World Humanist Day: how will you be celebrating?

World Humanist Day, celebrated each year on 21st June, is a global observance that brings together humanists from around the world to reflect on shared values of reason, compassion, and human dignity. Timed to coincide with the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, the day symbolises enlightenment, growth, and the enduring pursuit of knowledge and justice.

The celebration was established by humanist organisations as a way to raise awareness of humanism as a lifestance—one that emphasises ethical living without reliance on the supernatural. Rather than marking the day with rituals or dogma, humanists use the occasion to foster dialogue, organise educational events, and highlight contributions to human welfare through science, critical thinking, and human rights activism.

From community gatherings and public talks to art exhibitions and social campaigns, World Humanist Day provides as an opportunity to affirm the values that unite people across cultural and national boundaries: the belief that we have one life, and that how we treat one another matters profoundly.

In a world increasingly shaped by global challenges—climate change, inequality, conflict, artificial intelligence—World Humanist Day reminds us that our best hope lies in human cooperation, creativity, and the shared pursuit of truth.

Whether quietly marked or publicly celebrated, it is a day to honour the potential of humanity and the hope for a more just and rational world. How will you be celebrating World Humanist Day?

Humanists celebrating World Humanist Day with a barbecue on the beach and in a member's garden