September 1 - September 30
| Date | All of September 2026 |
|---|---|
| When it falls | All of September every year |
| Official website | festivaloflearning.org.uk |
| Where | UK |
About Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month takes place throughout September each year across the United Kingdom, running from 1 to 30 September. Coordinated by the Learning and Work Institute, the month encourages adults to try something new, rediscover the joy of learning and take a first step back into education, training or a new skill. It forms part of the wider Festival of Learning campaign, the largest celebration of adult learning in England.
What is Festival of Learning Have a Go Month?
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month is a nationwide campaign that invites adults to take part in a free or low-cost learning activity, whether that is a taster class, an online course, a community workshop or simply learning a new skill at home. It is run by the Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy and research organisation that promotes lifelong learning, full employment and inclusion. The month is aimed at everyone, but it places particular emphasis on reaching people who left education early, who lack confidence, or who have not taken part in formal learning for many years. The central message is a simple one: it is never too late to have a go.
When is Festival of Learning Have a Go Month?
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month runs throughout September each year. In 2026 it takes place from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September. The dates are fixed to the calendar month, so the campaign always covers the whole of September. It sits alongside other strands of the Festival of Learning calendar, including Adult Learners’ Week, which is run by the same organisation earlier in the year and shares the same goal of widening participation in learning.
Why Festival of Learning Have a Go Month Matters
Participation in adult learning in the United Kingdom has come under pressure in recent years. The Learning and Work Institute’s Adult Participation in Learning Survey, which has tracked the picture since 1996, found that 42 per cent of adults reported taking part in learning in the previous three years, down from 52 per cent the year before, though still above the record low of 33 per cent recorded in 2019. These figures reveal a stubborn gap: adults from lower socio-economic groups, older adults and those who left school with few qualifications are consistently the least likely to return to learning.
Have a Go Month exists to narrow that gap. Learning as an adult brings benefits that reach well beyond the classroom. It is linked to better job prospects and higher earnings, but also to improved confidence, stronger mental wellbeing, wider social networks and a greater sense of purpose. By lowering the barriers to that first step, through free taster sessions and a friendly, no-pressure approach, the campaign helps people who might never otherwise enrol to discover what they are capable of.
How to Get Involved in Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
There are many ways to take part, whether you are an individual learner, an employer or a learning provider. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of the month.
- Try a free taster course – Many colleges, adult education centres and community groups offer short, no-commitment sessions during September. Look for a subject you have always been curious about and sign up for a single class.
- Learn something at home – You do not need to enrol anywhere to take part. Pick up a new language app, follow an online tutorial, start a recipe you have never attempted or watch a skills video and put it into practice.
- Visit your local library – Libraries across the UK run free courses, reading groups, digital skills sessions and careers support. They are one of the most accessible routes into adult learning.
- Encourage a friend or family member – Confidence is often the biggest barrier. Offer to go along with someone who has been thinking about returning to learning, so they do not have to take the first step alone.
- Share your own story – If learning has changed your life, talk about it. The Learning and Work Institute runs annual Festival of Learning Awards that celebrate inspirational adult learners, tutors and projects, and nominations help shine a light on what is possible.
- Get your workplace involved – Employers can use the month to launch staff training, offer lunchtime skills sessions or signpost employees to local provision. Investing in learning supports retention, productivity and morale.
- Run an event as a provider – Colleges, charities and community organisations can host open days, taster sessions and drop-ins, and promote them using Festival of Learning branding and resources.
- Spread the word online – Use the campaign hashtags to share what you are learning and to encourage others. A single post can be the nudge that persuades someone to give it a go.
History of Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
The roots of the campaign reach back to 1992, when the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, known as NIACE, coordinated the very first Adult Learners’ Week. It was one of the earliest national campaigns of its kind anywhere in the world and was designed to celebrate adult education and persuade more people to take part. The week quickly became a fixture in the education calendar and inspired similar campaigns internationally.
In 2013 the campaign was expanded and rebranded as the Festival of Learning, broadening its reach so that it could engage learners, providers and policymakers across the year rather than during a single week. Have a Go Month grew out of this expansion as a dedicated period, settled in September, that gives people a clear window to try something new. In 2015 NIACE merged with the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion to form the Learning and Work Institute, which has run the Festival of Learning ever since.
Over the years the campaign has been supported by high-profile patrons and partners. HRH The Princess Royal has served as patron, and the campaign marked its 25th anniversary in 2017. Today the Festival of Learning, including Have a Go Month and the long-running Festival of Learning Awards, remains the largest celebration of lifelong learning in England, reaching tens of thousands of people every year and championing the idea that learning should be open to everyone, at every stage of life.
Noteworthy Facts About Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
- The campaign traces its origins to Adult Learners’ Week, first coordinated by NIACE in 1992.
- The Festival of Learning was launched in its current form in 2013, with Have a Go Month following as a dedicated September strand.
- It is run by the Learning and Work Institute, formed in 2015 from the merger of NIACE and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion.
- HRH The Princess Royal has acted as patron of the campaign, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017.
- The Learning and Work Institute’s Adult Participation in Learning Survey has tracked adult learning in the UK since 1996, providing decades of data on who takes part and who misses out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festival of Learning Have a Go Month?
It is a UK-wide campaign run by the Learning and Work Institute that encourages adults to try a new learning activity during September. It is part of the wider Festival of Learning, the largest celebration of adult learning in England.
When is Festival of Learning Have a Go Month in 2026?
It runs throughout September 2026, from Tuesday, 1 September to Wednesday, 30 September. The campaign always covers the full calendar month.
Who organises Festival of Learning Have a Go Month?
It is organised by the Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy, research and development organisation that promotes lifelong learning, full employment and inclusion across the United Kingdom.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Festival of Learning Have a Go Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #HaveAGoMonth and #FestivalOfLearning on social media. The more people who are encouraged to take that first step, the bigger the impact on confidence, skills and opportunity across the country.
Related Awareness Days
- International Literacy Day – Marked on 8 September, it highlights the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity.
- National Writing Day – A UK celebration that encourages people of all ages to discover the creativity and confidence that writing can bring.
- National Coding Week – A week dedicated to helping adults build digital and coding skills, sharing the same spirit of having a go at something new.
Links
- Visit the official Festival of Learning website
- Learn more from the Learning and Work Institute
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Quilia on Unsplash.
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
