Internal comms calendar 2026

Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday in March and is a moment for organisations to say thank you to their people. It works best as a reminder to keep recognition going all year rather than as a one-off.

International Women's Day on 8 March celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calls for progress on gender equality. It is marked around the world by organisations, communities and governments.

The International Day of Happiness, recognised by the United Nations, takes place on 20 March each year. It highlights the importance of happiness and wellbeing in people's lives.

Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a time of prayer, charity, family gatherings and food, often celebrated over one to three days.

World Autism Awareness Day, recognised by the United Nations, takes place on 2 April each year. Many autistic people prefer to frame it around acceptance and inclusion rather than awareness alone.

World Health Day on 7 April marks the founding of the World Health Organization. It is used each year to draw attention to global health priorities.

Earth Day on 22 April has been held every year since 1970 to support environmental protection. It is now marked by people and organisations around the world.

International Dance Day on 29 April was created by the International Theatre Institute, UNESCO's partner for the performing arts. It celebrates dance as an art form and a way of bringing people together.

International Workers' Day, or May Day, falls on 1 May and celebrates workers and the labour movement. It is a public holiday in many countries, though not in the UK, which has an early May bank holiday on the first Monday of May, or the US, which marks Labor Day in September.

World Press Freedom Day on 3 May is a United Nations day that highlights the importance of a free and independent press. It also honours journalists who have faced danger or lost their lives in their work.

Star Wars Day on 4 May is an informal fan celebration built on the pun "May the Fourth be with you". It is a light-hearted chance for fans to share their love of the films.

Mother's Day in the US falls on the second Sunday of May and celebrates mothers and mother figures. The UK marks Mothering Sunday separately, in March.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a UK week of awareness run by the Mental Health Foundation each May. It encourages people to talk about mental health and look after their wellbeing.

Pride Month takes place throughout June and celebrates LGBTQ+ people and communities. It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York, and many UK Pride events run through the summer.

World Bicycle Day on 3 June is a United Nations day recognising the bicycle as a simple, affordable and sustainable way to travel. It promotes cycling for health and the environment.

World Environment Day on 5 June is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has been held since 1974. It encourages action to protect the environment.

Juneteenth on 19 June commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were told they had been freed. It is now a US federal holiday, observed on the nearest weekday when it falls at a weekend.

World Refugee Day on 20 June is a United Nations day that honours people forced to flee their homes because of conflict or persecution. It recognises their strength and the contributions they make to their communities.

Father's Day celebrates fathers and father figures and falls on the third Sunday of June in the UK and US. Other countries mark it on different dates.

International Yoga Day on 21 June has been recognised by the United Nations since 2015. It celebrates yoga as a practice for physical and mental wellbeing.

Nelson Mandela International Day falls on 18 July, Mandela's birthday, and is marked around the world. People are invited to give 67 minutes of their time to helping others, one minute for each year Mandela spent in public service.

The International Day of Friendship is a UN day held on 30 July. It celebrates friendship between people, cultures and countries.

World Humanitarian Day is held by the UN on 19 August to honour aid workers and the people they help in crises. The date marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

International Literacy Day is held by UNESCO on 8 September. It highlights the importance of reading and writing for individuals, communities and societies.

The International Day of Peace is observed each year on 21 September and was established by the UN. It calls for a day of non-violence and ceasefire around the world.

World Alzheimer's Day is held on 21 September to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It is also a chance to recognise the many people who care for someone living with dementia, often alongside work.

National Inclusion Week is a UK week run by Inclusive Employers in late September. It encourages organisations to celebrate inclusion and take practical action on it at work.

Black History Month in the UK runs through October, from 1 to 31 October. It celebrates the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in Britain; in the US it is marked in February.

The International Day of Older Persons is a UN day held on 1 October. It recognises the contribution of older people and draws attention to age inclusion.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout October. It encourages people to check their breasts or chest regularly, attend screening when invited, and support those affected.

The Q4 planning kickoff is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. For calendar-year companies, 1 October marks the start of the final quarter, which makes it a natural point to share year-end priorities and plan communications for the busy season.

World Teachers' Day is held by UNESCO on 5 October. It celebrates teachers and their contribution to learning around the world.

