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January Significant Observances

NOTE: The Multicultural Calendars are educational and informational resources only. They are not intended to be, nor should be relied upon as an authority on significant days of observance or to guide accommodation decisions. If you require information and advice about the accommodation of religious, cultural and significant observances, please consult the Ontario Human Rights Commission website.

While all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of these dates, the actual day of observance may vary.

We rely on the expertise of our community and faith groups to assist in making our list as accurate and representative as possible. Please send any feedback, updates or corrections to diversity@durham.ca.

Tamil Heritage Month
January is Tamil Heritage Month. January was chosen as the month to commemorate Canadians of Tamil descent as Thai Pongal harvest festival falls in this month. We celebrate and recognize the contributions that Tamil-Canadians have made to Canadian society and the richness of Tamil culture. Learn more about Tamil Heritage Month.
New Year's Day - January 1
January 1 is the first day of the New Year, known as New Year’s Day. Celebrations begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and continue to January 1 to ring in the new year.
Haitian Independence Day - January 1
Haiti’s declaration of independence on January 1, 1804, is significant as it represented the first successful slave rebellion in history, which in turn, led to the establishment of the first Black republic in the world. Learn more about Haitian Independence Day.
Mahayana New Year - January 3
The Mahayana New Year is January 3. This celebration includes prayer, self-reflection and honouring the Buddhism gods. Learn more about Mahayana New Year.
Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christmas - January 7
Observers of Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrate Christmas on January 7. This holiday is a special time of prayer and reflection, and many observers also engage in fasting leading up to Christmas. Learn more about Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christmas.
National Youth Day - January 12
National Youth Day is commonly referred to as Vivekananda Jayanti, is observed every year on January 12 to honor the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned Hindu monk. The Government of India officially designated this day as National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated annually across the country. Learn more about National Youth Day.
Lohri - January 13
Celebrated in parts of India, Lohri is recognized as the end of the winter season. This holiday commemorates the harvest of winter crops and welcomes longer days. Learn more about Lohri.
Thai Pongal - January 14 to 17
Thai Pongal is a vibrant four-day Tamil harvest festival symbolizes gratitude, prosperity, and renewal — celebrated joyfully by Hindu Canadians from coast to coast. Learn more about Thai Pongal.
Maghi - January 13
Maghi is a Sikh and Hindu festival observed the day after Lohri, commemorating the sacrifice of the Forty Liberated Ones and marking the beginning of the month of Magh. Learn more about Maghi.
Makar Sankranti - January 14
Makar Sankranti is celebrated by Hindu communities all over the world. This festival recognizes the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season. Learn more about Makar Sankranti.
World Religion Day - January 18
World Religion Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in January each year. This day serves as a reminder of the need for harmony and understanding between religions and faiths. Learn more about World Religion Day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honours Dr. King for his work in advancing both civil and human rights and advocating against anti-Black racism. Dr. King’s impactful legacy continues to inspire. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
Lincoln M. Alexander Day - January 21
On January 21 of each year, we commemorate Lincoln M. Alexander for his contributions to Canada in both the political sphere and as a community advocate. Alexander served in the Canadian Armed Forces; became a lawyer; and was a member of parliament who became the first Black Federal Cabinet Minister, as well as the first racialized Lieutenant Governor of Canada. We acknowledge his legacy and impact on not only Black Canadians, but Canadians of all racial identities. Learn more about Lincoln M. Alexander Day.
Bell Let's Talk Day - January 22
Bell Let’s Talk is a campaign that highlights the actions we can take to drive mental health forward to create positive change. The campaign focuses on fighting stigma, improving access to care, supporting research and leading by example at the workplace. We are all encouraged to join this important initiative and support Canadian mental health programs. Learn more about Bell Let’s Talk.
Vasant Panchami - January 23
Vasant Panchami, also called Sarasvati Puja in honour of the goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is usually observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Java and Bali (Indonesia) depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place four days later. The festival is celebrated 40 days before spring. Learn more about Vasant Panchami.
World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture - January 24
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture in 2019 to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diaspora all over the world. Promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the growth of the continent and for humanity as a whole. Learn more about World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture.
International Day of Education - January 24
Education and lifelong learning are essential to building inclusive, safe and sustainable societies. The International Day of Education was proclaimed to celebrate the role of education in peace and development, and in breaking the cycle of poverty. Learn more about International Day of Education.
International Holocaust Remembrance - January 27
January 27 of each year is recognized as the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. We use this day to mourn those who disappeared and pay tribute to the memory of victims of the Holocaust. We also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advocate against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance that lead to group-targeted violence. Learn more about International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and of Action Against Islamophobia - January 29
On January 29, 2017, six Muslim men were killed, and another 19 were injured, in a Quebec City Mosque attack. This is the worst mass murder in a house of worship in Canada’s history. We pause today to remember the victims of this horrific attack, express solidarity to the survivors, and acknowledge and address that Islamophobia led to this horrible attack. Learn more about The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and of Action Against Islamophobia.

