&noscript=1 />
top of page

2026 Early Childhood Services Calendar of Events and Awareness Days

Updated: 5 days ago

( DATES ARE TO BE CONFIRMED) Below is a list of events, awareness days, celebrations and more happening in 2026. At the end of each month below, you can print a version for your service, which includes a section for you to add your own community events.


We have included a variety of different events, including cultural holidays and International holidays, plus some fun days that may be of interest to your children. You do not need to celebrate or talk about all of the below events. Choose days based on your children's and families' interests, connections, and cultures. Please email us if you think we have missed any or have made a mistake- click here..


These dates are all subject to change and we will add more as the year goes so please check back. Sign up here for free and we will send you a monthly calendar to use in your service-

📅 Browse by month:



ree

2026

💗 1st – New Year’s Day (Public Holiday – start of the calendar year in Australia)


💗 1st–31st – Walk Your Dog Month (promoting dog wellbeing, daily exercise and responsible pet ownership)


💗 1st–31st – Veganuary (global campaign encouraging a plant-based diet for animals, health and the planet)


💗 1st – Gantan Sai (New Year’s) – Shinto-(focus on purification, renewal and welcoming the new year) – View our free ideas here


💗 2nd – World Introvert Day (celebrating introverts and recognising quiet strengths and reflection)


💗 2nd – National Science Fiction Day (celebrating science fiction stories, imagination and future thinking)


💗 3rd – International Mind-Body Wellness Day (highlighting the mind–body connection and holistic wellbeing)


💗 4th – World Braille Day (promoting accessibility, inclusion and the importance of braille for human rights)


💗 4th – National Spaghetti Day (fun food celebration – perfect for simple cooking and sensory play ideas)


💗 6th – Epiphany (Christian – commemorating the visit of the Magi and the manifestation of Christ)


💗 7th – Orthodox Christmas Day (Eastern Christian churches – Nativity of Jesus celebrated by Julian calendar)


💗 10th – World Hindi Day (promoting Hindi as an international language and cultural bridge)


💗 11th – Girl Hug Boy Day (light-hearted day to celebrate caring friendships and consent-based affection)


💗 12th – Earth Chakra Day (spiritual observance focusing on global energy points, earth healing and connection)


💗 14th – Orthodox New Year (New Year’s Day for some Eastern Christian traditions using the Julian calendar)


💗 14th – Makar Sankranti (Hindu harvest festival – gratitude, new beginnings and sharing seasonal foods)


💗 14th – International Kite Day (closely linked with Makar Sankranti – celebrating kite flying, colour and community)


💗 14th – World Logic Day (UNESCO – 2026 theme: “Logic & Diversity”, highlighting how diverse forms of logic support knowledge and dialogue)


💗 15th – Tamil Thai Pongal (Tamil harvest festival thanking the sun and nature for the year’s harvest)


💗 17th – Kid Inventors’ Day (celebrating creativity, problem-solving and inventions by children and young people)


💗 18th – Winnie the Pooh Day (celebrating A.A. Milne’s stories, friendships and gentle adventures)


💗 18th – World Religion Day (promoting interfaith understanding, unity and respect among different religions)


💗 18th – World Snow Day (part of FIS “Bring Children to the Snow” campaign – motto: “Explore, Enjoy, Experience” snow and winter play)


💗 19th – Martin Luther King Jr Day (US public holiday – 2026 King Holiday theme: “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way”)


💗 19th – National Popcorn Day (fun food day – great for sensory tubs, counting and movie-night experiences)


💗 20th – Penguin Awareness Day (raising awareness about penguin conservation, habitats and climate change)


💗 21st – Squirrel Appreciation Day (encouraging care for wildlife and observation of local animals)


💗 21st – National Hug Day (spreading kindness, connection and consent-based comforting hugs)


💗 24th – International Day of Education (2026 theme: “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation”)


💗 24th – World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture (celebrating African and Afrodescendant cultures and their contributions to global heritage)


💗 26th – Australia Day / Survival Day / Invasion Day (National Public Holiday – often marked by reflection on history, truth-telling and ongoing calls for change led by First Nations peoples)


💗 26th – Yabun: Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures (major Sydney festival honouring First Nations music, dance, Elders and community)


💗 27th – Chocolate Cake Day (fun day to enjoy baking, measuring and shared treats)


💗 27th – (Public) Term 1 begins – government schools (QLD, SA – student start)


💗 28th – (Public) Term 1 begins – government schools (VIC, NT – student start)


