Globe Trottin' Kids

World Health Day
2026-04-07
World Health Day is observed annually on April 7th to raise awareness of global health issues and promote well-being for all.
Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, the day highlights a specific health theme each year, addressing challenges such as mental health, universal healthcare, and disease prevention.
Governments, organizations, and communities around the world mark the occasion with campaigns, educational events, and advocacy efforts to improve public health and access to medical care.

Hana Matsuri, Japan
2026-04-08
Hana Matsuri, or “Flower Festival,” is a Japanese Buddhist celebration held annually on April 8 to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). Temples are decorated with flowers, symbolizing the garden in which Buddha was born.
A key tradition is the kanbutsu-e ceremony, where people pour sweet tea (amacha) over small Buddha statues, reenacting the legend that celestial dragons bathed the newborn Buddha in fragrant rain. The festival includes parades, cultural performances, and prayers, promoting peace, gratitude, and Buddhist teachings.

Orthodox Easter
2026-04-12
The Orthodox church uses the Julian calendar for the calculation of Easter, whereas the Western churches use the Gregorian calendar.
This difference can often mean that Orthodox Easter falls later than Easter observed elsewhere. The earliest date it can fall is 4 April and the latest is 8 May.
Learn more HERE.

Songkran Festival
2026-04-13
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated annually from April 13th to 15th in Thailand.
It is best known for its lively water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck. Families gather to pay respects to elders, visit temples for merit-making, and participate in traditional rituals such as pouring scented water over Buddha statues.
Songkran is a time of joy, renewal, and cultural festivities, attracting locals and tourists who join in the celebrations across the country.
Learn more HERE.

Choul Chnam Thmey, Cambodia
2026-04-14
Choul Chnam Thmey, the Cambodian New Year, is celebrated from April 14th to 16th. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and festive activities.
The holiday is divided into three days: Maha Sangkran (welcoming the new year), Virak Vanabat (honoring elders and doing good deeds), and Virak Loeng Sak (offering blessings for the year ahead).
People visit temples, make offerings, play traditional games, and enjoy water fights, similar to Thailand’s Songkran festival.

Vaisakhi
2026-04-14
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a Sikh and Hindu festival celebrated annually on April 13th or 14th. It marks the Punjabi New Year and commemorates the founding of the Khalsa (the Sikh community) by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
For Sikhs, it is a day of spiritual significance, celebrated with prayers, processions (Nagar Kirtans), and gatherings at gurdwaras (Sikh temples).
In Hinduism, Vaisakhi is linked to the harvest season, especially in Punjab and northern India, where farmers give thanks for their crops. The festival is filled with music, dancing, and community feasts.

World Art Day
2026-04-15
World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15th to honor the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday and promote art’s role in society.
Established by the International Association of Art (IAA) in 2012, the day highlights the importance of creativity, cultural diversity, and the impact of art on education and development. It encourages global participation in artistic activities, exhibitions, and discussions, fostering an appreciation for all forms of visual arts and their ability to bring people together and inspire change.
Children’s Books About Art & Artists
Global Art Teaching Resources & Activities

Haiku Poetry Day
2026-04-17
Haiku Poetry Day is celebrated annually on April 17th to honor the traditional Japanese form of poetry known as haiku.
Haiku consists of three lines, with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, and typically focuses on nature, the seasons, or moments of profound simplicity.
The day encourages the appreciation and creation of haiku, with poets worldwide participating by writing and sharing their own poems. It serves as a celebration of this concise yet powerful literary form, fostering mindfulness, creativity, and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Celebrate World Poetry Day in the Elementary Classroom
Children’s Poetry Books
Poetry Writing Around the World

Seville Fair, Spain
2026-04-21
The Seville Fair (Feria de Abril) is one of Spain’s most famous and vibrant festivals, typically held in April, two weeks after Easter.
Originating in 1847 as a livestock fair, it has evolved into a grand celebration of Andalusian culture, featuring flamenco dancing, bullfights, parades, and colorful processions. The fair is held at a specially constructed fairground in Seville, with hundreds of decorated casetas (private tents) where families and friends gather to eat, drink, and dance. The event is marked by traditional attire, such as flamenco dresses for women and traje corto (short jackets) for men. It’s a lively and joyful celebration of Andalusian music, dance, and heritage.

International Mother Earth Day
2026-04-22
International Mother Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22nd. It is a day to reflect on the importance of our Earth and its life-sustaining ecosystems.

Çocuk Bayrami, Turkey
2026-04-23
Çocuk Bayrami is a Turkish holiday also known as National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
It honors the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and is dedicated to children, symbolizing the importance of the younger generation in the country’s future.

