January Holidays, National Days & Observances
January is more than a fresh page on the calendar. It brings major holidays, cultural and religious observances, international commemorations, food days, quirky celebrations and plenty of little reasons to make an ordinary winter day feel special.
Holiday Helper note: Some observances are official holidays, while others are cultural, religious, awareness-based or unofficial fun days. Dates for movable observances can change from year to year.
Major January Holidays & Observances
January 1: New Year's Day — A U.S. federal holiday and worldwide New Year celebration.
January 6: Epiphany / Three Kings' Day — A Christian observance celebrated in many countries and traditions.
January 7: Orthodox Christmas Day — Observed by many Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar tradition.
Third Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day — A U.S. federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 24: International Day of Education — A United Nations observance celebrating the role of education in peace and development.
January 26: International Day of Clean Energy — A United Nations observance focused on the transition to clean energy.
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day — A day of remembrance, education and commemoration.
January 28: International Day of Peaceful Coexistence — A United Nations observance promoting mutual respect, dialogue and inclusion.
January Observances That Move
Not every January observance belongs to the same numbered date each year. Keep these on your radar when planning a current-year calendar:
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: third Monday in January
• World Religion Day: third Sunday in January
• World Leprosy Day: last Sunday in January
• Coming of Age Day in Japan: second Monday in January
• Lunar New Year: may fall in January or February
• Tu Bishvat: may fall in January or February
• Isra and Mi'raj: date changes on the Gregorian calendar
• Inauguration Day: January 20 in U.S. presidential inauguration years, with special federal-holiday rules in the Washington, D.C. area
JUMP TO A DAY
Choose a date to discover something worth celebrating!
31 Days of January Celebrations
Browse the daily list below for major holidays, international observances, food days, unusual celebrations and more.
January 1
January begins with New Year's Day, a federal holiday in the United States and a celebration marked around the world. Traditions range from countdowns and fireworks to resolutions, lucky foods and quiet fresh starts.
• New Year's Day (U.S. federal holiday)
• World Day of Peace
• National Bloody Mary Day
• Polar Bear Plunge Day
• Apple Gifting Day
• Ellis Island Day
• Global Family Day
• Emancipation Day
• Mummers Parade
• Public Domain Day
• Rose Bowl (unless New Year's is on Sunday, then the Rose Bowl is held the following Monday)
• Rose Bowl Parade
• New Year's Dishonor List Day
• National First Foot Day
• Ring a Bell Day
January 2
• Happy Mew Year for Cats
• National Cream Puff Day
• Swiss Cheese Day
• National Science Fiction Day
• Motivation and Inspiration Day
• Pet Travel and Safety Day
• World Introvert Day
• 55 MPH Day
• National Buffet Day
• National Personal Trainer Awareness Day
• Run Up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day
January 3
• Women Rock! Day
• International Mind-Body Wellness Day
• Festival of Sleep
• National Drinking Straw Day
• Humiliation Day
• National Fruitcake Toss Day
• National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
• J.R.R. Tolkien Day
January 4
World Braille Day is observed by the United Nations on January 4, the birthday of Louis Braille. It highlights the importance of Braille for communication, education and human rights.
• World Braille Day (United Nations)
• National Trivia Day
• Pop Music Chart Day
• World Hypnotism Day
• Tom Thumb Day
• Earth at Perihelion Day
• National Spaghetti Day
• Dimpled Chad Day
January 5
• National Keto Day
• National Screenwriters Day
• National Whipped Cream Day
• National Bird Day
• Twelfth Night
• Monopoly Game Day
January 6
Epiphany, also called Three Kings' Day in many traditions, is observed on January 6. Celebrations vary widely and may include church services, special breads, gifts and community festivities.
• Epiphany
• Apple Tree Day
• National Shortbread Day
• Three Kings Day
• National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day
• National Bean Day
• World Day for War Orphans
• Armenian Christmas
• National Cuddle-Up Day
• National Technology Day
• U.S. Capitol Insurrection Anniversary
January 7
Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar tradition used by some churches.
