January 2021
01 Jan 2021 Nationalist leader's birth anniversary
Ukraine
Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa
Nationalist elements, mostly led by the Freedom group, are liable to rally in major cities, including Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Stepan Bandera, leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. Avoid all large gatherings as a matter of course.
01 Jan 2021 - 03 Jan 2021 New Year's Day
China
02 Jan 2021 Cape Town Street Parade
South Africa
Cape Town
Roads in the central district are typically closed for this annual street parade by minstrel troupes.
06 Jan 2021 Pathet Lao Day
Laos
Vientiane
07 Jan 2021 Coptic Christmas
Egypt, South Sudan, Sudan
Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Ismailia, Luxor, Port Said, Sharm al-Sheikh, Suez City
Although this is not an official holiday, it is widely observed in Coptic communities.
09 Jan 2021 Black Nazarene procession in Manila
Philippines
Metro Manila
During the Feast of the Black Nazarene, a statue of Jesus Christ is carried in a procession through the city’s streets. Significant road disruption is expected. More than six million Roman Catholics from across the country are expected to attend the traditional procession from Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or the Quiapo Church.
10 Jan 2021 Majority Rule Day
Bahamas
Nassau
Commemorating the day in 1967 that the Bahamas became self-governing.
10 Jan 2021 Anniversary of Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s death
Oman
Muscat
Members should expect gatherings and/or commemorative events nationwide, potentially causing business and traffic disruption, especially in the capital Muscat.
10 Jan 2021 National Police Day
China, Hong Kong (China SAR)
Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Haiyan, Hefei, Huangshi, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Urumqi, Xian, Yiwu
This holiday is officially celebrated in mainland China. There is potential for anti-government protests on the day in Hong Kong.
12 Jan 2021 - 13 Jan 2021 Berber New Year (Yennayer)
Algeria
Algiers, Constantine, Hassi Messaoud, Oran
14 Jan 2021 - 17 Jan 2021 Pongal (Harvest Festival)
India
Chennai
15 Jan 2021 - 16 Jan 2021 Anniversary of 14 Riverside Drive attack
Kenya
Nairobi
16 Jan 2021 Anniversary of 1992 UN-brokered peace accords to end civil war
El Salvador
20 Jan 2021 Martin Luther King Day
Guam (US)
21 Jan 2021 Sao Paulo's Anniversary
Brazil
São Paulo
Associated celebrations are expected to cause road closures and localised disruption.
22 Jan 2021 Unity Day
Ukraine
Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa
23 Jan 2021 First Philippine Republic Day
Philippines
Cebu City, Metro Manila
Special working holiday to commemorate the declaration of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.
25 Jan 2021 Anniversary of revolution
Egypt
Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Ismailia, Luxor, Port Said, Sharm al-Sheikh, Suez City
The anniversary of the 25 January 2011 revolution that removed then-president Hosni Mubarak from office. Incidents of militancy and unrest typically spike on and around this date.
26 Jan 2021 Australia Day
Australia
Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Celebrated on the following Monday if 26 January falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
26 Jan 2021 Republic Day
India
Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Surat
Expect stringent security measures nationwide, particularly in the capital Delhi.
28 Jan 2021 March of the Torches
Cuba
Havana
Annual torch-lit parades across the country to commemorate birthday of national hero Jose Marti.
Source: International SOS