School calendar 2026 to 2027: awareness days and national days for schools
The school year of awareness days, national days and observances that teachers, PTAs and school comms teams plan assemblies, spirit days, fundraisers and newsletters around. 110 dates over the next twelve months, UK and US, with a one-line idea for each. For campaign dates see the marketing calendar.
How to use the school calendar
Pick one or two dates a month, not all of them. Give each a home: an assembly, a form-time activity, a spirit day, a fundraiser or a newsletter item. Shaded rows are the dates most schools mark; the rest are optional extras from our Education and Youth listings. Dates marked UK or US are mainly observed in that country.
August 2026
August is planning time. The list rolls into the new school year at the end of the month.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug to 31 Aug | National Back-to-School Month | US: a month of first-week routines, open houses and supply drives. | US |
| 1 Aug to 31 Aug | Get Ready for Kindergarten Month | UK and US | |
| 12 Aug | International Youth Day 2026 | Summer school and youth voice projects. | US |
| 15 Aug to 23 Aug | National Science Week 2026 | UK and US |
September 2026
September is routines, reading challenges and the first fundraiser: Jeans for Genes in the UK, supply drives in the US.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep | BNF Healthy Eating Week 2026 | Healthy lunch challenge and cooking lessons. | UK |
| 1 Sep to 30 Sep | Festival of Learning Have a Go Month | UK and US | |
| 1 Sep to 30 Sep | National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month | UK and US | |
| 6 Sep | National Read A Book Day 2026 | Drop everything and read for 20 minutes across the whole school. | US |
| 7 Sep | Labor Day 2026 | US: the back-to-school marker in many districts. | US |
| 8 Sep | International Literacy Day 2026 | Reading challenge launch, book swaps and a library assembly. | UK and US |
| 13 Sep | Roald Dahl Story Day 2026 | Dress-up day, story writing and a Dahl-themed assembly for primary. | UK |
| 13 Sep | Grandparents Day | US: invite grandparents into school for a reading morning or breakfast. | US |
| 14 Sep to 20 Sep | Jeans for Genes Day | Non-uniform day for genetic disorders; an easy first fundraiser of the year. | UK |
| 16 Sep | National School Backpack Awareness Day | US: posture and backpack-weight checks, a five-minute health assembly. | US |
| 21 Sep | International Day of Peace 2026 | Peace pledges, poetry and a reflective assembly. | US |
| 26 Sep | European Day of Languages 2026 | Language taster sessions, greetings in every language spoken in school. | UK |
October 2026
October carries Black History Month (UK), World Mental Health Day, Space Week, Wear It Pink and Halloween.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct to 31 Oct | Black History Month 2026 | UK in October: assemblies, displays and curriculum links across the month. | UK |
| 1 Oct | National Poetry Day 2026 | Poem-a-day in form time, a poetry slam and display work. | UK |
| 1 Oct to 31 Oct | International School Library Month 2026 | Library challenges, reading passports and author visits. | UK and US |
| 1 Oct to 31 Oct | International Walk to School Month | UK and US | |
| 1 Oct to 31 Oct | National Book Month | UK and US | |
| 4 Oct to 10 Oct | World Space Week 2026 | Rocket building, planetarium visits and space-themed STEM lessons. | UK and US |
| 5 Oct | World Teachers Day 2026 | Student-led thank-you messages; a PTA-friendly appreciation moment. | UK and US |
| 10 Oct | World Mental Health Day 2026 | Wellbeing assembly, Hello Yellow style non-uniform day, signposting to support. | UK and US |
| 11 Oct | International Day of the Girl Child 2026 | Assembly on girls' education worldwide; links to careers and STEM. | US |
| 16 Oct | World Food Day 2026 | Food waste audit, healthy lunch week and a food bank drive. | UK and US |
| 23 Oct | Wear it Pink 2026 | Pink non-uniform day for Breast Cancer Now; simple staff and pupil fundraiser. | UK |
| 31 Oct | Halloween 2026 | Costume day or pumpkin trail; keep it inclusive for pupils who do not take part. | UK and US |
November 2026
November is remembrance, Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day, then World Kindness Day and Thanksgiving for US schools.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov to 30 Nov | Movember 2026 – Men’s Health Awareness Month | Staff fundraiser and a sixth-form wellbeing talk. | UK and US |
