Skift Meetings has curated a list of dates to keep in mind that may impact event attendance and logistics. While some dates — such as Federal Holidays — are fixed, others, such as religious observances, may vary by region. We offer a mix of global, U.S., and regional observances, but be sure to double-check local calendars before finalizing your event.
See here for a list of dates to avoid in 2026.
January
- 1: New Year’s Day (Global)
- 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (U.S.) – Federal holiday
February
- 6: Chinese New Year (Global, especially East Asia)
- 8: Start of Ramadan* (Islamic observance) – Varies by moon sighting; fasting may affect daytime events.
- 9: Carnival (Latin America/Europe)
- 10: Ash Wednesday (Christian observance) – Primarily relevant for religious communities.
- 15: Presidents’ Day (U.S.) – Federal holiday
March
- 9: Eid al-Fitr* (Islamic observance) – End of Ramadan; varies by region.
- 22–24: Purim (Jewish observance) – Midweek events may see lower attendance in Jewish communities.
- 28: Easter Sunday (Christian observance)
April
- 22: Start of Passover* (Jewish observance)
May
- 2: Orthodox Easter Day – Relevant in Eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East.
- 31: Memorial Day (U.S.) – Long weekend; domestic travel may affect attendance.
June
- 18: Federal Observance of Juneteenth (U.S.)
- 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day (U.S.) – Consider domestic schedules for corporate events.
July
- 4: Independence Day (U.S.) – Many offices closed; summer travel peaks.
- 5: Federal Observance of Independence Day (U.S.)
August
- 2: Summer Bank Holiday (UK/Ireland) – Regional impact; plan local events accordingly.
September
- 6: Labor Day (U.S.) – Long weekend; travel likely.
October
- 11: Columbus Day (U.S.) / Canadian Thanksgiving / Yom Kippur – Multiple observances; check your audience’s region and faith.
November
- 11: Veterans Day (U.S.) – Federal holiday
- 25: Thanksgiving (U.S.)
- 30: St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
December
- 24: Christmas Eve (Global)
- 25: Christmas Day (Global)
- 26: Boxing Day (UK, Canada, Australia)
- 31: New Year’s Eve (Global)