2025 Calendar of Observances
The following calendar of observances remind us of the rich diversity of our union and our communities and encourages us to be culturally aware when providing care to our patients. The calendar also invites us to reflect on how we might support initiatives to advance equitable access to the social determinants of health.
As you scroll through the calendar you will note the recognition of a number multi-faith and multicultural days (in black text) and the listing of various commemorative events or days (in berry text). This list is by no means exhaustive but reflects one aspect of the diversity of our membership (and our communities) and a few of the many celebrations and events that mark the year.
May
| 1-31 |
Asian Heritage Month Jewish Heritage Month Sexual Violence Prevention Month |
| 1 | Beltane – Neo Pagan |
| 1-7 | Mental Health Week Learn more |
| 5 |
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People Vesak Day – Buddhism |
|
12 |
International Nurses Day Learn more |
| 12-16 | National Nursing Week Learn more |
|
12 |
International Day of Families Learn more |
| 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Learn more |
| 20 | World Bee Day Learn more |
| 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Learn more |
| 22 | Victoria Day |
| 23 | International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Learn more |
June
| 1-30 |
Pride Month Indigenous History Month |
| 2 | International Sex Worker’s Day Learn more |
| 7 | World Food Safety Day Learn more |
| 15 | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Learn more |
| 20 | World Refugee Day Learn more |
| 21 | National Indigenous Peoples Day Learn more |
| 23 | National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism Learn more |
| 27 | Multiculturalism Day Learn more |
July
| 1-30 | Disability Pride Month Learn more |
| 11 | World Population Day Learn more |
| 14 | International Non-Binary Peoples Day Learn more |
| 18 | Nelson Mandela International Day Learn more |
| 20 | Birth of Frantz Fanon Learn more |
| 28 | World Hepatitis Day Learn more |
| 30 | International Day of Friendship Learn more |
August
| 1 | Emancipation Day Learn more |
| 9 | International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Learn more |
| 12 | International Youth Day Learn more |
| 15 | Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu |
| 19 | World Humanitarian Day Learn more |
|
22 |
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Learn more |
|
23 |
International Day of the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Learn more |
|
26 |
Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu |
|
31 |
International Day for People of African Descent International Overdose Awareness Day |
September
| 2 | Labour Day |
| 10 | World Suicide Prevention Day Learn more |
| 11 | Enkutatash – Ethiopian New Year |
| 15 | International Day of Democracy Learn more |
| 15-16 | Mawlid – Islam |
|
17 |
World Patient Safety Day Learn more |
|
18 |
International Equal Pay Day Learn more |
|
21 |
International Day of Peace Learn more |
|
22 |
Mabon – Pagan and Wiccan |
|
23 |
International Day of Sign Languages Celebrate Bisexuality Day |
|
30 |
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Orange Shirt Day |
October
| 1-31 |
Women’s History Month Islamic History Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month LGBTQ History Month |
| 2 |
World Habitat Day International Day of Non-Violence |
|
2-4 |
Rosh Hashanah – Judaism |
|
3-12 |
Navarati – Hindu |
| 10 | World Mental Health Day Learn more |
| 11 |
International Day of the Girl Child National Coming Out Day |
| 11-12 | Yom Kippur – Judaism |
| 13 | Thanksgiving |
|
16 |
World Food Day International Pronouns Day Lakshmi Puja – Jain |
|
17 |
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Learn more |
|
29 |
International Day of Care and Support Learn more |
|
31 |
Samhain – Pagan and Wiccan |
November
| 1-30 | Indigenous Disability Awareness Month Learn more |
|
1 |
All Saints Day – Christian Diwali – Sikh |
|
2 |
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) |
| 7 | International Inuit Day Learn more |
| 8 | National Indigenous Veterans Day Learn more |
| 11 |
Remembrance Day |
| 13-19 | Transgender Awareness Week Learn more |
| 14 | World Diabetes Day Learn more |
| 16 | Louis Reil Day Learn more |
| 20 | World Children’s Day Learn more Transgender Day of Remembrance Learn more |
| 25 | International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women Learn more |