• Invisible Pain Day
• Old Rock Day
• National Bobblehead Day
• Harlem Globetrotter's Day
• I'm Not Going to Take it Anymore Day
• Orthodox Christmas Day
• Estelle Reel Day (Wyoming)
• National Pass Gas Day
• National Tempura Day
January 8
• Battle of New Orleans (Louisiana)
• National English Toffee Day
• Coming of Age Day in Japan (second Monday in January)
• Earth's Rotation Day
• National Clean Your Desk Day (second Monday in January)
• War on Poverty Day
• National JoyGerm Day
• National Argyle Day
• Show & Tell at Work Day
• National Gluten-Free Day
• National Winter Skin Relief Day
• National Bubble Bath Day
January 9
• International Choreographers Day
• National Shop for Travel Day
• Play God Day
• Balloon Ascension Day
• Poetry at Work Day
• National Static Electricity Day
• Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
• National Cassoulet Day
• National Apricot Day
• National Word Nerd Day
January 10
• Save the Eagles Day
• National Take the Stairs Day (date varies by year)
• National Houseplant Appreciation Day
• National Oysters Rockefeller Day
• National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
• National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
• Peculiar People Day
• League of Nations Day
January 11
• International Party at Work Day
• National Hot Toddy Day
• National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day
• National Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day
• National Girl Hug Boy Day
• Secret Pal Day
• National Arkansas Day
• National Milk Day
• Heritage Treasures Day
• World Sketchnote Day
• Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day
• National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 12
• National Pharmacist Day
• National Marzipan Day
• National Youth Day
• National Hot Tea Day
• National Curried Chicken Day
• Kiss a Ginger Day
January 13
• Make Your Dream Come True Day
• National Sticker Day
• Public Radio Broadcasting Day
• National Peach Melba Day
• Stephen Foster Memorial Day
• Korean American Day
• International Skeptics Day
• National Vision Board Day (second Saturday in January)
• National Rubber Ducky Day
January 14
• International Kite Day
• National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
• National Organize Your Home Day
• Ratification Day
• World Logic Day
• National Dress Up Your Pet Day
• Take a Missionary to Lunch Day
• National Sunday Supper Day (second Sunday in January)
• Orthodox New Year
• Cesarean Section Day
January 15
• National Bagel Day
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day
• National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
• National Hat Day
• National Pothole Day
• Idaho Human Rights Day
• Indian Army Day
• Elementary School Teacher Day
• Wikipedia Day
January 16
• National Quinoa Day
• National Religious Freedom Day
• National Good Teen Day
• National Nothing Day
• International Hot and Spicy Food Day
• Appreciate a Dragon Day
• Fig Newton Day
January 17
• National Bootlegger's Day
• Cable Car Day
• Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
• National Kid Inventors' Day
• Popeye Day
• Benjamin Franklin Day
• Museum Selfie Day
January 18
• National Gourmet Coffee Day
• National Peking Duck Day
• Women's Healthy Weight
• National Thesaurus Day
• National Michigan Day
• National Winnie the Pooh Day
January 19
• National Tin Can Day
• Artist as Outlaw Day
• Brew a Potion Day
• Good Memory Day
• National Popcorn Day
• World Quark Day
January 20
• Take a Walk Outdoors Day
• National Coffee Break Day
• National Cheese Lovers Day
• International Day of Acceptance
• National Camcorder Day
• National Buttercrunch Day
• National Disc Jockey Day
• National No Phones at Home Day
• National Use Your Gift Card Day (third Saturday in January)
• Penguin Awareness Day
January 21
• International Sweatpants Day
• One Liners Day
• World Snow Day (third Sunday in January)
• National Squirrel Appreciation Day
• National Granola Bar Day
• International Playdate Day
• Soup Swap Day
• National Cheesy Socks Day
• National Hugging Day
• World Religion Day (third Sunday in January)
• National Hug Your Puppy Day
• National Hyaluronic Acid Day
January 22
• National Hot Sauce Day
• Celebration of Life Day
• National Answer Your Cat's Questions Day
• National Blonde Brownie Day
• Wellington Anniversary Day
• Community Manager Appreciation Day (fourth Monday in January)
• National Polka Dot Day
January 23
• Speak Up and Succeed Day
• National Rhubarb Pie Day
• National Pie Day
• National Handwriting Day
• National Measure Your Feet Day
• International Sticky Toffee Pudding Day
• Maternal Health Awareness Day
January 24
The United Nations observes International Day of Education on January 24 to recognize education's role in peace, development and opportunity.
