Multicultural Calendar

Learn about and celebrate important dates for different cultural groups in Unama’ki-Cape Breton.

Unama’ki – Cape Breton is home to more than 132 000 residents. Among those, more than 6000 of the Island’s residents were born outside of Canada – in more than 35 countries. Unama’ki – Cape Breton is home to diverse and vibrant communities with many important cultural celebrations.
We’ve created this calendar to help you learn about and celebrate significant cultural dates that are important to Cape Bretoners from around the world. When we learn about and celebrate significant cultural dates that are important to locals born outside of Canada, we are showing all locals that they belong here, and that the Island welcomes all cultures.

We’ve included important dates for the top countries of origin for foreign-born locals in Unama’ki – Cape Breton, including: India, Nigeria, Philippines, Ukraine, Vietnam, Korea, China, United States, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, Iran, Syria and Pakistan. The calendar also includes important dates of major world religions including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh dates.

We researched some of the key dates for these different ethnocultural groups and religions and created this multicultural calendar as a resource for all Unama’ki – Cape Breton residents.

Share this calendar with your friends and co-workers and be part of building a more welcoming and inclusive Unama’ki – Cape Breton for all.

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TU
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FR
SA
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1
Dussehra
All Day
Dussehra is a major Hindu festival in India, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It’s marked by the effigy burning of the demon king Ravana and various cultural performances. On the 10th day of the bright half of the month of Ashvin. , ...
China’s National Day Holiday
All Day
China celebrates the Chinese National Day on October 1st every year. The celebration commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which was established on October 1st, 1949. Presently, China’s National Day is celebrated over a one week period. The 7-day holiday begins from October 1st and runs until the , ...
National Day/Independence Day
All Day
Nigeria’s National Day, also known as Independence Day, is celebrated on October 1 every year. It commemorates Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and is a time for national pride and celebrations across the country. , ...
Mi’kmaq History Month
All Day
A month to promote public awareness of Mi’kmaq culture and traditions to Nova Scotians and beyond. , ...
German Heritage Month
All Day
Germany is one of Canada’s largest cultural communities, this month coincides with the build up to Oktoberfest. It is a time to appreciate German culture and influence in Canada. , ...
Canadian Islamic History Month
All Day
This month aims to celebrate and educate regarding the rich muslim heritage and it’s contributions to Canada. , ...
Latin American Heritage Month
All Day
A time to highlight the many contributions of the Latin American community to Canada’s history. It is also a time to honour our Veterans and learn from comrades and colleagues. , ...
2
Yom Kippur
All Day
Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, observed to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God. 10th day of the month of Tishrei. , ...
Mahatma Gandhi
All Day
Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent Indian leader who played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence through nonviolent civil disobedience. , ...
3
German Unification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit)
All Day
German Unity Day (German: Tag der Deutschen Einheit, pronounced [ˈtaːk deːɐ̯ ˈdɔɪ̯t͡ʃn̩ ˈaɪ̯n̩haɪ̯t] ) is the National Day of Germany, celebrated on October 3 as a public holiday. It commemorates German reunification in 1990 when the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West , ...
4
Feast of St.Francis of Assisi
All Day
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, celebrated on October 4, honors St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. It’s a day for blessing animals and reflecting on his teachings. , ...
5
Chuseok
8:00 am - 12:00 am
Korean Thanksgiving, is a significant three-day harvest festival celebrated in South Korea. It is a time for Koreans to express gratitude to their ancestors for the bountiful harvest and blessings. During Chuseok, families come together to visit ancestral graves, perform traditional rituals, and enjoy various festive f , ...
6
October Liberation Day
All Day
October Liberation Day marks the anniversary of Syria’s participation in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, celebrating the efforts to reclaim territories lost in previous conflicts. , ...
Chuseok
All Day
Korean Thanksgiving, is a significant three-day harvest festival celebrated in South Korea. It is a time for Koreans to express gratitude to their ancestors for the bountiful harvest and blessings. During Chuseok, families come together to visit ancestral graves, perform traditional rituals, and enjoy various festive f , ...
Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival, Reunion Festival)
All Day
Referred to in China as zhongqiujie (中秋节), the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the largest festivals in Mainland China and East Asia. This festival began as a celebration of the moon and has a tradition of deity, but it is also a time to reconnect with family members. Many traditions of the Mid-Autumn festival are center , ...
7
Chuseok
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Korean Thanksgiving, is a significant three-day harvest festival celebrated in South Korea. It is a time for Koreans to express gratitude to their ancestors for the bountiful harvest and blessings. During Chuseok, families come together to visit ancestral graves, perform traditional rituals, and enjoy various festive f , ...