💗 28th – Lego Day (celebrating creativity, building, STEM thinking and open-ended construction play)


💗 29th – Puzzle Day – View activity ideas here (celebrating problem-solving, perseverance and critical thinking)


💗 30th – (Public) Term 1 begins – government schools (ACT – new students; continuing students 2 Feb)


💗 30th – Parent Mental Health Day (held each year on 30 January – 2026 theme: “Balance”, focusing on balancing family life and parental wellbeing)

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇


ree

2026

🩵 1st–28th – Feel Good February


🩵 1st – World Hijab Day (#HijabisUnsilenced – challenging stereotypes and celebrating women who wear hijab)


🩵 2nd – World Wetlands Day (Theme 2026: “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage”)


🩵 2nd – Tu BiShvat / Tu B’Shevat (Jewish New Year for Trees – observed from sundown 1st to nightfall 2nd)


🩵 2nd (Public) – Term 1 begins (NSW Eastern, WA, most returning ACT students)


🩵 3rd – Setsubun Sai (Shinto “bean-throwing” festival to welcome good fortune)


🩵 4th – Global School Play Day (celebrating child-led, unstructured play)


🩵 4th – World Read Aloud Day (Theme 2026: “Celebrate Learning”)


🩵 4th – World Cancer Day (Campaign theme 2025–27: “United by Unique”)


🩵 4th – Physical Disability Awareness Day (Australia – highlighting people living with physical disability)


🩵 5th (Public) – Term 1 begins (TAS )


🩵 6th – Waitangi Day (NZ) – View our Waitangi Day Activity Ideas here


🩵 9th – World Pizza Day


🩵 9th – Royal Hobart Regatta (TAS – regional public holiday)


🩵 9th (Public) – Term 1 begins (NSW Western)


🩵 10th – Safer Internet Day (Australia – “Together for a better internet”)


🩵 11th – International Day of Women and Girls in Science – View our Science Learning Story Pack here


🩵 12th – International Darwin Day


🩵 13th – National Apology Anniversary (Apology to the Stolen Generations)


🩵 13th – World Radio Day (Theme 2026: “Radio and Climate Change”)


🩵 14th – Valentine’s Day – View our Valentine’s Day Activity Pack here


🩵 14th – International Book Giving Day – View our Book Corner Display Pack here


🩵 14th – Library Lovers’ Day


🩵 15th – Nirvana Day / Parinirvana Day (Buddhist – reflecting on compassion and impermanence)


🩵 15th – International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD 2024–26 theme for 2026: “Demonstrating Impact”)


🩵 17th – Random Acts of Kindness Day- View our Empathy and Kindness Ideas here


🩵 17th – Lunar New Year – Year of the Fire Horse View our Lunar New Year Activity Pack here (updated yearly)


🩵 17th – Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day- View our Free pack here


🩵 18th – Ash Wednesday (Christian – beginning of Lent)-View our Free pack here


🩵 18th – International Asperger’s Day


🩵 18th – Ramadan begins (Islamic holy month – date may shift slightly with local moon-sighting)


🩵 20th – National Love Your Pet Day-View our "Our Pets pack here"


🩵 20th – World Day of Social Justice (Theme 2026: “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice”)


🩵 21st – International Mother Language Day


🩵 22nd – World Thinking Day (Guides/Scouts – 2026 focus: “Our Friendship”) View our Exploring Friendship Set here


🩵 24th – Business Clean Up Day (Clean Up Australia – Business Clean Up Day)


🩵 26th – Tell a Fairy Tale Day – View our Imaginative Play Learning Story Pack here


🩵 27th – Schools Clean Up Day (Clean Up Australia – Schools Clean Up Day)


🩵 27th – World NGO Day (“Celebrate! Commemorate! Collaborate!” focus)


🩵 27th – International Polar Bear Day


🩵 28th – Summer’s Day – Kidsafe QLD (summer safety awareness)


🩵 28th – Rare Disease Day (global awareness and equity for people living with a rare disease)


DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇



March 2026


1st-31st-Australian Women’s History Month


1st-31st-Australian Adopt a Pet Month 1st-9th-National Sea Week:Theme"TBC"