December
| 1-31 |
Universal Human Rights Month |
| 1 |
World AIDS Day |
| 2 | International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Learn more |
| 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities Learn more |
|
6 |
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Learn more |
| 9 | International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Learn more |
| 10 | Human Rights Day Learn more |
| 17 | International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Red Umbrella Day) Learn more |
| 18 | International Migrants Day Learn more |
| 25 | Christmas Day |
| 25- Jan. 2 |
Hanukkah – Judaism |
| 26- Jan. 1 |
Kwanzaa |
| 27 | International Day of Epidemic Preparedness Learn more |
| 31 | New Year's Eve |
Previous Months 2025
January 2025
| 1-31 |
Alzheimer's Awareness Month Tamil Heritage Month |
| 1 |
Ochetookeskaw - Kissing Day - Hand Shaking Day – Métis Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year’s) – Shinto |
|
4 |
Ribbon Skirt Day World Braille Day |
| 5 | Twelfth Night – Christian |
| 6 |
Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) – Christian Guru Gobindh Singh Jayanti – Sikh |
| 7 | Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian |
| 14 |
Maghi – Hindu Mahayana New Year – Buddhism |
|
15 |
Black Excellence Day Learn more |
|
24 |
International Day of Education World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture |
|
26 |
International Day of Clean Energy Learn more |
|
27 |
International Holocaust Remembrance Day Lailat Al Miraj – Islam |
|
29 |
National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia Lunar New Year |
February 2025
| 1-28 | Black History Month Learn more |
| 1-7 |
World Interfaith Harmony Week White Cane Week |
| 1-2 | Imbolc (Candlemas) – Wicca/Neo Pagan |
| 1 | World Hijab Day Learn more |
| 2 |
Vasant Panchami – Hindu World Wetlands Day |
|
3 |
International Decade for People of African Descent: Milestones & Progress Symposium Setsuban – Shinto |
| 6 | International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Learn more |
|
10 |
Community Immunity Awareness Forum Learn more |
| 11 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science Learn more |
| 12 |
Magha Puja – Buddhist Lantern Festival |
|
14 |
Annual Women’s Memorial March St.Valentine's Day – Christian National Have a Heart Day |
| 15 |
Tu B'Shevat – Judaism Parinirvana Day – Buddhist |
| 17 | Family Day |
| 20 | World Day of Social Justice Learn more |
|
21 |
International Mother Language Day Mental Health Nurses' Day |
|
24 |
SANKOFA Moments for Youth & Cultural Performance by Mamadou Diabete Learn more |
|
26 |
Maha Shivaratri – Hindu Pink Shirt Day |
|
28-1 |
Hoobiyee - Nisga’a New Year Learn more |
|
28 |
Ramadan Begins – Islam Rare Disease Day |
March 2025
| 1 | Zero Discrimination Day Learn more |
| 8 | International Women’s Day Learn more |
|
15 |
International Day to Combat Islamophobia Learn more |
| 17 | St. Patrick’s Day – Christian |
| 19 |
Two Spirit Celebration and Awareness Day Nowruz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian Ostara – Wicca/Pagan |
|
20 |
Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day Learn more |
|
21 |
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination World Down Syndrome Day |
|
22 |
World Water Day Learn more |
|
24 |
World TB Day Learn more |
|
25 |
Feast of the Annunciation – Christian International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade |
|
30 |
International Zero Waste Day Learn more |
|
31 |
International Transgender Day of Visibility Learn more |
April 2025
| 1-30 | Sikh Heritage Month Learn more |
| 8 | Eid-ul-Fitr – Islam |
| 10 |
Indigenous Nurses Day International Day of Pink |
| 13 | Vaisakhi – Sikh |
|
22 |
Earth Day Learn more |
|
22-29 |
Passover – Judaism |
| 24 | Theravada New Year – Buddhism |
|
25 |
World Malaria Day Learn more |
| 28 |
National Day of Mourning World Day for Safety and Health at Work |
2024
January 2024
| 1-31 | Tamil Heritage Month Learn more |
| 1 | Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year’s) – Shinto |
|
4 |
World Braille Day Learn more |
| 5 | Twelfth Night – Christian |
| 6 | Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) – Christian |
| 7 | Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian |
| 13 | Maghi – Hindu |
|
15 |
Black Excellence Day Learn more |
| 17 | Guru Gobindh Singh Jayanti – Sikh |
|
24 |
International Day of Education World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture |
