January 2026 Holidays & Events

Complete list of worldwide holidays, observances, and special events in January 2026

January 2026 Holidays Worldwide

Complete list of holidays and observances around the globe

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January 1, 2026 (Thursday)

New Year's Day

Global

The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, celebrated worldwide with fireworks, parties, and resolutions.

Public holiday in most countries

January 4, 2026 (Sunday)

World Braille Day

Global

Observed to raise awareness about the importance of braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people. Commemorates the birth of Louis Braille, inventor of the braille system.

Observance, not a public holiday

January 4, 2026 (Sunday)

World Religion Day

Global

Observed on the third Sunday in January, promoting inter-faith understanding and harmony by emphasizing common elements of different religions.

Observance, not a public holiday

January 7, 2026 (Wednesday)

Orthodox Christmas

Eastern Europe

Christmas celebration for Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar. Major celebration in Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Belarus, and other Eastern European countries.

Public holiday in countries with significant Orthodox populations

January 14, 2026 (Wednesday)

Orthodox New Year

Eastern Europe

Also known as Old New Year, this is the start of the new year according to the Julian calendar, which is still used by some Orthodox churches for liturgical purposes.

Observance in countries like Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Serbia, and Montenegro

January 19, 2026 (Monday)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

United States

Federal holiday in the United States honoring the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observed on the third Monday of January, near his birthday of January 15.

Federal holiday in the United States

January 21, 2026 (Wednesday)

International Hug Day

Global

An annual event dedicated to hugging. It was created with the aim of encouraging people to openly express their feelings by hugging.

Observance, not a public holiday

January 24, 2026 (Saturday)

International Day of Education

Global

A day proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the role of education in peace and development. It highlights the importance of inclusive and equitable quality education.

UN observance, not a public holiday

January 26, 2026 (Monday)

Australia Day

Australia

Australia's national day, commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788. Celebrated with ceremonies, concerts, and community events across the country.

Public holiday in Australia

January 26, 2026 (Monday)

International Customs Day

Global

Recognizes the role of customs officials and agencies in maintaining border security, facilitating international trade, and collecting duties and taxes.

Observance, not a public holiday

January 27, 2026 (Tuesday)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Global

UN-designated day to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp.

UN observance, not a public holiday

January Monthly Observances

Month-long awareness campaigns and celebrations

National Blood Donor Month

Encourages blood donations during winter, when donations typically decrease due to holidays, travel, and inclement weather.

Cervical Health Awareness Month

Raises awareness about cervical cancer, HPV, and the importance of early detection through regular screenings.

National Hobby Month

Encourages people to pursue new hobbies or dedicate more time to existing ones, promoting personal growth and stress relief.

National Soup Month

Celebrates the comfort and warmth of soup during the cold winter month, encouraging people to try new recipes.

Braille Literacy Month

Promotes awareness about braille literacy and its importance for people who are blind or visually impaired.

National Mentoring Month

Highlights the positive impact of mentoring and encourages more people to become mentors to young people.

National Hot Tea Month

Celebrates the world's second most consumed beverage and its various health benefits during the cold winter season.

National Oatmeal Month

Promotes the health benefits of oatmeal, a nutritious breakfast option that helps lower cholesterol and provides essential nutrients.

January Weekly Observances

Special weeks celebrated during January

National Letter Writing Week (Second Week)

Encourages people to write and send handwritten letters, preserving the traditional art of letter writing in our digital age.

Hunt for Happiness Week (Third Week)

Promotes activities and practices that increase happiness and well-being during what is often considered one of the most depressing times of the year.

Clean Out Your Inbox Week (Last Week)

Encourages people to declutter and organize their email inboxes, improving digital productivity and reducing stress.

National School Choice Week (Last Week)

Raises awareness about educational options available to children and families, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and homeschooling.

Holidays for other month:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

January 2026 Calendar Downloads

Free printable January calendars with holidays

Calendar January 2026 with Holidays

January 2026 Calendar with Holidays

Standard monthly calendar with all major holidays and observances marked. Perfect for planning your month.

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January 2026 Printable Monthly Calendar

January 2026 Printable Calendar with Notes

Monthly calendar with extra space for notes and reminders. Ideal for tracking appointments and tasks.

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January 2026 Landscape Calendar with notes

January 2026 Calendar Landscape

Horizontal layout calendar with holidays. Great for desk planning or wall display.

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Need a Custom January Calendar?

Create a personalized January 2026 calendar with your own events, holidays, and design preferences.