Urban Origins
Updated
January 1, 2024
11 min read
2024 is packed with exciting workplace events that foster inclusivity, well-being, and cultural celebration. From New Year's Day to Christmas, each month is filled with opportunities for the workplace to unite, learn, and grow as a community.
Event count: 7
After ringing in the New Year on Jan 1, we commemorate World Braille Day (Jan 4) before welcoming the traditional Hindu harvest festival, Pongal (Jan 15), and Thaipusam (Jan 25), which features elaborate processions and offerings. Coldplay fans in Singapore are in for a treat as the band plays six nights from January 23rd to 31st. January is also the month of Dry January and Veganuary challenges.
January 2024 Highlights:
1: New Year's Day
4: World Braille Day
15-18: Pongal
23-31: Coldplay in Singapore
25: Thaipusam
Entire Month: Dry January
Entire Month: Veganuary
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in January 2024 here.
Event count: 10
Lunar New Year celebrations this year begins from February 10th. Valentine's Day on February 14th adds a touch of romance and coincides with International Book Giving Day which encourages the gift of reading. Signalling the end of the Chinese New Year is the Yuan Xiao Festival or Chap Goh Mei (Feb 24), which also doubles as the Chinese Valentine’s Day.
Compassion and resilience is also a recurring theme with a heartfelt reminder on World Cancer Day (Feb 4) to unite in the fight against cancer. On Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb 17), people come together to spread goodwill through kind acts. In Singapore, Total Defence Day (Feb 15) further reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our nation and its values, and World Day of Social Justice (Feb 20) seeks to raise awareness of social inequality in our community and around the world.
February 2024 Highlights:
4: World Cancer Day
10: Lunar New Year
11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
14: Valentine's Day
14: International Book Giving Day
15: Total Defence Day
17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
20: World Day of Social Justice
21: International Mother Language Day
24: Yuan Xiao Festival / Chap Goh Mei
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in February 2024 here.
Event count: 19
March begins with Employee Appreciation Day (Mar 1), followed by Taylor Swift’s sold out The Eras Tour at the National Stadium from March 2nd to 9th. International Women’s Day (Mar 8) celebrates the achievements and contributions of women globally, fostering recognition and diversity in the workplace.
During the March School Holidays (Mar 9-17) we welcome the Start of Ramadan (Mar 10) where our Muslim colleagues begin their month-long fast. St. Patrick’s Day (Mar 17) brings a touch of Irish spirit, followed by International Day of Happiness (Mar 20). World Down Syndrome Day (Mar 21) aims to promote inclusion, advocate for rights, and celebrate the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.
The pick of sustainability events this month include World Water Day (Mar 22), followed by Earth Hour (Mar 23) at 8:30 pm the next day and International Day of Zero Waste (Mar 30).
In the midst of the vibrant spirit of March, Holi (Mar 25), the Hindu festival of colours, coincides with Holy Week where our Christian friends commemorate Good Friday (Mar 29), ending with Easter (Mar 31).
March 2024 Highlights:
1: Employee Appreciation Day
2-9: Taylor Swift in Singapore
3: World Wildlife Day
8: International Women's Day
8: Eat With Your Family Day (Q1)
9-17: March School Holidays
10: Start of Ramadan
17: St. Patrick's Day
20: International Day of Happiness
21: World Down Syndrome Day
21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21: International Day of Forests
22: World Water Day
23: Earth Hour (8.30pm)
25: Holi
27: World Cheese Day
29: Good Friday
30: International Day of Zero Waste
31: Easter
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in March 2024 here.
Event count: 15
It’s not the right way to start the month without April Fool's Day (Apr 1), which coincidentally happens to be International Fun at Work Day (Apr 1). If you have a fun workplace, you may wish to continue the fun on International Pillow Fight Day (Apr 6) wit!
This month, we observe World Autism Awareness Day (Apr 2) and World Health Day (Apr 7). Hari Raya Puasa (Apr 10) brings a joyous celebration marking the end of Ramadan.
At the workplace, we can come together and share our knowledge on World Creativity and Innovation Day (Apr 21) and World Book Day (23 Apr). We also celebrate our administrative professionals on Administrative Professionals Day (Apr 24).
Lastly, Earth Day (Apr 22) is a reminder of our collective responsibility for environmental protection, inspiring a shared commitment to preserving our planet for future generations.
April 2024 Highlights:
1: April Fool's Day
1: International Fun at Work Day
2: World Autism Awareness Day
6: International Pillow Fight Day
6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
7: World Health Day
10: Hari Raya Puasa
20: Chinese Language Day
21: World Creativity and Innovation Day
22: Earth Day
23: World Book Day
23: English Language Day
24: Administrative Professionals Day
28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Entire Month: Earth Month
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in April 2024 here.