| 25 | Mahayana New Year – Buddhism |
|
26 |
International Day of Clean Energy Learn more |
|
27 |
International Holocaust Remembrance Day Learn more |
February 2024
| 1-29 | Black History Month Learn more |
|
1-4 |
World Interfaith Harmony Week Learn more |
| 1-2 | Imbolc (Candlemas) – Wicca/Neo Pagan |
| 2 | World Wetlands Day Learn more |
|
3 |
International Decade for People of African Descent: Milestones & Progress Symposium |
| 3 | Setsuban – Shinto |
| 6-7 | Lailat Al Miraj – Islam |
|
10 |
Community Immunity Awareness Forum Lunar New Year |
| 11 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science Learn more |
|
14 |
Annual Women’s Memorial March St.Valentine's Day – Christian National Have a Heart Day |
| 15 | Parinirvana Day – Buddhist |
|
17-18 |
Vancouver Island Black Entrepreneurs & Business Expo |
| 20 | World Day of Social Justice Learn more |
|
21 |
International Mother Language Day Learn more |
|
24 |
SANKOFA Moments for Youth & Cultural Performance by Mamadou Diabete |
|
28 |
Pink Shirt Day Learn more |
March 2024
| 1 | Zero Discrimination Day Learn more |
| 1-2 | Hoobiyee Learn more |
| 8 | International Women’s Day Learn more |
| 10 | Ramadan Begins – Islam |
|
15 |
International Day to Combat Islamophobia Learn more |
| 17 | St. Patrick’s Day – Christian |
| 19 |
Nowruz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian Ostara – Wicca/Pagan |
|
20 |
Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day Learn more |
|
21 |
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination World Down Syndrome Day |
|
22 |
World Water Day Learn more |
|
24 |
World TB Day Learn more |
|
25 |
Feast of the Annunciation – Christian International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade |
|
30 |
International Zero Waste Day Learn more |
April 2024
| 1-30 | Sikh Heritage Month Learn more |
| 8 | Eid-ul-Fitr – Islam |
| 10 |
Indigenous Nurses Day International Day of Pink |
| 13 | Vaisakhi – Sikh |
|
22 |
Earth Day Learn more |
|
22-29 |
Passover – Judaism |
| 24 | Theravada New Year – Buddhism |
|
25 |
World Malaria Day Learn more |
| 28 |
National Day of Mourning World Day for Safety and Health at Work |
May 2024
| 1-31 |
Asian Heritage Month Jewish Heritage Month |
| 1 | Beltane – Neo Pagan |
| 1-7 | Mental Health Week Learn more |
| 5 |
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People Vesak Day – Buddhism |
|
6-12 |
National Nursing Week Learn more |
|
12 |
International Nurses Day Learn more |
| 15 | International Day of Families Learn more |
| 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Learn more |
| 20 | World Bee Day Learn more |
| 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Learn more |
| 22 | Victoria Day |
| 23 | International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Learn more |
June 2024
| 1-30 |
Pride Month Indigenous Heritage Month |
| 2 | International Sex Worker’s Day Learn more |
| 7 | World Food Safety Day Learn more |
| 13 | Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day Learn more |
| 15 | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Learn more |
| 20 | World Refugee Day Learn more |
| 21 | National Indigenous Peoples Day Learn more |
| 23 | National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism Learn more |
| 27 | Multiculturalism Day Learn more |
July 2024
| 1-30 | Disability Pride Month Learn more |
| 11 | World Population Day Learn more |
| 14 | International Non-Binary Peoples Day Learn more |
| 18 | Nelson Mandela International Day Learn more |
| 20 | Birth of Frantz Fanon Learn more |
| 28 | World Hepatitis Day Learn more |
| 30 | International Day of Friendship Learn more |
August 2024
| 1 | Emancipation Day Learn more |
| 9 | International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Learn more |
| 12 | International Youth Day Learn more |
| 19 | World Humanitarian Day Learn more |
|
22 |
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Learn more |
|
23 |
International Day of the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Learn more |
|
26 |
Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu |
|
31 |
International Day for People of African Descent International Overdose Awareness Day |
September 2024
| 2 | Labour Day |
| 10 | World Suicide Prevention Day Learn more |
| 11 | Enkutatash – Ethiopian New Year |
| 15 | International Day of Democracy Learn more |
| 15-16 | Mawlid – Islam |
|
17 |
World Patient Safety Day Learn more |
|
18 |
International Equal Pay Day Learn more |
|
21 |
International Day of Peace Learn more |
