October National Days – Get a List of the Special Days in October

Even though October is known for Halloween, it isn’t the only important day to celebrate! There are over 250 October national days to celebrate this month.

This list of special days in October features not only national days, but international days in October too. They are dedicated to foods and drinks, animals, activities, awareness campaigns and more!

Some of the days in this list have links to pages where you can learn more about them, or get a related recipe or craft project to honor the day.

For a fun and free way to celebrate these October days, be sure to get this word search printable which features a selection of the national days this month! 

Keep reading for the list national days in October, and make sure to get the free October planner in the project card at the bottom of this post so you can organize your celebrations this month.

List of national days in October (1st week)

The national October days below all occur within the first week of the month. 

Oct 1

• National Hair Day
• National Black Dog Day
• National BOOK IT Day
• National Lace Day
• National Homemade Cookies Day
• Model T Day
• Fire Pup Day
• CD Player Day
• Less than Perfect Day
• International Coffee Day
• International Day of Older Persons
• International Music Day
• International Raccoon Appreciation Day
• World Sake Day
• World Vegetarian Day

Oct 2

• National Produce Misting Day
• National Custodial Worker’s Day
• National Fried Scallops Day
• National Name Your Car Day
• Guardian Angel Day
• International Day of Non Violence
• World Day for Farmed Animals
• World No Alcohol Day
• Audiophile Day

Oct 3

• National Boyfriend Day
• National Techies Day
• National Butterfly and Hummingbird Day
• National Family TV Show Day
• National Caramel Custard Day
• National Virus Appreciation Day
• Look at the Leaves Day
• Mean Girl’s Appreciation Day

Oct 4

• National Golf Lover’s Day
• National Taco Day
• National Vodka Day
• National Cinnamon Roll Day
• Improve Your Office Day
• National Ships in Bottles Day
• Ten-Four Day
• World Animal Day
• International Toot Your Flute Day

Oct 5

• National Apple Betty Day
• National Do Something Nice Day
• National Get Funky Day
• National Rhode Island Day
• Rocky Mountain Oyster Day
• World Teacher’s Day
• Vranac World Day
• International Scottish Gin Day

Oct 6

• National Orange Wine Day
• National German American Day
• National Noodle Day
• National Mad Hatter Day
• National Plus Size Appreciation Day
• National Physician’s Assistant Day
• Come and Take it Day
• Garlic Lovers Day

Oct 7

• National Frappé Day
• National Inner Beauty Day
• National LED Light Day
• Bathtub Day
• Blue Shirt Day
• You Matter to Me Day
• National Flower Day

National days of October that change (1st week)

Some important dates in October don’t fall on the same date in any given year. These days depend on the calendar for the current year.

• Change a Light Day – (1st Sunday)
• Country Inn Bed and Breakfast Day – (1st Sunday)
• Intergeneration Day – (1st Sunday)
• National Child Health Day – (1st Monday)
• National Consignment Day – (1st Monday) 
• National Child Health Day – (1st Monday) 
• Day of Unity – (1st Monday)
• World Habitat Day – (1st Monday)
• World Architecture Day – (1st Monday)
• National Fruit at Work Day (1st Tuesday)
• National Walk to School Day – (1st Wednesday) 
• National Pumpkin Seed Day – (1st Wednesday)
• National Coffee with a Cop Day – (1st Wednesday)
• National Kale Day – (1st Wednesday)
• Random Acts of Poetry Day – (1st Wednesday)
• Balloons Around the World Day – (1st Wednesday)
• National Manufacturing Day – (1st Friday)
• National Body Language Day – (1st Friday)
• National Diversity Day – (1st Friday)
• International Frugal Fun Day – (1st Saturday)
• World Card Making Day – (1st Saturday)

List of October national days (2nd week)

The national days in October below all fall in the second week of the month.

Oct 8

• National Fluffernutter Day
• National Pierogi Day
• Lesbian Day
• American Touch Tag Day
• World Octopus Day

Oct 9

• National Leif Ericson Day
• National Pro Life Cupcake Day
• National Moldy Cheese Day
• National Sneakers Day
• Curious Events Day
• Fire Prevention Day
• World Post Day
• International Beer & Pizza Day

Oct 10

• National Curves Day
• National Handbag Day
• National Angel Food Cake Day
• National Hug a Drummer Day
• National Cake Decorating Day
• National Love Your Hair Day
• National SHIFT10 Day
• National Metric Day
• National Tuxedo Day
• Stop Bullying Day
• Powers of 10 Day
• Squid and Cuttlefish Day
• World Homeless Day
• World Porridge Day
• International Stage Management Day
• World Mental Health Day

Oct 11

• National Sausage Pizza Day
• General Pulaski Memorial Day
• National It’s My Party Day
• Myths and Legends Day
• National Coming Out Day
• Southern Food Heritage Day

