January and February are jam packed with some of the most famous festivities around the world. Our last festive word lists blog post did overlap some January and February dates, with Makar Sankrati and Chinese New Year, but missed out a lot of dates too. 20 new word lists have now been added, which cover January and February again, as well as March (which will be covered in another post). The most interesting thing about 2026 festivities is that Chinese New year and Ramadan sync up. This happens only once every 33 years, with the last one happening in 1993 and the next happening in 2057. 2026 is even more special because it is so rare that they are within 24 hours of each other. Both sets of word lists (one for each level, 7 in total for each theme) can be found in the SpellMe Word Lists collection along with 11 other sets, with dates and details below. Ramadan Mubarak, Gong Xi Fa Cai, wishing all of you the best of wishes for whatever you are celebrating!
January
World Braille Day - January 4
This global event honors Louis Braille, the Frenchman who invented the tactile reading and writing system. People with visual impairments and their allies celebrate by promoting Braille literacy and advocating for equal access to information in schools and workplaces.
Word Nerd Day - January 9
Celebrated primarily by language lovers and "logophiles" in English-speaking communities, this quirky day honors the vastness of the lexicon. It is observed by learning obscure words, playing linguistics games, and sharing the etymology of favorite phrases.
MLK Day - January 19
This American federal holiday honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. People across the United States participate in "days of service," marches, and educational programs to promote racial equality and nonviolent social change.
National Handwriting Day - January 23
Established by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, this day encourages people to put pen to paper. It is celebrated by writers and students who send handwritten letters or practice calligraphy to keep the personal art of penmanship alive.
February
Black History Month - February 1 to 28
Observed in the US and Canada (and the UK in October), this month honors the achievements and history of the African Diaspora. It is marked by museum exhibits, community storytelling, and educational events that highlight Black leaders, art, and resilience.
Groundhog Day - February 2
This North American folklore tradition involves a groundhog "predicting" the arrival of spring based on its shadow. Primarily celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and parts of Canada, it is a festive community event featuring morning festivals and winter predictions.
Int. Day of Women and Girls in Science - February 11
This United Nations observance is recognized globally by researchers, students, and academic institutions. It is celebrated with workshops, lectures, and social media campaigns aimed at breaking gender stereotypes and encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM.
St. Valentine’s Day - February 14
Originating as a Christian feast day, this is now a global celebration of romantic and platonic love. People exchange cards, chocolates, and flowers—particularly in Western cultures—to show appreciation for partners and friends.
Lunar New Year - February 17
This is celebrated in China as Chinese New year, but the more general celebration in many Asian countries, like Vietnam, Korea is collectively known as Lunar New Year. Each region has their own specific name for the celebration which marks the start of a new moon. Traditions include family feasts, "red envelopes" with money for children, dragon dances, and setting off fireworks to welcome luck.
Random Acts of Kindness Day - February 17
This secular day of goodwill is celebrated globally by schools, businesses, and individuals. It is observed by performing small, selfless deeds for strangers, such as paying for someone's coffee or leaving a kind note, to foster a sense of community.
Ramadan - February 18 (Begins)
Observed by nearly two billion Muslims worldwide, this is the holiest month in Islam. It is spent fasting from dawn to sunset, participating in nightly prayers (Taraweeh), and focusing on charity, self-discipline, and spiritual reflection.
International Mother Language Day - February 21
First proposed by Bangladesh and recognized by UNESCO, this day celebrates linguistic diversity. People around the world honor their native tongues through poetry readings, cultural performances, and efforts to preserve endangered languages.
Look out for the next set of festivities and associated word lists in a future post.
Image by ChatGPT