As part of the children’s program, it’s important to undertake cultural celebrations in acknowledging rights and traditions. This yearly calendar has a variety of monthly cultural celebrations which can be acknowledged within the program and adapted to suit the needs of the children and their families within the service.
When selecting festivals or religious celebrations it’s important to choose those that are relevant to the children and families within the setting and that enable children to become aware of each other’s cultures.
January
- 01
New Year's Day - 04
World Braille Day - 25
Lunar New Year - 26
Australia Day
February
- 06
Waitangi Day - New Zealand - 13
National Apology Day - 14
Valentine's Day - 25
Mardi Gras
March
- 01
Clean Up Australia Day - 03
World Wildlife Day - 09
Holi Starts - India - 10
Holi Ends - India - 15
Harmony Week Starts - 17
St Patricks Day - Ireland - 21
Harmony Week Ends - 22
World Water Day - 25
Nature Play Week Starts
April
- 01
April Fools Day - 05
Nature Play Week Ends - 07
Nissan - Judaism - 10
Easter Starts
Good Friday - 13
Easter Ends - 19
Orthodox Easter - 22
Earth Day - 23
Ramadan Starts - Islam - 25
ANZAC Day
May
- 02
National Family Day Care Week Starts - 04
International Firefighters Day - 05
Kodomo No Hi - Japan - 06
Bike To School Day - 08
National Family Day Care Week Ends - 10
Mother's Day - 23
Ramadan Ends- Islam - 27
National Reconciliation Week - 31
National Smile Day
June
- 05
World Environment Day - 08
World Oceans Day - 21
International Day Of Yoga - 25
Tuen Ng Festival - Hong Kong
July
- 06
NAIDOC Weej Starts - 12
NAIDOC Week Ends - 19
National Pyjama Day - 24
Olympic Games Start - 26
Crazy Hair Day - 27
Commonweatlh Games Start - 29
OSHC Educator's day - 30
International Day Of Friendship - 31
Schools Tree Day
August
- 02
Jeans For Genes Day - 03
Raksha Banhan - India - 07
Commonwealth Games Ends - 09
Olympic Games Ends - 13
Obon Festival Starts - Japan - 14
Red Nose Day - 15
National Science Week Starts
Obon Festival Ends - Japan - 17
RSPCA Cupcake Day - 22
Book Week Starts - 23
National Science Week Ends
Daffodil Day - 28
Book Week Ends
September
- 01
Wattle Day
National Child Protection Week Starts - 02
Early Childhood Educator's Day
National Superhero Week Starts - 03
Australian National Flag Day - 04
White Balloon Day - 06
Father's Day - 07
National Child Protection Week Ends - 08
national Superhero Week Ends - 18
Rosh Hashanah Starts - Judaism - 19
Oktoberfest - Germany - 20
Rosh Hashanah Ends - Judaism - 21
World Gratitude Day
October
- 01
Zhongqiu Jie Festival - China - 02
Worls Smile Day - 03
World Animal Day - 04
World Space Week Starts
Oktoberfest Ends - Germany - 05
World teachers Day - 10
World Space Week Ends - 16
World food Day - 17
Navaratri Starts - India - 19
Loud Shirt Day
Children's Week Starts - 25
Navaratri Ends - India - 27
Children's Week Ends - 30
Day For Daniel
Teacher's Day - 31
Halloween
November
- 03
Melbourne Cup Day - 05
Outdoor Classroom Day - 09
National Recycling Week Starts - 11
Remebrance Day - 14
Diwali - India - 15
National Recycling Week Ends - 20
Universal Children's Day
December
- 11
Hanukkah Starts - Judaism - 18
Hanukkah Ends - Judaism - 24
Christmas Eve - 25
Christmas Day - 26
Boxing Day - 31
New Year's Eve
This calendar represents a snapshot of the main cultural and community events celebrated by Australia's diverse population. It does not include the celebrations of all cultural groups and please keep in mind some of the dates may vary each year and may not be updated for the current year (right as of 2020).
Honouring cultural diversity and awareness through celebrations and experiences requires commitment and respect for being and belonging in the world. “Educators honour the histories, cultures, language, traditions child-rearing practices and lifestyle choices of families”.
References
- Wikipedia
- The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia
- Putting Children First (Issue 33, March 2010)
