Sunday, October 1st 2023 — Cultural Events 2024, Multicultural Awareness, Stakeholder Engagement
In Australia, it's crucial to recognise, understand, and appreciate the myriad of cultural, religious, and ethnic celebrations that take place around us. With our rich tapestry of multiculturalism, we are home to an array of traditions that not only shape the identity of individual communities but also contribute to our collective ethos as a nation.
By shedding light on the significance of each event, my hope to foster a deeper understanding and building a foundation of mutual respect. Moreover, recognising and participating, even in small gestures, in the celebrations of our neighbours, colleagues, and friends can pave the way for more inclusive communities.
Each event listed is accompanied by a suggested supportive message, crafted to help those unfamiliar with the celebration extend their warm wishes or show support. While these messages offer a starting point, it's the sincerity and personal touch that truly resonates.
Below are the dates for 2024 (if you're using a phone, please rotate your screen):
| Date | Community/Religion | Event Name | Description | Supportive Message |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26th January | National | Australia Day | Marks the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Sydney Cove. | Happy Australia Day! As we celebrate our shared journey and diverse cultures, we also take a moment to honour the enduring legacy and traditions of Australia's Indigenous peoples. |
| 10th February | Chinese | Lunar New Year | Chinese lunar calendar's new year celebration. | Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity and good health in the year of the Dragon. |
| 10th February | Vietnamese | Tết Nguyên Đán (or Tết, Vietnamese Lunar New Year) | Vietnamese New Year celebrating the arrival of spring and family reunions. | Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Wishing you a prosperous and joyful Tết celebration in the year of the Dragon. |
| 14th February | Western | Valentine's Day | A celebration of love and affection. | Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrating love and kindness with you. |
| 24th February | Chinese | Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Festival) | End of the Chinese New Year celebrations. | Enjoy the lanterns and festivities! Hope your year is filled with brightness. |
| 24th February | Buddhist | Magha Puja Day | Commemoration of Buddha's teachings. | Wishing you peace and reflection on this Magha Puja Day. |
| 9th March - 8th April | Islam | Ramadan | Fasting month, Quran's first revelation to Muhammad. | Wishing you a blessed Ramadan. Let me know if there's any way I can support during your fasting. |
| 17th March | Irish | St. Patrick's Day | Celebrates Saint Patrick and Irish culture. | Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you enjoy the festivities and the luck of the Irish. |
| 24th March | Christian | Palm Sunday | Start of the Holy Week, Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. | Wishing you a peaceful Palm Sunday as you reflect on the Holy Week. |
| 29th March | Christian | Good Friday | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. | Sending thoughts of reflection and gratitude on this Good Friday. |
| 1st April | Western | April Fools' Day | A day for jokes and pranks. | Happy April Fools'! Hope you enjoy some lighthearted fun today. |
| 4th April | Chinese | Qing Ming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) | Honouring ancestors at grave sites. | May your day be filled with warmth, love, and fond memories as you honour your ancestors this Qing Ming Festival. |
| 10th April | Islam | Eid al-Fitr | End of Ramadan celebration. | Eid Mubarak! May this special day bring peace, happiness, and prosperity. |
| 13th April | Sikh | Vaisakhi | Sikh New Year, formation of the Khalsa. | Happy Vaisakhi! Celebrating the rich history and culture of Sikhism with you. |
| 22 April - 30 April | Jewish | Passover | Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. | Happy Passover! Celebrating freedom and new beginnings with you. |
| 25th April | National | ANZAC Day | Commemorates Australians and New Zealanders in wars. | Lest we forget. Honouring all those who served. |
| 12th May | International | Mother's Day | Celebrates motherhood and maternal bonds. | Happy Mother's Day! Celebrating the love, care, and strength of mothers. |