Gathering of Nations
2026-04-24
The Gathering of Nations is one of the largest powwows in North America, bringing together Native American and Indigenous peoples to celebrate their diverse cultures through traditional dance, music, and arts. This annual event, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serves as a vibrant and significant gathering that fosters unity, cultural exchange, and the sharing of traditions among Indigenous communities.

ANZAC Day
2026-04-25
ANZAC Day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives in conflicts and wars. The day is marked by memorial services, dawn vigils, and parades to honor the bravery and contributions of these servicemen and women.

World Penguin Day
2026-04-25
World Penguin Day is a day to celebrate and raise awareness about these fascinating flightless birds and their habitats. The date coincides with the annual northward migration of Adelie penguins, signaling the end of the Antarctic summer and the beginning of the winter migration.

Freedom Day, South Africa
2026-04-27
Freedom Day in South Africa commemorates the first democratic elections held in 1994, which marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a free and equal society.
Explore South Africa.
Mandela Day: 67 Minutes of Service

Koningsdag (King's Day), Netherlands
2026-04-27
Koningsdag, or King’s Day, is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands marking the birth of King Willem-Alexander.
Koningsdag is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt (free market) where secondhand items are sold. It’s also a chance for oranjegekte (orange madness) for the national color, when people dye their hair orange for the celebration.

International Dance Day
2026-04-29
International Dance Day is celebrated every year on April 29th, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810) – the creator of modern ballet. The mission is to celebrate and bring people together with a common language – dance.

International Jazz Day
2026-04-30
In 2011, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization officially designated April 30th as International Jazz Day. People and communities from all over the world come together to celebrate jazz as an art.

Poem in Your Pocket Day
2026-04-30
Poem in Your Pocket Day takes place during National Poetry Month in April.
Celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with you, and sharing it with others throughout the day! #pocketpoem

Lei Day
2026-05-01
Lei Day honors Hawaii’s people and their unique heritage. The common celebration of Lei Day includes giving gifts of leis to others.

Vesak
2026-05-01
Vesak is one of the most important Buddhist festivals. It is also known as Buddha Day, as it celebrates the founder of Buddhism. Observances include prayers, meditation, temple visits, chanting, and acts of kindness such as giving to the needy. Many Buddhists light lanterns and candles to symbolize enlightenment.
The festival is widely celebrated in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Thailand, and other Buddhist-majority countries, emphasizing compassion, peace, and wisdom.

Teacher Appreciation Week
2026-05-04
Teacher Appreciation Week in the U.S. is celebrated during the first full week of May each year. It is a time to express gratitude and recognition for the dedication and hard work of educators. It provides an opportunity for students, parents, and the community to show their appreciation through various gestures, such as cards, gifts, or special activities, honoring the crucial role teachers play in shaping the lives of their students.

Children's Book Week in May
2026-05-04
During Children’s Book Week, bookstores, libraries, and schools participate in various events to celebrate children’s books and the joy of reading.
Learn more at everychildareader.net

Kodomo no Hi
2026-05-05
Kodomo no Hi, also known as Children’s Day, is a Japanese national holiday celebrated on May 5th. It honors the well-being and happiness of children, featuring traditional decorations like Koinobori (carp-shaped streamers) and the display of samurai dolls, symbolizing strength and courage, in households with boys.
LEARN MORE HERE.

Cinco de Mayo
2026-05-05
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo is observed with parades, music, traditional dances, and festive gatherings, particularly in the United States and the Mexican state of Puebla.

Teacher Appreciation Day
2026-05-05
Teacher Appreciation Day, also called National Teacher Day, falls on the Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Thank a teacher!

Día de las Madres, Mexico
2026-05-10
In Mexico, Mother’s Day (Día de las Madres) is celebrated annually on May 10, regardless of the day of the week. It is one of the most important family celebrations, honoring mothers with flowers, gifts, music, and special meals.
Many families start the day with Las Mañanitas, a traditional song for mothers, often sung by mariachi bands. Schools and workplaces may host special events, and families gather for festive meals, typically featuring dishes like tamales, mole, or pozole. The day is marked by deep appreciation and gratitude for mothers.

Mother's Day
2026-05-10
Many countries, including the United States, celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. It is a day to honor and appreciate mothers, grandmothers, and maternal figures for their love and contributions. Families typically celebrate by giving cards, flowers, and gifts, as well as spending quality time together. Many people take their mothers out for brunch or prepare special home-cooked meals.

Limerick Day
2026-05-12
Limerick Day honors the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writer known for his nonsensical prose and poetry.

Celebrate World Poetry Day in the Elementary Classroom
Children’s Poetry Books
Poetry Writing Around the World

World Bee Day
2026-05-20
World Bee Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for biodiversity, agriculture, and food production. The day emphasizes the need to protect bees and their habitats, highlighting their crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and global food security.
