The calendar of dates may be a catalyst to think about collaborations – ecumenical (local and regional) as well as inter-faith, and community based collaborations.
What may we do better together than on our own?
Also, some of the important dates for other religious communities may be a prompt to learn more about their traditions, and to call or write to offer words of support, encouragement and solidarity.
CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2026
Ramadan – from 19th February
24th February Universal Day of Prayer for Students (UDPS)
This is one of the longest established ecumenical events. The WSCF publishes ecumenical services of worship on a theme that relates to the Federation’s theme of study for the year or responds to current events and issues of concern to the world’s students.
MARCH 2026
1 March International Zero Discrimination Day
Celebrated annually as a way to promote equality, inclusion, and peace, ensuring everyone can live a full life with dignity, free from stigma. Itmhighlights the urgent need to abolish discriminatory laws and practices worldwide.
2nd March Purim (Jewish festival, evening)
6th March World Day of Prayer
Various services will be held around Victoria.
8th March International Women’s Day
(Sunday in 2026)
The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 theme has two prominent foci: “Balance the Scales,” emphasizing fair and inclusive justice systems for women and girls, particularly in Australia, with calls for action against systemic discrimination, the broader global campaign highlights giving resources, support, and time to foster women’s empowerment.
The global theme is to “Give to Gain,” promoting collective action and generosity to advance women’s opportunities and equality.
14th March – International Day of Action for Rivers
‘Our rivers, our future’
This is a day dedicated to solidarity – when diverse communities around the world come together with one voice to say that rivers and the rights of communities who depend on them matters.
17th March St Patrick’s Day
19th March International Day against bullying and violence
19th March National Close the Gap Day
NCTGD is usually held on the third Thursday in March.
18th March Eid ul Fitr (end of Ramadan) – date tbc
Thursday 21st March Harmony Day (United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)
21st-29th March Cultural Diversity Week
Cultural Diversity Week 2026 in Victoria, Australia, will be celebrated under the theme “Culture connects us all”, encouraging events, activities, and a digital conversation about shared traditions and fostering belonging, with the major Victorian Multicultural Festival running from March 27-29 at Grazeland. Victorians are invited to host events, share stories online, and attend the festival featuring global cuisine and performances.
March 25th 2026 The installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, at Canterbury Cathedral. She formally assumed her duties following a confirmation of election on January 28, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England.
26th March 2026 Bendigo Interfaith Council Dinner
6.30 pm – 9.30pm
The Lansell Room, All Seasons, 171 McIvor Rd, Strathdale, Bendigo
An opportunity for people of all faiths or none to gather in friendship for good food, good company and much laughter. All food is Halal certified with a vegetarian option available.
The guest speaker this year is Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins. Philip has a long engagement with advocacy on discrimation and climate change, and is a respected leader in interfaith dialogue. His topic is ‘Speaking in Harmony’. Bookings here.
29th March – Palm Sunday
29th March – Palm Sunday event
31st March – Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration recognising trans and gender-diverse experiences and achievements.
APRIL
April 7th (annual) World Health Day
The theme is “Global Action for Universal Health Coverage,” emphasizing the urgent need for equitable health systems that provide care to everyone without financial hardship. The campaign aims to strengthen health systems to ensure access to essential services.
1 April (evening) – 9th April 2026 (to nightfall)
Jewish Pesach/Passover
2 April 2026 – Maundy Thursday
3 April 2026 – Good Friday
Ecumenical Walk for Good Friday
Melbourne City Church in Action (MCCIA)
5 April 2026 – Easter Sunday
21st April 8 hour day
On this day in 1856, stonemasons walked off the job to protest their long working days. They had an ambitious vision: dividing 24 hours into 8 hours work, 8 hours recreation and 8 hours rest. And they would achieve it with no loss of pay. We led the world in the creation of the 8 hour day, despite the odds.
22nd April Earth Day
Monday 13 April 2026 – Tuesday 14th Apr 2025 (sundown)
Yom HaShoah Commemoration (Holocaust Remembrance).
25th April – ANZAC Day
25th April – ANZAC Day Ecumenical Service (St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral)
MAY 2026
May is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness of the reality and devastating impact of domestic and family violence in Australia.