|
22 |
Mabon – Pagan and Wiccan |
|
23 |
International Day of Sign Languages Celebrate Bisexuality Day |
|
30 |
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Orange Shirt Day |
October 2024
| 1-31 |
Women’s History Month Islamic History Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month LGBTQ History Month |
| 2 |
World Habitat Day International Day of Non-Violence |
|
2-4 |
Rosh Hashanah – Judaism |
|
3-12 |
Navarati – Hindu |
| 10 | World Mental Health Day Learn more |
| 11 |
International Day of the Girl Child National Coming Out Day |
| 11-12 | Yom Kippur – Judaism |
|
14 |
Thanksgiving |
|
16 |
World Food Day International Pronouns Day Lakshmi Puja – Jain |
|
17 |
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Learn more |
|
29 |
International Day of Care and Support Learn more |
|
31 |
Samhain – Pagan and Wiccan |
November 2024
| 1-30 | Indigenous Disability Awareness Month Learn more |
|
1 |
All Saints Day – Christian Diwali – Sikh |
|
2 |
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) |
| 7 | International Inuit Day Learn more |
| 8 | National Indigenous Veterans Day Learn more |
| 11 |
Remembrance Day |
| 13-19 | Transgender Awareness Week Learn more |
| 14 | World Diabetes Day Learn more |
| 16 | Louis Reil Day Learn more |
| 20 | World Children’s Day Learn more Transgender Day of Remembrance Learn more |
| 25 | International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women Learn more |
December 2024
| 1-31 |
Universal Human Rights Month |
| 1 |
World AIDS Day |
| 2 | International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Learn more |
| 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities Learn more |
|
6 |
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Learn more |
| 9 | International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Learn more |
| 10 | Human Rights Day Learn more |
| 17 | International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Red Umbrella Day) Learn more |
| 18 | International Migrants Day Learn more |
| 25 | Christmas Day |
| 25- Jan. 2 |
Hanukkah – Judaism |
| 26- Jan. 1 |
Kwanzaa |
| 27 | International Day of Epidemic Preparedness Learn more |
| 31 | New Year's Eve |
2023
January
| 1-31 | Tamil Heritage Month Since 2016, Tamil Heritage Month is celebrated in January to increase awareness and appreciation for all the achievements and contributions of the Tamil people. Learn more |
| 1 | Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year’s) – Shinto |
|
4 |
World Braille Day Learn more |
| 5 | Guru Gobindh Singh birthday – Sikh Twelfth Night – Christian |
| 6 | Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) – Christian Epiphany – Christian Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany) – Orthodox Christian |
| 7 | Feast of the Nativity – Orthodox Christian |
| 8 | Feast of the Holy Family – Catholic Christian |
| 13 | Black Excellence Day Learn more Maghi – Sikh |
| 22 | Lunar New Year |
| 24 | World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture Learn more |
| 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day Learn more |
| 29 | National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia Learn more |
| 30 | Mahayana New Year (three days) – Buddhism |
February
| 1-28 | Black History Month Learn more |
|
2 |
Imbolc (Candlemas) – Wicca/Neo Pagan Saint Brighid of Kildare – Christian |
| 3 | Setsebun – Shinto |
| 11 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science Learn more |
| 14 | Annual Women’s Memorial March Learn more National Have a Heart Day Learn more St. Valentine's Day – Christian |
| 15 | Nirvana Day – Buddhist |
| 28 | World Day of Social Justice Learn more |
| 21 | International Mother Language Day Learn more |
| 22 | Pink Shirt Day Learn more |
March
| 1 | St. David of Wales – Christian |
|
8 |
International Women's Day |
| 17 | St. Patrick's Day – Christian |
| 20 | Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day Learn more |
| 21 | Norooz (New Year) – Persian/Zoroastrian Ostara – Wicca/Neo Pagan International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Learn more World Down Syndrome Day Learn more |
| 22 | Ramadan Begins – Islam World Water Day Learn more |
| 24 | World TB Day Learn more |
| 25 | Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Christian The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Learn more |
| 26 | Khordad Sal – Zoroastrian |
| 30 | Magha Puja Day – Buddhism |
| 31 | International Transgender Day of Visibility Learn more |