Tamil Heritage Month

January is Tamil Heritage Month. January was chosen as the month to commemorate Canadians of Tamil descent as Thai Pongal harvest festival falls in this month. We celebrate and recognize the contributions that Tamil-Canadians have made to Canadian society and the richness of Tamil culture. Learn more about Tamil Heritage Month.

New Year's Day - January 1

January 1 is the first day of the New Year, known as New Year’s Day. Celebrations begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and continue to January 1 to ring in the new year.

Haitian Independence Day - January 1

Haiti’s declaration of independence on January 1, 1804, is significant as it represented the first successful slave rebellion in history, which in turn, led to the establishment of the first Black republic in the world. Learn more about Haitian Independence Day.

Mahayana New Year - January 3

The Mahayana New Year is January 3. This celebration includes prayer, self-reflection and honouring the Buddhism gods. Learn more about Mahayana New Year.

Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christmas - January 7

Observers of Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity celebrate Christmas on January 7. This holiday is a special time of prayer and reflection, and many observers also engage in fasting leading up to Christmas. Learn more about Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Christmas.

National Youth Day - January 12

National Youth Day is commonly referred to as Vivekananda Jayanti, is observed every year on January 12 to honor the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a renowned Hindu monk. The Government of India officially designated this day as National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated annually across the country. Learn more about National Youth Day.

Lohri - January 13

Celebrated in parts of India, Lohri is recognized as the end of the winter season. This holiday commemorates the harvest of winter crops and welcomes longer days. Learn more about Lohri.

Thai Pongal - January 14 to 17

Thai Pongal is a vibrant four-day Tamil harvest festival symbolizes gratitude, prosperity, and renewal — celebrated joyfully by Hindu Canadians from coast to coast. Learn more about Thai Pongal.

Maghi - January 13

Maghi is a Sikh and Hindu festival observed the day after Lohri, commemorating the sacrifice of the Forty Liberated Ones and marking the beginning of the month of Magh. Learn more about Maghi.

Makar Sankranti - January 14

Makar Sankranti is celebrated by Hindu communities all over the world. This festival recognizes the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season. Learn more about Makar Sankranti.

World Religion Day - January 18

World Religion Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in January each year. This day serves as a reminder of the need for harmony and understanding between religions and faiths. Learn more about World Religion Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honours Dr. King for his work in advancing both civil and human rights and advocating against anti-Black racism. Dr. King’s impactful legacy continues to inspire. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.

Lincoln M. Alexander Day - January 21

On January 21 of each year, we commemorate Lincoln M. Alexander for his contributions to Canada in both the political sphere and as a community advocate. Alexander served in the Canadian Armed Forces; became a lawyer; and was a member of parliament who became the first Black Federal Cabinet Minister, as well as the first racialized Lieutenant Governor of Canada. We acknowledge his legacy and impact on not only Black Canadians, but Canadians of all racial identities. Learn more about Lincoln M. Alexander Day.

Bell Let's Talk Day - January 22

Bell Let’s Talk is a campaign that highlights the actions we can take to drive mental health forward to create positive change. The campaign focuses on fighting stigma, improving access to care, supporting research and leading by example at the workplace. We are all encouraged to join this important initiative and support Canadian mental health programs. Learn more about Bell Let’s Talk.

Vasant Panchami - January 23

Vasant Panchami, also called Sarasvati Puja in honour of the goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is usually observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Java and Bali (Indonesia) depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place four days later. The festival is celebrated 40 days before spring. Learn more about Vasant Panchami.

World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture - January 24

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture in 2019 to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diaspora all over the world. Promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the growth of the continent and for humanity as a whole. Learn more about World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture.

International Day of Education - January 24

Education and lifelong learning are essential to building inclusive, safe and sustainable societies. The International Day of Education was proclaimed to celebrate the role of education in peace and development, and in breaking the cycle of poverty. Learn more about International Day of Education.

International Holocaust Remembrance - January 27

January 27 of each year is recognized as the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. We use this day to mourn those who disappeared and pay tribute to the memory of victims of the Holocaust. We also reaffirm our unwavering commitment to advocate against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance that lead to group-targeted violence. Learn more about International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and of Action Against Islamophobia - January 29

On January 29, 2017, six Muslim men were killed, and another 19 were injured, in a Quebec City Mosque attack. This is the worst mass murder in a house of worship in Canada’s history. We pause today to remember the victims of this horrific attack, express solidarity to the survivors, and acknowledge and address that Islamophobia led to this horrible attack. Learn more about The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Mosque Attack and of Action Against Islamophobia.