11th May (annual) World Fair Trade Day
Resource for congregations here
10th May 2026 – Mother’s Day
12th May – International Nurses Day
The theme for International Nurses Day (IND) 2026, set by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), is “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.” This theme emphasizes nursing’s crucial role in economic growth, advocating for better investment in the nursing workforce to improve health systems and community outcomes.
How might you celebrate the nurses in your congregation/ community? A thoughtful prayer is here.
Noting also that the first profession of the new Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, was working as a nurse.
12th May 10.30am-3pm
Seminar: What is the Relationship What is the Relationship Between the Christian God & Our Old People/Ancestral Spirits?
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Garry Worete Deverell
In person at 1 St Leonards Ave, St Kilda & online
12th May – World Communications Day
Sunday, 11 May to Saturday, 17 May 2025 (2026 dates tbc)
National Palliative Care Week – the nation’s largest annual discussion about ‘matters of life and death’.
17 – 24 May 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2026 resources here.
(between Ascension and Pentecost). Theme: “one hope” and unity, with resources prepared by Armenian churches.
* Pentecost is a symbolic date for the unity of the Church.
24 May Laudato Si’ anniversary
24-31 May Laudato Si Week
In 2026, the Laudato Si’ Movement calls us to transform shared hope into visible action, lived locally through communities that listen, pray, and act together for the care of our common home.
18-24th May 2026 National Volunteers Week
2026 Theme: Your year to volunteer
The annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers.
Consider sending an online Certificate of Appreciation to your volunteers (template available on this website)
If you are looking for a certificate template to add your logo to, please visit the National Volunteer Week Resources page.
(Note: Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators have a special certificate to acknowledge the efforts of outstanding and well-deserving volunteers in their electorate, state or territory. Why not contact your local politician/s to ask about acknowledging volunteers in your community/church/agency etc).
22nd May International Day for Biological Diversity
See post on VCC website here.
24th May 2026 Day of Pentecost
25th May* Africa Day
(possibly weave in a focus on Africa in worship? Invite a guest speaker to share their experiences? Invite someone from a refugee background?)
[*On 25 May 1963, Africa made history with the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) the precursor to the African Union (AU)]
26th May Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is always commemorated on the same date each year to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations highlighted in the 1997 Bringing Them Home report
27th May Anniversary of 1967 Referendum
27th May – 3rd June Reconciliation Week
Theme: The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.
(Congregations may choose a focus on Reconciliation Week on Sunday June 1st)
28th May World Hunger Day
Some prayer resources here.
31st May 2026 Trinity Sunday
5th June World Environment Day
World Environment day is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. The 2025 theme is “Our Land. Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience“.
8th June Monarch’s birthday (public holiday)
State Youth Games – Churches of Christ
https://www.facebook.com/sygvic
Saturday 14th June. World Wide Knit in Public Day
It takes place each year on the second Saturday of June. It began in 2005 as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
Dr Steve Taylor has conducted interviews with knitters and written them up as ‘Knitting as public theological witness’. Who’d be interested in working on an event where Steve could speak and people can knit away!! Contact vcc@vcc.org.au if you’re interested.
[In 2024 Manningham UC hosted a knitting afternoon to celebrate all things knitting].
15-21 June 2026 World Refugee Week
Theme: “Courage”
Inspired by the Latin word cor (“heart”), this theme celebrates the resilience of people seeking sanctuary and invites the community to embrace courage in daily acts of welcome, connection, and storytelling.
20th June World Refugee Day
22nd June UCA anniversary (inaugurated 1977)
** Keep a lookout for information about 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards (COTA, Victorian Seniors Festival, Victorian State government) in May.
https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/news/nominations-now-open-2025-victorian-senior-year-awards
https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards
https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-senior-year-awards
seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au
Nominee must be Australian citizen 60+ or First Nations 50+.
Nominees will be assessed on their volunteer contribution and achievements since reaching the qualifying age. Nominees are assessed on these criteria: how they make a difference to community well-being through volunteering; their good standing in the community; and how their positive attitude to ageing inspires others. Include at least 2 letters supporting the nomination from colleagues or individuals in the community which are 250-450 words each.
