Equity calendar

Year at a glance

Human Rights and Equity has curated a list of equity-related dates, compiled by cross-referencing ten calendars from across Canada from a variety of sources. This is not an exhaustive list and some dates may change from year to year, but can act as a reference. *Links to the various calendar dates will be added over time.

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month | National Hispanic Heritage Month (Canada)


Women's History Month | Islamic History Month<br/>Disability Employment Awareness Month | Healthy Workplace Month


Native American History Month | Family Violence Prevention Month | Woman Abuse Prevention Month | National Community Safety and Crime Prevention Campaign

  • First Week Treaties Recognition Week 
  • Nov. 1 All Saints Day
  • Nov. 2 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
  • Nov. 2 Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead (Mexico)
  • Nov. 7 Diwali (Hinduism)
  • Nov. 7 Mahavira Nirvana & Diwali (Jainism)
  • Nov. 7 Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikhism)
  • Nov. 8 National Indigenous Veterans Day (Canada) 
  • 2nd Week National Veterans Week
  • Nov. 9 - 10 Kristallnacht
  • Nov. 9 Birth of The Bab (Baha’i)
  • Nov. 10 Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
  • Nov. 11 Remembrance Day
  • Nov. 12 Avtar (Birthday) of Guru Nanak (Sikh)
  • Nov. 13 World Kindness Day
  • Nov. 13 Jain New Year (Jain)
  • Nov. 16 Louis Riel Day
  • Nov. 16 International Day for Tolerance (UN)
  • Nov. 20 International Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • Nov. 20 National Child Day (also Universal Children's Day)
  • Nov. 23 Birthdate of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism)
  • Nov. 24 Matyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (Sikh)
  • Nov. 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (UN)
  • Nov. 25 - Dec. 10 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence - Global (U.N.)
  • Nov. 26 Thanksgiving (Interfaith USA)
  • Nov. 26 - Dec. 6 National White Ribbon Campaign 
  • Nov. 29 Birth of the Báb (Baha’i)
  • Nov. 30 St. Andrew’s Day (Christian)

  • Dec. 1 World AIDS Day
  • Dec. 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (UN)
  • Dec. 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)
  • Dec. 5 International Volunteer Day
  • Dec. 6 Day of Mourning National Day of Remembrance of Action on Violence Against Women (Canada)
  • Dec. 8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) (Buddhism)
  • Dec. 10 Human Rights Day (UN)
  • Dec. 10 - Dec. 18 Hanukkah (Jewish)
  • Dec. 18 International Migrants Day (UN)
  • Dec. 20 International Human Solidarity Day (UN)
  • Dec. 23 Martyrdom of Baba Ajeet Singh Ji / Baba Jujar Singh Ji (Sikh)
  • Dec. 25 Christmas (Christianity)
  • Dec. 25 Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)
  • Dec. 26 Death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroastrianism)
  • Dec. 27 Martyrdom of Baba Zoravar Singh Ji / Baba Fateh Singh Ji / Mata Gujar Kaur Ji (Sikh)
  • Dec. 31 New Year's Eve

  • Jan. 1 New Year's Day
  • Jan. 1 Gantan-sai (New Years) (Shinto)
  • Jan. 2 Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
  • Jan. 5 Avtar (Birthday) of Guru Gobind Sing Ji (Sikh)
  • Jan. 6 Nativity of Christ (Armenian Orthodox)
  • Jan. 7 Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)
  • Jan. 10 - Jan. 12 Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
  • Jan. 15 Maghi (Sikh)
  • Jan. 15 Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
  • Jan. 18 - Jan. 25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian)
  • Jan. 19 World Religion Day (Baha’i)
  • Jan. 20 Timkat (Ethiopian Orthodox Christian)
  • Jan. 21 Women's March - U.S. and Global
  • Jan .21 World Religion Day (Baha’i)
  • Jan. 22 Vasanta Panchami (Hindu)
  • Jan. 24 International Day of Education
  • Jan. 25 Chinese New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
  • Jan. 27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day (designated by the United Nations)
  • Jan. 27 Bell Let's Talk Day
  • Jan. 27 Family literacy Day
  • Jan. 29 National Day of Remembrance of 2017 Islamophobic Attack in Quebec
  • Jan. 31 Tu B’shevat (Jewish)

Black History Month | Aboriginal Storytelling Month

  • Feb. 1 World Interfaith Harmony Week (UN)
  • Feb. 2 Groundhog Day
  • Feb. 3 Setsebun Sai (Shinto)
  • Feb. 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation - Global
  • Feb. 10 Tu B’shevat (Jewish)*
  • Feb. 12 Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day - Canada (Canadian Federation for Sexual Health)
  • 2nd Week Heritage Week (Canada)
  • Feb. 13 World Radio Day
  • Feb. 14 St. Valentine’s Day
  • Feb. 14 Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
  • Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday – Lent begins (Christian)
  • Feb. 14 One Billion Rising - Global
  • Feb. 14 Have a Heart Day 
  • Feb. 14 Women’s Memorial March
  • Feb. 14 Pink Triangle Day
  • Feb. 15 Nehan-e Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
  • Feb. 16 Lunar New Year: Year of the _______
  • Feb. 16 Tibetan New Year: Losar (Buddhism)
  • Feb. 17 Heritage Day
  • Feb. 17 Family Day
  • Feb. 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
  • Feb. 18 Orthodox Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
  • Feb. 19 Family Day
  • Feb. 20 World Day of Social Justice (UN)
  • 3rd Week Scout-Guide Week - Canada (Scouts Canada & Girl Guides of Canada)
  • Feb. 21 International Mother Language Day (UN)
  • Feb. 21 Maha Shivarantri (Hindu)
  • Feb. 26 Anti-Bullying / Pink Shirt Day (Canada)
  • Feb. 29 Repetitive Strain Injury Day

  • UNB Faculty of Arts Lecture occurs within the month of February

Women’s History Month

  • Mar. 1 Purim (Jewish)
  • Mar. 1 Zero Discrimination Day (UN)
  • Mar. 2 Holi (Hinduism) 
  • Mar. 2 - Mar. 20 Nineteen Day Fast (Baha’i)
  • Mar. 8 International Women’s Day (UN)
  • Mar. 8 Orthodox Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
  • Mar. 9 Magha Puja Day (Buddhist)
  • Mar. 9 - Mar. 10 Purim (Jewish)
  • Mar. 10 Holi (Hindu)
  • Mar. 14 Chet – Beginning of the Sikh Calendar (Nanakshahi 552)
  • Mar. 17 St. Patrick's Day
  • Mar. 18 - Mar 26 Ramayana (Hindu)
  • Mar. 20 International Day of Happiness (UN)
  • Mar. 20 International Francophonie Day 
  • Mar. 20 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN)
  • Mar. 20 Holla Mohalla (Sikh)
  • Mar. 20 Persian New Year (Nowruz)
  • Mar. 21 Youth Day (New Brunswick)
  • Mar. 21 - Mar. 27(28) Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling Against Racism and Racial Discrimination (UN)
  • Mar. 22 World Water Day
  • Mar. 25 Palm Sunday (Christianity)
  • Mar. 25 International Day of the Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery
  • Mar. 26 Ramanavami (Hindu)
  • Mar. 29 Mahavira-jayanti (Jainism)
  • Mar. 30 Holy (Good) Friday (University closed)
  • Mar. 31 First Day of Pesah (Passover) (Judaism)
  • Mar. 31 International Transgender Day of Visibility
  • Mar. 31 Equal Pay Day

  • UNB Peace and Treaty Days occur during the month of March

Disability Awareness Month

  • April. 2 World Autism Awareness day
  • April. 2 Rama Navami (Hindu)
  • April. 3 Laylat al Mi’raj (Islam)
  • April. 4 Refugee Rights Day (Canada)
  • April. 5 Palm Sunday (Christian)
  • April. 6 Orthodox Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)
  • April. 7 Passover (Final day)
  • April. 7 World Health Day
  • April. 8 Pascha (Orthodox Easter) (Orthodox Christian)
  • April. 9 Mahavir Jayanti (Jain)
  • April. 9 - April. 11 Theravadin New Year (Buddhist)
  • April. 9 - April. 16: Pesach (Judaism)
  • April. 10 Good Friday (Christian)
  • April. 11 Vaisakhi Day Parade – Vancouver (Sikh)
  • 2nd Wednesday International Day of Pink
  • April. 12 Palm Sunday (Orthodox Christian) | Easter Sunday (Christian)
  • April. 13 Easter Monday (Christian)
  • April. 15 Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) – Birth of the Khalsa (Sikh)
  • 3rd Wednesday Day of Pink 
  • April. 17 Equality Day (Anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)
  • April. 17 Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)
  • April. 21 First Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
  • April. 21 Lailat al Bara’ah (Islam)
  • April. 22 Earth Day (UN)
  • April. 23 St. George’s Day (Christian)
  • April. 24 Ramadan begins (Islam)
  • April. 28 National Day of Mourning for Injured Workers and World Day for Safety and Health at Work
  • April. 28 Yom HaZikron (Jewish)
  • April. 29 Ninth Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
  • April. 29 Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Jewish)
  • April. 29 Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
  • April. 30 Theravada New Year (Buddhist)
  • Last week National Victims of Crime Awareness Week - Canada (Justice Canada)
  • UNB Powwow occurs within the month of February

