Refugee Week 2026
For Refugee Week 2026, join UK for UNHCR as we celebrate the incredible resilience, creativity and contributions of refugees.
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
Countdown to Refugee Week
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Starting
15 JUNE
Countdown to Refugee Week
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Starting
15 JUNE
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
When is Refugee Week 2026?
Refugee Week takes place every year in June around World Refugee Day on 20th June. In 2026, it will run from Monday 15th June to Sunday 21st June.
This programme of cultural events, sport, community arts and education highlights and celebrates refugees’ unique contributions to our national and local culture. It also aims to create dialogue and understanding about why people flee their homeland in search of safety and seek asylum abroad.
What is UK for UNHCR doing for Refugee Week 2026?
Every year, we take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of refugees and displaced people across the globe.
From virtual classes to speaker events, performances and screenings, we are passionate about sharing refugee stories all year round and encouraging you to get involved whilst also helping refugees within your community to feel welcome.
Last year, we celebrated by creating spaces to bring together the nation’s love of a cosy cuppa and a chat, and the beautiful tea rituals that refugees have brought with them to the UK. Watch this space for more information on our 2026 plans.
Your support means that we can raise more money for those in need, UK for UNHCR is the official UK charity partner of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) and we have lots of fundraising opportunities for you to take part in!
Photo: © UK for UNHCR/Ayman Alhussein
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
What is UK for UNHCR doing for Refugee Week 2026?
Every year, we take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of refugees and displaced people across the globe.
From virtual classes to speaker events, performances and screenings, we are passionate about sharing refugee stories all year round and encouraging you to get involved whilst also helping refugees within your community to feel welcome.
Last year, we celebrated by creating spaces to bring together the nation’s love of a cosy cuppa and a chat, and the beautiful tea rituals that refugees have brought with them to the UK. Watch this space for more information on our 2026 plans.
Your support means that we can raise more money for those in need, UK for UNHCR is the official UK charity partner of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) and we have lots of fundraising opportunities for you to take part in!
Get involved
Read for refugees
June 2026
Books open doors to understanding. This Refugee Week, discover the power of refugee stories to build empathy, challenge perceptions and inspire action.
Find out more
UNHCR’s Gamechanging Team
May-July 2026
A symbolic UNHCR team, embodying the brilliance, hope, courage and resilience of people forced to flee.
Stand with refugees with these actions
If you believe that every person fleeing conflict has the right to seek safety and protection, there are many ways you can join us and stand with refugees. Nobody chooses to flee their home, but we can all help refugees recover their dignity, rebuild their lives and feel safe again.
Stand with refugees with these actions
If you believe that every person fleeing conflict has the right to seek safety and protection, there are many ways you can join us and stand with refugees. Nobody chooses to flee their home, but we can all help refugees recover their dignity, rebuild their lives and feel safe again.
Take on a challenge
You can fundraise on your own or as part of a community. The more people you get involved the bigger the impact we can have together.
Take on a challenge
You can fundraise on your own or as part of a community. The more people you get involved the bigger the impact we can have together.
Refugee facts
1951
The 1951 Refugee Convention provided the first legal definition of who a refugee is and has protected the human rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution ever since.
1 in 70
1 in every 70 people on earth have had to flee their homes.
117.3 million
As of the end of June 2025, there were an estimated 117.3 million people displaced globally by conflict, persecution and human rights violations.
Arts & culture
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Courage
Every year during Refugee Week there is a theme, the 2026 theme is ‘courage’.
Refugee facts
1951
The 1951 Refugee Convention provided the first legal definition of who a refugee is and has protected the human rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution ever since.
1 in 70
1 in every 70 people on earth have had to flee their homes.
117.3 million
As of the end of June 2025, there were an estimated 117.3 million people displaced globally by conflict, persecution and human rights violations.
Arts & culture
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Courage
Every year during Refugee Week there is a theme, the 2026 theme is ‘courage’.
Useful Refugee Week Resources
Refugee Week 2026 FAQs
But what’s it all about? We’ve rounded up our top Refugee Week FAQs here.
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
How to help
Refugees are people forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country.
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
What is it?
Refugee week is a yearly week-long festival that is celebrated across the world…
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa
Photo: © UNHCR/Andrew Testa