January 2026 is a fresh start — a chance to set the tone for the year with campaigns, cultural observances, and global events. From Veganuary and Dry January to International Mentoring Day, Burns Night, and Holocaust Memorial Day, this month blends wellbeing, history, and creativity.
Sport also kicks off the year in style: the Australian Open begins on 1 January, and the Six Nations (rugby union) kicks off on 31 January. Here’s PepTalk’s guide to the cultural highlights of January 2026.
Cultural Calendar: January 2026
January 2026 – Month-long Observances
- Veganuary | January 2026 A campaign inspiring people to try veganism for the month, highlighting health, environmental, and ethical benefits.
- Dry January | January 2026 A month-long challenge to abstain from alcohol, promoting better mental and physical wellbeing.
- National Mentoring Month (US) | January 2026 Celebrates the power of mentoring, with events throughout the month to inspire guidance and connection.
January 2026 – Key Dates
- World Introvert Day | 2 January 2026 Recognises the strengths and qualities of introverts, with psychological research identifying four distinct types.
- World Braille Day | 4 January 2026 A UN day marking Louis Braille’s birthday, highlighting Braille’s role in human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
- Korean American Day (US) | 13 January 2026 Celebrates the contributions of Korean Americans, marking the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the US.
- International Mentoring Day | 17 January 2026 Part of National Mentoring Month, coinciding with Muhammad Ali’s birthday and celebrating mentoring values.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US) | 19 January 2026 A federal holiday honouring the civil rights leader’s legacy, observed on the third Monday of January.
- Blue Monday | 19 January 2026 Often called “the bleakest day of the year,” linked to seasonal affective disorder and low mood in winter.
- Bodhi Day | 20 January 2026 Celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists, marking Buddha’s enlightenment and discovery of truth.
- International Day of Education | 24 January 2026 A UN day recognising education as a driver of peace, equality, and sustainable development.
- Burns Night (Scotland) | 25 January 2026 A Scottish tradition honouring poet Robert Burns with suppers of haggis, poetry, and song.
- International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust | 27 January 2026 Marks the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz, honouring Holocaust victims worldwide.
- National Storytelling Week (UK) | 27 January – 2 February 2026 Celebrates storytelling as a timeless art that connects cultures and communities.
- International LEGO Day | 28 January 2026 Marks the 1958 patent of the LEGO brick, now used globally to foster creativity and problem-solving.
January 2026 – Sporting Highlights
- Australian Open | 1 – 18 January 2026 The first tennis Grand Slam of the season, played in Melbourne.
- Six Nations (Rugby Union) kicks off | 31 January 2026 Europe’s premier rugby championship begins, with England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales.
If we’ve missed a key date for your HR, Culture, Brand or People team, let us know on LinkedIn — we aim to keep our calendar as inclusive as possible.
Explore the rest of 2026
Check out PepTalk’s full list of cultural calendar dates and awareness events for every month of 2026:
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