Celebrate Sikh Heritage Month
Stories, games, printables & guides for Sikh kids and families — all in one place.
What is Sikh Heritage Month?
Sikh Heritage Month is celebrated every April in Canada, recognizing the contributions Sikh Canadians have made to the country's social, economic, political, and cultural fabric. It was officially designated by the Canadian Parliament in 2019.
From the first Sikh settler Kesur Singh arriving in 1897, to the Komagata Maru of 1914 — a turning point for civil rights in Canada that highlighted the community's resilience and struggle for equality — to Baltej Singh Dhillon becoming the first RCMP officer to wear a Dastar (turban) — an article of faith representing equality, royalty, and a commitment to being recognizable to help anyone in need — April is a time to recognize, celebrate, and educate.
For kids growing up in the diaspora, Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to see their heritage reflected in the wider world — and to share it proudly with classmates, friends, and neighbours. At its heart is the Sikh prayer of Sarbatt da Bhalla — the well-being of all — a value that resonates deeply with the Canadian spirit of multiculturalism and inclusivity.
Recognize
Honour the Sikh trailblazers who shaped Canadian history — from pioneers and soldiers to community builders and advocates.
Celebrate
Join Nagar Kirtans, share Langar, attend community events, and celebrate the rich culture Sikhs bring to Canada.
Educate
Teach the next generation about Sikh values — Seva, equality, courage — through stories, activities, and shared learning.
Meet Simran Kaur — Your SHM Guide
Simran is six years old and lives in Toronto. She counts everything — steps, streetlights, ducks — and carries her faith quietly in the everyday. She wears her kara and notices things other people miss.
She's the perfect Sikh Heritage Month motif: a Canadian-born Sikh girl whose stories explore the Five Kakars — the articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs carry. Through Simran, kids see themselves reflected in both their heritage and their home.
Read the Five Kakars SeriesActivities & Printables
Hands-on ways to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month
SHM Quiz
Test your knowledge of Sikh heritage in Canada — trailblazers, history, and values.
SHM Coloring Pages
6 printable sheets — Sikh trailblazer, Nishan Sahib, Nagar Kirtan, Khanda, and more.
Gurmukhi Worksheets
Practice writing Gurmukhi letters with printable tracing and writing worksheets.
Simran Kaur Coloring
Color Simran's adventures through the Five Kakars — perfect for young Sikh kids.
Quizzes to Try
Interactive quizzes for the whole family
Sikh Heritage Month Quiz
Sikh trailblazers in Canada, key events, and the values that define our heritage.
Vaisakhi & Khalsa Sajna Diwas
The historic Vaisakhi of 1699, the Panj Pyare, and the birth of the Khalsa.
Bhagat Puran Singh & Pingalwara
The life of Bhagat Puran Singh — founder of Pingalwara and champion of the forgotten.
Sikh Calendar Basics
The Nanakshahi calendar, the twelve Sikh months, and the Barah Maha.
Books to Read This April
Stories to share with children during Sikh Heritage Month
Fateh Singh and the Quiet Morning
Fateh Singh doesn't understand why his Dadi ji wakes at 4am to sit in the dark and recite Japji Sahib. When a storm keeps him awake and a fox appears in the garden, he discovers what Simran really means.
Fateh Singh and the Saturday Kitchen
Fateh Singh doesn't understand why his Dadi ji spends every Saturday cooking at the Gurdwara for free. Nobody asked her. Nobody pays her. When he goes along and picks up a jug of water, he discovers what Seva really means.
Simran Kaur and the Fence
Simran counts a boy sitting alone by the playground fence — three days in a row. When she learns what her dad's kirpan really means, she finds the courage to walk across.
Simran Kaur and the Inner Gift
When Simran's little sister Kiran asks about the white shorts she wears every day, Simran sits down on the bedroom rug and finds the words she didn't know she had.
Simran Kaur and the Knot
When Simran comes home from school with a knot in her hair and a knot in her chest, her mum's steady hands and a small wooden comb help her untangle both.
Simran Kaur and the Lost Sketchbook
On a class trip to High Park, Simran finds a lost sketchbook full of beautiful drawings — and follows the clues inside to return it to its owner.