World Sight Day falls on the second Thursday of October and is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. It raises awareness of eye health and the value of regular eye tests.

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October each year, led by the World Federation for Mental Health and supported by the World Health Organization. It is a moment to talk openly about mental health and the support available.

National Coming Out Day is held on 11 October. It began in the US in 1988 and is now marked widely in support of LGBTQ+ people and their right to come out on their own terms.

The second Monday in October is a US federal holiday, officially Columbus Day, which many states and organisations recognise as Indigenous Peoples' Day. Federal offices and many banks are closed.

Ada Lovelace Day is held on the second Tuesday of October and celebrates the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. It is named after the nineteenth-century mathematician often described as the first computer programmer.

World Food Day is held on 16 October, the anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It focuses attention on hunger, food security and reducing food waste.

World Menopause Day is held on 18 October and is led by the International Menopause Society. It raises awareness of menopause and the support available.

UK clocks go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday of October, marking the end of British Summer Time. Evenings get darker earlier, and the US changes its clocks a week later.

Halloween falls on 31 October. It is a light-hearted seasonal moment with traditions of costumes, pumpkins and trick-or-treating.

Many US employers run benefits open enrolment between late October and November, though windows vary by employer. The Healthcare.gov marketplace also opens on 1 November.

Native American Heritage Month is observed in the US throughout November. It recognises the histories, cultures and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native peoples.

Movember runs throughout November and raises awareness and funds for men's health, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Many people grow a moustache for the month to raise sponsorship.

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is held in the UK on 5 November. It is marked with bonfires and fireworks displays, often over several evenings around the date.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, who mark Bandi Chhor Divas at the same time, and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Celebrations run over five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, with the main day of Lakshmi Puja set by the lunar calendar.

Remembrance Sunday is held in the UK on the second Sunday in November. The national service of remembrance takes place at the Cenotaph in London, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is held on 11 November and marks the end of the First World War. A two-minute silence is observed at 11am across the UK and the Commonwealth to remember those who have died in conflict.

Veterans Day is a US federal holiday on 11 November honouring everyone who has served in the US armed forces. It is distinct from Memorial Day, which honours those who died in service.

World Kindness Day takes place on 13 November and was introduced by the World Kindness Movement. It encourages small acts of kindness in everyday life.

International Men's Day is marked on 19 November. It focuses on men's health and wellbeing, positive role models and suicide prevention.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on 20 November. It is a memorial for trans people who have lost their lives to violence.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism. It falls on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik, so the date moves each year.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is a UN day held on 25 November. It begins the 16 Days of Activism, which run to 10 December.

Thanksgiving is a US federal holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November. Many US companies also give staff the following Friday off.

St Andrew's Day on 30 November is Scotland's national day, celebrating its patron saint. It is a bank holiday in Scotland, and if it falls on a weekend the following Monday is usually taken instead.

World AIDS Day has been held on 1 December every year since 1988. It is a day to show support for people living with HIV, remember those who have died, and challenge stigma, with the red ribbon as its symbol.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity held on the Tuesday after US Thanksgiving. It encourages people to give time, money or skills to good causes.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a UN day held on 3 December. It promotes the rights and inclusion of disabled people, including those with visible and non-visible disabilities.

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, celebrated over eight nights with the lighting of the menorah. It begins at sunset on the evening of the listed date, which follows the Hebrew calendar.

International Volunteer Day is a UN day held on 5 December. It recognises the contribution volunteers make to their communities.

This is a planning prompt rather than an observance. The first Monday of December is a good time to send a year-in-review issue, before people start their end-of-year leave.

Human Rights Day is held on 10 December, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. It is a moment to reflect on the rights and freedoms that belong to everyone.

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, falling on or around 21 December. From then on, the days slowly start to lengthen.

Christmas Eve on 24 December is the day before Christmas, and many workplaces finish early. In years when Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the US federal holiday is observed on Friday 24 December.

Christmas Day on 25 December is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus and a widely observed public holiday. When it falls on a weekend, the bank or public holiday usually moves to a nearby weekday, and this differs between countries.

Boxing Day on 26 December is a bank holiday in the UK. When it or Christmas Day falls on a weekend, substitute bank holidays move to the following weekdays.