April
| 1-30 | Sikh Heritage Month Learn more |
|
9 |
Easter – Christian |
|
10 |
Indigenous Nurses Day Learn more |
| 12 | International Day of Pink Learn more |
| 14 | Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh |
| 16 | Theravadin New Year – Buddhism |
| 22 | Eid-ul-Fitr – Islam Earth Day Learn more |
| 23 | St. George's Day – Christian |
| 25 | Saint Mark, Apostle and Evangelist – Christian World Malaria Day Learn more |
| 28 | National Day of Mourning Learn more World Day of Safety and Health at Work Learn more |
| 30 | St. James the Great Day – Orthodox Christian |
May
| 1 | May Day/ International Worker's Day Beltane – Wicca/Neo Pagan |
| 1-7 | Mental Health Week Learn more |
| 1-31 | Asian Heritage Month Learn more Jewish Heritage Month Learn more |
|
5 |
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People Learn more Vesak Day – Buddhism Learn more |
|
8-14 |
National Nursing Week Learn more |
| 12 | International Nurses Day |
| 14 | Mothers Day |
| 15 | International Day of Families Learn more |
| 16 | International Day of Living Together in Peace Learn more |
| 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Learn more |
| 20 | World Bee Day Learn more |
| 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Learn more |
| 22 | Victoria Day |
| 23 | International Day to End Obstetric Fistula Learn more |
June
| 1-30 | LGBTQ Pride Indigenous History Month |
| 7 | World Food Safety Day Learn more |
| 15 | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Learn more |
|
18 |
Father's Day |
|
21 |
National Indigenous Peoples Day Learn more |
July
| 1 | Canada Day |
| 11 | World Population Day Learn more |
| 14 | International Non-Binary People’s Day Bastille Day |
| 18 | Nelson Mandela International Day Learn more |
| 20 | Birth of Frantz Fanon Learn more |
|
28 |
World Hepatitis Day Learn more |
|
30 |
International Day of Friendship Learn more |
August
| 1 | Emancipation Day Learn more |
| 7 | BC Day |
| 9 | International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Learn more |
| 12 | International Youth Day Learn more |
| 19 | World Humanitarian Day Learn more |
|
22 |
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Learn more |
|
23 |
International Day of the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Learn more |
|
30 |
International Day for People of African Descent Learn more |
|
31 |
International Overdose Awareness Day Learn more |
September
| 4 | Labour Day |
| 6-7 | Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu |
| 10 | World Suicide Prevention Day |
| 15 | International Day of Democracy Learn more |
| 15 - 17 | Rosh Hashanah – Judaism |
|
17 |
World Patient Safety Day Learn more |
|
18 |
International Equal Pay Day Learn more |
|
21 |
International Day of Peace Learn more |
|
21 - 29 |
Mabon – Pagan and Wiccan |
|
23 |
International Day of Sign Languages Learn more |
|
24 - 25 |
Yom Kippur – Judaism |
|
26 - 27 |
Mawlid – Islam |
|
29 |
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival |
|
30 |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Learn more |
October
| 2 |
World Habitat Day International Day of Non-Violence |
|
9 |
Thanksgiving |
| 10 | World Mental Health Day Learn more |
| 11 |
International Day of the Girl Child National Coming Out Day |
| 15 - 24 | Navaratri – Hindu |
|
16 |
World Food Day Learn more |
|
17 |
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Learn more |
|
29 |
International Day of Care and Support Learn more |
|
31 |
Samhain – Pagan and Wiccan |
November
|
1 |
All Saints Day – Christian |
|
2 |
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) |
| 8 |
National Indigenous Veterans Day |
| 11 |
Remembrance Day |
|
12 |
Diwali – Hindu and Sikh Lakshmi Puja – Jain |
| 13 – 19 | Transgender Awareness Week Learn more |
| 14 | World Diabetes Day Learn more |
| 20 | World Children’s Day Learn more Transgender Day of Remembrance Learn more |
| 25 | International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women Learn more |
December
| 1 |
World AIDS Day |
| 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities Learn more |
|
6 |
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Learn more |
| 7 - 15 | Hanukkah – Judaism |
| 9 | International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime Learn more |
| 10 | Human Rights Day Learn more |
| 18 | International Migrants Day Learn more |
| 25 | Christmas Day |
| 26 - Jan. 1 | Kwanzaa |
| 27 | International Day of Epidemic Preparedness Learn more |
| 31 | New Year's Eve |