Various categories: premier’s away for Vic Senior of the year; promotion of multiculturalism award (promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local or broader community); healthy and active living award; veteran community award; ageing well award; COTA Vic Senior Achiever Awards
ONLINE nomination – https://forms.office.com/r/iVqcnNHBEQ
Victorian Seniors Card program 1300 797 210
1st July Coming of the Light
Celebrates adoption of Christianity in Torres Strait Island communities in the 19th century
See information and resources here.
5-12 July 2026 NAIDOC Week
Theme “50 Years of Deadly“, marks major milestone. The National NAIDOC Committee has today unveiled its 2026 national theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marking five decades of NAIDOC Week, a week dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
NAIDOC website
Pilgrim Worship Resources website.
12th July 2026 Sea Sunday (Seafarer Sunday)
Can be acknowledged on second Sunday in July, 0r another Sunday to suit the congregation. Prayers and resources here.
19th July 2026 13 year anniversary
“Any asylum seeker who arrives in Australia by boat will have no chance of being settled in Australia as refugees”.
(PM Rudd policy announcement, 19th July 2013)
Thousands of people are still in visa limbo in Australia including some in urgent need of attention still stuck on PNG.
19th July 2026 Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday (Uniting)
To celebrate UCA being a Multicultural Church and to create an opportunity for congregations and faith communities to connect and build relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in their neighbourhoods.
Liturgy here.
27th July – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
4th August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
August 4th-August 10th, 2025
National Homelessness Week
August 6th Hiroshima Day useful links for worship here.
AUGUST 2025
7th August Aged Care Employee Day #ThanksforCaring
Do you know someone working in the aged care sector? Or a loved one in aged care or providing care for older people at home? The concept of Aged Care Employee Day is centred around acknowledging the dedication and compassion demonstrated by the individuals who care for the elderly population. Aged care employees, encompassing everyone from the frontline staff to the behind-the-scenes teams, play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals. The Aged Care Employee Day, celebrated every 7th of August in Australia, is a day dedicated to recognising and appreciating the hard work of these invaluable individuals. These aged care employees, whether they are nurses, personal care workers, cooks, cleaners, volunteers or administrative staff, all contribute significantly to the well-being of the elderly. The day serves as a reminder to everyone that the care and support provided by these individuals are not just professional services, but acts of kindness and compassion that deserve recognition and appreciation. The celebration is a reminder to society about the importance of ageing with dignity, respect and care. It is a day to honour those who make a difference in the lives of the elderly and their families by providing comfort, companionship, and essential care. Aged Care Employee Day 2024 can be a chance to inspire more people to consider a career in aged care. As the day shines a light on the rewarding and meaningful work of aged care employees, it can serve as a powerful recruitment tool for the sector. (See more here) A blessing prayer for carers of the elderly.
9th August
United Nations International Day of World’s Indigenous People
10th August International Prisoners’ Justice Day
Prisoners’ Justice Day is a solidarity movement that takes place annually on August 10 in support of prisoners’ rights and to remember all the people who have died of unnatural deaths while incarcerated. Plenty to think about with Aboriginal deaths in custody, and refugees who have died in detention.
Resources (prayers and information) here.
10-16th August Annual Interfath Awareness Week
Zoom presentations, and compilation of videos from previous years – available here.
12th August 2025
International Youth Day
22nd August The UN International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
In 2019, the United Nations passed a resolution designating August 22 as International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. The resolution passed shortly after the attacks on mosques in New Zealand and churches in Sri Lanka.
A brief overview of violence in the world’s regions is outlined on this website. WCC statement. UN 2023 statement
Many refugees who have made Australia home have escaped acts of violence in their homelands.
23rd August International Day For The Remembrance Of The Slave Trade And Its Abolition. More here.
Slavery Resource with prayers and resources, produced by JIM unit (UCA).
Slavery in Australia including Indigenous Australians and Pacific Islanders (‘black birding’) and modern slavery.
