As we’re speeding into the middle of 2024 already, let’s take a look at all the major events and cultural celebrations which are due to take place all over the world!
The whole world will be a hive of activity in 2024 as sports, movies, and music take centre stage in an amazing calendar of festivities and events. Athletes from all around the world will descend on Paris for the Summer Olympics, where they will showcase their physical prowess and compete for victory.
Blockbuster films from both seasoned filmmakers and emerging talent are expected to enthral fans as they debut on silver screens. There will be no shortage of concerts and festivals for music enthusiasts, showcasing a wide variety of genres and performers.
But in addition to big sporting events and musical spectacles, a number of important political, cultural, and major sporting events are on the horizon. If you’re lucky enough to be heading to any of these events, it might be worth considering learning a language!
Let’s have a look here!
World Events in March/April 2024
2 February-16 March, 23 March-27 April: Men’s & Women’s Six Nations
The greatest teams in the northern hemisphere unite to battle for the Six Nations four months after experiencing a variety of heartbreaking experiences during the Rugby World Cup. Grand slam winners Ireland go to Marseille for an exciting opening match, while England, without captain Owen Farrell, departs for Rome the next day. Wales and Scotland play in Cardiff. Following the men’s match, the women begin play, and for England, this means emulating the success of 2023, when they won the grand slam in front of 58,498 fans at Twickenham, a record attendance for a women’s team.
10th March: Portuguese voters choose a new government
Portuguese voters will cast ballots in early elections that were brought on by a scandal involving government corruption. Portugal was taken aback by Prime Minister António Costa’s resignation in early November, and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa promptly dissolved parliament.
May 12th: Mother’s Day (USA)
Mother’s Day is celebrated on a variety of different days, depending on which country you are in. This special day still involves spending time with your mother or thanking her for all she has done throughout the years, but this day is celebrated on the 14th of May this year in the USA.
May 23rd: Vesak/Buddha Day (Buddhism)
Vesak, also known as Buddha day, is an important Buddhist holiday that marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. The date changes every year depending on the lunar cycle, but it is always celebrated in May.
Buddha Day celebrations often include meditation and prayer, as well as many cultural activities such as dancing, art workshops and processions.
World Events in June 2024
Pride Month (Worldwide)
The purpose of Pride Month is to acknowledge the struggles that the LGBT+ community has had to face in order to achieve equal rights, and also celebrate diversity and difference. This has been celebrated for over 50 years now, with the first ever pride parade taking place in 1970.
Now, Pride Month is held in June every year, and there are many different events taking place across the world, many of which include parades or parties.
June 10th: Dragon Boat Festival (China)
The Dragon Boat festival is one of the oldest traditional Chinese festivals and has a history of over 2000 years. The festival traditionally evolved from the practice of revering the river dragon, and involves a variety of ceremonies and activities.
It takes place in June every year, with celebrations including dragon boat races, where they paddle and race their boats and hold handmade dragons above them!
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June 14th: Euro 2024
Wales, Scotland, and England will compete in the month-long Euro 2024 competition, which begins in Germany on June 14.
England, who are among the favourites to win the title in Berlin on July 14, will play Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia in their group. Notable players on the team are Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and captain Harry Kane.
In addition to Hungary and Switzerland, Scotland will play the opening match in Munich against the hosts, Germany.
To be eligible for the tournament, Wales must win two play-off matches.
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June 16th: Father’s Day (Worldwide)
As previously mentioned, Father’s Day is celebrated on numerous dates, depending on which country you are in. This special day still involves spending time with your father or thanking him for all he has done throughout the years, but this day is celebrated on the 18th of June this year in many countries worldwide, including the UK and the USA!
June 19th: Juneteenth (USA)
Juneteenth marks the celebration of black freedom in America. The tradition began as a time to rejoice and mark the end of slavery, but has since evolved into a day that highlights African American culture and achievements.
The holiday is usually celebrated on the same day, June 19th every year, and is usually marked by several community events, street celebrations, picnics and family gatherings.
June 20th: World Refugee Day (Worldwide)
Organised by the United Nations, World Refugee Day is an annual event held on 20th June every year which gives the opportunity to raise awareness of the situations faced by refugees all around the world. Welcoming refugees can play a big role in helping them make a home for themselves in their new country, making this an important cultural event for your calendar this year.