1st-7th-Hearing Awareness Week


1st- 31st- Epilepsy Awareness Month- View our Epilepsy Awareness Pack here

1st-Baby Sleep Day


1st-International Wheelchair Day


1st-World Compliment Day 1st-National Pig Day


2nd-Dr Seuss Day

2nd-Clean Up Australia Day


2nd-World Teen Mental Wellness Day


3rd-10th-Parks Week


3rd-World Hearing Awareness Day


3rd-World Wildlife Day


3rd-Labour Public Holiday Day, WA

4th-Pancake Tuesday-Shrove Tuesday-View our Free pack here 

5th-Ash Wednesday- View our Free Pack here  8th-UN International Women’s Day

10th-Eight Hours Day Public Holiday Day, Tasmania

10th-Labour Public Holiday Day, VIC


10th-Canberra Day


13-14th-Purim


14th-Holi

16th-22nd-National Poisons Prevention Week


17th-23rd-Harmony Week- Theme: "Everyone Belongs"-View Our Harmony Week Resources here



17th-23rd-National Playgroup Week-Theme-TBC


18th-Global Recycling Day-View our Recycling Activity Pack here 19th-International Read to Me Day


20th-International Day of Happiness-Theme:"TBC"


20th-Very Hungry Caterpillar Day



21st-World Poetry Day


21st-World Down Syndrome Day


21st-International Day of Forests-Theme: 'TBC'.


21st-Ride2School Day


22nd-Earth Hour-8.30pm-9.30pm


22nd-World Water Day-Theme:"TBC" View our-Water Play Learning Story Pack here

23rd-World Meteorological Day- Theme:


23rd-National Eucalypt Day


26th-Epilepsy Awareness Day (Purple Day)-View our Epilepsy Awareness Pack here


29th-Ramadan Ends

30th-Neighbour Day


30th-National Doctors Day


30/31st-Eid al-Fitr-View our free pack here 


DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇

April 2026


1st-April Fools Day


2nd-13th-Nature Play Week-View our Nature Play Activities here



2nd-International Children’s Book Day


4th-International Carrot Day


6th-Waltzing Matilda Day


6th-National Siblings Day



8th-Hana Matsuri (Buddhism)


12th-20th-Passover (Pesach)


12th-International Day of Human Space Flight-View our Exploring Space Activity pack here


13th-AUSLAN Day-View our Auslan Resources Here

13th-Palm Sunday

13th-Vaisakhi-Sikh


14th-National Dolphin Day


15th-World Art Day-View our Creative Art Pack here


18th-World Heritage Day


18th-Good Friday Public Holiday Day



20th-Orthodox Easter 21st-Easter Monday Public Holiday


21st-World Creativity & Innovation Day



22nd-Jelly Bean Day


23rd-World Book and Copyright Day

24th-30th-World Immunisation Week


25th-ANZAC Day-View our Free Pack Here


25th-World Penguin Day


28th-World Day for Safety and Health at Work


29th-International Dance Day- View our Music and Movement Pack here



DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇

May 2026


4th-Star Wars Day


4th-International Firefighters Day-View our Community Visitors and Excursions Pack here


4th-10th-International Compost Awareness Week-View our Sustainable Practice Learning Story Pack here

5th-Labour Public Holiday Day,(QLD,NT)


5th-11th-Family Day Care Week View our-Family Day Care Super bundle here


6th-World Asthma Day


11th-Mother’s Day View our-Mother's Day Display and Learning Story Pack here 



12th-International Nurses Day-View our Community Visitors pack here


12th-Vesak Day or Buddha Day


12th-18th-National Families Week-theme -“TBC"


15th-International Day of Families-View our My Family Pack here


16th-International Day of the Boychild


19th-23rd-Under 8’s Week: Theme -“TBC"


19th-23rd-Vic Education Week- "Theme--“TBC"-View our Connecting Cultures for Activity Ideas here


20th-World Bee Day-View Our World Bee Day Ideas here


21st-International Tea Day


21st-World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development


21st-National Simultaneous Storytime-book for 2025 is -“TBC"


22nd- Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea- FREE Resources here 


23rd-World Turtle Day-View our Exploring the Ocean Pack here


25th-31st-Food Allergy Week Theme--“TBC"

26th-National Sorry Day-View our FREE Sorry Day pack here


27th-3rd June -Reconciliation week- #NRW2026 Theme"TBC" View our-Reconciliation Week Display and Activity Pack here


♥30th-MS (Multiple Sclerosis) World awareness day

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇


June 2026


🏳️‍🌈1st-30th-Pride Month


1st-Global Day of Parents


1st-World Dinosaur Day-View our Exploring Dinosaurs Set Here


1st-World Milk Day


2nd-Western Australia Day Public Holiday Day


2nd-ACT Public Holiday Reconciliation Day

3rd-Mabo Day


5th-World Environment Day- View our Environmental Experiences Pack here

6th-10th-Eid al-Adha


7th-Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day


7th-Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD)-View our Mini Beasts pack here 