Kwanzaa is an African American cultural celebration that runs from 26 December to 1 January. Each of its seven days honours one of seven principles, the Nguzo Saba.

New Year's Eve on 31 December is the last day of the year, with celebrations at midnight in many countries. In years when New Year's Day falls on a Saturday, the US federal holiday is observed on Friday 31 December.

Dry January runs through the whole of January and invites people to take a month off alcohol. It began as an Alcohol Change UK campaign and is now taken up internationally.

New Year's Day on 1 January is the first day of the calendar year and a public holiday in the UK, the US and many other countries. Scotland also has a bank holiday on 2 January, moved to the next weekday when it falls at a weekend.

This is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. The first full working day back after the new year holidays is a good time for an issue that welcomes people back and sets out what's ahead.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is a US federal holiday on the third Monday of January honouring the life and work of Dr King. It is also observed as a national day of service, encouraging people to volunteer in their communities.

Holocaust Memorial Day is held on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, and is also the UN's International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the UK it remembers the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution, and the people killed in later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Data Privacy Day, known in Europe as Data Protection Day, falls on 28 January. It marks the anniversary of Convention 108, the Council of Europe's data protection treaty, and is a prompt to review everyday privacy and security habits.

Black History Month runs through February in the US and Canada, recognising the history, achievements and contributions of Black people. The UK marks its own Black History Month in October.

LGBT+ History Month runs through February in the UK and explores the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and their communities. In the US, LGBTQ+ History Month is marked in October instead.

World Cancer Day, led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), takes place on 4 February each year. It aims to raise awareness of cancer and encourage action on prevention, detection and treatment.

Chinese New Year, more inclusively called Lunar New Year, marks the start of the new year in the lunar calendar and falls between late January and mid-February. Celebrations traditionally last around 15 days and are observed across China, Vietnam (as Tet), Korea (as Seollal) and diaspora communities worldwide.

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month, when many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and focus on prayer, reflection and charity. It lasts 29 or 30 days and ends with Eid al-Fitr, with the last ten nights considered especially significant.

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. It is traditionally marked in the UK by making pancakes, once a way to use up rich foods before the Lenten fast.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is held by the UN on 11 February. It promotes full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls.

Valentine's Day on 14 February is a celebration of love and affection, widely marked with cards, flowers and small gestures. Many people now also use it to appreciate friends and colleagues.

Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday, is a US federal holiday on the third Monday of February. Federal offices and banks close, and many US businesses give the day off, which affects send timing for US teams.

Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17 February encourages people to do small, unexpected good deeds for others. It is a simple, low-cost way to lift the mood at work.

Women's History Month runs through March in the US and UK. It celebrates women's contributions to history and society, and International Women's Day on 8 March falls within it.

Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday in March and is a moment for organisations to say thank you to their people. It works best as a reminder to keep recognition going all year rather than as a one-off.

Mothering Sunday is the UK's Mother's Day, held on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter Sunday. It is a day to celebrate mothers and mother figures.

International Women's Day on 8 March celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calls for progress on gender equality. It is marked around the world by organisations, communities and governments.

Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a time of prayer, charity, family gatherings and food, often celebrated over one to three days.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs for a week in March, with dates set by its organisers each year. It challenges stereotypes about neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, and focuses on strengths.

St Patrick's Day is held on 17 March and celebrates Ireland's patron saint and Irish culture. It is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.

World Sleep Day is organised by the World Sleep Society on the Friday before the March equinox. It raises awareness of the importance of sleep for health and wellbeing.

The International Day of Happiness, recognised by the United Nations, takes place on 20 March each year. It highlights the importance of happiness and wellbeing in people's lives.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, when Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a bank holiday across the UK but not a US federal holiday, though some US firms close.

UK clocks go forward one hour at 1am on the last Sunday of March, moving to British Summer Time. The US changes its clocks earlier, on the second Sunday of March, so the UK-US time difference is an hour shorter in between.

Easter Sunday is the most important festival in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Western Easter falls on a Sunday between late March and late April set by the moon, and Orthodox Easter is often on a later Sunday.

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is not a bank holiday in Scotland, so teams there may be working.

