Many UK employers are struggling to achieve their Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) goals, often indicating a lack of strategy.
One key aspect to consider is having a 2025 diversity and inclusion calendar to achieve these goals.
In my many years of working as a talent partner with various companies, I've found inclusion calendars to be a powerful tool in building an equitable workplace.
In this article, I will share with you all of the key diversity and inclusion dates and observances throughout 2025, along with actionable tips on how you can leverage these opportunities to create a more inclusive workplace for your employees.
What is a diversity and inclusion calendar?
A diversity and inclusion (D&I) calendar acknowledges days, weeks, and months dedicated to various cultural, religious, and social events. These events reflect the diverse cultures and backgrounds present in the workplace. Important events marked on an inclusion calendar fall under these four categories:
Cultural holidays
These are celebrations that reflect the cultures and traditions of a particular community or culture. (e.g.Diwali, Lunar New Year).
Religious observances
These are holidays or events that hold spiritual significance to people of a certain belief system or faith. (e.g.Ramadan, Hannukah).
Historical events
These are observances dedicated to historic events that have shaped the past and have an impact on society. (e.g., Juneteenth, International Women’s Day).
Awareness and advocacy days
These are specific days set aside to inform and educate employees. It highlights issues like mental health (e.g., World Mental Health Day), LGBTQ+ rights (e.g.Pride Month), etc.
Why do you need a diversity and inclusion calendar?
Now why is this important? For many companies, their diversity efforts revolve around hiring people from various backgrounds. They believe this is the only way to be truly inclusive.
Raising awareness: a diversity and inclusion calendar educates people of different backgrounds who have to share the same space. This helps them to understand and appreciate each other.
Boosting engagement: employers can boost engagement in the workplace by encouraging workers to participate in diverse cultural and social events. These events allow employees to share their cultures, fostering inclusion and building stronger teams.
Promoting inclusion: D&I events and activities bring about a welcoming and supportive workplace where employees feel like they belong.
Employer Branding: showing ongoing dedication and support for building an inclusive workplace helps you attract a diverse talent pool and appeal to a broader customer base.
Diversity and Inclusion calendar 2025
For easy access, you can download the PDF format. Use this inclusion calendar to plan and celebrate your business’ diverse events and activities.
However, before you get into planning, I'd like to add that you don't have to plan an event for every single initiative listed.
The key is to be creative and choose the most relevant and impactful events that resonate with your team and organisation’s values.
A one-size-fits-all approach won't work. It's better to customise the calendar to reflect the specific diversity of your workforce and align with your company's unique goals. If you want to find out more about this, simply chat to one of our HR advisors.
January DEI calendar dates
Daily observances
1st: New Year's Day
4th: World's Braille Day
6th: Epiphany (Catholic) & Guru Gobind Singh's birthday (Sikh)
7th: Christmas (Eastern Orthodox)
8th: Bodhi Day (Buddhism)
14-17thth: Pongal
19th: World Religion Day
26th-27th: Isra and Mi'raj
26th: Lailat al Miraj (Islam)
27th: Holocaust Memorial Day
29th: Lunar New Year
February DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
LGBTQ+ History Month: A month-long event to acknowledge the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and promote equality and diversity in the workplace.
Daily observances
1st: World Hijab Day
2nd: Vasant Panchami (Hindu)
4th: World Cancer Day
5th: Ash Wednesday (Christian)
6th: Time to Talk Day
11th: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
15th: Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
26th: Maha Shivratri (Hindu)
20th: World Day of Social Justice
28th: International Stand up to Bullying Day
28th: Ramadan begins (Islam)
March DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
Women history month: this month is dedicated to honor the contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary society. It is a time to celebrate the achievements, recognise their struggles, and reflect on the progress and ongoing challenges faced by women globally.
Daily observances
1st: International Wheelchair Day
1st: Zero Discrimination Day
4th: Shrove Tuesday (Christian)
5th: Lent begins (Christian)
8th: International Women's Day
13th: Purim (Judaism)
14th: Holi (Hindu)
18th: Orthodox Great Lent begins
18th-24th: British Sign Language Week
21st: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21st: World Down Syndrome Day
26th: Laylat al-Qadr (Islam)
30th: World Bipolar Day
30th: Eid-ul-Fitr (Islam)
31st: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
National Autism Awareness Month: organisations hold events and activities to spread awareness about Autism.