Asian/South Asian Heritage Month | Jewish Heritage Month

  • 1st Week International Youth Week
  • 1st Week National Mental Health Week
  • 1st Week North American Occupational Health and Safety Week
  • May. 1 International Workers Day
  • May. 1 Lailat al Bara’at (Islam)
  • May. 2 Last day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
  • May. 3 Saints Philip & James (Christian)
  • May. 3 World Press Freedom Day
  • May. 7 National Youth and Child Mental Health Day
  • May. 7 Visakha Puja (Buddha Day) (Buddhist)
  • May. 8 - May. 9 Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation (UN)
  • May. 10 Mother’s Day | Parent's Day (North America) 
  • May. 12 Canada Health Day
  • May. 14 National Indigenous Nursing Day
  • May. 15 International Day of Families (UN)
  • May. 16 International Day of Living Together in Peace - Global
  • May. 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
  • May. 18 Victoria Day (Canada)
  • May. 19 - May. 22 Aboriginal / Indigenous Awareness Week (Canada)
  • May. 20 World Bee Day
  • May. 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity
  • Third Wednesday Educational Support Staff Appreciation Day
  • May. 23 Declaration of the Bab (Baha’i)
  • May. 25 National Missing Children’s Day
  • May. 25 Memorial Day
  • May. 25 - May. 31 National AccessAbility Week
  • May. 29 Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
  • May. 29 - May. 30 Shavuot (Jewish)
  • May. 31 Pentecost (Christian)

Pride Month (Global) | National Aboriginal History Month (Canada)

  • 1st Week Canadian Environment Week
  • June. 1 Injured Workers’ Day 
  • June. 2 National Health and Fitness Day
  • June. 5 Poson (Buddhist)
  • June. 5 - June. 7 Eid al Fitr (Islam)
  • June. 7 Trinity Sunday (Christian) 
  • June. 7 Pentecost (Orthodox Christian)
  • June. 7 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
  • June. 8 World Oceans Day
  • June. 10 Equal Pay Act Anniversary (USA)
  • June. 11 National Day of Reconciliation
  • June. 12 World Day Against Child Labour 
  • June. 14 All Saints (Orthodox Christian)
  • June. 19 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict - Global
  • June. 20 Summer Solstice
  • June. 20 World Refugee Day
  • June. 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada) America)
  • June. 21 Father’s Day | Parent's Day (North America)
  • June. 23 Public Service Day (UN)
  • June. 24 Rahmat (Baha’i)
  • June. 24 St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec)
  • June. 26 United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
  • June. 27 Multi-culturalism Day (Canada)
  • June. 29 Ghambar Maidyoshem begins (Zarathushti)

  • July. 1 Canada Day (Canada)
  • July. 1 Sant Teja Singh Day (Sikh)
  • July. 2 Holiday in lieu of Canada Day
  • July. 4 Guru Purnima / Chaturmas begins (Hindu)
  • July. 5 Asalha Puja Day (Buddhist)
  • July. 9 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)
  • July. 11 World Population Day (UN)
  • July. 15 World Youth Skills Day
  • July. 18 Nelson Mandela International Day (UN)
  • July. 22 Tish’a B’Av (Jewish)
  • July. 24 International Self-Care Day - Global
  • July. 27 Asalha Puja Day and Vassa begins (Buddhist)
  • July. 28 August 2 Day of Hajj (Islam)
  • July. 30 Tisha B’Av (Jewish)
  • July. 30 International Day of Friendship (UN)
  • July. 30 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (UN)
  • July. 31 - August. 3 Eid al Adha (Islam)

  • Aug. 1 Lammas
  • Aug. 1 Kamal (Baha’i)
  • Aug. 3 Raksha Bandhan (Hindu) 
  • Aug. 3 Heritage Day (Alberta)
  • Aug. 8 -Aug. 17 Fravardegahn Days (Zarathushti Shenshai)
  • Aug. 9 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (UN)
  • Aug. 10 Waqf al Arafa (Islam)
  • Aug. 12 International Youth Day
  • Aug. 13 - August. 15 Obon (Ulambana) (Buddhist/Shinto)
  • Aug. 15 National Acadian Day (Acadia)
  • Aug. 15 Paryushana Parvarambha (Jain)
  • Aug. 18 Nowruz (Zarathushti Shenshai)
  • Aug. 18 National Women's Equality Day
  • Aug. 18 Anniversary of the 19th Amendment - U.S.
  • Aug. 19 World Humanitarian Day
  • Aug. 20 Day of Hajj (Islam)
  • Aug. 20 Asma’ (Baha’i)
  • Aug. 20 Hijri (New Year) (Islam)
  • Aug. 21 id al-Adha (Muslim)
  • Aug. 22 Samvatsari Parva / Dashalakshani-parva (Jain)
  • Aug. 23 International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
  • Aug. 23 Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
  • Aug. 24 Birth of Prophet Zarathustra (Shensai)
  • Aug. 26 Women's Equality Day - Canada
  • Aug. 26 Guru Purnima / Chaturmas begins
  • Aug. 26 Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
  • Aug. 29 Ashura (Islam)
  • Aug. 31 First Installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh)

  • Women's Equality Branch - GNB
  • NB Human Rights Commission
  • The University of Alberta
  • University of British Columbia
  • Women's March Global
  • Women's Issues Ontario
  • United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
  • Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (EFTO)
  • UNIFOR
  • Public Service Alliance of Canada.

If you see missing days of significance, contact Human Rights and Equity at humanrights@unb.ca.