Event Logistics & Operations

Dates to Avoid for Events in 2026

Andrea Doyle photo
Andrea Doyle
Calendar

Photo Credit: envato

Skift Take

Timing can make or break attendance, engagement, and the overall success of a business event. Cultural observances, global elections, and seasonal breaks are dates that should be avoided.

Summarize Story

Select a question above or ask something else

Below is a curated 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 school holidays and religious observances, may vary by region.

Looking further ahead, click here for a list of 2027 dates to avoid.

January

  • 1: New Year’s Day (Global)
  • 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (U.S.)

February

  • 6–22: Winter Olympics, Milan-Cortina, Italy
  • 13–18:  Carnival (Brazil and Latin America) 
  • 16: Presidents' Day (U.S.)
  • 17: Lunar New Year  (Mainly Asian countries)
  • 17–March 19: Ramadan (Islamic observance, varies by region)

March

  • 2–3: Purim (Jewish holiday)
  • 6–15: Winter Paralympics
  • 1–23: Spring Break U.S. and Canada (One week, varies by state and region)
  • 19: Eid al-Fitr (Islamic holiday)
  • 24–28: Spring Break Japan (dates set by schools)
  • 29–April 4: Holy Week (Christian observance)

April

  • 5: Easter Sunday
  • 2–8: Passover (Jewish holiday)
  • School Spring Break (Europe): Typically a two-week break around Easter

May

  • 1: Labour Day/May Day (Observed in many countries)
  • School Summer Break (India): Varies by region - continues into June
  • 25: Memorial Day
  • 26–27: Eid al-Adha (Islamic holiday)

June

  • 11–July 19: FIFA World Cup
  • 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day (U.S.)
  • School Winter Break (South Africa, Australia and New Zealand - continues into July)
  • School Summer Break (U.S. and Canada – varies by state/province, typically June–August)

July

  • 1: Canada Day (Canada)
  • 4: U.S. Independence Day (U.S.)
  • School Winter Break in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile (dates vary)
  • School Summer Break U. S., Canada, China, and South Korea (varies - continues until August)
  • School Summer Break Europe (varies by country - continues until September)

August

  • 25: Bank Holiday (England and Wales)
  • School Summer Break (U.S., Canada, Europe, China, and South Korea - continued from June/July)

September

  • 7: Labor Day (U.S.)
  • 11–13: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish holiday)
  • School Summer Break (Europe)
  • 20–21: Yom Kippur (Jewish holiday)
  • 26–27: Sukkot (Jewish holiday)

October

  • 1–7: National Day/Golden Week (China)
  • 12: Columbus Day (U.S.)
  • 12: Thanksgiving (Canada)
  • 2–4: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Jewish holidays)
  • 24–31: Autumn School Break (Europe - exact dates vary)
  • 31: Halloween

November

  • 3: U.S. Midterm elections
  • 6: Diwali (Hindu festival in India, Nepal, and other South Asian communities)
  • 11: Veterans Day (U.S.)
  • 26: Thanksgiving (U.S.)
  • 27–30: Autumn School Break (U.S.)

December

  • 4–12: Hanukkah (Jewish holiday)
  • 12–January 9:: Summer Break (South Africa)
  • 24: Christmas Eve
  • 25: Christmas Day
  • 26: Boxing Day (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and U.K.)
  • 31: New Year's Eve 
  • School Winter Break (Global): mid-December - early January
  • School Summer Break (Australia and New Zealand): mid-December - late January
  • School Summer Break (South America): December - February