June 21st: Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is celebrated with many different traditions and rituals, including spiritual practices, parties and even fire festivals. Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere takes place in December.
World Events in July 2024
July 1st: Canada Day (Canada)
Canada Day marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867. This act united three colonies into one single country – Canada – within the British Empire. This day has significant meaning to Canadians, as it is celebrated with parades, festivals and family events all across the country!
July 1st: International Joke Day (Worldwide)
International Joke Day is held on the first day of every July, and encourages people to share jokes with one another as a way of bringing people together. This can be done through social media, by sharing this article with your friends today, or simply using it as an excuse to send someone you know a silly WhatsApp message!
July 4th: Independence Day (USA)
Independence Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the Fourth of July every year. This day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and it’s important for Americans as it symbolises their independence from Great Britain.
This day always involves fireworks, parades and family events, and should definitely be marked on your calendar this year!
July 11th: Naadam Festival (Mongolia)
The Naadam Festival in Mongolia is a significant event that takes place on the 11th of July every year. It usually includes three games: archery, horse riding and Mongolian wrestling. Mongolians consider these sports to be very important as they celebrate the history of the country’s nomadic lifestyle and culture. The Naadam Festival is accompanied by lots of music, food, drink and dancing!
July 14th: Bastille Day (France)
Bastille Day is a French holiday which celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a famous prison in France. It was on this day in 1789 that prisoners were freed from the prison and it signalled the start of The French Revolution, marking an important event in their history. Bastille Day is often marked by fireworks, parades, dancing and singing in the streets!
July 16th: Eid al Adha (Islamic)
Eid is an Islamic religious holiday, marking the end of the month of Ramadan. Celebrations for Eid include prayer, gift giving and family time, and both Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr are public holidays in many countries including Egypt, Somalia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
July 26th: Olympic Games
2024 is an Olympic year! Paris’s Seine River will host the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games.
Around 10,500 competitors from 32 different sports will compete in 329 events during Paris 2024, which takes place from July 26 to August 11. Breaking, along with sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing, will make its Olympic debut.
Great Britain hopes to surpass its 64 medal haul from Tokyo 2020, which included 22 gold medals.
Swimming greats Tom Dean, Duncan Scott, and Adam Peaty will look to win many medals, and returning gold medallists Tom Daley, Max Whitlock, Laura Kenny, Sky Brown, and Tom Pidcock may be included in the squad.
World Events in August 2024
August 13th – 16th: Obon (Japanese Buddhist)
Obon is a three day Buddhist festival that takes place every year. It honours the spirits of ancestors and it is believed that during this time, the souls of those who have died will visit their living relatives for a short time.
It is an important part of Japanese culture and is celebrated with Bon Odori, or Bon Festival dance. This dance is often performed in public squares around the world, with participants wearing colourful kimono and dancing to traditional Japanese music.
Obon is accompanied by many street stalls selling delicious festival food, so be sure to try some on this year’s Obon!
August 19th: Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival of brotherly love, which encourages the tying of Rakhi, a thread worn around the wrist or neck by Hindus as a symbol of love.
Women will often tie this thread onto their brothers’ wrist as an act of protection and to signify the brother-sister bond. This festival is celebrated all across India and in Hindu communities worldwide.
August 28th: La Tomatina (Spain)
La Tomatina is a large tomato-throwing festival in Spain. It’s held on the last Wednesday of August every year, and participants throw tomatoes at one another in the streets before cleaning up later in the day with refreshing water.
This festival is highly popular with tourists, so why not go and join in yourself this year? Our Spanish Language Course can help you prepare for your trip!
World Events in September 2024
September 17th: Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (East/South East Asia)
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is a three day festival which is held in East and South East Asia. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar and celebrates the mid-autumn full moon and harvest, accompanied by family gatherings and delicious food!
September 21st: International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace is a United Nations observance and has been celebrated since 1982. It marks the opening for the annual debate of the General Assembly on disarmament and international security, as well as recognising and strengthening the ideals of peace within individuals, communities and societies across the globe.