23-27 August 2026 World Water Week
Theme: “Water for People and Progress”
Perhaps congregations might like to include a focus on water on Sunday 24th August?
Some worship resources for ‘water’ can be found here.
31st August – announcement of the Australian Christian Book of the Year.
SEPTEMBER
September: Season of Creation
(1st September to 4th October)
2025 Theme: Peace with Creation
Uniting Church in Australia compilation of resources
Catholic Climate Covenant website – resources
Season of Creation is the annual ecumenical celebration that unites the world’s 2.4 billion Christians in prayer and action for our common home.
(also see Season of Creation website here with the ‘earth’ weeks)
Season of Creation website
Pacific Conference of Churches (includes ecumenical prayer service liturgy
Green Anglican Church resources (including links to many other excellent resources)
Common Grace’s special five-part Season of Creation Bible Study Series exploring Creation and Climate justice.
For the Love of Creation (Canadian resources)
The Queensland Churches Environmental Network has produced a visually stunning ecumenical daily devotional for the Season of Creation which can be accessed here.
Worship resources website.
Catholic Creation Changemakers campaign.
Laudato Si’ Movement
1st September – National Wattle Day
2nd September – recognised as the end of WW2 80 years ago (1945) and the liberation of the last of the Nazi concentration camps. (though fighting continued long after that).
September 3rd St Phoebe Day
St. Phoebe’s feast day, September 3, is in the current Roman Martyrology. Her day’s liturgical status is not of a feast or a memorial but that of a “commemoration.” Her liturgy is celebrated in Eastern Rite and Orthodox Churches.
2nd September 2026 Indigenous Literacy Day
(first Wednesday in September each year)
Purpose: to amplify the importance of reading and learning among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and communities.
5th September UN International Day of Charity
7-13 September 2025
National Child Protection Week (first week of September)
Child Protection Week
For liturgical resources could check out Child Protection Week
Sunday 6th September Fathers Day
A Father’s Day blessing (PC NZ)
Father’s Day resources (Strandz)
A Toolkit for Dads (Focus on the Family)
Father’s Day craft activities (Ministry to Children)
Prayers for Father’s Day & Mother’s Day (Building Faith)
Father’s Day (Pilgrim Worship Resources website)
Wattle Day
10th September World Suicide Prevention Day
Theme: Changing the narrative on suicide
The theme is a reminder that suicide is preventable, not inevitable. It emphasises that there is an alternative to suicide and aims to inspire the belief that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to people that are struggling with suicidal thoughts. (Liturgical resources here)
Thursday 11 September
R U OK? Day
(second Thursday in September)
11-13 September 2026
(Evening of Fri, 11 Sept 2026 – Sun 13 Sept 2026)
Rosh Hashana – the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as king.
15th – 21st September 2026 (dates tbc)
Dementia Action Week
20-26 September (3rd week of September – dates tbc for 2026)
The World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (WWPPI)
Theme: tbc
WWPPI is an annual ecumenical event led by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to encourage prayer and action for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel. Congregations and individuals around the globe who share the hope of justice will unite during the week to take peaceful actions, together, to create a common international public witness.
2025 resources from World Council of Churches here.
Worship resources and more information here.
21st September International Day of Peace
21st September 1886
William Barak delivers a petition to the Victorian Government.
It’s a 67km walk from Coranderrk to Melbourne. Barak did that walk on behalf of his community. Asking to be treated fairer, and bring light to the circumstances which were largely concealed from the general public.
23rd September International Day of Sign Languages.
2024 theme “Sign up for Sign Language Rights.” This day highlights the importance of sign languages in promoting the human rights of deaf people and encourages global participation and awareness.
27th September National Police Remembrance Day
29th September World Day of Migrants and Refugees
OCTOBER 2026
1st October (annual) United Nations International Day of Older Persons. Excellent resource here including a liturgy for a service.
6th October World Quaker Day
World Quaker Day is an annual event to celebrate the diversity of global Quakerism and build connections.
Quakers Australia on Facebook.
