HR Calendar 2026

As we move toward a brand new year, HR professionals everywhere are preparing for another round of initiatives and celebrations designed to strengthen team bonds, elevate morale, and drive employee engagement. Whether it's Mental Health Awareness Month or National Working Parents Day, there's always an opportunity for meaningful connection or a reason to celebrate!

We've created a comprehensive HR calendar 2026 to simplify things for you and your HR team. It includes all the essential dates, holidays, special occasions, and important details on annual payroll and tax compliance that you need to keep track of. But that's not all, we've also compiled a list of employee engagement ideas throughout the year to maintain high spirits and energy from January through December.

Download your HR Calendar 2026 now!

January

Starting our HR calendar 2026, January represents the month of fresh starts and the ideal time to establish momentum for the new year. Launch the year with your team by reinforcing your company's mission statement and core values. Consider implementing a company-wide vision board exercise to align everyone and communicate annual and quarterly objectives clearly.

January also welcomes new hires joining your organization, and delivering an excellent onboarding experience is essential for improving employee engagement and retention. Download our free employee onboarding checklist and new-hire training plan template to ensure a seamless onboarding journey for your new team members. If you're seeking engaging onboarding activities, explore our 15 onboarding activities to welcome new hires for ideas!

Key Dates and Holidays

• New Year's Day - 1 January 2026
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 20 January 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Clean Off Your Desk Day - 13 January 2026
• Bagel Day - 15 January 2026
• Compliment Day - 24 January 2026
• Data Privacy Day - 28 January 2026

February

Chinese New Year is approaching! Transform your workplace with festive decorations; it not only adds a celebratory atmosphere but also makes employees feel valued, boosting their spirits. Additionally, consider spreading some love on Valentine's Day by filling the pantry with chocolates for a delightful treat.

Don't forget to mark Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17 February 2026 by encouraging team members to recognize someone who performed a random act of kindness during the work week. Let's maintain the positive energy throughout the year!

Key Dates and Holidays

• Thaipusam - 1 February 2026
• President’s Day - 16 February 2026
• Chinese New Year - 17 & 18 February 2026
• Ramadan - 19 February 2026*
• National Day of Brunei Darussalam - 23 February 2026

*Subject to moon sighting

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Valentine's Day - 14 February 2026
• Random Acts of Kindness Day - 17 February 2026

March

As we reach the end of the first quarter, March is not only an excellent time to assess your current processes and initiatives but also presents an opportunity to celebrate small victories on Employee Appreciation Day that falls on 7 March 2026. Recognizing these achievements is an effective way to enhance employee morale and overall engagement.

March is also the ideal time to prepare for the approaching mid-year performance review. Omni's total performance review kit is the perfect resource to begin the process and elevate your team's performance to greater heights!

Additionally, March is designated as Women's History Month. Keep these important days and events in mind when developing your HR calendar 2026.

Read next: 12 Employee Recognition Examples to Keep Your Team Engaged All Year

Key Dates and Holidays

• International Women's Day - 8 March 2026
• St. Patrick's Day - 17 March 2026
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri - 21 & 22 March 2026*

*Subject to moon sighting

Performance Review Preparation

Start planning for mid-year reviews.

Learn more: Guide to Employee Performance Reviews: Best Practices and Examples

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Women's History Month
• Employee Appreciation Day - 6 March 2026
• Pi Day - 14 March 2026

April

Moving into April in our HR calendar 2026, we enthusiastically welcome Songkran Festival celebrations. Fill the workplace with festive energy by incorporating appropriate decorations. Additionally, commemorate Earth Day by encouraging eco-friendly practices among your team, cultivating a culture of sustainability, and environmental consciousness.

Add a much-needed touch of humor with an April Fool's Day celebration designed to strengthen team bonding and highlight the lighter side of workplace life. A budget-friendly approach is to redesign the office space to align with your playful theme. This can be accomplished easily by introducing fake signage, modifying photos, or even repositioning office furniture in surprising ways.

