2 April
The day ‘recognises and celebrates the rights of persons with autism’.
The Day aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism and others living with autism face every day. Tickets are on sale for AUStism 2021 events in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. More information...
2 April (month-long fasting)
The holy month of Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad. Throughout this month, Muslims fast during daylight hours, celebrate an evening meal with family and friends, pray fervently and show charity to the poor.
The date varies every year as per the Islamic Calendar. The Australian National Imams Council decides the start and end of Ramadan for Australian Muslims. More information...
Photo: rana ossama/Flickr CC2.0
13 April
Also known as the Water Festival. The festival is celebrated in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
13-14 April
Vaisakhi is the most important occasion in the Sikh calendar. The festival commemorates 1699 – the year that Guru Gobind Singh – the revered Tenth Guru of Sikhs laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth. Sikhs come together on Vaisakhi to strengthen their practice of Sikh ideals and values, including praying and working to achieve prosperity for the whole human race. More information...
Photo: Michael Clark/Wikimedia Commons CC2.0
14 April
This festival celebrates the day of Mahavira’s birth. Jains will gather in temples to hear readings of the teachings of Mahavira. Images of Mahavira are paraded through the streets with much pomp and ceremony.
Photo: Francis Harry Roy S/Wikimedia Commons CC4.0
15 April (to evening of 23 April)
Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.
15 April
Also known as Holy Friday; it is a religious and national holiday in Australia and is held on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his death by crucifixion.
17 April
Also known as Holy Friday; it is a religious and national holiday in Australia and is held on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Photo: Lawrence OP/Flickr CC2.0
27-28 April
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is a day set aside to remember the millions of Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasises respect for human dignity – observed by many people of Jewish and other faiths.
19 April (to 5 May)
‘Midsumma is Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural organisation, bringing together a diverse mix of LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences’.
Due to COVID-19, the festival will return between 19 April and 5 May in 2021. Midsumma Pride March 2021 will be at Fitzroy St, St Kilda on Sunday 23 May 2021. More information...
Photo: Midsumma festival/Wikimedia Commons CC3.0
25 April
‘ANZAC’ stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. More information...
Photo: Adam.J.W.C./Wikimedia Commons CC2.5