Refugee Week 2026 FAQs

Refugee Week 2026 is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the tremendous resilience, creativity and contributions of refugees in the UK and those who have been displaced. But what’s it all about? We’ve rounded up our top Refugee Week FAQs below.

When is Refugee Week? 

Refugee Week 2026 takes place from the 15th to the 21st of June. Throughout the week there’ll be lots of events happening all over the UK to mark the occasion, including a celebration on World Refugee Day, which takes place on Saturday the 20th of June.

What is Refugee Week?

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

There’ll be many events and activities taking place all over the country, covering everything from sports and arts to culture and education, involving refugees, celebrities, schools and other organisations.

The series of week-long events is an opportunity to foster wider connections that cross communities and experiences. For at least one week every year, we can hear from those in our communities who often go unheard.

As we listen to, watch and experience the voices, stories and artworks of those who have been forcibly displaced, we can develop a clearer understanding of why people become refugees and what it’s like to be faced with the challenges of finding safety in a new country.

What is the significance of Refugee Week 2026?

Refugee Week 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention – the cornerstone of international refugee protection. For 75 years, this landmark agreement has defined what it means to be a refugee, outlined their rights, and set the global standards that ensure they are treated with dignity and humanity. Its legacy is measured not in legal text, but in the millions of lives it has saved.

What is the theme for Refugee Week 2026?

This year, the theme for Refugee Week 2026 is courage. Inspired by the lives of people seeking sanctuary, it celebrates the courage that refugees show every day – facing unknown journeys, rebuilding lives, and stepping into an uncertain world. Courage isn’t only theirs to carry: Refugee Week invites all of us to share in it: to welcome, to connect, and to stand for what we believe in.

What events are taking place during Refugee Week this year?

There are many ways you can get involved in this year’s Refugee Week:

I’m not local to any of your events; what can I do to support refugees?

Whilst most of our events during Refugee Week take place face-to-face this year, there are ways to take part online, like this ‘Reimagine your Neighbours’ to grow a virtual dolls’ house through the Refugee Week website.

Alternatively, you can show your support by creating your own fundraising event. This could be anything from a bake sale to a sponsored run, or even a skydive! You can find out more about fundraising for refugees here.

What do my donations go towards?

Did you know that £92 could provide a non-food kit (NFI) to a family, containing essential items such as kitchen sets, blankets and solar lamps? £120 could help provide a displaced family with a lifesaving Emergency Payment to buy urgent essentials such as food and medicine, and £388 could help provide a family of four with an emergency shelter, giving them a safe place to shelter. 

Learn more about helping refugees in the UK here.

How can I find out more about Refugee Week 2026?

Here are some useful resources about this important celebration:

• Learn more about the week-long celebration and how you can get involved
• Find out about the guiding principles of Refugee Week
• Discover how you can help refugees

Do you have more questions about UK for UNHCR and helping refugees? Read our full FAQs here.