Key Dates and Holidays

• Good Friday - 3 April 2026
• Easter Sunday - 5 April 2026
• Songkran Festival - 13 to 15 April 2026
• Earth Day - 22 April 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• National Volunteer Month
• April Fool's Day - 1 April 2026
• World Health Day - 7 April 2026
• National Pet Day - 11 April 2026
• Administrative Professionals' Day - 22 April 2026

Compliance, Tax & Payroll Information

April is a critical month for tax compliance across Southeast Asia. Key deadlines include income tax filing for individuals in the Philippines (15 April) and Singapore (15 April), as well as paper filing deadlines for Malaysia (30 April).

Want to stay on top of all tax and compliance deadlines? Download our complete HR Calendar 2026 for detailed payroll and tax filing dates for the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and more.

Read more: Top Regulatory Compliance Monitoring Software for Asia

May

It's crucial to create a supportive environment for your team to share their thoughts and concerns and find community within the workplace. Honor Mental Health Awareness Month by promoting peer-to-peer recognition, introducing mental health days, establishing zen spaces in the office, organizing informative mental health workshops, and offering necessary resources and support.

Key Dates and Holidays

• Labour Day - 1 May 2026
• Mother's Day - 10 May 2026
• Wesak - 23 May 2026
• Memorial Day - 25 May 2026
• Hari Raya Haji - 27 May 2026*
• Vesak Day - 31 May 2026

*Subject to moon sighting

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• May Day - 1 May 2026
• World Password Day - 1 May 2026
• Star Wars Day - 4 May 2026
• Parents' Day - 8 May 2026
• National Bike to Work Day - 15 May 2026
• International Human Resources Day - 20 May 2026

June

We've reached the halfway point in our HR calendar 2026! Delight your team by enjoying sweet treats on National Donut Day on 6 June 2026!

As you get ready for mid-year performance reviews, enhance your process with our comprehensive performance review template and a collection of 200 performance review phrases for managers. Develop a thorough understanding of what constitutes an effective performance review and discover inspiration for creating the best performance review questions and answers.

Learn more: 30 Mid-Year Performance Review Questions to Spark Action

Key Dates and Holidays

• Philippines' Independence Day - 12 June 2026
• Juneteenth - 19 June 2026
• Dragon Boat Festival - 19 June 2026
• Father's Day - 21 June 2026

Mid-Year Performance Reviews

Time to conduct mid-year check-ins.

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Leave the Office Early Day - 2 June 2026
• National Donut Day - 5 June 2026

July

As we enter July in our HR calendar 2026, celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate on World Chocolate Day on 7 July 2026. Use this opportunity to encourage your team to relax and refresh for the second half of the year with a dedicated Self-Care Day on 24 July 2026. Moreover, give a special recognition to the interns on your team on National Intern Day on 31 July 2026 to express your appreciation!

Key Dates and Holidays

• US Independence Day - 4 July 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• National Workaholics Day - 5 July 2026
• World Chocolate Day - 7 July 2026
• International Self-Care Day - 24 July 2026
• National Intern Day - 31 July 2026

August

Books have a unique way of connecting people. Change things up from the typical happy hour and snacks by encouraging your team to share their favorite books in celebration of Book Lovers Day on 9 August 2026. Consider establishing a book club, giving colleagues an opportunity to bond through their mutual appreciation for reading.

Looking for recommendations? Check out our curated list of the best books for HR professionals!

Key Dates and Holidays

• Singapore's National Day - 9 August 2026
• Indonesia's National Day - 17 August 2026
• Philippines' National Heroes Day - 25 August 2026
• Malaysia's National Day - 31 August 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• International Cat Day - 8 August 2026
• Book Lovers Day - 9 August 2026
• National Financial Awareness Day - 14 August 2026
• National Dog Day - 26 August 2026

September

September delivers a mix of cultural richness and professional recognition, making it an important month for both personal and professional achievements.