International Transgender Day of Visibility is held on 31 March and celebrates trans and non-binary people and their contributions. It differs from the Transgender Day of Remembrance in November, which mourns those lost to violence.

Stress Awareness Month runs through April and has been held since 1992. It started in the UK and is now marked internationally, encouraging people to look at the causes of stress as well as ways to cope.

World Autism Awareness Day, recognised by the United Nations, takes place on 2 April each year. Many autistic people prefer to frame it around acceptance and inclusion rather than awareness alone.

The UK tax year ends on 5 April and a new one starts on 6 April. It is when many allowances reset and payroll changes take effect.

World Health Day on 7 April marks the founding of the World Health Organization. It is used each year to draw attention to global health priorities.

Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year and marks the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, as well as the spring harvest festival in Punjab. It falls in mid-April, and many communities hold Nagar Kirtan processions on a nearby weekend.

Passover (Pesach) is a Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, lasting eight days outside Israel. It begins at sunset with the first Seder meal in the evening, and observant colleagues may not work on the first two and last two days.

Earth Day on 22 April has been held every year since 1970 to support environmental protection. It is now marked by people and organisations around the world.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an International Labour Organization day held every year on 28 April. It falls on the same day as International Workers' Memorial Day, which remembers people who have died because of their work.

International Dance Day on 29 April was created by the International Theatre Institute, UNESCO's partner for the performing arts. It celebrates dance as an art form and a way of bringing people together.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the US throughout May. It recognises the histories, cultures and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

Mental Health Awareness Month runs throughout May in the US and has been observed since 1949, when it was started by the organisation now known as Mental Health America. It is separate from the UK's Mental Health Awareness Week.

International Workers' Day, or May Day, falls on 1 May and celebrates workers and the labour movement. It is a public holiday in many countries, though not in the UK, which has an early May bank holiday on the first Monday of May, or the US, which marks Labor Day in September.

The early May bank holiday is a UK public holiday on the first Monday of May, observed in all four UK nations.

World Press Freedom Day on 3 May is a United Nations day that highlights the importance of a free and independent press. It also honours journalists who have faced danger or lost their lives in their work.

Star Wars Day on 4 May is an informal fan celebration built on the pun "May the Fourth be with you". It is a light-hearted chance for fans to share their love of the films.

Mother's Day in the US falls on the second Sunday of May and celebrates mothers and mother figures. The UK marks Mothering Sunday separately, in March.

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic festivals and falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, during the Hajj pilgrimage. Celebrations usually last several days, and the exact date depends on the lunar calendar.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is held every year on 17 May. The date marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization removing homosexuality from its classification of diseases in 1990.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day falls on the third Thursday of May and encourages people to think about digital access and inclusion. It is a natural fit for anyone who writes, designs or builds content, including internal comms teams.

The UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is held every year on 21 May. It celebrates the richness of the world's cultures and the role of dialogue in building understanding.

The spring bank holiday is a UK public holiday on the last Monday of May, observed in all four UK nations. It always falls on the same day as Memorial Day in the US, so transatlantic teams are usually both off.

Memorial Day is a US federal holiday on the last Monday of May that honours military personnel who died while serving in the US armed forces. It is distinct from Veterans Day, which honours all who have served, and it is often seen as the unofficial start of summer.

Pride Month takes place throughout June and celebrates LGBTQ+ people and communities. It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York, and many UK Pride events run through the summer.

Volunteers' Week runs from 1 to 7 June every year in the UK. It is coordinated by NCVO and celebrates the contribution volunteers make to communities.

World Bicycle Day on 3 June is a United Nations day recognising the bicycle as a simple, affordable and sustainable way to travel. It promotes cycling for health and the environment.

World Environment Day on 5 June is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has been held since 1974. It encourages action to protect the environment.

International Men's Health Week runs for the week ending on Father's Day, from the Monday through to the third Sunday of June. It raises awareness of health issues that affect men and encourages them to seek help early.

Juneteenth on 19 June commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were told they had been freed. It is now a US federal holiday, observed on the nearest weekday when it falls at a weekend.

World Refugee Day on 20 June is a United Nations day that honours people forced to flee their homes because of conflict or persecution. It recognises their strength and the contributions they make to their communities.

