Our Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) calendar for 2026 lists significant dates to support awareness raising and understanding of our differences. It helps us acknowledge and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, cultures and identities represented within our organisation and the broader community. Inclusion and equity are central to Rochdale Borough Council’s values, ensuring that everyone feels respected and has equal access to opportunities.
Use this calendar to:
- Promote equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Remove obstacles and create a welcoming space for everyone.
- Avoid waste by making sure any meetings or appointments are planned accordingly.
- Make sure important events do not clash with major festivals.
- Promote good health and wellbeing.
- Support you in organising diversity and inclusion campaigns, events and activities locally.
Note: Dates marked with an asterisk begin at sunset on the previous day. Some faith dates may be subject to confirmation by moon sighting or local practice, including Ramadan and Eid dates.
January
4 January 2026: World Braille Day
World Braille Day raises awareness of Braille as a means of communication for blind and visually impaired people.
18 January 2026: World Religion Day
19 January 2026: Martin Luther King Day
27 January 2026: Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, promoting tolerance and human rights.
February
All month: LGBT+ History Month
LGBT+ History Month celebrates LGBT+ history and promotes equality and inclusion.
1 February 2026: World Hijab Day
World Hijab Day promotes religious tolerance and understanding for women who choose to wear the hijab.
1-7 February 2026: World Interfaith Harmony Week
2-6 February 2026: Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week
5-11 February 2026: Race Equality Week
6 February 2026: Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
11 February 2026: Internation Day of Women and Girls in Science
17 February 2026: Chinese New Year
18 February 2026 (this is the expected date, but may change depending on the moon sighting): beginning of Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Muslims worldwide.
20 February 2026: World Day of Social Justice
27 February 2026: Stand Up to Bullying Day
March
All month:
- Women's History Month
- Gender Equality Month
- Bisexual Awareness Month
3 March 2026: World Hearing Day
8 March 2026: International Women's Day
International Women's Day celebrates achievements of women and advocates for gender equality.
16-22 March 2026:
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week – Neurodiversity Celebration Week raises awareness and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals.
- Down's Syndrome Awareness Week
18 March 2026: Ramaden expected to end, subject to confirmation
20 March 2026 (this is the expected date, but may change depending on the moon sighting) – Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival marking the end of Ramadan. It's celebrated with communal prayers, charity and family gatherings.
21 March 2026:
- World Down's Syndrome Day
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
25 March 2026: Remembrance Day for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
31 March 2026: Transgender Day of Visibility
April
All month:
- Autism Acceptance Month
- Stress Awareness Month
2 April 2026:
- Autism Acceptance Day
- Passover begins (subject to confirmation)
3 April 2026: Good Friday, Christian
5 April 2026: Easter Sunday, Christian
7 April 2026: World Health Day
World Health Day promotes global health awareness and wellbeing.
8 April 2026: International Romani Day
14 April 2026:
- Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival celebrating the founding of the Khalsa.
- Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh
20-26 April 2026: Lesbian Visibility Week
22 April 2026: Stephen Lawrence Day
23 April 2026: St George's Day
May
All month: Mental Health Awareness Month
1 May 2026 – Vesak
Vesak is a Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
4-10 May 2026:
- Maternal Mental Health Week
- Deaf Awareness Week
11-17 May 2026 – Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week encourages conversations and actions to improve mental health.
17 May 2026: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
21 May 2026:
- World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Development
- Accessibility Awareness Day
22 May 2026: Shavuot, Jewish
27 May 2026 (subject to confirmation): Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is a festival of sacrifice observed by Muslims worldwide.
June
All month:
- Pride Month celebrates LGBT+ communities and promotes equality.
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month raises awareness of the history and culture of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
8-14 June 2026: Carers Week
14 June 2026: Race Unity Day
15-21 June 2026:
- Refugee Week
- Learning Disabilities Week
18 June 2026: International Day of Countering Hate Speech
20 June 2026: World Refugee Day
22 June 2026: Windrush Day
Windrush Day commemorates the arrival of the Windrush generation and their contributions to British society.
22-26 June 2026: School Diversity Week
July
All month:
- Disability Pride Month – Disability Pride Month celebrates disability culture and promotes inclusion.
14 July 2026:
- Non Binary People's Day
- Disability Awareness Day
18 July 2026: Nelson Mandela Day
18 July 2026–17 August 2026: South Asian Heritage Month
South Asian Heritage Month celebrates South Asian heritage and contributions to UK society.
30 July 2026: World Day Against Human Trafficking
August
9 August 2026: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
12 August 2026: International Youth Day
23 August 2026: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
25 August 2026: Milad un Nabi, Muslim, subject to confirmation
26 August 2026: Women's Equality Day
31 August 2026: International Day for People of African Descent
September
All month: East and South East Asian Heritage Month
10 September 2026: Suicide Prevention Day
12 September 2026: Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal.
14-20 September 2026: National Inclusion Week
15 September 2026–21 September 2026 – National Inclusion Week
National Inclusion Week promotes inclusive practices in workplaces and communities.
20 September 2026–21 September 2026 – Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement, observed with fasting and prayer.
21 September 2026:
- World Alzheimer's Day
- Internationational Day of Peace
23 September 2026:
- Bi Visibility Day
- World Day of Sign Languages
October
All month:
- Black History Month – Black History Month celebrates Black heritage and achievements.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month
1 October 2026: International Day of Older People
2 October 2026: International Day of Non Violence
10 October 2026: World Mental Health Day – World Mental Health Day raises awareness of mental health issues globally.
11 October 2026: National Coming Out Day
11-19 October 2026: Navaratri, Hindu
18 October 2026:
- Anti-Slavery Day
- World Menopause Day
20 October 2026: Dasara, Hindu
25-31 October 2026: Asexual (Ace) Awareness Week
November
All month:
- Islamophobia Awareness Month – Islamophobia Awareness Month challenges Islamophobia and promotes understanding.
- Disability History Month
- Men's Health Awareness Month
8 November 2026:
- Diwali – Hindu, Sikh and Jain
- Intersex Day of Solidarity
8-15 November 2026: Interfaith Week
9-15 November 2026: Anti-Bullying Week
11 November 2026: Remembrance Day
13-19 November 2026: Transgender Awareness Week
16 November 2026: International Day of Tolerance
19 November 2026: International Men's Day
International Men's Day highlights men’s health and gender equality issues.
25 November 2026: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, White Ribbon Day
December
1 December 2026: World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day raises awareness about HIV/AIDS and supports those affected.
2 December 2026: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
3 December 2026: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5-12 December 2026: Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple.
8 December 2026: Pansexual Pride Day
10 December 2026 – Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day promotes human rights globally.
18 December 2026: International Migrants Day
25 December 2026: Christmas Day, Christian