Multicultural Calendar

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April Significant Observances

NOTE: The Multicultural Calendars are educational and informational resources only. They are not intended to be, nor should be relied upon as an authority on significant days of observance or to guide accommodation decisions. If you require information and advice about the accommodation of religious, cultural and significant observances, please consult the Ontario Human Rights Commission website.

While all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of these dates, the actual day of observance may vary.

We rely on the expertise of our community and faith groups to assist in making our list as accurate and representative as possible. Please send any feedback, updates or corrections to diversity@durham.ca.

Sikh Heritage Month
In 2013, April was proclaimed Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario. During this month important social, economic and political contributions from Sikh communities to Canada are recognized. April is also a time to celebrate and share the art, heritage and culture from Sikh communities. Learn more about Sikh Heritage Month.
World Autism Day - April 2
This infographic on Autism Spectrum Disorder was developed by the Disabilities Committee of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Division. April 2 is recognized as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations to raise awareness and champion inclusion of individuals who live with autism spectrum disorder and to support ongoing research to find ways to improve wellness and inclusion. Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day.
Ram Navami - April 6
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ramachandra on the holy land of Ayodhya in Treta Yuga. Rama performed various pastimes setting the parameters of culture, heroism, principles, morality, good governance, humility and renunciation. Learn more about Ram Navami.
World Health Day - April 7
Every year on April 7 we recognize World Health Day. This years’ theme is “My health, my right,” to champion the rights of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. Learn more about World Health Day.
National Vimy Ridge Day - April 9
National Vimy Ridge Day is an annual observance held on April 9 to remember Canadians who victoriously fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge, in northern France, during the First World War. Learn more about National Vimy Ridge Day.
International Day of Pink - April 9
The second Wednesday of April is recognized as the International Day of Pink. On April 9, we are encouraged to wear pink in solidarity and allyship with 2SLGBTQI+ communities; to show our commitment to stand up against bullying and to promote acceptance, equity and a barrier-free society. Learn more about International Day of Pink.
Passover or Pesach - April 12 to 20
Passover or Pesach is the most celebrated Jewish holiday of the year. This year, the observance of Passover begins on the evening of April 12. To recognize this holiday, loved ones share a special dinner, known as Seder, which is followed by a reading of the Haggadah describing the release of Jewish people from slavery. This holiday also includes prayer and singing. Learn more about Passover.
Lao New Year - April 13 to 16
Lao New Year is celebrated from April 13 to 16. This holiday is the most important festival in Laos and includes attending monasteries, engaging in chants, participating in ceremonies, wearing traditional clothes, music, dancing and making offerings for good luck in the coming year. Learn more about Lao New Year.
Theravada New Year - April 13
Theravada New Year is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April. The date marks Buddha’s birth, death, enlightenment and the start of the rainy season. Learn more about Theravada New Year.
Vaisakhi - April 14
Vaisakhi takes place on April 14 and marks the start of a new year for Hindu and Sikh communities. This holiday commemorates the spring harvest festival. Celebrations include practicing rituals, wearing traditional clothing, cooking cultural foods, attending community fairs, raising flags, singing and dancing. Learn more about Vaisakhi.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year - April 14
Sinhala and Tamil New Year are observed on April 14. Celebrations include dressing up in cultural wear, meeting loved ones and exchanging gifts. Learn more about Tamil New Year.
National American Sign Language Day - April 15
On April 15, we recognize American Sign Language Day. It is widely used to communicate and is expressed through movements of the hands and face. American Sign Language is the primary language of Deaf communities, hard of hearing and non-verbal individuals. Learn more about National American Sign Language Day.
Good Friday - April 18
Good Friday is observed by members of many Christian denominations. This holy and solemn day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, Good Friday is on April 18 and is recognized by fasting, attending church services, and by engaging in prayer and devotion. Learn more about Good Friday.
Easter - April 20
On April 20, Christians all over the world will celebrate Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Resurrection is a central belief and foundation of the Christian faith making Easter the single most important holy day for Christians of all denominations worldwide. Easter has traditionally been recognized in a number of ways, including religious rituals, vigils and church services. Learn more about Easter.
Chinese Language Day - April 20
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization— UNESCO first created Chinese Language Day in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. April 20 was selected to pay tribute to Cangjie, a figure from ancient China said to have invented Chinese characters. Today, more than a billion people worldwide speak one of the many Chinese dialects. Learn more about Chinese Language Day.
Orthodox Easter - April 20
Today (April 20) is Orthodox Easter. This observance follows the Julian calendar and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Easter is a widely recognized holy day and includes religious rituals, vigils and church services.
International Mother Earth Day - April 22
Annually on April 22, we celebrate International Mother Earth Day. This day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness of the many challenges our environment is facing. This day promotes ways that we can shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. We can also discover new ways of reducing our carbon footprint like carpooling, donating gently used clothing, recycling and composting. Learn more about World Mother Earth Day.
Yom HaShoah - April 23 to 24
Yom HaShoah, or the Remembrance Day of the Holocaust and Heroism, is observed by Jewish communities worldwide starting on the evening of April 23 and ending on the evening of April 24. Commemorations include ceremonies, education programs and testimonials from survivors. Learn more about Yom HaShoah.
American Genocide Remembrance Day - April 24
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24. Also known as Genocide Memorial Day, it is a holiday that is recognized by Armenians around the world to mourn and remember the genocide that happened. It is commemorated yearly to memorialize the casualties of the Armenian Genocide, which occurred between 1915 and 1923. Learn more about Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
National Day of Mourning - April 28
April 28 is recognized as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to honour all who have suffered a workplace death, injury or illness, and to show support to friends, families and colleagues whose lives have been affected by these devastating occurrences. By sharing these stories, we renew our commitment to making workplaces healthy and safe to prevent these fatal accidents from happening again. Learn more about National Day of Mourning.

