December 2026 Events Celebrations & Special Days
Image Credit: Rodion Kutsaev
Events, celebrations, awareness events, saint's days, annual campaigns, major sporting events - UK and global festivities happening in December 2026.
It's the final month of the year, and in December we look forward to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as well as looking ahead to 2027 on New Year's Eve.
Whether you are a parent, a carer, a teacher or just want to know what is going on this month, here are the key dates and events happening this December in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as around the world.
National Tree Week
21st Nov to 29th Nov 2026
The UK's largest annual tree celebration, where the UK's conservation sector, volunteer groups and tree-lovers come together to plant thousands of trees to mark the start of the tree planting season.
Advent Begins
1st Dec 2026
Advent is the 24 days leading up to Christmas, when Christians prepare for Christmas. It is often celebrated by lighting Advent Candles and opening the doors of Advent calendars.
– Best Toy-Filled Advent Calendars for Kids
Elf On The Shelf Returns
1st Dec 2026
If you are a fan of the all-seeing Elf, today is the day he returns to your house to welcome Christmas!
– Free Elf on the Shelf Knitting Patterns
Antarctica Day
1st Dec 2026
Antarctica Day celebrate the 1st December 1959 signature of the Antarctic Treaty. The Treaty has ensured that Antarctica remains a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.
Rosa Parks Day
1st Dec 2026
One of the two days (Feb 4th and Dec 1) which honor the civil rights leader Rosa Parks. February 4th is her birthday, while 1st December 1955 was the day she was arrested for refusing give up her seat on a bus to a white man when ordered to by the driver.
World AIDS Day
1st Dec 2026
World AIDS Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. It exists to shine a light on the real experiences of people living with HIV today.
International Day of People with Disabilities
3rd Dec 2026
A day to recognize and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities. The aim of the day is to break down barriers to inclusion and advocate for the rights of people with disability.
Purple Sock Day
3rd Dec 2026
Coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Purple Sock Day asks us to show solidarity by wearing purple socks.
International Cheetah Day
4th Dec 2026
The world's fastest land animal is racing against extinction. This day is about raising awarness of the cheetah's imminant extinction.
Hanukkah
4th Dec to 12th Dec 2026
The Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.
St. Nicholas Day
5th Dec to 6th Dec 2026
Celebrated across mainland Europe, St. Nicholas has reputation as a bringer of gifts. Children will often receive a small gift, such as their shoes will be filled with sweets.
Small Business Saturday UK
5th Dec 2026
A grassroots, non-commercial campaign highlighting small business success and encouraging people to support small businesses in their communities on the first Saturday in December.
International Volunteer Day
5th Dec 2026
International Volunteer Day (IVD) is an international observance mandated by the United Nations. It is a day where volunteers are acknowledged and the spirit of volunteerism is promoted at the local, national and international levels.
Bodhi Day
8th Dec 2026
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) is said to have attained enlightenment. It is celebrated by meditation, carrying out kind acts and eating a traditional meal of cake, tea and readings.
Christmas Jumper Day
10th Dec 2026
Christmas Jumper Day is organised by Save The Children to raise money to help children around the world. You can join in by wearing a Christmas Jumper and making a donation.
Human Rights Day
10th Dec 2026
The anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. It is usually marked by high level political events and conferences.
International Mountain Day
11th Dec 2026
This UN designated day is to raise awareness about the importance of mountains to life and bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.
Saint Lucia Day
13th Dec 2026
St. Lucy's Day, which is celebrated on many european countries, but mainly in Scandanavia. It is a festival of light celebrated with a ceremony where a girl is chosen to represent the saint wearing a white dress and a crown of candles.
How To Celebrate St. Lucia Day
National Violin Day
13th Dec 2026
National Violin Day celebrates one of the oldest musical instruments, which is used in almost every genre of music, including classical, folk, country, jazz, and rock.
World Monkey Day
14th Dec 2026
World Monkey Day celebrates monkeys and all things simian, including other non-human primates such as apes, tarsiers, and lemurs. It also raises awareness about declining monkey populations and of the dangers that primates face worldwide.
Jane Austen Day
16th Dec 2026
Jane Austen's birthday, and a day dedicated to celebrating her life and achievements, and to telling as many people as possible about her amazing works.
Wright Brothers Day
17th Dec 2026
Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled airplane, the Wright Flyer, that were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903.
Saturnalia
17th Dec to 23rd Dec 2026
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn. Traditionally it is celebrated with role reversals such as slaves having a banquet of the kind usually enjoyed by their masters, along with gift giving and gambling.
National Robin Day
21st Dec 2026
An annual nationwide event raising awareness of small birds and other wildlife in winter and how you can help them through this tough time of year.
Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere)
21st Dec 2026
This day is the first day of astronomical summer in the southern hemisphere. Also known as midsummer.
More About The Summer Solstice
World Basketball Day
21st Dec 2026
World Basketball Day encourages everyone everywhere to play, watch, read, discuss or otherwise connect to basketball game, which will be a connection to each other everywhere.
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
22nd Dec 2026
The winter solstice represents the beginning of the astronomical winter and is the shortest day - the day with the least daylight.
More About The Winter Solstice
Festivus
23rd Dec 2026
A secular holiday celebrated as an alternative to the perceived pressures and commercialism of the Christmas season, it was created in 1966 but entered popular culture after it was made the focus an episode of US comedy series Seinfeld.
Christmas Eve
24th Dec 2026
On the day before Christmas, it is your last chance to buy presents and get them wrapped, or just sit back, relax and anticipate the big day!
– What Do I Put In A Christmas Eve Box?
International Day against Cybercrime
24th Dec 2026
A day to raise awareness about malware, ransomware, hacking to steal money and data theft. Cyber criminals use information and communication technology to facilitate other crimes, recruit victims, perpetrate scams and launder money.
Christmas Day
25th Dec 2026
The Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated around the world in a more secular way to bring some festive cheer to the cold winter months and dark nights.
Everything Christmas - From Gift Guides To Crafts, Movies and Books
– Create Your Free Printable Father Christmas Letter Now!
Boxing Day
26th Dec 2026
The day after Christmas, where traditionally servants were given a 'Christmas box', usually a gift or money for good service throughout the year.
– Best Christmas Skating Rinks in the UK
Kwanzaa
26th Dec to 1st Jan 2026
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African heritage. It was created in 1966 to give people of colour an alternative to Christmas where they could celebrate their heritage and culture.
International Cello Day
29th Dec 2026
Celebrated on December 29th, the birthday of Pablo Casals, you can celebrate by playing the cello either alone or with friends, teaching someone to play the cello or listening to some cello music.
New Year's Eve
31st Dec 2026
It is the last day of the year, so let's look forward to 2027 and celebrate the coming year. This day is also know as Hogmanay in Scotland and Omisoka in Japan.
– Free Printable 2026 Calendar
Here are some more important events that are coming soon.
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