8th-Pentecost



8th-National Best Friends Day-View our Forming Friendship pack here 9th-Kings Birthday Public Holiday Day National except QLD & WA

9th-15th-Infants Mental Health Awareness Week


9th-15th-Men’s Health Week


14th-21st-Water Safety Week



16th-National Vegemite Day


16th-22nd-Learning Disability Week-Theme-"TBC"


18th-National Sushi Day


18th-Autistic Pride Day


18th-International Picnic Day


20th-World Refugee Day


21st-International Day of Yoga- Have a look at our Yoga poses set here


21st-World Rain forest Day


21st-World Music Day-View our Music and Movement set here



27th-International Sunglasses Day- View our Free Sunglasses Set here

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇

July 2025


1st-31st-Plastic Free July


1st-Disability Pride Month


1st-International Reggae Day


3rd-International Plastic Bag Free Day


6th-13th-NAIDOC Week- Theme- “TBC”- VIEW our NAIDOC Activity Bundle Here


7th-World Chocolate Day


10th-Teddy Bears Picnic Day 12th-Malala Day


15th-World Youth Skills Day


16th-World Snake Day- View our Exploring Reptiles Pack here


18th-Nelson Mandela Day


20th-26th-Farm Safety Week-Theme-'TBC'  View our Exploring Farms Pack here


21st-International Lamington Day- VIEW our FREE Lamington Day Pack Here


22nd Jul-2nd Aug-Catholic Education Week-Theme-'TBC'

25th-Schools Tree’s Day


25th-National Step-family Awareness Day


25th-Christmas in July-View our Christmas Activity Ideas here


27th-National Tree’s Day


28th-3rd Aug-Early Learning Matters Week


29th-International Tiger Day 30th-World Friendship Day-View our Friendships Pack Here


30th-OOSH (OSHC) Educators Day-Theme-'TBC'-Download our Free Certificates Here


31st-World Ranger Day DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇

August 2026

1st-7th-World Breastfeeding Week


1st-31st-Happiness Happens Month


1st-31st-Platypus Month- View our Australian Animals Pack here

4th-10th-Dental Health Week:Theme- 'TBC'- View our Free Dental Health Pack Here  


4-8 August- NSW Public Education Week- Theme 'TBC'


4th-National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day:Theme:'TBC' view our Free Posters here

4th-Picnic Day, Public Holiday Day, NT


4th-10th-Keep Australia Beautiful Week:Theme-'TBC'


7th-Jeans for Genes Day-View our FREE pack here


9th-International Day of the World’s Indigenous People


9th-17th-National Science Week-Theme: 'TBC' View our Science Week Activities here


9th-Raksha Bandhan


11th-World Lion Day


11th-15th-Bullying No Way Week


12th-International Youth Day


12th-World Elephant Day- View our Exploring the Jungle Pack here


14th-World Lizard Day- View our Exploring Reptiles Pack here


16th-23rd-Book week -Theme: 'TBC!'- View our 2025 Book Week Ideas here 16th-Krishna Janmashtami


19th-International Orangutan Day- View our Exploring the Jungle Pack here


19th-World Humanitarian Day


19th-National Potato Day

21st-Daffodil Day- View our Free pack here 

24th-30th-Speech Pathology Week 26th-International Dog Day

28th-Red Nose Day-View our Free Pack Here 


29th-Wear it Purple Day DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇

September 2026


1st-30th-Footy Colours Day


1st-30th- Biodiversity Month


1st-30th-Save the Koala Month


1st-30th International Children’s Cancer Awareness Month


1st-National Wattle Day


2nd-8th-National Superhero Week


2nd-6th-Teacher Aide Appreciation Week


3rd-Early Childhood Educators’ Day-View our Free Certificates here


3rd-National Health and Physical Education Day-Theme "TBC"

3rd-Indigenous Literacy Day


5th-7th-Chuseok


7th-Threatened Species Day


7th-Father’s Day-View our Fathers Day Ideas here


7-13th-National Child Protection Week-Theme-"TBC"  view our FREE Project Ideas here


8th-International Literacy Day


11th-RUOK Day


12th-Bravehearts Day


13th-Roald Dahl Day


13th-World First Aid Day


14th-20th-Foster Care Week-Theme-"TBC". 