Sikh Heritage Month

In 2013, April was proclaimed Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario. During this month important social, economic and political contributions from Sikh communities to Canada are recognized. April is also a time to celebrate and share the art, heritage and culture from Sikh communities. Learn more about Sikh Heritage Month.

World Autism Day - April 2

This infographic on Autism Spectrum Disorder was developed by the Disabilities Committee of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Division.

April 2 is recognized as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations to raise awareness and champion inclusion of individuals who live with autism spectrum disorder and to support ongoing research to find ways to improve wellness and inclusion. Learn more about World Autism Awareness Day.

Ram Navami - April 6

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ramachandra on the holy land of Ayodhya in Treta Yuga. Rama performed various pastimes setting the parameters of culture, heroism, principles, morality, good governance, humility and renunciation. Learn more about Ram Navami.

World Health Day - April 7

Every year on April 7 we recognize World Health Day. This years’ theme is “My health, my right,” to champion the rights of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. Learn more about World Health Day.

National Vimy Ridge Day - April 9

National Vimy Ridge Day is an annual observance held on April 9 to remember Canadians who victoriously fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge, in northern France, during the First World War. Learn more about National Vimy Ridge Day.

International Day of Pink - April 9

The second Wednesday of April is recognized as the International Day of Pink. On April 9, we are encouraged to wear pink in solidarity and allyship with 2SLGBTQI+ communities; to show our commitment to stand up against bullying and to promote acceptance, equity and a barrier-free society. Learn more about International Day of Pink.

Passover or Pesach - April 12 to 20

Passover or Pesach is the most celebrated Jewish holiday of the year. This year, the observance of Passover begins on the evening of April 12. To recognize this holiday, loved ones share a special dinner, known as Seder, which is followed by a reading of the Haggadah describing the release of Jewish people from slavery. This holiday also includes prayer and singing. Learn more about Passover.

Lao New Year - April 13 to 16

Lao New Year is celebrated from April 13 to 16. This holiday is the most important festival in Laos and includes attending monasteries, engaging in chants, participating in ceremonies, wearing traditional clothes, music, dancing and making offerings for good luck in the coming year. Learn more about Lao New Year.

Theravada New Year - April 13

Theravada New Year is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April. The date marks Buddha’s birth, death, enlightenment and the start of the rainy season. Learn more about Theravada New Year.

Vaisakhi - April 14

Vaisakhi takes place on April 14 and marks the start of a new year for Hindu and Sikh communities. This holiday commemorates the spring harvest festival. Celebrations include practicing rituals, wearing traditional clothing, cooking cultural foods, attending community fairs, raising flags, singing and dancing. Learn more about Vaisakhi.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year - April 14

Sinhala and Tamil New Year are observed on April 14. Celebrations include dressing up in cultural wear, meeting loved ones and exchanging gifts. Learn more about Tamil New Year.

National American Sign Language Day - April 15

On April 15, we recognize American Sign Language Day. It is widely used to communicate and is expressed through movements of the hands and face. American Sign Language is the primary language of Deaf communities, hard of hearing and non-verbal individuals. Learn more about National American Sign Language Day.

Good Friday - April 18

Good Friday is observed by members of many Christian denominations. This holy and solemn day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, Good Friday is on April 18 and is recognized by fasting, attending church services, and by engaging in prayer and devotion. Learn more about Good Friday.

Easter - April 20

On April 20, Christians all over the world will celebrate Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Resurrection is a central belief and foundation of the Christian faith making Easter the single most important holy day for Christians of all denominations worldwide. Easter has traditionally been recognized in a number of ways, including religious rituals, vigils and church services. Learn more about Easter.

Chinese Language Day - April 20

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization— UNESCO first created Chinese Language Day in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. April 20 was selected to pay tribute to Cangjie, a figure from ancient China said to have invented Chinese characters. Today, more than a billion people worldwide speak one of the many Chinese dialects. Learn more about Chinese Language Day.

Orthodox Easter - April 20

Today (April 20) is Orthodox Easter. This observance follows the Julian calendar and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Easter is a widely recognized holy day and includes religious rituals, vigils and church services.

International Mother Earth Day - April 22

Annually on April 22, we celebrate International Mother Earth Day. This day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness of the many challenges our environment is facing. This day promotes ways that we can shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. We can also discover new ways of reducing our carbon footprint like carpooling, donating gently used clothing, recycling and composting. Learn more about World Mother Earth Day.

Yom HaShoah - April 23 to 24

Yom HaShoah, or the Remembrance Day of the Holocaust and Heroism, is observed by Jewish communities worldwide starting on the evening of April 23 and ending on the evening of April 24. Commemorations include ceremonies, education programs and testimonials from survivors. Learn more about Yom HaShoah.

American Genocide Remembrance Day - April 24

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24. Also known as Genocide Memorial Day, it is a holiday that is recognized by Armenians around the world to mourn and remember the genocide that happened. It is commemorated yearly to memorialize the casualties of the Armenian Genocide, which occurred between 1915 and 1923. Learn more about Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

National Day of Mourning - April 28

April 28 is recognized as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to honour all who have suffered a workplace death, injury or illness, and to show support to friends, families and colleagues whose lives have been affected by these devastating occurrences. By sharing these stories, we renew our commitment to making workplaces healthy and safe to prevent these fatal accidents from happening again. Learn more about National Day of Mourning.