International Men’s Day 2026: Thursday 19 November

What’s happening in 2026

International Men’s Day 2026 is on Thursday 19 November 2026. The day highlights positive male role models and raises awareness of men’s and boys’ wellbeing. It is coordinated globally through International Men’s Day, and in the UK by International Men’s Day UK.

There are two themes to know about this year, one global and one for the UK.

• Global theme: “The Future is Everyone”. The international organisers have set three goals for 2026: formal recognition of International Men’s Day on the UN calendar, mandatory reporting of outcomes for males and females across UN programmes and the Sustainable Development Goals, and support for the New York Declaration for Men and Boys (internationalmensday.com).
• UK theme: “Supporting Men and Boys”. IMD UK uses the same three pillars every year: making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys; raising awareness of, or funds for, charities that support men and boys; and promoting a positive conversation about men, manhood and masculinity. Organisations are encouraged to pick their own specific focus within those pillars.
• A midweek date. The 19th is a Thursday in 2026. IMD UK says many organisations hold events in the week before and the week after, so you do not have to squeeze everything into one day.
• It lands in Anti-Bullying Week. Anti-Bullying Week 2026 runs from Monday 16 to Friday 20 November, which gives schools a natural link between the two, especially on boys’ friendships and asking for help.

How to take part in 2026

• Workplaces: use the Thursday for a lunchtime talk or walk under one of the UK pillars, for example a session on men’s mental health led by your employee assistance provider or a male staff network.
• Start a network: IMD UK suggests the day as a starting point for a men’s staff network. A first meeting on 19 November, with a clear follow-up date, is a realistic 2026 goal.
• Schools: pair the day with Anti-Bullying Week. A form-time discussion about who boys can talk to, or a “role models” display chosen by pupils, fits both campaigns.
• Fundraising: November is also Movember, so a single event on the 19th can raise money for a men’s health charity while marking the day.
• Health checks: promote NHS Health Checks, GP appointments or the checks your organisation already offers, rather than generic wellbeing messages.

Key dates around International Men’s Day 2026

• All of November: Movember
• Monday 16 to Friday 20 November: Anti-Bullying Week
• Thursday 19 November: World Toilet Day, on the same date
• Friday 20 November: Universal Children’s Day
• Wednesday 25 November: White Ribbon Day

For the history of International Men’s Day and ideas that work every year, see our guide to International Men’s Day. For everything else happening this month, see November awareness days and weeks.

Upcoming Awareness Days

14 OctNational Dessert Day

14 OctKing Harold Day 2026

14 OctChocolate Week 2026

14 OctNational Braille Week 2026

14 OctNational Baking Week 2026

14 OctBring Your Teddy Bear To Work & School Day