Oct 12

• National Savings Day
• National Farmer’s Day
• National Vermont Day
• National Gumbo Day
• National Free Thought Day
• Cookbook Launch Day
• World Arthritis Day

Oct 13

• National Yorkshire Pudding Day
• National Train Your Brain Day
• National No Bra Day
• Navy Birthday
• Silly Sayings Day
• English Language Day
• Good Samaritan Day
• International Suit Up Day
• International Plain Language Day

Oct 14

• Be Bald and Be Free Day
• National Dessert Day
• National Chocolate Covered Insect Day
• National Lowercase Day
• World Standards Day

Variable national days for October (2nd week)

The national days of October fall on different dates every year, but always on the same day of the second week of the month.

• National Fossil Day – (Wednesday of second full week)
• Clergy Appreciation Day – (2nd Sunday)
• Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday)
• Columbus Day – (2nd Monday)
• National Online Bank Day – (2nd Monday)
• National Kick Butt Day– (2nd Monday)
• Native American Day – (2nd Monday)
• Indigenous People’s Day – (2nd Monday)
• National Emergency Nurse’s Day – (2nd Wednesday) 
• National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• National Stop Bullying Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• National Pet Obesity Awareness Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• Stop America’s Violence Everywhere Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• International top Spinning Day – (2nd Wednesday)
• World Sight Day – (2nd Thursday)
• World Egg Day – (2nd Friday)
• World Day Against the Death Penalty Day – (2nd Friday)
• National Chess Day – (2nd Saturday)
• National Costume Swap Day – (2nd Saturday)
• National Motorcycle Ride Day – (2nd Saturday)
• International Pinotage Day – (2nd Saturday)
• I Love Yarn Day – (2nd Saturday)
• National Kids Bowl Free Day – (2nd Saturday)
• Universal Music Day – (2nd Saturday)

Special days in October (3rd week)

These days to celebrate in October all fall within the third week of the month.

Oct 15

• National Cheese Curd Day
• National Aesthetician Day
• National I Love Lucy Day
• National Pug Day
• National Grouch Day
• National Chicken Cacciatore Day
• National Roast Pheasant Day
• National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
• National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
• National White Cane Safety Day
• National Mushroom Day
• Breast Health Day
• My Mom is a Student Day
• Global Hand Washing Day
• International Day of Rural Women

Oct 16

• National Dictionary Day
• National Cut up Your Credit Card Day
• National Department Store Day
• National Learn a Word Day
• National Liqueur Day
• Global Cat Day
• World Spine Day
• World Food Day
• National Boss’s Day – Celebrated on Oct. 16 unless it falls on a weekend when it becomes the closest workday.

Oct 17

• Black Poetry Day
• National Pasta Day
• National Edge Day
• National Mulligan Day
• Four Prunes Day
• Spreadsheet Day
• Wear Something Gaudy Day
• World Trauma Day

Oct 18

• National No Beard Day
• National Chocolate Cupcake Day
• World Menopause Day

Oct 19

• National LGBT Center Awareness Day
• National Kentucky Day
• National Seafood Bisque Day
• Dress Like a Dork Day
• Evaluate Your Life Day
• Rainforest Day
• World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
• International Gin and Tonic Day
• New Friend’s Day – Also January, July and October 19th

Oct 20

• National Brandied Fruit Day
• National Youth Confidence Day
• National Suspenders Day
• National Call in Day for Health Reform
• Miss American Rose Day
• International Sloth Day
• World Osteoporosis Day
• The International Day of the Air Controller

Oct 21

• National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
• National Reptile Awareness Day
• Count Your Buttons Day
• Babbling Day
• Reptile Awareness Day
• Garbanzo Bean Day
• Celebration of the Mind Day
• International Day of the Nacho
• Apple Day

Variable date days to celebrate in October (3rd week)

This next section of national days for October changes dates each year, but always remains on the same day of the third week.

• National Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day – (3rd Sunday)
• World Toy Camera Day – (3rd Sunday)
• Multicultural Diversity Day – (3rd Monday)
• International Adjust Your Chair Day – (3rd Monday)
• Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity –  (3rd Tuesday)
• National Pharmacy Technician Day – (3rd Tuesday)
• Information Overload Day – (3rd Tuesday)
• National Face Your Fears Day – (3rd Tuesday)
• BRA Day USA – (3rd Wednesday) 
• Hagfish Day – (3rd Wednesday)
• Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day – (3rd Wednesday)
• Love Your Body Day (3rd Wednesday)
• Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce – (3rd Wednesday)
• Conflict Resolution Day – (3rd Thursday)
• Spirit Day – (3rd Thursday)
• International Conflict Resolution Day – (3rd Thursday)
• Get to Know Your Customers Day – (3rd Thursday)
• National Get Smart About Credit Day – (3rd Thursday) 
• Get to Know Your Customers Day – (3rd Thursday)  (also 3rd Thursday of January, April, July, and October)
• International Credit Union Day (3rd Thursday)
• National Mammography Day – (3rd Friday)
• World Student Day (3rd Friday)
• National Sweetist Day – (3rd Saturday)
• Bridge Day- (3rd Saturday)

List of national October days (4th week)

These national days October celebrates fall in the last week of the month.