8
9
Hangeul Proclamtation Day
All Day
Hangeul Proclamation Day, also known as Hangeul Day or Hangulnal, is a national holiday celebrated in South Korea on October 9th each year. This day commemorates the proclamation of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, by King Sejong the Great in 1443. Hangeul is considered one of the most efficient and scientific writing sys , ...
Independence of Guayaquil
All Day
Ecuador celebrates the Guayaquil Independence Day, a national holiday, on October 9 to commemorate Ecuador’s liberation from Spanish rule in 1822. Guayaquil, Ecuador’s main city and economic center, goes all out to commemorate Ecuador’s independence day, known as “Independencia de Guayaquil” in the local dialect. Indep , ...
10
Maroons Day
All Day
Suriname’s Maroons Day is celebrated on October 10 as a public holiday. This festival honors the Maroon people’s heritage and contributions to Suriname. This day is largely commemorated in the interior villages as well as in Paramaribo, in locations like the Palmentuin, by descendants of the Maroons — the ‘Loweman’ — w , ...
Mazingira Day
All Day
This is a public holiday in Kenya which has known several names over the years. Now, named Mazingira Day it is a day for Kenyans to participate in environmental conservation activities such as planting trees. , ...
11
12
Our Lady of Aparecida (Children’s Day)
All Day
Our Lady of Aparecida is the patroness of Brazil, and her feast day, October 12, is celebrated as Children’s Day. Children receive gifts and participate in various fun activities. , ...
Indigenous Resistance Day
All Day
Indigenous Resistance Day was originally founded by Esmelia “Chamorro” Argüello, a well-known Nicaraguan indigenous leader and advocate. She was one of the chief leaders of the movement to achieve Indigenous autonomy and civil rights in Nicaragua. After many years of tireless advocacy and hard work, Argüello was succes , ...
Columbus day/”Day of the Race”
All Day
October 12 is remembered because that day Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas and began one of the most important human events in history: the discovery of America as a new territory never before explored. This meant the discovery of new cultures and natural resources, and gave rise to the period of conquest an , ...
13
Shmini Atzeret
6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Shmini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that immediately follows the festival of Sukkot. It’s a day of additional prayers and reflection. , ...
14
Shmini Atzeret
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Shmini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday that immediately follows the festival of Sukkot. It’s a day of additional prayers and reflection. , ...
15
Teacher’s Day
All Day
Observed on October 15 in Brazil, is a day to honor educators for their dedication and contributions to society. Students often express gratitude to their teachers with gifts and appreciation. , ...
16
17
Day of Dignity
All Day
Bolivians gather to commemorate the victims of the 2003 oil revolt in an event called the Day of Dignity, observed on October 17 of every year. In a march that turned deadly for many, indigenous Bolivians protested the shipment of their nation’s oil to the United States. , ...
18
Zambian National Prayer Day
All Day
A public holiday observed annually where National Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, and Reconciliation occur. , ...
19
20
Diwali
All Day
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated with lamps, fireworks, and sweets, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. , ...
Vietnamese Women’s Day
All Day
Vietnamese Women’s Day, observed on October 20, honors the contributions and achievements of women in Vietnamese society. It’s a day when men express their appreciation and affection for the women in their lives with flowers and gifts. , ...
Revolution of 1944
All Day
Revolution Day in Guatemala is celebrated on October 20th. It marks the anniversary of the 1944 revolution, which ended a period of military dictatorship and ushered in a decade of democratic reforms. The day commemorates the efforts of students, teachers, and reformist military officers who worked together to bring ab , ...
21
22
Bhai Duj
All Day
Bhai Duj is a special day for siblings, especially brothers and sisters, to express love and strengthen their bond through rituals and celebrations. On the second day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Kartika (October/November). Falls on the last day of Diwali. , ...
23
24
25
26
27
28
Civil Servants’ Day
All Day
Brazilian civil servants annually have an additional day off, that they can spend with their families. Originally the holiday has a fixed date, that is October 28, however, every year the Government of Brazil takes a decision whether to move this holiday to another date or not. It’s done to organize a longer week , ...
The Ochi Day
All Day
Ochi Day in Greece is celebrated on October 28 to honor the country’s refusal to surrender to Italian forces during World War II. It symbolizes Greek resistance and courage in the face of adversity. The day is marked with parades and ceremonies nationwide. , ...
29
30
31
Shamhna / Halloween
All Day
Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. It is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world an , ...
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This calendar is an initiative of the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) Awareness Working Group.
For more information about the work of the CBLIP, please visit www.capebretonpartnership.com/CBLIP.

Please note, newly submitted items for the calendar may be delayed in being uploaded, however we will attempt to have new submissions added as able.

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Last Modified: June 12, 2024