| 5 Nov | Guy Fawkes Night 2026 (Bonfire Night) | Firework safety assembly and the history of 1605. | UK |
| 8 Nov | Diwali | Festival of lights: rangoli art, diya making and an assembly on the story of Rama. | US |
| 8 Nov | Remembrance Sunday 2026 | Two-minute silence, poppy appeal and a whole-school remembrance assembly. | UK |
| 11 Nov | Veterans Day 2026 | US: invite veterans to speak, letters of thanks, flag ceremony. | US |
| 13 Nov | World Kindness Day 2026 | Kindness bingo, compliment walls and random acts across the school. | UK and US |
| 13 Nov | BBC Children in Need 2026 | Pudsey non-uniform day, bake sale and a fundraising assembly; the biggest UK school fundraiser of the autumn. | UK |
| 16 Nov to 20 Nov | Anti Bullying Week 2026 | UK: Odd Socks Day kicks it off; assemblies, pledges and peer mentoring. | UK |
| 16 Nov | Odd Socks Day 2026 | Wear odd socks to celebrate difference; the easiest spirit day in the calendar. | UK |
| 20 Nov | Universal Children’s Day 2026 | Rights of the child assembly; links to UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools. | US |
| 21 Nov | World Hello Day | Greet everyone in a different language; a kindness starter for younger years. | US |
| 26 Nov | Thanksgiving 2026 | US: gratitude projects, food drives, early-release planning. | US |
December 2026
December is Christmas Jumper Day, festivals of light and the kindness advent calendar.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec to 24 Dec | Advent 2026 | Kindness advent calendar: one act a day until the end of term. | UK and US |
| 3 Dec | International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2026 | Inclusion assembly and accessibility audit led by pupils. | US |
| 4 Dec to 12 Dec | Hanukkah 2026 | Festival of lights assembly; menorah crafts and the story of the oil. | US |
| 10 Dec | Christmas Jumper Day 2026 | Save the Children jumper day; the biggest school fundraiser of the term. | UK |
| 10 Dec | Human Rights Day 2026 | Rights and responsibilities assembly for secondary. | US |
January 2027
January opens with Holocaust Memorial Day, Storytelling Week and Lunar New Year; US schools mark MLK Day.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan | World Religion Day 2027 | RE link: a faith-a-week display across the term. | US |
| 18 Jan | Martin Luther King Day 2027 | US: assembly, "I have a dream" writing and service projects. | US |
| 18 Jan | Blue Monday 2027 | A wellbeing week hook for staff and sixth form, handled carefully. | UK and US |
| 23 Jan | National Reading Day 2027 | UK and US | |
| 27 Jan | Holocaust Memorial Day 2027 | Secondary assembly and survivor testimony; UK theme announced each year. | UK |
| 30 Jan to 5 Feb | National Storytelling Week 2027 | Storytelling assemblies, older pupils reading to younger ones. | UK |
February 2027
February is the wellbeing month: Children's Mental Health Week, Safer Internet Day and NSPCC Number Day.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb to 7 Feb | Children’s Mental Health Week 2027 | Place2Be week: assemblies, dress to express day, class activities. | UK |
| 1 Feb to 28 Feb | LGBT History Month 2027 | UK in February: displays, assemblies and curriculum links. | UK |
| 1 Feb to 7 Feb | Schools Football Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 5 Feb | NSPCC Number Day 2027 | Maths dress-up day and a fundraiser for the NSPCC. | UK |
| 6 Feb | Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) | Lunar New Year assembly, lanterns and zodiac art. | US |
| 8 Feb to 8 Mar | Ramadan 2027 | Support fasting pupils: PE, exams and lunch arrangements; assembly on Ramadan. | US |
| 9 Feb | Safer Internet Day 2027 | Online safety lessons and a parent session; the biggest e-safety date. | UK |
| 9 Feb | Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day 2027 | Pancake races and the meaning of Lent. | UK |
| 11 Feb | International Day of Women and girls in science 2027 | Women in STEM assembly, role model visits. | US |
| 14 Feb | Valentine’s Day 2027 | Kindness-grams and friendship focus rather than romance for younger years. | UK and US |
| 15 Feb | Presidents’ Day 2027 | US: history projects and a long weekend to plan around. | US |
| 17 Feb | Random Acts of Kindness Day 2027 | Kindness challenge across the school. | UK and US |
March 2027
March is the busiest month in the school calendar: World Book Day, Science Week, International Women's Day and Red Nose Day.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar to 5 Mar | National Careers Week 2027 | Careers talks and alumni visits for secondary. | UK |
