27 May – National Reconciliation Week begins (until 3 Jun)
  Promotes reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
  

June

• 5 Jun – World Environment Day
  Encourages worldwide action for the environment.
• 8–14 Jun – Men’s Health Week
  Focuses on improving men’s health and well-being.
• 15 Jun – Elder Abuse Awareness Day
  Raises awareness of the abuse of older people.
• 14–20 Jun – Refugee Week
  Celebrates the contributions of refugees and promotes understanding.
  
• 20 Jun – World Refugee Day
  Recognises the resilience and contributions of refugees worldwide.
  

July

• 5–12 Jul – NAIDOC Week
  Celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  

August

• 4 Aug – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
  Celebrates First Nations children and their culture.
• 3–9 Aug – Loneliness Awareness Week
  Raises awareness about social isolation and mental health.
• 12 Aug – International Youth Day
  Highlights issues affecting young people.
• 28 Aug – Wear it Purple Day
  Supports LGBTIQA+ young people and promotes inclusivity.
  

September

• 10 Sep – R U OK? Day
  Encourages people to check in on others’ mental health and well-being.
  

October

• Mental Health Month (entire month)
  Promotes mental health awareness and wellbeing.
• 1 Oct – International Day of Older Persons
  Recognises the contributions and challenges of older people.
• 10 Oct – World Mental Health Day
  Raises global mental health awareness.
• 11–17 Oct – National Carers Week
  Celebrates people who provide unpaid care and support.
• 11–17 Oct – Anti-Poverty Week
  Focuses on understanding and tackling poverty in Australia.
• 31 Oct – Halloween
  A celebration featuring costumes, trick-or-treating, and community events.
  

November

• 8 Nov – Diwali
  Hindu festival of lights celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
• 9–15 Nov – National Recycling Week
  Encourages recycling and waste reduction.
• 11 Nov – Remembrance Day
  Honours Australians who have died in wars and conflicts.
• 19 Nov – International Men’s Day
  Promotes men’s health and positive male role models.
• 21–29 Nov – Social Inclusion Week
  Encourages communities to connect and include everyone.
• 25 Nov – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  Start of 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence.
  

December

• 3 Dec – International Day of People with Disability
  Promotes inclusion and rights for people with disabilities.
• 5 Dec – International Volunteer Day
  Recognises volunteer contributions.
• 10 Dec – Human Rights Day
  Marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• 4 Dec – Hanukkah begins (ends 12 Dec)
  Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Holy Temple.
• 25 Dec – Christmas Day
  See above under public holidays.