| 10th June | Chinese | Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) | Commemorating the poet Qu Yuan. | Good luck to all the dragon boat racers! Celebrating this day with you in spirit. |
| 17th June | Islam | Eid al-Adha | Festival of Sacrifice. | Eid Mubarak! Celebrating your faith and dedication today. |
| 10th August | Chinese | Chinese Valentine's Day (Qixi Festival) | Legend of two lovers, Zhinü and Niulang. | Hope you find moments of love and joy today, inspired by the legendary lovers. |
| 13th August | Japanese | Obon Festival | Honours the spirits of one's ancestors. | Wishing you a peaceful Obon as you remember and honour your ancestors. |
| 18th August | Chinese | Hungry Ghost Festival | Homage to the spirits. | Sending positive vibes and respect as you honour the spirits today. |
| 19th August | Hindu | Raksha Bandhan | Bond between brothers and sisters. | Happy Raksha Bandhan! Celebrating the special bond of siblings with you today. |
| 1st September | International | Father's Day | Celebrates fatherhood and paternal bonds. | Happy Father's Day! Celebrating the guidance, love, and strength of fathers. |
| 17th September | Chinese | Mid-Autumn Festival | Harvest festival with mooncakes and lanterns. | Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May you enjoy the beauty of the moon and the joy of family. |
| 3rd October - 4th October | Jewish | Rosh Hashanah | Jewish New Year. | Shanah Tovah! Wishing you a sweet and prosperous new year. |
| 3rd October - 12th October | Hindu | Navaratri | Nine-night festival for deity Durga. | Enjoy the nine nights of celebration! Wishing you joy during Navaratri. |
| 6th October | Christian (Roman Catholic and Orthodox) | World Communion Sunday | Christian celebration of oneness. | Wishing you a meaningful World Communion Sunday, celebrating unity in diversity. |
| 9th October – 13th October | Hindu | Durga Puja | Durga's victory over demon Mahishasura. | Happy Durga Puja! Celebrating the goddess's strength and victory with you. |
| 12th October | Jewish | Yom Kippur | Day of Atonement. | Have a meaningful Yom Kippur. Sending thoughts as you reflect and atone today. |
| 31st October | Hindu | Diwali | Festival of Lights. | Happy Diwali! May your life be filled with light and joy. |
| 31st October | Western | Halloween | Festival to remember the dead, fun costumes and treats. | Happy Halloween! Enjoy the costumes, treats, and festivities. |
| 1st November | Christian (Roman Catholic) | All Saints' Day | Honours all the saints. | Remembering and honouring all the saints and their teachings today. |
| 2nd November | Christian (Roman Catholic) | All Souls' Day | Remembrance for all the departed souls. | Sending thoughts and prayers for the departed souls. May they rest in peace. |
| 11th November | Western | Remembrance Day | Honours military veterans. | Lest we forget. Honouring the bravery and sacrifice of veterans. |
| 15th November | Sikh | Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birthday | Birth of the first Sikh Guru. | Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti! Celebrating the teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak with you. |
| 16th November | Thai | Loy Krathong | Floating lantern festival. | Wishing you a beautiful Loy Krathong. May your lantern bring peace and reflection. |
| 21st December | Chinese | Winter Solstice Festival (Dongzhi Festival) | Increase in daylight, warmer days ahead. | Wishing you warmth and joy as the days get longer! |
| 25th December | Christian | Christmas | Birth of Jesus Christ. | Merry Christmas! Wishing you joy, peace, and love on this special day. |
| 25th December - 2nd January 2025 | Jewish | Hanukkah (Chanukah) | Eight-day festival for the Second Temple's rededication. | Happy Hanukkah! May your days be filled with light and miracles. |
| 25th December - 1st January 2025 | African/African-Australian | Kwanzaa | Celebration of African heritage. | Happy Kwanzaa! Celebrating unity, culture, and community with you. |
| Last day of the year | Western | New Year's Eve | Marks the end of the year and start of a new one. | Happy New Year's Eve! Celebrating the memories and looking forward to a new year. |
This list is intended to be non-exhaustive, however if there are any additional events that should be listed, or errors that need to be corrected, please feel free to contact the author.
A PDF version of the calendar is available below: