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.

February 2026

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26
Republic Day
All Day
Republic Day is a national holiday in India celebrated on January 26 each year. It commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, marking the country’s transition to becoming a sovereign democratic republic. The day is marked by grand celebrations in the capital city of New Delhi, i , ...
Australia Day
All Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove in New South Wales. In present-day Australia, celebrations aim to reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation , ...
27
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
All Day
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops entered the Auschwitz complex in Poland, freeing the survivors of the network of concentration camps—and finally revealing to the , ...
28
29
30
The Three Holy Hierarchs
All Day
On January 30 the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast Day of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs, Saint Basil the Great, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory the Theologian (Nazianzus) who are the Patron Saints of education and teaching. , ...
31
1
Black History Month
All Day
February is Black History Month in Canada, offering an opportunity to learn more about the important contributions and experience of Black Canadians in shaping Canada’s history. Black Canadians have been part of Canada’s heritage since the 1600s, and continue to actively shape Canada’s culture, identi , ...
Imbolc
All Day
Imbolc is a Pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland. The holiday is celebrated by Wiccans and other practitioners of neopagan or pagan , ...
2
Imbolc
All Day
Imbolc is a Pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. Based on a Celtic tradition, Imbolc was meant to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox in Neolithic Ireland and Scotland. The holiday is celebrated by Wiccans and other practitioners of neopagan or pagan , ...
Pancake Day (La Chandeleur)
All Day
Pancake Day is celebrated on February 2, known as La Chandeleur in Acadian culture. It involves making and enjoying crepes, often with various fillings and toppings, to mark the midpoint of winter. , ...
Imam Mahdi’s Birthday
All Day
Imam Mahdi is a significant figure in Shia Islam, believed to be the savior who will bring justice and righteousness. His birthday is a time for special prayers and reflection. , ...
Virgin de Candelaria/Candlemass
All Day
Celebrated on February 2 every year, this festival is called the “Virgin de Candelaria,” also known as “Candlemass” in Venezuela, a Christian occasion. Events in the town of Merida are the most lively, where locals adorn themselves with masks and brightly colored costumes, and there is plenty of dancing late into the n , ...
3
4
5
Kashmir Day
All Day
Kashmir Day shows support and unity to the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle, and to pay homage to Kashmiri matyrs who lost their lives fighting for freedom. , ...
6
7
8
9
10
11
Revolution Day
All Day
Revolution Day, celebrated on February 11, marks the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 when the Pahlavi monarchy was overthrown. , ...
Kenkoku Kibeb no Hi
All Day
While other countries celebrate Independence Day, Japan has National Foundation Day. Held every February 11, Japan celebrates the Kenkoku Kinen no Hi(建国記念の日) or their foundation day, and the ascension of their first emperor, Emperor Jimmu. This holiday commemorates Japan’s history. , ...
12
13
Carnival Friday
All Day
Carnival Friday kicks off the festive Carnival season in many countries with colorful parades, vibrant costumes, and lively music. It’s a day of excitement and anticipation as people prepare for days of celebration. , ...
14
Carnivial Saturday
All Day
On Carnival Saturday, the energy of the celebrations intensifies with more elaborate parades and parties. Participants and spectators alike immerse themselves in the joyful spirit of Carnival. , ...
Valentines Day
All Day
Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is a day to express love and affection to romantic partners and loved ones through cards, gifts, and gestures of affection. , ...
15
Carnival Sunday
All Day
Carnival Sunday continues the exuberant festivities, often featuring themed parades and street parties. It’s a day for communities to come together in celebration. , ...
Maha Shivaratri
All Day
Maha Shivaratri is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in India and other parts of the world. It usually falls on the 13th night and 14th day of the lunar month of Phalguna (February or March). The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, and is observed with fasting, prayers, , ...
Afghanistan Liberation Day
All Day
Commemorates the withdrawal of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. , ...
16
Presidents Day
All Day
Observed on the third Monday in February, celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two of the most prominent U.S. presidents. It’s a day to honor all past presidents and reflect on their leadership and impact on the nation. , ...
17
Seollal (Korean New Year)
All Day