World Events in October 2024
October 2nd: Rosh Hashana (Jewish)
Rosh Hashana is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days and marks the new year on the Hebrew calendar. This festival has many traditions including special foods, blowing shofar or ram’s horn and special services in synagogues.
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October 3rd: Sharad Navratri (Hinduism)
Sharad Navratri is one of the biggest and most important festivals celebrated in India. It’s also known as Navaratri or ‘nine nights’, beginning near the autumn equinox and culminating nine days later in Dussehra, commemorating the Hindu Goddess Durga defeating demon Mahishasura.
October 10th: World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is a World Health Organisation (WHO) international day, held on 10 October each year. It aims to encourage open discussion of mental health issues and remove the stigma associated with mental illness, whilst also encouraging people to consider how physical health conditions have an impact on our mental wellbeing.
This day also marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place across the world between 10-16 October. If you want to find out more about mental health at work, why not consider some form of business mental health training initiative?
World Events in November 2024
November 1st: Diwali Festival of Lights (Hindu)
Diwali is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains throughout the world. It signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over dark and knowledge over ignorance. At the Festival of Lights, celebrations often include lighting small oil lamps on the floor in front of statues of deities, dancing, eating and sharing gifts with friends and family.
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November 2nd: Day of the Dead/el Día de los Muertos (Mexico)
Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and across the world to remember past friends, family members and all those people who have passed on. This is a time of reflection on their lives and deaths, but it’s also an opportunity to remind ourselves that death isn’t something to be feared – everyone will experience it one day.
In a beautiful festival, the living honour the dead by creating altars or ofrendas, which consist of candles and flowers.
November 5th: Guy Fawkes Night (UK)
Guy Fawkes Night is also known as Bonfire Night and is a night of explosive celebrations held on 5th November, in celebration of the anniversary of the discovery and foiling of a plot to kill King James I.
In the UK, this is one of the most popular holidays, as well as being a night of huge bonfires and fabulous fireworks displays.
November 11th: Remembrance Day (UK/Worldwide)
Remembrance Day is a national holiday in the UK and other countries which were formerly part of the British Empire. It commemorates members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in war and also honours civilians who died during times of conflict.
This commemorative day is usually signified by the wearing of poppies and the observation of two minutes of silence. A special service is held at The Cenotaph monument in London, where the Queen lays a wreath to those who died.
November 28th: Thanksgiving (USA)
Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated on the 24th Thursday of November in the USA (and sometimes some other countries too). It’s a time to be with family, friends and loved ones; eat lots of amazing foods; give thanks for everything you have; and enjoy watching parades around Thanksgiving Day.
World Events December 2024
21st: Winter Solstice (Pagan/Secular)
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and usually occurs on either December 21st (most common) or 22nd (less common). It signals the end of winter and has been celebrated as a holiday for thousands of years.
Different cultures celebrate this event in different ways – some see it as a time to reflect and appreciate the good things we have, others see it as a more mystical or spiritual celebration.
25th: Christmas Day (Christian/Secular)
The day that marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Despite being a Christian celebration, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians around the world as a secular holiday focused on family, friends and exchanging gifts.
26th: Boxing Day (UK/Former British Colonies)
Boxing Day is an annual holiday held on 26th December each year. The name Boxing Day dates back to the 19th Century, when it was common practice for employers to give their servants a gift known as a “Christmas box” on this day, and thus the day became associated with receiving gifts!
31st: New Year’s Eve (Secular)
New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world as a time to mark the end of one year and welcome in a new one. People often gather with friends, loved ones or workmates for celebrations including fireworks, dinner parties, special drinks and/or dancing. It’s also common for people to make resolutions for things they want to achieve or change during the next year.
Need to learn a language fast for a World Event?
If you’re travelling internationally for any global events or business conferences this year, are your language skills up to scratch? While a few people will speak English in most major cities, it’s usually wise to have knowledge of the local language or dialect, especially if you are travelling for business purposes.
Our expert language training services ensure that you are prepared for all the challenges that come with international events, business or meetings. If you need any help planning language training for global events, getting to grips with different cultures or even if you just need a quick cultural briefing before embarking on an international business trip, then check out our language courses today.
