Every month, there are hundreds of national and international celebrations dedicated to raising awareness and support for meaningful causes.
For those working to bring attention to important topics, it can be challenging to keep track of the next relevant awareness event. We’re here to help.
At Good Good Good, we aim to help people feel more hopeful and do more good. For years we’ve privately curated a comprehensive list of important cause-themed holidays that we’ve used for creating content on our good news Instagram, our Goodnewsletter, our Goodnewspaper, and on this very website.
We’ve organized this list of observances and events by month — and are making them public for the first time. Our hope is that this list of December awareness days and months will help you or your organization bring attention to important issues.
We should note that December is among the most sparse months for awareness days and months — likely because traditional winter holidays tend to overshadow any awareness holidays.
Regardless, where applicable, we’ve included resources (usually good news around particular topics, action steps on how to make a difference, or relevant quotes) — and encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.
The main days and months you should know about for December are:
December is the twelfth month of the year and has 31 days. It includes the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice, and marks the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. December is filled with diverse cultural and religious celebrations worldwide, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Explore our comprehensive list of national and international months, weeks, days, and birthdays for the month of December:
December Celebrations:
Awareness Months
There are several awareness months celebrated in December — though the five that often get the most attention include HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, Universal Human Rights Month, Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, Learn a Foreign Language Month, and Dressember.
Dressember
Learn more about how Dressember is using dresses to make a difference
HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month
Learn a Foreign Language Month
National Car Donation Month
National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month
National Human Rights Month
Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month
Universal Human Rights Month
World Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome Awareness Month
Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
Awareness Weeks
National Handwashing Awareness Week
Week-long event in December
Awareness Days
Rosa Parks Bus Seat Refusal Anniversary - December 1
Read and share the best quotes from Rosa Parks — including quotes about refusing to give up her bus seat
World AIDS Day - December 1
Celebrate World AIDS Day by reading good news about the fight against HIV/AIDS and shop products from (RED)
Giving Tuesday - 1st Tuesday after Thanksgiving
(Takes place in December in 2024, 2025, and 2026)
Read and share our article on ideas for how to celebrate Giving Tuesday
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3
Wildlife Conservation Day - December 4
Meet these famous wildlife conservationists you may not know yet
International Cheetah Day - December 4
International Volunteer Day - December 5
Read this article about the secret to consistent volunteering and explore our guide to how to make a difference in your community
World Soil Day - December 5
Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day - December 8
Meet these celebrities who have come out as pansexual
National Llama Day - December 9
International Genocide Prevention Day - December 9
Human Rights Day - December 10
Explore all of Good Good Good’s good news stories about human rights
Nobel Prize Day - December 10
International Animal Rights Day - December 10
Explore all of Good Good Good’s good news stories about animals
International Mountain Day - December 11
Monkey Day - December 14
Bill of Rights Day - December 15
Read the ultimate guide to the Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - December 17
International Migrants Day - December 18
International Human Solidarity Day - December 20
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness - December 27
Visit the Zoo Day - December 27
Trans Youth Day - December 28
Read our article about how to protect LGBTQ+ youth
New Year’s Eve - December 31
Explore our guide to New Year’s resolutions that make a difference
Notable Birthdays
Birthdays of leading activists, nonprofit leaders, and other world-changers:
Janelle Monae’s Birthday - December 1
Terence Lester’s Birthday - December 4
Listen to our podcast conversation with Terence Lester
Ella Baker’s Birthday - December 13
Pope Francis’s Birthday - December 17
Leah Thomas’s Birthday - December 17
Learn about Leah Thomas and read about the movement she started around intersectional environmentalism
Ronan Farrow’s Birthday - December 19
Alyssa Milano’s Birthday - December 19
Jane Fonda’s Birthday - December 21
Read and share iconic quotes from Jane Fonda
LeBron James’ Birthday - December 30
You might also like: The Best December Quotes
Explore More Events:
Main Awareness Calendars: All Awareness Holidays | Heritage Months | International Days
More Awareness Calendars: Animals | Pets | Environment & Sustainability | LGBTQ+ | Black & African American | Mental Health | Disability | Cancer | HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days & Months: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Is this list missing a holiday or awareness week/month? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.