| 2 Mar | Read Across America Day / Dr Seuss Day 2027 | US: Dr Seuss reading day, guest readers and hat day. | US |
| 4 Mar | World Book Day 2027 | Dress as a character, book tokens and author events; the biggest primary date. | UK |
| 5 Mar to 14 Mar | British Science Week 2027 | Experiments, science fair and STEM careers talks. | UK |
| 8 Mar | International Women’s Day 2027 | Women who changed the world assembly and careers links. | US |
| 9 Mar | Eid al-Fitr 2027 | Eid celebration assembly; absence planning for the day. | US |
| 14 Mar | Pi Day 2027 | Maths day: pi recitals, circle challenges and a pie sale for the PTA. | US |
| 15 Mar to 21 Mar | Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2027 | Assemblies and staff CPD on neurodiversity; pupil voice. | UK |
| 17 Mar | St Patricks Day 2027 | Green day, Irish culture and music. | UK and US |
| 19 Mar | Comic Relief / Red Nose Day UK 2027 | Comic Relief fundraiser, talent show and red noses. | UK |
| 21 Mar | World Poetry Day 2027 | Poetry writing across year groups. | UK and US |
| 22 Mar | World Water Day 2027 | Water usage audit and a global citizenship lesson. | UK and US |
| 27 Mar | World Theatre Day 2027 | Drama showcases and a trip. | UK and US |
| 28 Mar | Easter Sunday 2027 | Easter service, egg hunts and the end of spring term. | UK and US |
| 29 Mar to 4 Apr | World Autism Acceptance Week 2027 | Autism acceptance assembly and sensory-friendly week. | US |
April 2027
April brings Autism Acceptance Week, Earth Day and Eid.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr to 30 Apr | Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month 2027 | UK and US | |
| 1 Apr to 30 Apr | National Poetry Month | UK and US | |
| 2 Apr | World Autism Awareness Day 2027 | Autism acceptance assembly and sensory-friendly day. | US |
| 11 Apr to 17 Apr | National Library Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 18 Apr | Education and Sharing Day 2027 | UK and US | |
| 21 Apr | National Early Years Teacher Day 2027 | UK and US | |
| 22 Apr | International Mother Earth Day 2027 | Earth Day: litter picks, eco-council projects and a green assembly. | UK and US |
| 29 Apr | International Dance Day 2027 | Dance showcase or a flash mob at lunch. | UK and US |
May 2027
May is Mental Health Awareness Week, Walk to School Week and Teacher Appreciation Week in the US.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 May to 7 May | Teacher Appreciation Week 2027 | US: PTA-led thank-yous and treats for staff. | US |
| 3 May to 9 May | Deaf Awareness Week 2027 | Learn some BSL, subtitled assembly, sound awareness. | UK |
| 3 May to 9 May | Children’s Book Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 4 May | National Teacher Day in the USA 2027 | UK and US | |
| 9 May | National Children’s Day UK 2027 | UK and US | |
| 10 May to 16 May | Mental Health Awareness Week 2027 | Themed week with assemblies, wellbeing walks and staff support. | UK |
| 13 May | Writing for Health & Healing Day 2027 | UK and US | |
| 17 May to 21 May | Walk To School Week 2027 | Living Streets challenge: walking, wheeling and scooting to school. | UK |
| 17 May to 23 May | Learning At Work Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 20 May | World Bee Day 2027 | Bee-friendly planting and a science link. | UK and US |
| 29 May to 6 Jun | National Children’s Gardening Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 31 May | Memorial Day 2027 | US: remembrance assembly and the run-up to summer. | US |
June 2027
June is Pride, Refugee Week, Healthy Eating Week and sports day season.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun to 30 Jun | Pride Month 2027 | Inclusion assemblies and displays; pupil-led groups. | US |
| 1 Jun | International Children’s Day | UK and US | |
| 4 Jun | National School Business Leaders’ Day 2027 | UK and US | |
| 5 Jun | World Environment Day 2027 | Eco-council action day and an environment assembly. | UK and US |
| 5 Jun | Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD) 2027 | UK and US | |
| 6 Jun | National Higher Education Day | UK and US | |
| 7 Jun to 13 Jun | Child Safety Week 2027 | UK and US | |
| 8 Jun | World Oceans Day 2027 | Plastic audit and ocean science. | UK and US |
| 13 Jun | National Children’s Day | UK and US | |
| 16 Jun | National Thank a Teacher Day | UK and US | |
| 19 Jun | Juneteenth | US: history assembly and community links. | US |
July 2027
July is end-of-year: careers, friendship and transition.
