EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
- RMS International’s Intelligence Services have identified 20 holidays, religious observances, socio-cultural, and protest events in January 2026.
- The identified events in January 2026 may prompt pedestrian and traffic congestion, protests and possible riots, business closures and other significant impacts.
- Consider contacting RMSI’s Intelligence Services for access to analysts and a customized threat assessments on the threats posed by events occurring in January 2026.
RMS INTERNATIONAL: JANUARY 2026 LOOK AHEAD
The United Nations has declared 2026 as the international year of volunteers for sustainable development; rangelands and pastoralists, and woman farmers.
January 1 (Thursday) — New Year’s Day
Risk Level: 🔴 Elevated
Threat Considerations: Large public gatherings, alcohol-related disorder, celebratory gunfire (localized), impaired driving, emergency-service strain.
Security Actions: Increased perimeter control, DUI awareness, crowd-flow monitoring, early coordination with local PD/EMS, reinforced medical staffing.
January 1 (Thursday) — Bulgaria Adopts the Euro
Risk Level: 🟡 Low
Threat Considerations: Possible economic disruptions, both domestic and international.
Security Actions: Increased focus on both Bulgarian micro and macro economics, early coordination with the EU, reinforced accounting staffing.
January 2–5 (Fri–Mon) — Holiday Travel Surge
Risk Level: 🟠 Moderate
Threat Considerations: Transportation congestion, theft, pickpocketing, fatigue-related incidents.
Security Actions: Travel advisories, hotel security coordination, baggage-theft mitigation, executive travel tracking.
January 6 (Tuesday) — Epiphany (Select Observances)
Risk Level: 🟡 Low
Threat Considerations: Small religious gatherings; minimal disruption.
Security Actions: Standard posture; monitor local faith-based events.
January 10–11 (Weekend) — Seasonal Event & Entertainment Peak
Risk Level: 🟠 Moderate
Threat Considerations: Sporting events, concerts, family entertainment shows; crowd density and ingress/egress risk.
Security Actions: Bag policies, magnetometer screening, queuing management, visible security deterrence.
January 17–20 (Sat–Tue) — Protest & Civil-Action Window
Risk Level: 🔴 Elevated (Urban Centers)
Drivers: Pre-MLK Day activism, Women’s March-aligned actions, political demonstrations.
Threat Considerations: Marches near government buildings, counter-protests, traffic disruption, vandalism risk.
Security Actions: Route mapping, protest intelligence monitoring, remote-work contingencies, facility hardening, employee advisories.
January 19 (Monday) — Martin Luther King Jr. Day (U.S. Federal Holiday)
Risk Level: 🔴 Elevated
Threat Considerations: High-visibility marches, symbolic locations, soft-target risk, lone-actor threat vectors.
Security Actions: Enhanced situational awareness, coordination with local authorities, mobile security teams, emergency communications testing.
January 22 (Thursday) — International Advocacy / Issue-Driven Protests
Risk Level: 🟠 Moderate
Threat Considerations: Cause-based demonstrations (labor, geopolitical, environmental); typically peaceful but disruptive.
Security Actions: Access control reinforcement, parking restrictions review, social-media monitoring.
January 23 (Friday) — March for Life (Washington, D.C.)
Risk Level: 🔴 High (DC); 🟡 Low (Elsewhere)
Threat Considerations: Very large crowds, counter-demonstrations, transportation bottlenecks, symbolic targeting.
Security Actions: Avoidance planning for non-essential travel to DC, protective intelligence coordination, executive movement restrictions.
January 24–25 (Weekend) — Sports, Charity & Fan Events
Risk Level: 🟠 Moderate
Threat Considerations: Crowd surges, alcohol-related incidents, opportunistic crime.
Security Actions: Venue-specific security plans, CCTV monitoring, medical response readiness.
January 26 (Monday) — Australia Day (International)
Risk Level: 🟡 Low (U.S.) | 🟠 Moderate (Australia)
Threat Considerations: International protests abroad; minimal U.S. impact.
Security Actions: Travel risk advisories for APAC travelers.
January 27 (Tuesday) — International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Global Day of Observance)
Risk Level: 🔴 Elevated
Threat Considerations: High-visibility marches, symbolic locations, soft-target risk, lone-actor threat vectors.
Security Actions: Enhanced situational awareness, coordination with local authorities, mobile security teams, emergency communications testing.
January 27–31 (Tue–Sat) — End-of-Month Operational Risk Period
Risk Level: 🟠 Moderate
Threat Considerations: Payroll fraud attempts, cyber-enabled social engineering, insider risk during financial close.
Security Actions: Fraud awareness alerts, access reviews, SOC monitoring escalation.
🌦 Environmental & Seasonal Overlay (All Month)
- Winter storms (Northern U.S./Canada): travel delays, power outages
- Severe weather (Southern U.S.): thunderstorms, flooding
Mitigation: Business continuity checks, backup power validation, remote-work readiness
🧭 Executive Security & Duty-of-Care Notes
- January combines symbolic dates + mass gatherings, increasing soft-target exposure
- Highest-risk period: Jan 17–23
- Recommend daily intelligence briefs, travel risk matrices, and incident-response tabletop refreshers
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ABOUT RMS INTERNATIONAL
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