Honor the dedication, sacrifice, and continuous efforts of working parents by celebrating National Working Parents Day on 16 September 2026. This can be accomplished through providing flexible work options, reassessing benefit packages, offering parental leave, and more.

Key Dates and Holidays

• National Day of Vietnam - 2 September 2026
• US Labour Day - 7 September 2026
• Malaysia Day - 16 September 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• National Working Parents Day - 16 September 2026
• IT Professionals Day - 16 September 2026
• Mid-Autumn Festival - 25 September 2026
• HR Professional Day - 26 September 2026

October

As the final quarter of our HR calendar 2026 begins, this is an excellent time to evaluate team dynamics and watch for signs of employee burnout, ensuring a supportive work environment. Observe World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2026 by encouraging discussions on mental well-being, organizing workshops, and providing resources to strengthen the mental health of your team.

The month of October also features the joyful celebration of Deepavali. Embrace the cultural diversity within your workplace by decorating the office with colorful decor, creating an inclusive atmosphere that boosts employee engagement and promotes a sense of belonging.

Furthermore, consider organizing a festive gathering during the Mid-Autumn festival on 6 October 2026, encouraging colleagues to share their favorite mooncake flavors, or even hosting a lantern-making competition to embrace the spirit.

Key Dates and Holidays

• China National Day (HK Public Holiday) - 1 & 2 October 2026

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Month
• World Mental Health Day - 10 October 2026
• Halloween - 31 October 2026

November

In November, leverage the opportunity to cultivate gratitude and kindness during National Gratitude Month. Create gratitude walls throughout the workplace, providing spaces for employees to express their appreciation openly. Alternatively, organize luncheons to unite the team, allowing them to enjoy a meal together and express gratitude towards one another.

Professionally, November also marks National Career Development Month. Embrace this opportunity by organizing skill-building workshops, participating in career or networking events, and facilitating meaningful 1-on-1 career development conversations. It's also the perfect time for year-end reviews and goal setting, enabling reflection on personal achievements and strategic planning for the upcoming year.

Key Dates and Holidays

• Deepavali - 8 November 2026
• US Veterans Day - 11 November 2026
• World Kindness Day - 13 November 2026
• Thanksgiving - 26 November 2026

Year-End Review and Goal Setting

Begin planning for annual reviews

Employee Engagement Ideas

• National Gratitude Month
• National Career Development Month

Additional reading: End-of-Year Employee Review Examples: Templates and Tips

December

We've reached the end of our HR calendar 2026! December is the time to relax, reflect on the year's achievements, and celebrate milestones. Consider organizing fun activities for your team to review the highlights of the year and hosting a festive Secret Santa gift exchange to get your team in the holiday spirit!

Key Dates and Holidays

• Christmas Eve - 24 December 2026
• Christmas Day - 25 December 2026
• New Year's Eve - 31 December 2026

Year-End Break and Holidays

Plan for end-of-year closures

Employee Engagement Ideas

• Holiday Celebrations

Planning Your HR Calendar 2026

That's a complete overview of our comprehensive HR calendar 2026! Bookmark this calendar to organize your key events and holidays. If you'd like the printable version with a bonus of employee engagement calendar 2026 ideas applicable throughout the year, and enjoy the HR engagement 2026 benefits that come from these occasions, download your HR Calendar 2026 now!

Omni's intuitive, all-in-one HRIS helps HR teams and managers keep track of key dates, engagement opportunities, and manage employee schedules effortlessly with automated reminders and at-a-glance scheduling. Omni's platform enables you to create customized calendars for your employees around the globe, with pre-loaded holidays and cultural events based on your employees' location, and automated alerts so you never miss a holiday, work anniversary, or opportunity to engage with your team or prepare for your next important HR initiative.

With a comprehensive suite of modules to support every aspect of your business, Omni's platform offers an intuitive and fully customizable platform that integrates with your team's favorite tools for seamless and timely adoption. If you'd like to learn more about how Omni's all-in-one HR software automates the entire end-to-end employee lifecycle, book a demo with our team today and explore the features designed to enhance your HR experience in 2026!

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