| Date | Awareness day | For schools | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul | National Support Public Education Day | UK and US |
Spirit week ideas
A spirit week is five themed dress-up days in a row, usually before a holiday or a big fixture. The best ones cost families nothing, include every pupil and end on a day that is about people rather than costumes. Ten themes that work:
Pyjama day
The easiest opener. Pair it with a reading morning so it has a point.
Crazy hair or hat day
Low cost, high participation, works for every age.
Decades day
Each year group takes a decade; links to history and music lessons.
Colour wars
Each house or grade wears its colour; points for participation, not cost.
Twin day
Pupils and staff pair up in matching outfits; strong for friendship and inclusion.
Career day
Dress as what you want to be; tie it to National Careers Week.
Book character day
The World Book Day standard, usable any week; ask for home-made costumes only.
Kindness day
Finish the week with a kindness challenge rather than a costume, so no one is left out.
Sports jersey day
Wear your team colours; pair with a lunchtime tournament.
Odd socks day
Celebrate difference; the Anti-Bullying Alliance version in the UK.
Assembly ideas by awareness day
An assembly needs one message, one story and one thing to do. These ten dates give you all three every year:
Anti-Bullying Week
Pupil-led: what respect looks like in our school, with the Odd Socks Day launch.
Remembrance
Two-minute silence, a local name from the war memorial, and why the poppy.
World Mental Health Day
Five ways to wellbeing, how to ask for help, and who to ask in school.
Safer Internet Day
One real scenario, what the pupils would do, and the school's reporting route.
World Book Day
Staff share the book that changed them; end with the token and the dress-up brief.
International Women's Day
Three women in the subjects taught here, chosen by departments.
Black History Month
One story a week for the month rather than a single assembly.
Earth Day
The school's own energy or waste figures, and one change pupils can lead.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Secondary only: the year's national theme and a survivor testimony clip.
End of year
Thanks, transitions, and one thing to carry into the summer.
Take the school year with you
The one-page PDF is free with your email. The printed School Planner puts September to August on the staffroom wall with term highlighting. The Awareness Days Toolkit gives you every awareness day for the year as a spreadsheet, printable calendars and a calendar feed for the school Google or Outlook calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What awareness days should a school mark?
Most UK schools mark Anti-Bullying Week, Children's Mental Health Week, Safer Internet Day, World Book Day, Science Week, Remembrance and Christmas Jumper Day; most US schools mark Red Ribbon Week, Unity Day, Read Across America Day and Teacher Appreciation Week. Add two or three that fit your school's values and leave the rest.
Does this page include term dates and school holidays?
No. Term dates are set by your local authority, academy trust or school district and change by area. This page is the days you plan activities, assemblies and fundraisers around within the term.
What is a spirit week?
A week of themed dress-up days, usually before a holiday, a big fixture or the end of term, to build school community. The best themes cost nothing and include every pupil; see the ideas above.
Can I print or download the school calendar?
Yes. The one-page PDF is free with your email. The printed School Planner is an A3 wall calendar for September to August, and the Awareness Days Toolkit includes every awareness day as a spreadsheet and calendar feed.
Is this for UK or US schools?
Both. Dates only widely observed in one country are marked UK or US; unmarked dates work in both.