• International Day of Education (United Nations)
• National Peanut Butter Day
• National Lobster Thermidor Day
• Global Belly Laugh Day
• National Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day
• National Beer Can Appreciation Day
• Tu BiShvat (changes yearly)
• Macintosh Computer Day
• National Just Do It Day
• National Compliment Day
• World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture
January 25
• National Irish Coffee Day
• National Fish Taco Day
• Observe the Weather Day
• St. Dwynwen's Day
• A Room of One's Own Day
• National Florida Day
• Clashing Clothes Day (fourth Thursday in January)
• Mahayana New Year
• Burns Night
• Opposite Day
January 26
International Day of Clean Energy is a United Nations observance on January 26 focused on awareness and action around an inclusive transition to clean energy.
• International Day of Clean Energy (United Nations)
• National Spouses Day
• National Peanut Brittle Day
• International Customs Day
• Australia Day
• National Fun at Work Day (last Friday in January)
• National Green Juice Day
• National Preschool Health & Fitness Day
• Indian Republic Day
• Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement
• Lotus 1-2-3 Day
• International Environment Education Day
January 27
January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is a day for remembrance, education and honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
• International Holocaust Remembrance Day (United Nations)
• National Geographic Day
• World Breast Pumping Day
• National Seed Swap Day (last Saturday in January)
• Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day (fourth Saturday in January)
• Auschwitz Liberation Day
• National Chocolate Cake Day
• International Port Wine Day
January 28
The United Nations designated January 28 as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, emphasizing mutual respect, tolerance, dialogue and inclusion.
• International Day of Peaceful Coexistence (United Nations)
• International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day
• National Daisy Day
• Data Privacy Day
• National Kazoo Day
• Rattlesnake Roundup Day
• International Lego Day
• National Blueberry Pancake Day
• Global Community Engagement Day
• National Gift of the Ladybug Day
• National Amy Day
• National Tina Day
January 29
• Freethinkers Day
• National Puzzle Day
• Curmudgeons Day
• National Corn Chip Day
• Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (last Monday in January)
• National Carnation Day
• National Seeing Eye Dog Day
January 30
• National Escape Day
• National Plan for Vacation Day (last Tuesday in January)
• National Draw a Dinosaur Day
• National Inane Answering Message Day
• Yodel for Your Neighbors Day
• School Day of Non-violence and Peace
• National Croissant Day
• Martyr's Day
• National Maxwell Day
January 31
January closes with a wonderfully eclectic mix of observances, including International Zebra Day and National Hot Chocolate Day. A cozy mug of cocoa is a fitting way to send the month off.
• International Zebra Day
• National Hot Chocolate Day
• Eat Brussels Sprouts Day
• Scotch Tape Day
• Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
• National Gorilla Suit Day
• Hell Is Freezing Over Day
• Nauru Independence Day
• Brandy Alexander Day
More Ways to Celebrate January
January may be known for fresh starts, but there are plenty of ways to make the entire month memorable. Celebrate New Year's Day with favorite traditions, lucky foods, family activities or a cozy meal at home. Embrace the winter season with hot chocolate, puzzles, creative projects and simple activities that make chilly days a little brighter.
Animal lovers can learn more about birds, penguins, squirrels and zebras during January's many animal-themed observances. Kids can invent something for Kid Inventors' Day, create artwork for Inspire Your Heart with Art Day or tackle a puzzle together for National Puzzle Day. Food lovers have plenty to enjoy too, from popcorn and peanut butter to chocolate cake and a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
Whether you begin the year with a brand-new tradition or simply find a fun reason to celebrate an ordinary January afternoon, the first month of the year offers 31 days of possibilities.
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