Father's Day celebrates fathers and father figures and falls on the third Sunday of June in the UK and US. Other countries mark it on different dates.

International Yoga Day on 21 June has been recognised by the United Nations since 2015. It celebrates yoga as a practice for physical and mental wellbeing.

Windrush Day is marked in the UK on 22 June, the anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury in 1948. It celebrates the contribution of the Windrush generation and Caribbean communities to British life.

Disability Pride Month runs throughout July. It started in the US, where the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed in July 1990, and is now marked more widely around the world.

The mid-year check-in is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance, timed for the start of the second half of the year for calendar-year companies. It is a natural point to look at progress against goals and what has changed since January.

Independence Day is a US federal holiday on 4 July, marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. When 4 July falls on a weekend, the federal holiday is observed on the nearest weekday.

The summer holiday season is a suggested planning moment rather than an official observance. From mid-July many people take leave, schools in England and Wales break up around late July, Scotland and Northern Ireland break up earlier, and US schools finish from late May or June.

South Asian Heritage Month runs in the UK from 18 July to 17 August every year. The dates are linked to royal assent for the Indian Independence Act on 18 July 1947 and the publication of the Radcliffe Line on 17 August 1947.

Nelson Mandela International Day falls on 18 July, Mandela's birthday, and is marked around the world. People are invited to give 67 minutes of their time to helping others, one minute for each year Mandela spent in public service.

The International Day of Friendship is a UN day held on 30 July. It celebrates friendship between people, cultures and countries.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is a UN day held every year on 9 August. It recognises the rights, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples around the world.

World Humanitarian Day is held by the UN on 19 August to honour aid workers and the people they help in crises. The date marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.

Women's Equality Day is marked in the US on 26 August, the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. It is also used to highlight ongoing issues such as pay equity.

The summer bank holiday is a UK public holiday on the last Monday of August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland's summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday of August instead.

Back to school season is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. Schools return in early September in most of the UK, mid-August in Scotland and by Labor Day across most of the US, bringing changed routines for parents and new-term energy for everyone.

Labor Day is a US federal holiday on the first Monday of September that recognises the contributions of American workers. It is often seen as the unofficial end of summer.

International Literacy Day is held by UNESCO on 8 September. It highlights the importance of reading and writing for individuals, communities and societies.

World Suicide Prevention Day is held every year on 10 September and is supported by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization. It focuses on raising awareness and encouraging action to prevent suicide.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from 15 September to 15 October in the US. It starts on 15 September because several Central American countries mark their independence days on that date.

World Alzheimer's Day is held on 21 September to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It is also a chance to recognise the many people who care for someone living with dementia, often alongside work.

The International Day of Peace is observed each year on 21 September and was established by the UN. It calls for a day of non-violence and ceasefire around the world.

Bi Visibility Day is marked every year on 23 September. It celebrates bisexual people and challenges bi erasure, where bisexuality is overlooked or dismissed.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout October. It encourages people to check their breasts or chest regularly, attend screening when invited, and support those affected.

The Q4 planning kickoff is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. For calendar-year companies, 1 October marks the start of the final quarter, which makes it a natural point to share year-end priorities and plan communications for the busy season.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which begins at sunset and lasts two days. It starts the High Holy Days, a ten-day period of reflection that ends with Yom Kippur.

The International Day of Older Persons is a UN day held on 1 October. It recognises the contribution of older people and draws attention to age inclusion.

Black History Month in the UK runs through October, from 1 to 31 October. It celebrates the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in Britain; in the US it is marked in February.

World Teachers' Day is held by UNESCO on 5 October. It celebrates teachers and their contribution to learning around the world.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It begins at sunset and lasts about 25 hours, and many people observe it with a fast and prayer.

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October each year, led by the World Federation for Mental Health and supported by the World Health Organization. It is a moment to talk openly about mental health and the support available.

National Coming Out Day is held on 11 October. It began in the US in 1988 and is now marked widely in support of LGBTQ+ people and their right to come out on their own terms.

The second Monday in October is a US federal holiday, officially Columbus Day, which many states and organisations recognise as Indigenous Peoples' Day. Federal offices and many banks are closed.

