October holidays: A parent's guide to diverse celebrations
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October is a month rich with vibrant holidays and cultural observances across the globe. From the spooky allure of Halloween to the reflective nature of Yom Kippur, October offers a diverse array of festivities that cater to all tastes and traditions. While there are only 11 “official” U.S. holidays, look to some of these popular special Days to expand your family’s horizons and embrace the celebration of life in general.
October 1
International Coffee Day
International Music Day
International Day of Older Persons
National Black Dog Day
National Fire Pup Day
National Fruit at Work Day
National Green City Day
National Hair Day
National Homemade Cookie Day
National Pumpkin Spice Day
National Raccoon Day
National Taco Day (first Tuesday in October; Thanks, Taco Bell!)
World Vegetarian Day
October 2
International Day of Non-Violence
International Walk to School Day
National Coffee with a Cop Day
National Custodial Workers’ Day
National Fried Scallops Day
National Kale Day
National Name Your Car Day
National Produce Misting Day
National Pumpkin Seed Day (first Wednesday in October)
National Smarties® Day
Random Acts of Poetry Day
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year begins (at sunset)
World Farm Animals Day
October 3
Navratri (Hindu holiday)
National Boyfriend Day
National Techies Day
October 4
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year ends (at nightfall)
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
National Body Language Day
National Cinnamon Day
National Golf Lover’s Day
National Manufacturing Day
National Vodka Day
World Animal Day
World College Radio Day
World Smile Day
October 5
National Apple Betty Day
National Do Something Nice Day
National Get Funky Day
National GOE Day (Growth. Overcome. Empower.)
National Rhode Island Day
World Teachers’ Day
October 6
National German American Day
National Coaches Day
National Mad Hatter Day
National Noodle Day
National Orange Wine Day
National Plus Size Appreciation Day
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October 7
Child Health Day
Frances Xavier Cabrini Day
National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
National Consignment Day
National Frappe Day
National Inner Beauty Day
National LED Light Day
National Propane Day
National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
World Cotton Day
World Habitat Day
October 8
American Touch Tag Day
National Fluffernutter Day
National Heroes’ Day
National Pierogi Day
October 9
National Bring Your Teddy Bear Day
National Curves Day
National Emergency Nurses’ Day
National Moldy Cheese Day
National Stop Bullying Day
National Take Your Parents to Work Day
Leif Erikson Day
World Post Day
October 10
National Angel Food Cake Day
National Cake Decorating Day
National Handbag Day
National Metric Day
National Walk to a Park Day
World Mental Health Day
October 11
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sunset
National Coming Out Day
National Sausage Pizza Day
October 12
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, ends at nightfall
National Farmers’ Day
National Gumbo Day
National Vermont Day
National Motorcycle Ride Day
National Chess Day
National Costume Swap Day
National Free Thought Day
Clergy Appreciation Day
I Love Yarn Day
World Migratory Bird Day
October 13
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
National No Bra Day
National Yorkshire Pudding Day
National Train Your Brain Day
National Kick Butt Day
October 14
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Columbus Day (U.S. federal holiday)
International Day of Rural Women
National Real Sugar Day
National Dessert Day
Be Bald and Free Day
October 15
National Shawarma Day
National Aesthetician Day
National Cheese Curd Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
National ‘I Love Lucy’ Day
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
National Grouch Day
October 16
National Boss’s Day
Bra Day USA
National Liqueur Day
National Sports Day
National Dictionary Day
Department Store Day
National Hagfish Day
National Fossil Day
Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day
World Food Day
October 17
First Day of Sukkot
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Get to Know Your Customers Day
Black Poetry Day
National Pasta Day
October 18
International Legging Day
National Exascale Day
National No Beard Day
National Chocolate Cupcake Day
National Mammography Day
October 19
National Whole Hog Barbecue Day
National Seafood Bisque Day
National Sweetest Day
National LGBT Center Awareness Day
October 20
National Chicken and Waffles Day
National Youth Confidence Day
National Brandied Fruit Day
October 21
National Apple Day
Back to the Future Day
National Witch Hazel Day
National Reptile Awareness Day
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day
October 22
National Make a Dog’s Day
National Color Day
National Nut Day
October 23
National Horror Movie Day
National Boston Cream Pie Day
Medical Assistance Recognition Day
Swallows Depart from San Juan Capistrano Day
National Mole Day
National TV Talk Show Host Day
October 24
United Nations Day
World Development Information Day
National Bologna Day
National Food Day
October 25
Simchat Torah
Nevada Day
National Merri Music Day
National Frankenstein Friay
National Greasy Foods Day
National Breadstick Day
October 26
National Chicken Fried Steak Day
National Trick or Treat Day (last Saturday in October)
National Financial Crime Fighter Day
Tennessee Day
Mule Day
Mincemeat Day
Pumpkin Day
National Day of the Deployed
Make a Difference Day
October 27
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
Civics Day
Black cat Day
American beer Day
Navy Day
Mother-in-law Day
October 28
National First Responders Day
National Chocolate Day
October 29
International Day of Care and Support
National Oatmeal Day
National Hermit Day
National Cat Day
October 30
National Publicist Day
National Speak Up for Service Day
National Candy Corn Day
October 31
Diwali Festival of Lights
World Cities Day
National Doorbell Day
National Girl Scout Founder’s Day
National Magic Day
National Knock Knock Joke Day
National Caramel Apple Day
Each of these October holidays offers unique experiences and learning opportunities. Whether reflecting during Yom Kippur, dressing up for Halloween, or lighting a Diya during Diwali, exploring these celebrations can help kids and families appreciate the rich tapestry of global customs and the universal themes of joy, reflection, and community they represent.
Want more parenting wins? Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on all things family, finance, and fun.
This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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