Stress Awareness Month: it aims to educate people about the effects of stress and its impact on mental health.
Daily observances
2nd: World Autism Awareness Day
6th: International Asexuality Day
7th: World Health Day
15th-23rd: Passover (Judaism)
13th: Palm Sunday (Christian)
18th: Good Friday (Christian)
20th: Easter Sunday (Christian)
21st: Easter Monday (Christian)
May DEI calendar dates
Daily observances
4th: International Family Equality Day
5th – 11th : Deaf Awareness Week
14th: National Staff Networks Day
15th: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
17th: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
21st: Cultural Diversity Day
24th: Pansexual Visibility Day
30th: Guru Arjan Martyrdom (Sikh)
June DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
Pride Month: it involves a global celebration of LGBTQ+ rights.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Awareness Month: for families who have experienced the loss of a baby during childbirth, this month is dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges faced by these families.
Daily observances
1st : Global Day of Parents
1th – 3rd: Shavuot (Judaism)
2st – 8th: Volunteers Week
6th – 10th: Eid Al-Adha (Islam)
8th – Race Unity Day
9th – 15th: Carers Week
14th: Eid Al-Ghadir (Islam)
15th: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16th: Neurodiversity Pride Day
15th – 21st: Refugee Week
18th: Autistic Pride Day
23rd: Women in Engineering Day
27th: Muharram – New Year (Islam)
July DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
South Asian Heritage Month: to celebrate, commemorate and educate people for all things South Asian.
Daily observances
14th: International Non-Binary Persons Day
15th: World Youth Skills Day
18th: Nelson Mandela Day
August DEI calendar dates
Daily observances
1st – 7th: World Breastfeeding Week
9th: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
19th: World Humanitarian Day
23rd: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
September DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
World Alzheimer’s Month: this annual campaign in September raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, fights stigma, and supports those affected through educational programs and community events.
Daily observances
5th: International Day of Charity
5th: Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam)
10th: World Suicide Prevention Day
18th: International Equal Pay Day
19th: Youth Mental Health Day
23rd – 27th: International Week of Happiness at Work
21st: UN International Day of Peace
21st: World Alzheimer’s Day
23rd: International Day of Sign Languages
23rd: Bi Visibility Day
29th – 5th Oct: National Inclusion Week
October DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
Black History Month: throughout this month, celebrations are made to honor the contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, with a focus on the UK.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: this month focuses on raising awareness about Down syndrome, promotes acceptance, and highlights the abilities and accomplishments of people with Down syndrome.
World Blindness Awareness Month: a month dedicated to raising awareness about blindness, vision impairment, and the importance of eye health and access to care.
World Menopause Month: this event aims to increase awareness about menopause, its impact on women's health, and the importance of support and education.
Global Diversity Awareness Month: the various ways in which people differ in terms of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability are being celebrated this month.
ADHD Awareness Month: this month is dedicated to raising awareness about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its impact on millions of children and adults worldwide.
Daily observances
1st: International Day of Older Persons
1st: Yom Kippur (Judaism)
2nd: Dussehra (Hindu)
3rd – 4th: Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)
9th – 15th: Baby Loss Awareness Week
10th: World Mental Health Day
10th: World Sight Day
11th: Coming Out Day
16th: International Pronouns Day
18th: World Menopause Day
18th: Pronouns Day
26th: Intersex Awareness Day
November DEI calendar dates
Month-long observances
Men's Health Awareness Month: this is centered on the education of men's health issues and encourages them to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Islamophobia Awareness Month: promotes understanding and tolerance while actively raising awareness about Islamophobia.
Daily observances
1st: National Stress Awareness Day
10th: Remembrance Sunday
14th: World Diabetes Day
16th: International Day for Tolerance
18th: Anti Bullying Week
19th: International Men’s Day
20th: Diwali (Hindu, Sikh, Jain)
20th: Transgender Day of Remembrance
25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
December DEI calendar dates
Daily observances
1st: World AIDS Day
2nd: International Day for the Abolishment of Slavery
3rd: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
10th: Human Rights Day
14th – 22nd: Hanukkah (Judaism)
25th: Christmas Day (Christian)
26th – Boxing Day (Christian)
And if you don't want to have to remember all of these dates, you can simply have the ones you'd like added automatically in software like CharlieHR.
Yasmin is Charlie's Senior & People Talent Partner. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and helps Charlie achieve its goals whilst working on all operational aspects of the company.