14th-National Bilby Day


14th-Māori Language Day


15th-21st-National Organic Week


15th-22nd-Māori Language Week (Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori)


16th-International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer


19th-Talk Like a Pirate Day-view our FREE pack here


20th-Clean up the World Day

21st-World Gratitude Day


21st-International Day of Peace


22nd-World Rhino Day


22nd-28th-National Week of Deaf People-Theme-'TBC'


23rd-International Day Of Sign Languages


26th-Save the Koala Day


29th-Kings Birthday Public Holiday Day, WA


29th-World Heart Day

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE MONTHLY CALENDAR 👇👇


October 2026


1st-International Day of the Older Persons


1st-31st-Mental Health Month


♥1st-6th-Australian Wildlife Week


1st-31st-ADHD Awareness Theme -'TBC'


1st-31st-Dyslexia Awareness Month Theme-'TBC'


1st-International Coffee Day


1st-World Vegetarian Day

2nd-4th-Rosh Hashanah


♥2nd-World Farm Animal Day


3rd-12th-Navaratri


4th-10th-World Space Week Theme- 


4th-International Taco Day


♥4th-World Smile Day


5th-World Teachers Day


♥5-13th (QLD)-Mental Health Week Theme-'TBC'


♥7th-World Habitat Day Theme


♥7th-Labour Public holiday Day, ACT,NSW,SA


7th-Kings Birthday Public holiday Day, QLD


7th-World Cotton Day


9th-World Post Day


♥10th-World Mental Health Day


♥10th-National Hat Day #LiftTheLidOnMentalIllness


10th-World Sight Day View our Free Sunglasses Pack here


11th-World Egg Day


11th-12th-Yom Kippur

14th-20th-National Nutrition Week Theme-'TBC'.  View our Health and Nutrition pack here 


14th-20th-Aussie Backyard Bird Count


15th-National Mushroom Day


15th-Global Handwashing Day- View our FREE handwashing banner here


16th-World Bread Day

18th-Loud Shirt Day

♥19th-27th- (TBC)National Children’s Week Theme-(TBC)

21st-27th-(TBC) National Water Week- Theme- View our Water Play pack here


23rd-Children’s Day


24th-World Kangaroo Day

24th-National Bandanna Day

25th-World Pasta Day


♥27th-National Grandparents’ Day- View our Grandparents Day Pack here


27th-31st- Qld State Education Week


31st-Halloween


31st-Day for Daniel

November 2025


1st-30th-Movember (Men’s Health Month)


1st-30th-National Adoption Awareness Month


1st-World Vegan Day


1st-All Saints Day


4th-Melbourne Cup Day-View Our Free Melb Cup Pack here

ree


6th-Outdoor Classroom Day


8th-15th-Food Safety Week-Theme-'Don't swallow the myth – Food safety myth busting'


10th-14th World Nursery Rhyme week-5 Official Nursery Rhymes-View our Activity Bundle Here

ree



ree


10th-16th-Recycling Week-View our Recycling Activity Pack HERE

ree



11th-Remembrance Day- View our Free Pack here

ree


13th-World Kindness Day


13th-19th-Transgender Awareness Day


14th-World Diabetes Day- Theme-'Diabetes and the workplace.'


19th-International Men’s Day


19th-World Toilet Day


20th-World Children's Day


22nd-30th-Social Inclusion Week-Theme-'CONNECT, COLLABORATE & CELEBRATE!'


24th-National Fairy Bread Day


25th-White Ribbon Day-Theme-'Learn, Give and Take Action' 



December 2025


3rd December-International Day of persons with disabilities(Theme-'Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress')


4th-International Cookie Day


5th-Volunteer Day

(Theme-'Every Contribution Matters')


6th-Mannalargenna Day


10th-International Animal Rights Day


10th-Human Rights Day(Theme-'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials')


11th-International Mountain Day

(Theme-'Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond')


14 -22nd-Hanukkah


18th-World Arabic Language Day


18th-International Migrants Dy

(Theme-'Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting their Rights')


24th-Christmas Eve


25th-Christmas Day


26th-Boxing Day


26th-Jan 1 -Kwanzaa


31st-New Year’s Eve

 
 
 

Comments


SIGN UP HERE FOR ACCESS TO MONTHLY FREEBIES!

FREE PACKS

LATEST PRODUCTS

FEATURED ARTICLES

bottom of page