Sunday 4th October 2026 World Communion Sunday
(first Sunday in October)
9th October Ageism Awareness Day
10th October World Mental Health Day
11th October
International Day of the Girl Child
This day exists to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face all over the world. And to promote the empowerment of young females everywhere while advocating for the attainment of their basic human rights, like education and bodily autonomy. The 1 billion girls alive today can grow up to change the world if they are simply given access to things like secondary education and healthy living.
11 – 17 October 2026
Anti-Poverty Week
October 14th Anti-Slavery Day
14 October
Third anniversary of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum held on 14 October 2023 in which the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice was rejected.
October 15th Global Handwashing Day
October 15th International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
October 16th World Food day
October 16th International Pronouns Day (3rd Wednesday in October)
October 17th UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
17 October
United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Worship resources and information here.
22 October
On this day in 2018, then PM Scott Morrison and then-Opposition Leader Bill Shorten delivered apologies on behalf of the Australian people to those who were sexually abused as children. The apology followed the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Many churches made their own acknowledgements and apologies.
28th October – World Teachers Day
31st October Reformation Day
Melbourne Prayer Breakfast
(dates tbc – usually held late October each year)
Melbourne Prayer Breakfast
An annual gathering of people from across Melbourne to uphold our city in prayer. The event is unique in its capacity to bring together people from across denominations, age groups, and organisations.
Penny Mulvey, Chair, Melbourne Prayer Breakfast
penny@melbourneprayerbreakfast.com; 0403 063 499.
NOVEMBER 2025
1st November All Saints Day
2nd November All Souls Day
Sunday 3 November
Intentional Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
(2nd November – Melbourne Cup – public holiday)
November 11th Remembrance Day
(13th November World Kindness Day)
(dates tbc – it has been held 23rd November – 1st December)
Social Inclusion Week
Congregations might plan projects, foci and activities as part of Social Inclusion Week in the wider community.
11th-17th November 2024 World Kindness Week
20th November 2022
World Children’s Day
20th November 2024 Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. In a simple service of prayer and reflection, family and friends and supporters will mark the TDOR and remember those who have died.
(Transgender Awareness Week, November 13-19 2025. More here)
20-22nd November 2026 African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF), Federation Square.
22nd November Night of the Witnesses
Night of the Witnesses is an evening of testimony, prayer, song and reflection to honour the witness of modern-day Christian martyrs, and to stand in solidarity with Christians around the world who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. With its origins at Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur Cathedrals in Paris over 15 years ago, Night of the Witnesses is now a regular feature in many cities around the world.
(no details for any events in Victoria)
Wednesday 23rd November
Go Home on Time Day
This is an initiative of the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work, and serves as an accessible way to start conversations about work-life balance and the enormous unpaid contributions staff make to their workplaces. ‘Time Theft‘; ABC report
23rd November World Youth Day (Catholic)
22 November 2026 Reign of Christ/Christ the King
25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – raising awareness of gender-based violence and the need for accelerating action to protect women from physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
25th November to 10th December
16 days of activism against gender based violence
Held annually from Nov 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
Common Grace 16 Days of Prayer series here.
Holding the Light service
(date tbc – held during 16 days of activism – see above)
Wesley Uniting Church, Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Remembering victims and survivors of family domestic violence. Now in its ninth year, the service is invitational and held in a spirit of welcome. While it is held within the Christian tradition, it is open to anyone who might wish to join together and take part in a ritual and is a time for anyone to engage in a period of quiet, lament, and prayer/reflection on the tragic results of violence and in hope for a better future for our communities.
An idea for all congregations: the Red Chair
[Red Chair Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence]
Raise awareness of gender-based violence by placing an empty chair left by women who have lost their lives through violence.
Print out a poster and place it on a single (ideally red) chair before taking a photo of it and sharing it on social media.
Post on your own social media and on VCC.
Respect Victoria said domestic and family violence against women was “absolutely at epidemic proportions. It’s a national emergency, and it has been for many decades – and without work to prevent it happening in the first place, will be for decades to come.” On average, one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner, according to statistics cited by Our Watch, the nation’s leading organisation for the prevention of violence against women and children. One in four women has experienced violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, compared to one in 13 men. One in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, one in 4 has experienced emotional abuse by a partner or former partner since that age, and one in 5 has experienced sexual violence since 15.