Seollal (설날) is one of the most important traditional Korean holidays in the Korean culture. This national holiday commemorates the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar. The holiday takes place over several days. It is marked by the gathering of family members, performing Korean rituals, eating traditional foods, pla , ...
Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year)
All Day
Tết Nguyên Đán, also known as Vietnamese New Year, is the most significant and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam. It’s a time for family reunions, traditional customs, and the exchange of lucky money. Vibrant flower markets and festive decorations fill the streets, creating a joyful atmosphere throughout the c , ...
Shrove Tuesday/Karneval
All Day
Carnival, also known as Shrove Tuesday or “Karneval,” is a festive time in Germany marked by parades, costumes, and celebrations before the start of Lent. , ...
Carnival Tuesday
All Day
Known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday in some places, Carnival Tuesday is the climax of Carnival celebrations. It’s a day of excess and indulgence before the start of the solemn Lenten season. , ...
春节 Chūnjié (Chinese New Year)
All Day
Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In Chinese, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival (traditional Chinese: 春節; simplified Chinese: 春节; pinyin: Chūnjié)[2] as the spring season in the lunisolar calendar traditi , ...
18
Carnival End
All Day
The Carnival End marks the conclusion of the Carnival season, often celebrated with parades and events that bid farewell to the extravagant festivities until the following year. , ...
1st day of Ramadan
All Day
Ramadan is a sacred Islamic month observed in Saudi Arabia and around the world through fasting, prayer, and reflection. It commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad and encourages spiritual growth, self-discipline, and empathy for the less fortunate. Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physi , ...
19
Shivaji Jayanti
All Day
An annual festival celebrated in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered Maratha warrior king and the founder of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. It is observed on February 19 or 20, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. The day is marked by various ceremonies, proce , ...
20
21
22
Saudi Arabia Foundation Day
All Day
Sometimes called “Founding Day” this is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia which was created to commemorate the foundation of the first state Diriyah. , ...
23
Clean Monday
All Day
Clean Monday is the first day of Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church, signifying the start of the fasting period leading up to Easter. Families gather for vegetarian meals and engage in church services, preparing for the spiritual journey of Lent. It is a day of renewal and reflection. , ...
Mashramani (Republic Day)
All Day
The festival, usually held on 23 February – Guyanese Republic Day – includes a parade, music, games and cooking and is intended to commemorate the “Birth of the Republic”. , ...
Defender of the Fatherland Day
All Day
Sometimes called “Men’s Day” this day is a holiday with military roots to recognize important contrubutions from Russian troops during WW2. Today, it’s often regarded as an adjacent to international women’s day. , ...
24
25
National Day
All Day
National Day in Kuwait is celebrated on February 25 each year. It commemorates the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1961 and marks the ascension of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the first Emir of Kuwait. , ...
People Power Anniversary
All Day
People Power Anniversary in the Philippines commemorates the peaceful uprising in 1986 that led to the ousting of a dictatorial regime, highlighting the power of collective action and democracy. , ...
Day of Liberation and Innovation
All Day
The Day of Liberation and Innovation is observed annually on February 25 in the Republic of Suriname, the smallest country in South America. On February 25, 1980, the corrupt government in power at the time was overthrown in a military coup led by Sergeant-Major Dési Bouterse and 15 other military sergeants who refused , ...
26
Liberation Day
All Day
Kuwait Liberation Day is celebrated on February 26 each year. It commemorates the day in 1991 when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation during the Gulf War, marking the end of the Iraqi invasion that began in August 1990. , ...
27
28
1
Independece Movement Day
All Day
Independence Movement Day, also known as Samiljeol, is a national holiday celebrated in South Korea on March 1 each year. It commemorates the March 1st Movement in 1919 when Korean citizens held massive demonstrations demanding independence from Japanese colonial rule. The movement, which spread throughout the country, , ...
St. David’s Day
All Day
St. David’s Day, celebrated on March 1, is the national day of Wales, honoring St. David, the patron saint of Wales. It includes parades and cultural festivities. , ...
Irish Heritage Month
All Day
Started in 2022, this month represents an opportunity for learning about the rich contributions of Irish Canadians. In the 17th century, the Irish first came to New France where they faced much poverty and discrimination. Able to later thrive, today nearly 4.6 million Canadians can trace their ancestry to Ireland. , ...

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