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.

January 2025

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1
Shogatsu
All Day
Also known as Japanese New Year, this celebration is seen as the most important day in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. It is a tradition to visit a shrine or temple (Hatsumode) during Shogatsu. , ...
New Years Day
All Day
New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1 and marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It’s a time for parties, fireworks, and resolutions to start the year anew. Fun fact: On New Year’s Day in Brazil, which is a national holiday, fishermen in certain coastal regions pay tribute to Iemanjá, , ...
Kwanzaa
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration celebrated in the United States, as well as other countries with populations of African descendants. It is a holiday that celebrates and honors African culture not only in the African-American community but also in the World African community. This holiday is celebrated from December , ...
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, (Hebrew: “Dedication”) Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on , ...
2
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, (Hebrew: “Dedication”) Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on , ...
3
4
5
6
Epiphany
All Day
Epiphany is observed on January 6 and commemorates the visit of the Magi (the Three Wise Men) to the infant Jesus. It is a significant Christian holiday that celebrates the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. , ...
Isra and Miraj
5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Isra and Miraj, also known as Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj, is an Islamic holiday observed in Kuwait. It commemorates the night journey (Isra) and ascension (Miraj) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to the heavens. On this day, Muslims participate in special prayers and reflect on the signific , ...
7
Orthodox Christmas Day
All Day
Orthodox Christmas Day falls on January 7 each year as the Orthodox Church adheres to the Julian calendar to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The modern Gregorian calendar, which introduced adjustments to the calendar year, shifted the celebration of Christmas to December 25. As a result, the two calendars now observe Chr , ...
Isra and Miraj
12:00 am - 5:00 pm
Isra and Miraj, also known as Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj, is an Islamic holiday observed in Kuwait. It commemorates the night journey (Isra) and ascension (Miraj) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to the heavens. On this day, Muslims participate in special prayers and reflect on the signific , ...
8
9
Martyrs’ Day
All Day
Martyrs’ Day is a day celebrated in Panama and is a national day of mourning. It commemorates the January 1964 anti-American riots over the sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone. The riot began when the Panamanian flag was ripped, and students were killed. This day of mourning is observed on January 9th every year, with , ...
10
11
12
13
Lohri
All Day
A popular harvest festival celebrated primarily in the northern regions of India, particularly in Punjab. It usually takes place on January 13 every year and marks the end of winter and the onset of longer days. During Lohri, people gather around bonfires, sing traditional songs, and offer prayers to seek blessings for , ...
14
Orthodox New Year
All Day
The Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year, is celebrated annually on January 14. It corresponds to January 1 in the Julian calendar, which predates the Gregorian calendar. This significant holiday holds special importance for those practicing the Orthodox Christian faith. Traditionally, the day is marked wi , ...
Makar Sankranti
All Day
Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated in India, usually on January 14 or 15. It marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) and signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. The festival is observed with various regional customs and names across India, and i , ...
Birthday of Imam Ali and Father’s Day
All Day
This holiday celebrates the birth of Imam Ali, a revered figure in Shia Islam, and is an occasion to honor fathers, similar to Father’s Day in some cultures. , ...
15
Pongal
8:00 am - 12:00 am
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated mainly in the southern states of India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It usually takes place in mid-January and is a time to give thanks to the Sun God for a successful harvest. The festival is marked by the preparation of a special dish called Pongal, made from freshly ha , ...
16
Pongal
All Day
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated mainly in the southern states of India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It usually takes place in mid-January and is a time to give thanks to the Sun God for a successful harvest. The festival is marked by the preparation of a special dish called Pongal, made from freshly ha , ...
17
Pongal
All Day
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated mainly in the southern states of India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It usually takes place in mid-January and is a time to give thanks to the Sun God for a successful harvest. The festival is marked by the preparation of a special dish called Pongal, made from freshly ha , ...
18
Pongal
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated mainly in the southern states of India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. It usually takes place in mid-January and is a time to give thanks to the Sun God for a successful harvest. The festival is marked by the preparation of a special dish called Pongal, made from freshly ha , ...
19
Timkat
All Day
The annual festival, meant to replicate Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan, takes place on the 19th January (or the 20th in a leap year). Timkat, also written as Timket, literally translates to ‘baptism’. , ...
20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
All Day
A federal holiday in the United States that honors the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday in January and serves as a day of remembrance for his contributions to the civil rights movement and his pursuit of racial equality. , ...
21
22
Ukrainian Unity Day
All Day
Unity Day is a Ukrainian commemoration that honors the signing of the Treaty of Unity on January 22, 1919. This marked the unification of Eastern and Western Ukraine. , ...
Dia del Estado Plurinaciona/Plurinational State Foundation Day
All Day
Bolivians celebrate their multicultural identity with the Plurinational State Foundation Day. Called ‘Dia del Estado Plurinacional’ in Spanish, this national holiday pays tribute to the nation’s new name — also known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia — and the adoption of their new constitution. The government made , ...
23
24
25
Burns Night
All Day
Burns Night, a vibrant celebration in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, honors the Scottish poet Robert Burns through feasting, poetry recitation, and traditional rituals. Poetry recitations, often featuring Burns’ own works, along with lively music and dancing, contribute to the convivial atmosphere. , ...
Tatiana or ‘Tatyana” Day
All Day
Tatyana Day in Ukraine is a cultural holiday celebrated on January 25 (or January 12 in the Julian calendar). It commemorates the endorsement of Ivan Shuvalov’s petition by Empress Elizabeth of Russia in 1755 to establish a university in Moscow. The chosen date coincided with the traditional Russian religious hol , ...
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
Prophet’s Ascension
All Day
Prophet’s Ascension commemorates the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. It’s a night of prayer, reflection, and spiritual significance for Muslims. , ...
28
Vietnamese New Year’s Eve
All Day
Vietnamese New Year’s Eve, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is a cherished family celebration marked by elaborate feasts and the lighting of firecrackers to bid farewell to the old year. Families gather to pay respects to their ancestors, offer incense, and welcome the coming year with hope and optimism. , ...
29
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 , ...
Korean New Year
All Day
In South Korea, Chinese New Year, also known as Seollal, is celebrated as a significant traditional holiday. Families come together to honor their ancestors, share a special meal, and participate in various cultural activities to welcome the new lunar year. , ...
Tết Nguyên Đán
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 , ...
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. , ...
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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