Cultural Calendar Dates For January 2025

Happy New Year! January 2025 is off with a bang with a huge array of cultural events and dates. Alongside these, the year is off to a sporting start: From the 1th of January the 2025 Australian Tennis Open kicks off, then, on the 31st, rugby fans rejoice because it's the beginning of the 2025 Six Nations (Rugby Union). Explore more sporting events in 2025. Find out what's happening in January 2025...

Cultural Calendar Dates For January 2025

‍📅 Veganuary | All month long, starts 1 January 2025
👉 A timely campaign inspiring people to try veganism for the month, focusing on a plant-based diet's health, environmental, and ethical benefits. Explore vegan keynote speakers.

📅 Dry January | All month long, starts 1 January 2025
👉 A month-long challenge encouraging people to abstain from alcohol, promoting both mental and physical well-being by taking a break from drinking.

READ MORE: What does it mean to be Sober Curious?

📅 World Introvert Day | 2 January 2025

👉 It's a day focused on valuing the distinct characteristics of introverts. An introvert tends to be reserved and quiet and recharges by spending time alone rather than frequently being in the company of others.

📅 World Braille Day | 4 January 2025

👉 The UN recognises World Braille Day on the anniversary of creator Louis Braille's birth to highlight the value of Braille as a communication tool for fully realising blind and partially sighted people's human rights. Watch the video to see how music legend Stevie Wonder challenges assumptions.

📅 Korean American Day (US) | 13 January 2025

👉 National Korean American Day honours Americans of Korean descent and celebrates the arrival of Korea's first immigrants to the States.. See also PepTalk’s pick of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage speakers.

📅 Blue Monday | 15 January 2025

👉 Originally dreamed up by a travel company, Blue Monday has taken on a life of its own as people mark the third Monday in January as the bleakest day of the year. Why do we keep hearing about it each year? Perhaps because it’s so relatable — it’s estimated that seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, affects around 2 million people in the UK, causing symptoms similar to depression, including low mood, lethargy and loss of interest in hobbies.

📅 International Mentoring Day | 17 January 2025

👉 Since 2017, Mentoring Day has been celebrated during National Mentoring Month, coinciding with the birthday of the legendary boxer and global humanitarian Muhammad Ali. This day encourages a global dialogue on impactful mentoring and draws inspiration from Ali's legacy, particularly his six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving, and spirituality. Explore brilliant mentor speakers to inspire your team.

📅 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US) | 20 January 2025

👉 Celebrate the civil rights activist’s birthday by watching his speeches, learning about others who helped expand voting rights, like Ida B. Wells, or taking a virtual National Civil Rights Museum tour. MLK Day takes place on the third Monday every January.

📅 International Day of Education | 24 January 2025

👉 Recognizing the importance of education in promoting peace and development, the UN advocates for elementary education to be both free and mandatory and requires nations to ensure that higher education is available to everyone. Suggested speakers: June Sarpong, OBE, or Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

📅 Burns Night | 24 January 2025

👉 The date is approaching! Burns Night commemorates the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns on 25 January 1759, and the customary Burns supper is a nighttime event honouring his legacy and contributions.

📅 International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust | 27 January 2025

👉 On this day in 1945, the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army. This international memorial day commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.

📅 International LEGO Day | 28 January 2025
👉On this day in 1958, Danish carpenter Godtfred Kirk Christiansen submitted his patent for the original Lego, paving the way for unlimited hours of creativity, brick by brick. Explore PepTalk’s top speakers on creativity and innovation.

Of course, this is just a selection of dates! If we've missed any key days or events for your HR, Culture, or People team, please let us know on LinkedIn. These dates were correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.

Explore The Rest of 2025

Key cultural calendar dates, weeks and observances for the rest of 2025:

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