Now that October is right around the corner, we know many are already planning their family visits to the pumpkin patch, buying fall home decor, and of course, choosing their Halloween costumes. But what if we told you there’s more to celebrate this month than the turning of the leaves and the spooky festivities? Both of which we love, but we also don’t want you to miss out on everything October has to offer.
Not only are national and federal holidays observed in October, but some funny, light-hearted, and lesser-known celebrations are observed as well. Seriously, have you ever heard of International Coffee Day? This year, it falls on October 1 (As if we really needed another excuse to go on a Starbucks run). Other fun days, like Mean Girls Day, National Taco Day, and National Magic Day, which fall on October 3, October 4, and October 31, will give you more reasons to celebrate. You can even start new traditions by watching the iconic teen film, planning a taco night with friends, or trying out a few magic tricks.
There are also many days that recognize more serious issues, like depression screening, hospice care and trauma. These dates may encourage you to volunteer or spread awareness.
If you’re still curious about other holidays and observances that fall in October, check out our detailed list below.
October 1
World Vegetarian Day
International Music Day
National Homemade Cookies Day
National Hair Day
International Coffee Day
International Day of Older Persons
Yom Kippur
October 2
National Custodian Day
National Name Your Car Day
International Day of Non-Violence
World No Alcohol Day
October 3
Child Health Day
Butterfly and Hummingbird Day
National Boyfriend Day
Mean Girls Day
October 4
National Taco Day
Feast of St Francis of Assisi
World Animal Day
National Cinnamon Roll Day
National Golf Lovers Day
National Taco Day
October 5
National Walk and Bike to School Day
National Do Something Nice Day
World Teachers’ Day
World Financial Planning Day
Random Acts of Poetry Day
October 6
World Habitat Day
National Coaches Day
National German-American Day
National Noodle Day
National Plus Size Appreciation Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 7
World Smile Day
National Frappe Day
National Body Language Day
National Inner Beauty Day
October 8
National Depression Screening Day
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
National Chess Day
National Pierogi Day
World Octopus Day
October 9
Leif Erikson Day
World Post Day
October 10
Columbus Day (Most regions)
Indigenous Peoples' Day
World Mental Health Day
World Homeless Day
October 11
National Coming Out Day
International Day of the Girl Child
October 12
National Emergency Nurses Day
Farmers Day
National Savings Day
National Stop Bullying Day
World Arthritis Day
October 13
United States Navy Birthday
National No Bra Day
World Sight Day
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
October 14
National Dessert Day
National Fossil Day
October 15
National Grouch Day
Global Handwashing Day
National Mushroom Day
National Fetch Day
International Day of Rural Women
October 16
National Train Your Brain Day
World Singing Day
National Sports Day
Boss's Day
World Food Day
Dictionary Day
Global Cat Day
Department Store Day
World Spine Day
October 17
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
National Pasta Day
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day
National Pay Back a Friend Day
Black Poetry Day
World Trauma Day
October 18
Alaska Day
National No Beard Day
World Menopause Day
October 19
National New Friends Day
Global Dignity Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
October 20
National Day on Writing
World Osteoporosis Day
International Sloth Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
National Youth Confidence Day
International Chefs Day
October 21
National Reptile Day
National Pets for Veterans Day
National Medical Assistants Day
National Apple Day
Back to the Future Day
National Mammography Day
October 22
National Nut Day
International Stuttering Awareness Day
National Make A Difference Day
October 23
National Paralegal Day
National Boston Cream Pie Day
National Mother-in-Law Day
National TV Talk Show Host Day
October 24
United Nations Day
National Bologna Day
World Development Information Day
World Polio Day
October 25
International Dwarfism Awareness Day
World Opera Day
International Artist’s Day
National Art Day
National I Care About You Day
October 26
National Day of the Deployed
National Pumpkin Day
Intersex Awareness Day
October 27
World Occupational Therapy Day
National Mentoring Day
National Black Cat Day
National American Beer Day
October 28
Nevada Day
National Chocolate Day
International Animation Day
National Immigrants Day
National First Responders Day
October 29
Internet Day
National Cat Day
National Oatmeal Day
World Psoriasis Day
World Stroke Day
October 30
National Breadstick Day
National Checklist Day
National Text Your Ex Day
National Candy Corn Day
October 31
Halloween
National Magic Day
World Cities Day
National Caramel Apple Day
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