Event count: 18
May kicks off with Labour Day (May 1), honouring workers' contributions and encouraging reflection on labour-related issues. Continuing the theme of gratitude is Mother's Day (May 12) and International Day of Families (May 15).
This is an important month for inclusivity with Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 16) and International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (May 17). Cultural awareness and appreciation takes centre stage with International Museum Day (May 18), International Tea Day (May 21) and Vesak Day (May 22).
With the June School Holidays (May 25 - Jun 23), it's time to recharge and spend more time with your children. Finally, World Nutrition Day (May 28) encourages healthy eating habits among colleagues, underscoring the importance of nutrition for a healthy and productive workforce.
As a bonus, why not enjoy World Laughter Day (May 5) with a laughter-inducing activity like comedy hour.
May 2024 Highlights:
1: Labour Day
2: World Tuna Day
5: World Laughter Day
12: Mother's Day
13: World Cocktail Day
15: International Day of Families
16: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
17: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
18: International Museum Day
20: World Bee Day
21: International Tea Day
22: International Day for Biological Diversity
22: Vesak Day
24: Eat With Your Family Day (Q2)
25 May - 23 June: June School Holidays
28: World Nutrition Day
30: International Day of Potato
31: World No-Tobacco Day
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in May 2024 here.
Event count: 16
We begin June with the Global Day of Parents (Jun 1), followed by Father’s Day (Jun 16). Youth Day (Jun 30) empowers the youth, recognizing their contributions. The key sustainability events are World Environment Day (Jun 5) and World Oceans Day (Jun 8). Health and wellness opportunities prevail with World Blood Donor Day (Jun 14) recognising the importance of blood donation, International Picnic Day (Jun 18) encouraging social gatherings in a relaxed setting while International Yoga Day (Jun 21) promotes well-being through yoga.
Cultural festivals are in abundance with Dragon Boat Festival (Jun 9) and Hari Raya Haji (Jun 25). Throughout the month, we eagerly await the football tournament EURO 2024 (Jun 11 - Jul 11) on our TV screens. June is also Pride Month as we foster inclusivity, acceptance, and unity in the workplace.
June 2024 Highlights:
1: Global Day of Parents
3: World Bicycle Day
5: World Environment Day
7: World Food Safety Day
8: World Oceans Day
10: Dragon Boat Festival
11 Jun - 11 Jul: EURO 2024
14: World Blood Donor Day
16: Father’s Day
17: Hari Raya Haji
18: International Picnic Day
18: Sustainable Gastronomy Day
21: International Yoga Day
23: Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME)Day
30: Youth Day
Entire Month: Pride Month
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in June 2024 here.
Event count: 12
July brings us the highly anticipated Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Jul 26 - Aug 11). Not only do we salute our athletes this month, we also honour the Singapore Armed Forces' dedication to national defence on SAF Day (Jul 01).
We celebrate Singapore's diverse cultural tapestry on Racial Harmony Day (Jul 21). International Day of Friendship (Jul 30) also encourages positive relationships among colleagues, contributing to a harmonious work environment, while World Emoji Day (Jul 17) is genuinely a good opportunity to improve our literacy in emojis as a form of communication.
There's also a reminder to have a treat with World Chocolate Day (Jul 07), and International Self-Care Day (Jul 24) to prioritise well-being, emphasising the significance of self-care for a balanced and healthy workforce. Some humour-related activity is also a good idea on International Joke Day (Jul 1).
This month we commemorate World Hepatitis Day (Jul 28) which allows us to raise awareness about the impact of hepatitis on workforce health, promoting preventive measures. Finally, Plastic Free July reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the environment, fostering a collective commitment to sustainability.
July 2024 Highlights:
1: SAF Day
1: International Joke Day
7: World Chocolate Day
15: World Youth Skills Day
17: World Emoji Day
20: International Chess Day
21: Racial Harmony Day
24: International Self-Care Day
26 July - 11 Aug: Olympics Paris 2024
28: World Hepatitis Day
30: International Day of Friendship
Entire Month: Plastic Free July
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in July 2024 here.
Event count: 7
Singapore's National Day (Aug 09) marks a celebration of our nation's heritage, fostering cultural appreciation and unity as we commemorate our history. We’re also all set for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 (Aug 28 - Sep 08), an extraordinary showcase of athleticism and inclusivity, uniting people across borders with the promise of exceptional sporting achievements.
On World Humanitarian Day (Aug 19), we pay tribute to the dedicated efforts of humanitarian workers, highlighting the importance of compassion and global cooperation in our workplace.
As August comes to a close, the September School Holidays (Aug 31 - Sep 08) is another school term break where the kids are home. On Teachers’ Day (Aug 30), we express gratitude to educators in the office who play a vital role in shaping our professional journeys.
