Vegetarian and vegan observances reflect the rising recognition of plant-based eating as a path to better health, environmental sustainability, and compassion for animals.

This special calendar highlights 32 national days, three national weeks, and nine national months dedicated specifically to vegetarian and vegan themes, while also noting that many general food holidays can be enjoyed in plant-based form, from dairy-free ice cream on National Ice Cream Day to vegetable-forward takes on classic comfort dishes.

🌱 Vegetarian & Vegan National Days Calendar

This calendar brings together all the key vegetarian, vegan, and animal rights observances of the year—days, weeks, and months dedicated to plant-based food, compassionate living, and awareness for animals. Use it as a guide to mark your calendar and celebrate these meaningful occasions throughout the year.

Weekly

  • Every Monday of the year: Meatless Monday / Meat Free Monday — Encourages people to start the week with a plant-based meal, lowering meat consumption for health and environmental benefits.

January

  • Veganuary — A worldwide campaign launched in 2014 inviting people to try vegan living throughout January.

February

  • International Vegan Cuisine Month — Celebrates the richness and diversity of vegan food traditions from around the world.
  • Berry Fresh Month — Encourages people to enjoy fresh berries and incorporate them into healthy, plant-based meals.
  • February 25: Let’s All Eat Right Day — Honors nutrition pioneer Adelle Davis, who advocated for balanced eating and whole foods.
  • February 28: National Vegan Lipstick Day — Celebrates cruelty-free and plant-based cosmetics, raising awareness about animal testing in the beauty industry.

March

  • Veggie Month — Spotlights the benefits of vegetarian diets and encourages people to increase plant-based meals.
  • March 7: National Plant Power Day — Promotes the benefits of plant-based eating for personal health and planetary sustainability.
  • March 20: Meatout Day / International Day Without Meat / Great American Meatout — Encourages people to try a meat-free lifestyle, started in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement to highlight compassion and healthier diets.
  • March 28, 2026* (Last Saturday in March): World Day for the End of Fishing — Calls attention to the suffering of aquatic animals in commercial fishing and advocates for alternatives.

April

  • National Soy Foods Month — Promotes soy as a versatile, protein-rich food central to many plant-based diets.
  • April: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month — Raises awareness of animal abuse and encourages compassion and stronger protections for all animals.
  • April 17: Herbalist Day — Recognizes herbal medicine traditions and plant-based healing practices.
  • April 24: World Day for Laboratory Animals — Highlights the suffering of animals used in scientific research and promotes humane alternatives.

May

  • No Meat May — A challenge inviting people to give up meat for the month to benefit health, animals, and the planet.
  • May 21: National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day — Inspires healthier diets rich in fresh produce for better nutrition and wellness.

June

  • June 2: National Animal Rights Day (NARD) — Founded in 2011, this day raises awareness about animal rights through ceremonies, activism, and education.
  • June 5: National Veggie Burger Day — Honors one of the most popular plant-based meat alternatives.
  • June 6: International Tempeh Day — Celebrates the Indonesian soy-based staple, highlighting its cultural roots and nutritional benefits.
  • June 13* (or sometimes last Friday of September): World Meat Free Day — Promotes meat-free eating as a way to reduce environmental impact and improve health.
  • June 15-21, 2026* (Third Week in June): Animal Rights Awareness Week — Raises awareness about the ethical treatment of animals, promoting compassion, advocacy, and the philosophy of animal rights.
  • June 17: National Eat Your Vegetables Day — Encourages adding more vegetables to daily meals for better nutrition.

July

  • July 4: Independence From Meat Day — Encourages people to break free from meat consumption, coinciding with U.S. Independence Day.
  • July 11: International Raw Food Day — Highlights raw and living foods as part of plant-based nutrition.
  • July 26: World Tofu Day — Celebrates tofu’s global popularity and its roots in East Asian cuisine.

August

  • August 1: Respect for Fish Day — Raises awareness of fish sentience and advocates for reducing cruelty in fishing practices.
  • August 22: World Plant Milk Day — Promotes dairy-free alternatives and their environmental and ethical benefits.

September

  • National Fruits & Veggies Month — Inspires healthier eating habits by celebrating fresh produce and its nutritional value.
  • September 1: National Tofu Day — Celebrates tofu in all its varieties and cooking traditions.
  • September 13-19, 2026* (Third week in September, Sunday to Saturday): Farm Animal Awareness Week — Highlights the lives of farmed animals, encouraging more humane choices and education about factory farming.
  • September 26, 2025 & September 25, 2026* (Fourth Friday in September): Hug A Vegetarian/Vegan Day — Started by PETA to show support for vegetarians and vegans and spread kindness.
  • September 27, 2025 & September 26, 2026* (Fourth Saturday in September): Fish Amnesty Day — Advocates for recognizing fish as sentient beings and reducing harm to them.

October

  • October: Vegetarian Month / Vegetarian Awareness Month — Encourages people to explore vegetarian diets throughout the month.
  • October 1: World Vegetarian Day — Founded in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society to promote vegetarianism worldwide.
  • October 1-7, 2025* (First week of October): International Vegetarian Week — Promotes vegetarian diets globally through events, campaigns, and community outreach.
  • October 2: World Day for Farmed Animals — Launched in 1983 to protest cruelty in factory farming and to honor animals killed for food.
  • October 4: Hug a Non-Meat Eater Day — A lighthearted way to support those who choose vegetarian or vegan diets.
  • October 4: World Animal Day — Established in 1931 to unite the global animal rights movement, held on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
  • October 10: World Plant-Based Burger Day — Encourages people to try meat-free burgers and recognize their positive impact on both health and the environment.

November

  • November: Vegan Awareness Month / World Vegan Month — Celebrates vegan living and activism, marking the founding of The Vegan Society in 1944.
  • November 2: Dynamic Harmlessness Day — Pays tribute to H. Jay Dinshah, founder of the American Vegan Society, and his philosophy of nonviolence.
  • November 5, 2025* (First Wednesday of November): Eating Healthy Day — Promotes making healthier food choices, easily aligned with plant-based eating.
  • November 25: International Vegetarian Day / International Meatless Day — Widely observed in Asia to encourage vegetarian diets for peace and compassion.
  • November 27, 2025* (same day as Thanksgiving): Turkey Free Thanksgiving — Offers plant-based alternatives to traditional holiday meals.

December

  • December 20: Fish Day — Raises awareness of threats to fish populations and promotes respect for aquatic life.

Before You Go:

We have many more national days lists that you might also want to check out.

🗓️ This Vegetarian & Vegan Days Calendar was first published on July 5, 2024. I update it every year and adjust the post’s date to reflect the latest version. Keep in mind that many national days have changing dates, so the holidays may fall on different days each year.

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Last Update: October 3, 2025