Helpful links:
The National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032
Family and Domestic and Sexual Violence – AIHW
Violence against women
29th November UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
29 th November First Sunday of Advent
DECEMBER 2026
1st December World AIDS Day
3rd December UN International Day of People with Disability
6th December St Nicholas Day
6th December William Cooper march
On December 6, 1938, Aboriginal activist and leader William Cooper led a march to the German Consulate in Melbourne to protest the Nazi government’s persecution of Jewish people, particularly in the aftermath of Kristallnacht. This act is significant as it is believed to be the only private protest of its kind in the world and took place at a time when Aboriginal people in Australia were denied basic rights themselves.
10th December UN Human Rights Day
Evening of 4th Dec – 12th Dec
Hanukkah (Judaism)
This festival commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors defeated the occupying mighty Greek armies. To celebrate the ancient miracle of the oil burning a candle for eight nights, Jews celebrating Hanukkah light a candleholder called a menorah for eight nights. The Pillars of Light Festival is held in Federation Square to celebrate Hanukkah (Chanukah)
Note: there will be remembrances held for those who died in the shooting at Bondi Beach
18th December Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992)
Blue Christmas events
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day
31st December New Years Eve/Watch Night
ARCHIVAL
JANUARY 2026
1st January New Years Day
6th January Epiphany season begins
7th January Orthodox Christmas
18th January 2026 World Religion Day
World Religion Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in January every year, and is a reminder of the need for harmony and understanding between religions and faith systems. On this day, communities of different faiths have the opportunity to get together and listen to each other, as well as celebrate the differences and commonalities that the delicate intermingling of culture and religion brings.
19th January 2026
Orthodox Epiphany begins (Feast of Theophany)
In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19th. Epiphany is one of three major Orthodox Christian celebrations, along with Christmas and Easter. In the Orthodox Church, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi (“3 wise men”) which is celebrated on 6 January as Epiphany in the Western Church. The Feast of Theophany concludes the Christmas season.
22nd January 2026
National Day of Mourning (for victims of Bondi attack)
A multifaith vigil will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, 11.15am-12 noon, with prayers for peace, and candle lighting. All welcome.
More information here.
25th January 2026
Aboriginal Sunday (Common Grace)
Day of Mourning (Uniting Church)
An opportunity to reflect on the effects of invasion, colonisation and racism on First Peoples, in the lead up to ‘Australia Day’.
(see the link here for further information and resources)
26th January – Australia Day
Various events around the State.
Pilgrim worship resources website for Australia Day and Day of Mourning/Aboriginal Sunday.
1-7 February 2026
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual United Nations observance that promotes harmony between people of all faiths and beliefs through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Various events around the State.
(email vcc@vcc.org.au if you know of events being planned)
3rd February 2026 – Ballarat Interfaith event for UN Interfaith Harmony Week
11am – 12.30pm beginning with flag raising ceremony for Ballarat Interfaith Network flag, then adjourning to St Peter’s Anglican Church, 1307 Sturt St, Ballarat, where student leaders from 5 local schools will share their views on the relevance of interfaith dialogue and harmony in this day and age. There will also be a shared prayer for peace offered by representatives of many faiths, and a children’s choir from Mt Clear College.
7th February 2026
The 2026 Victorian Mosque Open Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10 am to 4 pm (check on times for local mosques).
8th February – International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking ACRATH (Catholic)
9th February 2026 2-3.30pm
Merri-bek Interfaith Network for World Interfaith Harmony Week
Location: Glenroy Community Hub, 50 Wheatsheaf Rd, Glenroy
Free registration and more information here.
13th February Anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations (PM Kevin Rudd speech here)
17th February – 18th March Ramadan
(note: date may be revised slightly as it’s linked to the moon cycle)
18th February 5.30-7.30pm
Religions for Peace Australia webinar
Topic: Shared sacred flourishing in Australia… Navigating the way forward together
Time:5:30pm to 7:30pm
Details to come for Zoom link
18th February 2026 Ash Wednesday
OTHER ARCHIVED EVENTS here