Oct 22

• National Color Day
• National Make a Dog’s Day Day
• National Knee Day
• National Nut Day
• Clean up the Earth Day
• Eat a Pretzel Day
• Smart is Cool Day
• International Stuttering Awareness Day

Oct 23

• National Boston Cream Pie Day
• Ipod Day
• National Mole Day
• National Slap Your Irritating Coworker Day
• National TV Talk Show Host Day
• National Canning Day
• Swallows Depart from San Capistrano Day

Oct 24

• National Bologna Day
• National Food Day
• National Crazy Day
• United Nations Day
• National Good and Plenty Day
• 40 Hour Workweek Day
• Black Thursday
• World Polio Day
• World Development Information Day

Oct 25

• Chucky, the Notorious Killer Doll Day
• National Greasy Food Day
• Sourest Day
• World Pizza Maker’s Day
• National Cartoonist Against Crime Day
• Punk for a Day Day
• International Artist Day
• World Pasta Day

Oct 26

• National Mincemeat Day
• National Financial Crime Fighter Day
• National Pumpkin Day
• Horseless Carriage Day
• Worldwide Howl at the Moon Day
• National Tennessee Day
• National Day of the Deployed
• National Mule Day
• Intersex Awareness Day
• International Mavrud Day

Oct 27

• National American Beer Day
• National Black Cat Day
• Navy Day
• Occupation Therapy Day
• Cranky Coworkers Day

Oct 28

• National Chocolate Day
• Mother-in-Law Day
• Plush Animal Lover’s Day
• Separation of Church and State Day
• Wild Foods Day
• Statue of Liberty Declaration Day
• International Animation Day

Oct 29

• National Cat Day
• National Hermit Day
• National Oatmeal Day
• World Stroke Day
• World Psoriasis Day
• International Internet Day

Oct 30

• National Candy Corn Day
• National Publicist Day
• National Speak up for Service Day
• Buy a Doughnut Day
• Checklist Day
• Create a Great Funeral Day
• Haunted Refrigerator Night
• Mischief Night
• Sugar Addiction Awareness Day
• Pumpkin Bread Day

Oct 31

• Girl Scout Founder’s Day
• National Caramel Apple Day
• National Doorbell Day
• National Knock Knock Jokes Day
• National Magic Day
• National Increase Your Psychic Powers Day
• Carve a Pumpkin Day
• Books for Treats Day
• Scare a Friend Day
• Trick or Treat for Unicef Day
• Samhain – evening of October 31 to evening of November 1
• Girl Scout Founders Day
• Halloween Be sure to see the Stay Safe on Halloween printable below the list of national days in October.
• World Savings Day

Important days in October with variable dates (4th week)

The is the last section with variable dates in this list of national days in October.

• Lung Health Day – (4th Wednesday)
• Unity Day – (4th Wednesday)
• National Pharmacy Buyer Day – (Friday of last full week in October)
• International Carignan Day – (Last Thursday)
• World Champagne Day – (4th Friday)
• National Bread Stick Day – (Last Friday) 
• National Frankenstein Friday – (Last Friday)
• National Bandana Day – (Last Friday)
• World Lemur Day – (Last Friday)
• National Pit Bull Awareness Day – (4th Saturday)
• National Make A Difference Day – (4th Saturday) 
• National Forgiveness Day – (Last Saturday)
• Visit a Cemetery Day – (Last Saturday)

October awareness months & monthly observances

October has several days of awareness to celebrate. In addition to these October awareness days, there are also monthly awarenesses.

This image contains just a few of the month-long observances. Get the full list of October awareness months here.

Monthly national day lists – all national days

If you enjoyed this list of fun days in October, be sure to check out the national day lists for the other months of the year below:

• National days of January 
• National days in February
• March national days
• List of national days in April
• What are the national days in May?
• National days of June
• National days of July
• National days in August
• National days in September
• List of national days in October (this month)
• November national days
• National days of December 

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There are more than 250 October national days! Get the full list of national days in October and a free printable planner for the month on Always the Holidays. 🎃🐈‍⬛🍁 #OctoberNationalDays #NationalDaysinOctober #OctoberDays Share on X

What is your favorite national day of October? Let us know in the comment section!

Pin this list of October national days

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Admin note: This post of October important days first appeared on the blog in April of 2018. It has been updated with all new photos, a free printable, and a video for you to enjoy.