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.

March 2026

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
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. , ...
2
Purim
All Day
Purim, celebrated by the Jewish community in the United Kingdom, commemorates the story of Queen Esther and Mordecai through costumes, festive meals, and charitable giving. This celebration is characterized by acts of charity, as well as the giving of gifts to friends and those in need. , ...
3
Purim
All Day
Purim, celebrated by the Jewish community in the United Kingdom, commemorates the story of Queen Esther and Mordecai through costumes, festive meals, and charitable giving. This celebration is characterized by acts of charity, as well as the giving of gifts to friends and those in need. , ...
Daeboreum
All Day
Daeboreum (대보름 in Hangul) translates to “The Great Moon” or “The Great Full Moon” in English. As the name implies, it is a celebration dedicated to the full moon in Korea. , ...
4
Holi
All Day
Holi is a vibrant Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and other countries with Hindu communities. It usually takes place in March, marking the arrival of spring. Holi is known as the “Festival of Colors” because participants joyfully throw colored powders and water at each other. The festival also inc , ...
5
Mi-Carême
All Day
Mi-Carême, or Mid-Lent, is a mid-Lenten celebration with Acadian roots. It’s a time for costumes, masked balls, and revelry to break up the seriousness of the Lenten season. , ...
6
7
8
International Womens Day
All Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Spurred on by the universal female suffrage movement, IWD origi , ...
Revolution Day
All Day
Revolution Day in Syria commemorates the start of the Syrian Revolution in 1963 when the Ba’ath Party took control of the government. It’s a day for reflecting on the nation’s political history and the struggle for change. , ...
9
Marturdom of Imam Ali
All Day
Imam Ali’s martyrdom is observed with mourning and religious gatherings, particularly by Shia Muslims, to remember his significance in Islam. , ...
National Heroes and Benefactors Day
All Day
Belize observes National Heroes and Benefactors Day, a public holiday honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation. Formerly known as,Baron Bliss Day, the holiday was renamed in 2008 to recognize a wider range of Belizean heroes. , ...
10
Marturdom of Imam Ali
All Day
Imam Ali’s martyrdom is observed with mourning and religious gatherings, particularly by Shia Muslims, to remember his significance in Islam. , ...
11
12
13
14
15
16
Carnival Monday
All Day
Carnival Monday, also known as Rose Monday in some regions, is another day of merrymaking during Carnival. Floats, costumes, and dance performances are at their peak, and revelers take to the streets to enjoy the revelry. , ...
Laylat-al-Qadr
All Day
Laylat-al-Qadr is otherwise known as the Night of Power and is considered to be the Islamic calendar’s Holiest eve. During this night, Angel Jibril revealed the Holy Qur’an’s first verses to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This night falls within Ramadan’s final 10 days, and although the exact date is unidentified, , ...
17
St. Patrick’s Day
All Day
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, honours St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It’s widely recognized for parades, wearing green attire, and celebrating Irish culture. , ...
18
19
Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a major Islamic holiday celebrated at the end of Ramadan. It marks the end of fasting and is a time of feasting and communal prayers. , ...
20
March Equinox
All Day
March Equinox occurs around March 20 or 21 and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a moment when day and night are nearly equal in length, symbolizing the balance in nature. Many cultures celebrate this event as a time of renewal and rebirth. , ...
Oil Nationalization Day
All Day
Oil Nationalization Day is celebrated on March 20. This day marks the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry in 1951, a pivotal moment in Iran’s history. , ...
Nowruz (Iranian New Year)
All Day
Nowruz, which marks the first day of spring, is the most significant and widely celebrated holiday in Iran. It usually falls on March 20 or 21. Iranians prepare for this holiday by cleaning their homes, visiting family and friends, and setting up a haft-seen table with symbolic items. The celebrations last for about tw , ...
Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
12:00 am - 6:00 pm
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is a major Islamic holiday celebrated at the end of Ramadan. It marks the end of fasting and is a time of feasting and communal prayers. , ...
International Francophonie Day
All Day
The date of March 20 was chosen to celebrate the anniversary of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) that was born on March 20, 1970 in Niamey, Niger. This agency marks the first step towards Francophone cooperation, which will become the International Organization of La Francophonie a little later. , ...
21
Mother’s Day
All Day
Mother’s Day in Syria is a day to honor and express gratitude to mothers and maternal figures for their love and sacrifices in raising their children. , ...
22
23
Pakistan National (resolution) Day
All Day
Pakistan Day (Urdu: یوم پاکستان‎, lit. Yaum-e-Pakistan) or Pakistan Resolution Day, also Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan commemorating the Lahore Resolution passed on 23 March 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Rep , ...
24
25
Greek Independence Day
All Day
Greek Independence Day, or the Celebration of Greek Revolution, is celebrated in Greece, Cyprus, and the Greek diaspora annually on March 25. This public holiday honors the Greek Revolution of 1821, and the Feast of the Annunciation. , ...
26
Rama Navami
All Day
Rama Navami is a Hindu festival in India, celebrating Lord Rama’s birth. It occurs in March or April on the ninth day of the Chaitra month. Devotees pray, fast, and reflect on Lord Rama’s virtues from the Ramayana epic. Temples are adorned, and it’s a time of spiritual devotion and reflection. , ...
27
28
29
Palm Sunday
All Day
Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It is named after the palm branches that people waved as he entered the city. , ...
30
31
National Indigenous Languages Day
All Day
National Indigenous Languages Day is observed across Canada each year on March 31 to recognize and celebrate the rich linguistic heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. This day highlights the importance of preserving, revitalizing, and promoting the more than 70 Indigenous languages spoken in Canada. Each , ...
1
Islamic Republic Day
All Day
Islamic Republic Day commemorates the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran on April 1, 1979, following the Iranian Revolution. , ...
April Fools Day
All Day
April Fools Day, observed on April 1, is a day for pranks, jokes, and humorous hoaxes played on friends and family members. , ...
Sikh Heritage Month
All Day
Canada is home to the second-largest Sikh population in the world. This month is meant to honour the significant contributions Sikh Canadians have made to Canada. This includes cultural, economic, political, and social contributions. , ...
First Day of Passover
All Day
First Day of Passover, known as “Pesach,” celebrates Jewish liberation from Egyptian slavery. It occurs on the 15th day of Hebrew month Nisan, around March or April. Jews avoid leavened foods, eat unleavened bread, and engage in rituals to commemorate freedom and renewal. , ...
2
Sizdah Be-dar (Nature Day)
All Day
Sizdah Be-dar, celebrated on the 13th day of Nowruz, is a day when Iranians traditionally spend time outdoors, often in parks or nature spots. It’s a day of picnicking, relaxation, and fun activities. , ...
Maundy Thursday
All Day
Maundy Thursday, observed on the Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples. It’s a day for Christians to reflect on the events leading up to the crucifixion. , ...
3
Good Friday
All Day
A Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is a day of solemn reflection and religious observance. , ...
4
Holy Saturday
All Day
Holy Sunday commemorates the day when Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death, according to the Christian bible , ...
5
Easter Sunday
All Day
Easter Sunday is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March Equinox. , ...
Tomb Sweeping Day
All Day
Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as Qingming Festival, is a Chinese holiday in early April when families visit and clean the graves of their ancestors. , ...

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