Ada Lovelace Day is held on the second Tuesday of October and celebrates the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. It is named after the nineteenth-century mathematician often described as the first computer programmer.

World Sight Day falls on the second Thursday of October and is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. It raises awareness of eye health and the value of regular eye tests.

World Food Day is held on 16 October, the anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It focuses attention on hunger, food security and reducing food waste.

World Menopause Day is held on 18 October and is led by the International Menopause Society. It raises awareness of menopause and the support available.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, who mark Bandi Chhor Divas at the same time, and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Celebrations run over five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj, with the main day of Lakshmi Puja set by the lunar calendar.

UK clocks go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday of October, marking the end of British Summer Time. Evenings get darker earlier, and the US changes its clocks a week later.

Halloween falls on 31 October. It is a light-hearted seasonal moment with traditions of costumes, pumpkins and trick-or-treating.

Movember runs throughout November and raises awareness and funds for men's health, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Many people grow a moustache for the month to raise sponsorship.

Native American Heritage Month is observed in the US throughout November. It recognises the histories, cultures and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native peoples.

Many US employers run benefits open enrolment between late October and November, though windows vary by employer. The Healthcare.gov marketplace also opens on 1 November.

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is held in the UK on 5 November. It is marked with bonfires and fireworks displays, often over several evenings around the date.

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is held on 11 November and marks the end of the First World War. A two-minute silence is observed at 11am across the UK and the Commonwealth to remember those who have died in conflict.

Veterans Day is a US federal holiday on 11 November honouring everyone who has served in the US armed forces. It is distinct from Memorial Day, which honours those who died in service.

World Kindness Day takes place on 13 November and was introduced by the World Kindness Movement. It encourages small acts of kindness in everyday life.

Remembrance Sunday is held in the UK on the second Sunday in November. The national service of remembrance takes place at the Cenotaph in London, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder and first Guru of Sikhism. It falls on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik, so the date moves each year.

International Men's Day is marked on 19 November. It focuses on men's health and wellbeing, positive role models and suicide prevention.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on 20 November. It is a memorial for trans people who have lost their lives to violence.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is a UN day held on 25 November. It begins the 16 Days of Activism, which run to 10 December.

Thanksgiving is a US federal holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November. Many US companies also give staff the following Friday off.

St Andrew's Day on 30 November is Scotland's national day, celebrating its patron saint. It is a bank holiday in Scotland, and if it falls on a weekend the following Monday is usually taken instead.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity held on the Tuesday after US Thanksgiving. It encourages people to give time, money or skills to good causes.

World AIDS Day has been held on 1 December every year since 1988. It is a day to show support for people living with HIV, remember those who have died, and challenge stigma, with the red ribbon as its symbol.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a UN day held on 3 December. It promotes the rights and inclusion of disabled people, including those with visible and non-visible disabilities.

International Volunteer Day is a UN day held on 5 December. It recognises the contribution volunteers make to their communities.

This is a planning prompt rather than an observance. The first Monday of December is a good time to send a year-in-review issue, before people start their end-of-year leave.

Human Rights Day is held on 10 December, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. It is a moment to reflect on the rights and freedoms that belong to everyone.

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, falling on or around 21 December. From then on, the days slowly start to lengthen.

Christmas Eve on 24 December is the day before Christmas, and many workplaces finish early. In years when Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the US federal holiday is observed on Friday 24 December.

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, celebrated over eight nights with the lighting of the menorah. It begins at sunset on the evening of the listed date, which follows the Hebrew calendar.

Christmas Day on 25 December is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus and a widely observed public holiday. When it falls on a weekend, the bank or public holiday usually moves to a nearby weekday, and this differs between countries.

Kwanzaa is an African American cultural celebration that runs from 26 December to 1 January. Each of its seven days honours one of seven principles, the Nguzo Saba.

Boxing Day on 26 December is a bank holiday in the UK. When it or Christmas Day falls on a weekend, substitute bank holidays move to the following weekdays.

New Year's Eve on 31 December is the last day of the year, with celebrations at midnight in many countries. In years when New Year's Day falls on a Saturday, the US federal holiday is observed on Friday 31 December.