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Seasonal and Holiday Resources for Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Looking for reasons to celebrate? Check out this list of international celebrations and find inspiration for ways to get involved and make a difference in the world.

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Author: Joana | Founder of up2dateskills

Discover the significance of various global issues with this comprehensive list of international days. From World Environment Day to International Women’s Day, learn about the history and meaning behind these important celebrations and find inspiration for ways to get involved and make a difference in the world.

JANUARY

27

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

This day honors the memory of all the people who died as a result of the genocide that occurred during World War II, targeting Jews and other groups.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 Promote tolerance in a multicultural teaching environment  |  Read more >>>

FEBRUARY

11

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Aims to promote gender equality in STEM fields and encourage girls to pursue scientific careers.

MARCH

08

International Women's Day

Celebrates the achievements of women and calls for gender equality worldwide.

17

Saint Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally celebrated with religious feasts and services, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.

Check out these no-prep Saint Patrick’s Day activities:

📌 Writing Paper for St. Patrick’s Day |  Read more >>>

📌 The Luck of the Irish | Trivia Game for St. Patrick’s Day  |  Read more >>>

📌 Speaking Prompt Cards About St. Patrick’s Day  |  Read more >>>

21

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March since declared by the United Nations in 1966.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 Let’s open our world cultural diversity & DNA  |  Read more >>>

APRIL

22

Earth Day

Focuses on environmental awareness and encourages people to take action to protect the planet.

28

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a UN international day that is celebrated every April 28. It is concerned about safe work and awareness of the dimensions and consequences of work-related accidents and diseases; to place occupational safety and health (OSH) on the international and national agendas; and to provide support to the national efforts for the improvement of national OSH systems and programmes in line with relevant international labor standards.

Check out these no-prep Safety at Work activities:

📌 Ensuring a Safe Workplace: Health and Safety Teaching Resources  |  Read more >>>

📌 PPE – Personal Protective Equipment  |  Read more >>>

📌 Safety at work  |  Read more >>>

MAY

01

Labor Day

Labor Day is a public holiday that honors the contributions and achievements of workers and the labor movement, and promotes fair labor practices and better working conditions. The date for Labor Day varies depending on the country. In the United States, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September

Check out these no-prep Labor Day activities:

📌 Ensuring a Safe Workplace: Health and Safety Teaching Resources  |  Read more >>>

📌 PPE – Personal Protective Equipment  |  Read more >>>

📌 Safety at work  |  Read more >>>

09

Europe Day

Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration' that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable.

Check out these no-prep Europe Day activities:

📌 European Union Research Project on the EU Member States  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Union Enlargement Timeline |  Read more >>>

📌 European Union Map with Former and Current Member States  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Union Enlargement Map  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights + European Court on Human Rights  |  Read more >>>

17

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Raises awareness about discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.

JUNE

01

Children's Day

Children's Day is an observance that celebrates the well-being, rights, and accomplishments of children worldwide, and highlights the importance of their health, education, and protection. The date for Children's Day varies depending on the country or region.

20

World Refugee Day

Recognizes the courage and resilience of refugees and calls for support and assistance for those who are forced to flee their homes.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 Let’s open our world cultural diversity & DNA  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights  |  Read more >>>

25

Global Beatles Day

Global Beatles Day, celebrated each year on June 25, honors the Beatles’ cultural impact. The date marks their 1967 worldwide broadcast of “All You Need Is Love” on the BBC’s Our World program.

Check out these no-prep Beatles Day activities:

📌 ESL Classroom Song “Imagine” by John Lennon  |  Read more >>>

JULY

11

World Population Day

Highlights the importance of access to reproductive health care and family planning services.

AUGUST

19

World Humanitarian Day

Honors aid workers who risk their lives to help others in times of crisis.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 IGOs versus NGOs  |  Read more >>>

SEPTEMBER

01

Back To School

Back to School signals the start of a new school year, a fresh chance to learn, grow, and meet new classmates. Dates vary worldwide — late August or early September in North America, August or September in much of Europe, and even April in some Asian countries.

Check out these no-prep Back to School activities:

📌 Greetings and farewells  |  Read more >>>

📌 Speed interviewing  |  Read more >>>

📌 English level test  |  Read more >>>

📌 English Speaking Countries  |  Read more >>>

📌 Cultural diversity & DNA  |  Read more >>>

📌 Classroom objects  |  Read more >>>

📌 All about me  |  Read more >>>

📌 All about you  |  Read more >>>

1st
Mo

Labor Day

Labor Day (also known as International Workers' Day, Labour Day or May Day) is a public holiday that honors the contributions and achievements of workers and the labor movement, and promotes fair labor practices and better working conditions. The date for Labor Day varies depending on the country. In Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, Labor Day is observed on May 1st.

Check out these no-prep Labor Day awareness activities:

📌 Ensuring a Safe Workplace: Health and Safety Teaching Resources  |  Read more >>>

📌 PPE – Personal Protective Equipment  |  Read more >>>

📌 Safety at work  |  Read more >>>

08

International Literacy Day

Focuses on the importance of education and literacy to promote sustainable development and empower individuals.

OCTOBER

1

World Postcard Day

Raises awareness about mental health issues and works to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

10

World Mental Health Day

Raises awareness about mental health issues and works to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 ESL Classroom Song “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper  |  Read more >>>

NOVEMBER

16

International Day of Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance, designated by UNESCO in 1995, is an annual occasion aimed at raising public consciousness regarding the perils associated with intolerance.

Check out these no-prep awareness activities:

📌 Let’s open our world cultural diversity & DNA  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)  |  Read more >>>

📌 ESL Classroom Song “Imagine” by John Lennon  |  Read more >>>

20

Universal Children's Day

Promotes the rights of children and advocates for their well-being and protection. The date for Children's Day varies depending on the country or region.

DECEMBER

05

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5th every year. This day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 as an opportunity to recognize the efforts of volunteers worldwide and to promote volunteerism as a means of promoting peace and development.

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📌 International Volunteer Day: Ideas for the classroom  |  Read more >>>

10

Human Rights Day

Commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and advocates for the protection of human rights worldwide.

Check out these no-prep Human Rights Day activities:

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Overview  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – The Convention  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Extended Vocabulary  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Trivia Game: Know Your Rights  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Quiz  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – Trivia Game: Case Closed  |  Read more >>>

📌 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – Quiz  |  Read more >>>

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