Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's largest street festival, drawing around two million visitors to west London each August bank holiday weekend. In 2026, the event marks its Diamond Jubilee: sixty years since the first outdoor street procession rolled through Portobello Road in 1966. The carnival is organised by Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, whose CEO Matthew...
When is the Summer Bank Holiday in 2026? In 2026, the Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be observed on Monday 25th August. This public holiday falls on the last Monday in August and is one of the final breaks in the calendar before the autumn season begins. What is the...
National Zoo Awareness Day is observed every year on 31 August, recognising the role that modern zoos play in wildlife conservation, public education, and scientific research. The day encourages people to look beyond the entertainment value of a zoo visit and to understand the work that accredited zoos carry out to protect endangered species and...
National South Carolina Day is observed every year on 31 August, celebrating the history, culture and people of the Palmetto State. Founded in 2017 by National Day Calendar, the day honours South Carolina as the eighth state to join the Union and invites residents and admirers alike to mark its heritage, cuisine and landscapes. In...
Kyrgyzstan Independence Day is the national day of the Kyrgyz Republic, marked every year on 31 August. It commemorates the country's declaration of state independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is the most significant secular holiday in the Kyrgyz calendar, celebrated with cultural performances, traditional horse games, and fireworks across the country. The...
The International Day for People of African Descent takes place each year on 31 August. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, it recognises the heritage, culture, and contributions of people of African descent across the globe, and calls for the full protection of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. What is the International Day...
The World Gravy Wrestling Championships is an annual charity event held on the August Bank Holiday Monday in Stacksteads, Rossendale, Lancashire. Competitors wrestle in a ring filled with 1,500 litres of warm, gravy-coloured liquid, earning points for wrestling technique, costume creativity, and crowd entertainment. Since its founding in 2007, the event has raised significant funds...
National Heroes' Day is a public holiday in the Philippines observed on the last Monday of August each year. The day honours the collective heroism of Filipino men and women who fought and sacrificed for the nation's freedom, beginning with the Philippine Revolution of 1896. In 2026, National Heroes' Day falls on 31 August. The...
National Eat Outside Day is an annual celebration observed on 31 August each year that encourages people to take their meals outdoors, whether that means a backyard barbecue, a park picnic, a beachside lunch, or simply pulling a chair onto the front porch. The day celebrates the simple pleasure of al fresco dining and the...
National Matchmaker Day is observed every year on 31 August, dedicating a day to the people who help others find love and meaningful connections. Whether they operate through traditional matchmaking services, modern dating apps, or simply introduce two friends they think would get on well together, matchmakers play a unique and often underappreciated role in...
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global public health event observed annually on 31 August. It is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died or suffered a permanent injury as a result of a drug overdose, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left...
Love Litigating Lawyers Day is observed every year on 31 August, a lighthearted annual occasion dedicated to celebrating the lawyers who genuinely love their profession. The day invites both legal professionals and the public to reflect on the many lawyers who bring passion, dedication, and creativity to their work, and to appreciate the vital role...
National Diatomaceous Earth Day is observed every year on 31 August in the United States, celebrating a remarkable naturally occurring material that has been used by humans for over a century across an extraordinary range of applications. From water filtration and food processing to organic pest control and gardening, diatomaceous earth is one of the...
Hari Merdeka, meaning "Independence Day" in Malay, is the national day of Malaysia observed on 31 August each year. The day commemorates the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule on 31 August 1957, one of the most significant moments in the history of Southeast Asia. It is a public holiday across...
National Wattle Day is celebrated annually on September 1, marking the beginning of spring in Australia. This day honors the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha), Australia's national floral emblem, symbolizing unity, resilience, and the rich biodiversity of the nation. In 2026, National Wattle Day falls on a Monday, offering Australians an opportunity to reflect on their...
The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) is transforming its annual Healthy Eating Week into a month-long campaign called Snack-tember for 2026. This new initiative aims to help children and young people make healthier snack choices throughout September. By focusing on snack habits, Snack-tember seeks to promote better nutrition and well-being among the younger population. What is...
Footy Colors Day, known in Australia as Footy Colours Day, is a national fundraising event run by the Fight Cancer Foundation throughout September, with the official day commonly marked at the start of the month on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. Participants wear their favourite football team's colours to school or work and raise money to...
National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day takes place every year on 1 September. It is a campaign that draws attention to the growing problem of children having their personal information stolen and misused, and it gives parents, carers and educators practical guidance on how to protect young people from fraud. The day was created by...
International Primate Day takes place every year on 1 September. It is an educational observance that highlights the threats facing the world's apes, monkeys and other primates, and the abuses they suffer through hunting, habitat loss, the pet trade, entertainment and laboratory experiments. The day was established by Animal Defenders International to draw attention to...
National Cherry Popover Day is celebrated on 1 September each year in the United States, dedicating the occasion to one of America's most beloved baked treats: the light, airy popover filled or topped with sweet, tangy cherries. In 2026, the day falls on Tuesday, 1 September. How to Celebrate National Cherry Popover Day The best...
National Little Black Dress Day takes place every year on 1 September, falling on a Tuesday in 2026. The day celebrates the most versatile garment in fashion, the little black dress, while encouraging people to embrace a wardrobe staple that has stayed in style for almost a century. It is a light-hearted occasion that pairs...