August 2024 Highlights:
9: National Day
12: International Youth Day
19: World Humanitarian Day
28 Aug - 8 Sep: Paralympics Paris 2024
30: Teachers’ Day
30: Eat With Your Family Day (Q3)
31 Aug - 8 Sep: September School Holidays
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in August 2024 here.
Event count: 12
As the Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep 6) approaches, our workplace becomes vibrant with colourful lanterns and delightful mooncakes. Colleagues also come together for the F1 Singapore GP (Sep 22), an exhilarating event that sparks camaraderie and excitement as we witness the thrill of Formula 1 racing.
This month we commemorate a series of meaningful international days, including International Day of Charity (Sep 5), International Literacy Day (Sep 8), World Gratitude Day (Sep 21), International Day of Peace (Sep 21), International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (Sep 29) and World Heart Day (Sep 29).
September 2024 Highlights:
5: International Day of Charity
7: International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8: International Literacy Day
17: Mid-Autumn Festival
20: World Cleanup Day
20-22: F1 Singapore GP
21: World Gratitude Day
21: International Day of Peace
23: International Day of Sign Languages
27: World Tourism Day
29: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
29: World Heart Day
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in September 2024 here.
Event count: 16
Kicking off the month is World Vegetarian Day / Month (Oct 1) and International Coffee Day (Oct 1), followed by World Food Day (Oct 16) where we take a collective stance on food security and the crucial role of nutritious meals for a productive workforce.
World Dyslexia Awareness Day (Oct 8) is a day of inclusivity, raising awareness about dyslexia and promoting understanding among colleagues. While Children’s Day (Oct 4) honours children, let’s also uplift the parents in our workplace and celebrate their roles in bringing up their children.
As the month unfolds, we focus on mental health and eye health on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) and World Sight Day (Oct 10). Global Handwashing Day (Oct 15) instils good hygiene habits, and World Osteoporosis Day (Oct 20) reminds us of the importance of bone health. These events encourage open conversations about well-being and the importance of regular health check-ups in the office.
Towards the end of the month, we celebrate Deepavali / Diwali (Oct 31), a festival of lights, unity, and diversity, which coincides with Halloween (Oct 31). Throughout October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month raise awareness about breast cancer, ADHD, and further highlights the significance of health check-ups and inclusivity.
October 2024 Highlights:
1: World Vegetarian Day
1: International Coffee Day
1: International Music Day
1: International Day of Older Persons
4: Children’s Day
8: World Dyslexia Awareness Day
10: World Mental Health Day
10: World Sight Day
15: Global Handwashing Day
16: World Food Day
20: World Osteoporosis Day
31: Deepavali / Diwali
31: Halloween
Entire Month: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Entire Month: ADHD Awareness Month
Entire Month: Vegetarian Awareness Month
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in October 2024 here.
Event count: 11
The running theme through November is caring and sharing. We begin with Community Care Day (Nov 3), where communities in Singapore celebrate the role of healthcare professionals and caregivers. World Kindness Day (Nov 13) encourages gestures of kindness, and Thanksgiving (Nov 24) is another opportunity to acknowledge the things we're thankful for.
Throughout the month, we observe World Vegan Day / Month (Nov 1) and Movember which raises awareness about men's health issues and emphasizes the importance of supporting men's well-being in the workplace. It's an opportunity to champion the health and wellness of our male colleagues. November also marks December School Holidays (Nov 16 - Dec 31), the longest school break where you can spend more time with the family.
November 2024 Highlights:
1: World Vegan Day
1: Community Care Day
13: World Kindness Day
15: Eat With Your Family Day (Q4)
16 Nov - 31 Dec: December School Holidays
19: World Toilet Day
20: World Children's Day
26: World Sustainable Transport Day
28: Thanksgiving
Entire Month: Movember
Entire Month: World Vegan Month
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in November 2024 here.
Event count: 7
December is largely about awareness and inclusivity, with World AIDS Day (Dec 1), International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3), International Volunteer Day (Dec 5) and Human Rights Day (Dec 10).
We end the year with the festive Christmas (Dec 25) and New Year's Eve (Dec 31) as we look forward to new opportunities, growth, and shared successes in the year ahead.
December 2024 Highlights:
1: World AIDS Day
3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5: International Volunteer Day
10: Human Rights Day
21: World Basketball Day
25: Christmas
31: New Year’s Eve
See the detailed Employee Engagement Guide for what you can do in December 2024 here.
This guide has been updated to reflect activities and events in 2024. It is currently adapted for Singapore. If you are interested to see this at your location, or would like to notify us of any inaccuracies or propose additions, please leave us a note here.