Event Logistics & Operations

Dates to Avoid for Events in 2026

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Andrea Doyle
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Timing can make or break attendance, engagement, and the overall success of a business event. Cultural observances, global elections, and seasonal breaks are dates that should be avoided.

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Below is a curated list of dates to keep in mind that may impact event attendance and logistics. While some dates — such as Federal Holidays — are fixed, others, such as school holidays and religious observances, may vary by region.

See here for a list of dates in 2025.

January

  • 1: New Year’s Day (Global)
  • 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (U.S.)

February

  • 6–22: Winter Olympics, Milan-Cortina, Italy
  • 13–18:  Carnival (Brazil and Latin America) 
  • 16: Presidents' Day (U.S.)
  • 17: Lunar New Year  (Mainly Asian countries)
  • 17–March 19: Ramadan (Islamic observance, varies by region) - The start date of Ramadan varies each year based on the lunar calendar. For 2026, Ramadan is expected to start around February 17, however, exact dates depend on moon sightings and can vary by region.

March

  • 2–3: Purim (Jewish holiday)
  • 1–23: Spring Break U.S. and Canada (One week, varies by state and region)
  • 19: Eid al-Fitr (Islamic holiday)
  • 24–28: Spring Break Japan (dates set by schools)
  • 29–4: Holy Week (Christian observance)

April

  • 5: Easter Sunday
  • 2–8: Passover (Jewish holiday)
  • School Spring Break (Europe): Typically a two-week break around Easter

May

  • 1: Labour Day/May Day (Observed in many countries)
  • School Summer Break (India): Varies by region - continues into June
  • 25: Memorial Day
  • 26–27: Eid al-Adha (Islamic holiday)

June

  • 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day (U.S.)
  • School Winter Break (South Africa, Australia and New Zealand - continues into July)
  • School Summer Break (U.S. and Canada – varies by state/province, typically June–August)

July

  • 1: Canada Day (Canada)
  • 4: U.S. Independence Day (U.S.)
  • School Winter Break in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile (dates vary)
  • School Summer Break U. S., Canada, China, and South Korea (varies - continues until August)
  • School Summer Break Europe (varies by country - continues until September)

August

  • 25: Bank Holiday (England and Wales)
  • School Summer Break (U.S., Canada, Europe, China, and South Korea - continued from June/July)

September

  • 7: Labor Day (U.S.)
  • 11–13: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish holiday)
  • School Summer Break (Europe)
  • 20–21: Yom Kippur (Jewish holiday)
  • 26–27: Sukkot (Jewish holiday)

October

  • 1–7: National Day/Golden Week (China)
  • 12: Columbus Day (U.S.)
  • 12: Thanksgiving (Canada)
  • 2–4: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Jewish holidays)
  • 24–31: Autumn School Break (Europe - exact dates vary)
  • 31: Halloween

November

  • 3: U.S. Midterm elections
  • 6: Diwali (Hindu festival in India, Nepal, and other South Asian communities)
  • 11: Veterans Day (U.S.)
  • 26: Thanksgiving (U.S.)
  • 27–30: Autumn School Break (U.S.)

December

  • 4–12: Hanukkah (Jewish holiday)
  • 12–January 9:: Summer Break (South Africa)
  • 24: Christmas Eve
  • 25: Christmas Day
  • 26: Boxing Day (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and U.K.)
  • 31: New Year's Eve 
  • School Winter Break (Global): mid-December - early January
  • School Summer Break (Australia and New Zealand): mid-December - late January
  • School Summer Break (South America): December - February