Simran Kaur and the Picture
When a classmate asks why she never cuts her hair, Simran doesn't have an answer — until she watches her dad tie his dastar and learns that some gifts go back further than she knew.
The Boy Who Picked Up Stones: A Story of Bhagat Puran Singh
A gentle story about how a mother's simple lesson — picking up sharp stones from the road — planted the seeds of a lifetime of seva in a boy called Ramji Das.
The Drumbeat: A Holla Mohalla Story
A diaspora girl visits Anandpur Sahib for her first Holla Mohalla — and discovers that the thundering war drums she fears are really the heartbeat of the Khalsa.
Nagar Kirtans Across Canada
Sacred Sikh processions take place across the country each spring. Everyone is welcome.
Vancouver
BCSaturday, April 12
Ross Street Gurdwara, 11 AM – 5 PM. Up to 300,000 attendees.
DetailsSurrey
BCSaturday, April 18
Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, 9 AM – 5 PM. World's largest Vaisakhi parade.
DetailsCalgary
ABSaturday, May 9
Dashmesh Culture Centre, 10 AM.
DetailsEdmonton
ABMay (TBD)
Gurdwara Millwoods to Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha.
DetailsWinnipeg
MBMay (TBD)
Downtown procession — check Sikh Heritage Manitoba for date.
DetailsAttending for the First Time?
- 1Cover your head — a head-covering is required as a sign of respect. Coverings are often provided, or bring a bandana or scarf.
- 2Remove shoes near the float carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Living Word and Eternal Guru, as a sign of reverence.
- 3Sit together for Langar — everyone sits on the floor to share a meal as equals, regardless of background, caste, or faith.
Organizations Leading Sikh Heritage Month
These organizations work year-round to celebrate and preserve Sikh heritage across Canada.
World Sikh Organization of Canada
NationalAdvocated for the Sikh Heritage Month Act (2019). Organizes SHM events across the country.
VisitSikh Heritage Month Foundation
NationalCentral coordinating body for SHM — art exhibitions, panels, workshops, and a national events calendar.
VisitSikh Heritage Society BC
BCStudent-founded volunteer non-profit. SHM events, scholarships, and educational programming.
VisitCanadian Sikh Heritage
BCHome of the Gur Sikh Temple (1911) — the oldest existing Sikh temple in North America and a National Historic Site.
VisitOntario Sikhs & Gurdwara Council
ONOrganizes Toronto's Khalsa Day parade and SHM celebrations across Ontario.
VisitSikh Heritage Month Ottawa
ONYouth-led organization. Raised the Nishaan Sahib at Ottawa City Hall in 2016 — a historic first.
VisitSikh Heritage Manitoba
MBCreates accessible platforms within mainstream spaces to connect the community with Sikhi.
VisitHeritage Calgary — Sikh History Project
ABDocuments stories of early Sikh settlers in Alberta and produces SHM historical resources.
VisitGuides & Deep Dives
Go deeper into Sikh Heritage Month with these guides for families and educators.
Sikh Trailblazers
9 inspiring Sikh Canadians who made history — from the first Sikh settler to Canada’s first turbaned Supreme Court justice.
Your First Nagar Kirtan
A warm, practical guide for families attending a Nagar Kirtan for the first time — what to wear, what to expect, and how to explain it to children.
SHM in the Classroom
A week-by-week plan for educators (K-8) to bring Sikh Heritage Month into the classroom with activities, discussions, and curriculum connections.
SHM Resource Hub for Educators
Everything you need to bring Sikh Heritage Month into the classroom — trailblazer posters, curriculum connections, discussion prompts, and age-appropriate activities.
- Sikh Trailblazer Posters
- Curriculum Connections (Grades 1-8)
- Classroom Activities & Discussion Prompts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sikh Heritage Month?
When is Sikh Heritage Month in Canada?
What is Vaisakhi?
What is a Nagar Kirtan?
What is Seva?
How can I teach my kids about Sikh Heritage Month?
What are the Five Kakars (5 Ks of Sikhism)?
What is Sarbatt da Bhalla?
Vahiguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vahiguru Ji Ki Fateh
The Khalsa belongs to God. Victory belongs to God.