Your month ahead – Important upcoming dates for your calendar

18 July – 17 Aug – South Asian Heritage Month

Since 2019, South Asian Heritage Month has celebrated the culture and contributions made by people from this part of the world living in the UK. There are millions of South Asians and their descendants living in this country, with large numbers of people having moved here in the Post War Period and following Indian Independence and Partition in 1947. The theme of this year’s Heritage Month is Free to Be Me and aims to encourage the next generation of children of South Asian descent to ‘feel empowered in their identity and proud of who they are’. Find out more here.

28 – World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day raises public awareness about viral hepatitis, promotes prevention and encourages testing and treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads on the day and urges us to come together to help eliminate hepatitis by 2030. Read more about the background of this day and find out the theme for 2024 when it is announced here. 

July’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural

1 – The Apostles’ Fast begins – Orthodox Christian
3 – Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Christian
5 – Birthday of Guru Hargobind, Sikh
7 – Islamic New Year, Islam
9 – Martyrdom of The Báb, Baha’i
15 – Saint Vladimir the Great Day, Orthodox Christian
17 – Ashura, Islam
21 – Asalha Puja (Dharma Day), Buddhist
22 – Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Christian
23 – Birthday of Guru Har Krishan, Sikh
23 – Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie, Rastafari
24 – Pioneer Day, Mormon Christian
25 – Saint James the Great Day, Christian

Awareness and Events

14 – International Non-Binary People’s Day
18 – Nelson Mandela International Day
18 Jul-17 Aug – South Asian Heritage Month
28 – World Hepatitis Day