January Holidays and Observances 2025: Key Dates to Mark Your Calendar

January, the first month of the year, is a time of fresh beginnings, cultural celebrations, and unique observances. From globally recognized holidays like New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day to cultural festivals such as Chinese New Year and Makar Sankranti, January is filled with moments that bring people together to reflect, celebrate, and plan for the year ahead.

In addition to significant holidays, January also features fun and quirky observances like National Popcorn Day, Houseplant Appreciation Day, and Winnie the Pooh Day, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the little things in life. Whether you’re honoring traditions, embracing creativity, or just having fun with unique celebrations, January offers something for everyone.

January 1, Wednesday

• New Year’s Day (Global)
• Global Family Day
• Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Catholic Church)
• Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu continues)
• Polar Bear Swim Day (Canada and US coastal cities)

January 2, Thursday

• Science Fiction Day (Honoring Isaac Asimov’s Birthday)
• National Buffet Day (US)
• Happy Mew Year for Cats Day (Pet observance)
• Swiss Cheese Day
• Tournament of Roses Parade (Pasadena, US – typically January 1 or 2)

January 3, Friday

• Festival of Sleep Day
• J.R.R. Tolkien Day (Commemorating the beloved author)
• Earth at Perihelion (Closest point to the sun in 2025)
• Drinking Straw Day (Celebrating the invention of the modern straw)

January 4, Saturday

• World Braille Day (Raising awareness for visually impaired communities)
• Pop Music Chart Day (Celebrating the first Billboard chart in 1936)
• Trivia Day
• National Spaghetti Day (US)
• Myanmar Independence Day

January 5, Sunday

• Twelfth Night (Christian tradition marking the eve of Epiphany)
• National Bird Day (US and Canada)
• Golden Globes Ceremony (Date may vary, often in early January)

January 6, Monday

• Epiphany (Christian celebration of the Magi’s visit to baby Jesus)
• Armenian Christmas Eve
• National Shortbread Day
• Cuddle Up Day

January 7, Tuesday

• Orthodox Christmas Day (Julian Calendar observance)
• National Bobblehead Day (Fun cultural observance)
• Tempura Day (Celebrating the Japanese culinary delight)

January 8, Wednesday

• Battle of New Orleans Day (Commemorating the 1815 War of 1812 battle)
• Argyle Day (Celebrating the timeless pattern)
• National Bubble Bath Day

January 9, Thursday

• National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (US)
• Play God Day (Encouraging acts of kindness)
• Apricot Day

January 10, Friday

• Houseplant Appreciation Day
• National Bittersweet Chocolate Day (US)
• Save the Eagles Day

January 11, Saturday

• National Milk Day (US, commemorating the first glass bottle delivery in 1878)
• Secret Pal Day
• Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day

January 12, Sunday

• Zanzibar Revolution Day (Tanzania)
• National Marzipan Day
• Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day (Fun observance celebrating bold personalities)

January 13, Monday

• Korean-American Day (US)
• National Sticker Day
• Rubber Ducky Day

January 14, Tuesday

• Makar Sankranti (India – marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn)
• Pongal (Harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, India)
• Organize Your Home Day

January 15, Wednesday

• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Observance (Schools in the US)
• National Bagel Day

January 16, Thursday

• National Nothing Day (Encouraging a day of rest and reflection)
• International Hot and Spicy Food Day

January 17, Friday

• Ben Franklin Day (US, celebrating his birthday)
• National Bootlegger’s Day (Honoring Prohibition-era bootleggers)
• Kid Inventors’ Day

January 18, Saturday

• Winnie the Pooh Day (Celebrating A.A. Milne’s birthday)
• Thesaurus Day

January 19, Sunday

• World Religion Day (Promoting interfaith harmony and understanding)
• National Popcorn Day

January 20, Monday

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US federal holiday)
• National Cheese Lover’s Day

January 21, Tuesday

• Squirrel Appreciation Day
• Hugging Day

January 22, Wednesday

• National Polka Dot Day (Celebrating fun fashion)
• Celebration of Life Day

January 23, Thursday

• Handwriting Day (Encouraging the art of penmanship)
• National Pie Day

January 24, Friday

• National Compliment Day
• Peanut Butter Day

January 25, Saturday

• Burns Night (Scotland – celebrating poet Robert Burns)
• Revolution Day (Egypt)

January 26, Sunday

• Australia Day (Australia’s national day)
• Republic Day (India, celebrating the adoption of the Constitution)

January 27, Monday

• International Holocaust Remembrance Day
• Chocolate Cake Day

January 28, Tuesday

• Data Privacy Day (Raising awareness about data protection)
• Blueberry Pancake Day

January 29, Wednesday

• Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake in 2025)
• Seollal (South Korean Lunar New Year celebration)

January 30, Thursday

• School Day of Non-Violence and Peace

January 31, Friday

• Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
• Backward Day