Skip to Content

What are the National Days in October? – Get the Full List to Find Out!

This list of national days in October gives a detailed look at the month to find out how to celebrate your favorite national day with food and drink ideas, and lots of craft projects.

Each time we cover a new and fun national day about October on the blog, we add new links to the list below, to give you new ideas for ways to celebrate these days.

This month marks the beginning of three months of non-stop holiday season fun. The end of the month features Halloween, but this is just the start of the holiday season to come.

Join us as we learn about all the ways to celebrate the national days in October.

White pumpkin with a card that says "Hello October!"

Black cat, pumpkins and candy corn in a collage with words October National Days.

The month of October

The name of the month originated when the Roman lunar calendar was used, and the year started in March at harvest time. Then, October (octo) was considered the 8th month of the year.

All that changed in 46 B.C. when the new Julian calendar was used, making January the first month and October the tenth month in the calendar.

October calendar on a pile of autumn leaves.

October is the tenth month of the year in our calendar. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of fall, but in the Southern hemisphere it is associated with spring.

October monthly observances

October is is National Apple Month, which is apt, since the apples are out in full force. It is also National Caramel Month, (cause you need something to dip the apples in!) 

But don’t stop at just these activities, with all these fun and offbeat holidays, there is more than just pumpkin carving, dressing up for Halloween, and caramel apple decorating to celebrate this month.

October national observances with dogs, Halloween and bat images.

The month of October also celebrates all these occasions from A to Z:

  • Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
  • American Cheese Month
  • Antidepressant Death Awareness Month
  • Bat Appreciation Month
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
  • Celebrating The Bilingual Child Month
  • Church Library Month
  • Church Safety and Security Month
  • Co-op Month
  • Down Syndrome Awareness Month
  • Dyslexia Awareness Month
  • Eat Better, Eat Together Month
  • Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
  • Emotional Wellness Month
  • Employee Ownership Month
  • Financial Planning Month
  • German-American Heritage Month
  • Global Diversity Awareness Month
  • Halloween Safety Month
  • Head Start Awareness Month
  • Health Literacy Month
  • Home Eye Safety Month
  • Italian-American Heritage Month
  • International Walk To School Month
  • LGBT History Month
  • Long-Term Care Planning Month
  • Respect Life Month

Fun facts about October

The month of October has arrived, so let’s catch up with a few facts about the first full month of fall.

Interested in Astrology? The zodiac signs for the month of October are Libra (up to October 22) and Scorpio (after the 23rd of October.)

If you love gardening, the birth flower is calendula (family of marigolds) and the birthstones are opal and tourmaline.

Breast Cancer awareness is a big focus of this month and the pink breast cancer ribbon is seen everywhere.

Breast cancer awareness ribbon, calendula, and opal in a collage with words Fun Facts about October.

The list below features the national and international days in October, day by day. Some of these days have links to pages on my site where you can find more information or recipes to celebrate that interesting national day.

I add to this page often with new links and fun facts about your favorite national day, so be sure to check back often for new ideas.

October is National Pumpkin Month.  Have you carved your pumpkin yet?🎃 Click To Tweet

List of national days in October

October is full of a month of fun food days like Vodka Day and Homemade Cookies Day. It is also a time to celebrate Columbus Day and Southern Food Heritage Day.

Glass of vodka and homemade cookies with words. National Days to Celebrate in October.

If you would like a fun puzzle that features some of the national days of the month, get the October free word search printable here.

These national days take part in the first half of the month. Time to celebrate!

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 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 Pumpkin Seed Day
  • National Rhode Island Day
  • Rocky Mountain Oyster Day
  • World Teacher’s Day
  • Vranec World 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

Bathtub, pasta making, octopus, and yellow sneaker in a collage with words October National Days.

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

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 Coming Out Day
  • 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

Farmer looking over a field and basket of mushrooms.

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

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

Gasses of beer. tray of caramel apples, and chocolate cupcake.

Here we are at the half way mark for our list of national days in October. Has your favorite national day been listed yet? Don’t give up.

We have lots more fun in store. How about National Candy Corn Day or National Carve a Pumpkin Day? Both are still to come!

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

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
  • 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

Suspenders and lizard in a collage.

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

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

Cut up fruit and brandy.

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

Carving a pumpkin, bat hanging, and Halloween cookies.

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

Additional national days of October that change each year

Some days of the year don’t have an exact date that they fall on in any given year. These days depend on the calendar for the current year.

First half of October

  • 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)

The second week of October

  • 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 Pet Obesity Awareness Day – (2nd Wednesday)
  • Stop America’s Violence Everywhere Day – (2nd Wednesday)
  • Emergency Nurse’s 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)

Canadian Thanksgiving and Native American Dreamcatcher.

Second half of October

The last two weeks of the month of October have several days of awareness to celebrate.

  • National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day – Changes each year
  • 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)

We are not done yet. Here are some more holidays in the last part of October!

  • National Mammography Day – (3rd Friday)
  • World Student Day (3rd Friday)
  • National Sweetist Day – (3rd Saturday)
  • Bridge Day- (3rd Saturday)
  • 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)
Yield: 1 printable

Halloween Safety List Printable

White fence and Halloween figures with words stay safe.

Halloween is just one of the national days in October but one that is anticipated by the kids. Be sure they stay safe by going over this list of rules with them.

Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Heavy Card stock

Tools

  • Computer printer

Instructions

  1. Load your heavy card stock into your computer printer.
  2. Choose portrait layout and if possible "fit to page" in your settings.
  3. Print the list and talk to your child about the safety tips.

Notes

Halloween safety list of rules.

Just for the foodies!

If you are a foodie, here are some special national day pages just for you.

Hamburger Jack O Lantern with words October National Food Days.

Each month has its own list of foodie national days and each month celebrates different food holidays.

Here are some other foodie national day lists that feature only food holidays to honor with your favorite recipes:

National days word search printables

Be sure to check out these monthly printables. Each puzzle features several national day in a fun word find format.

Autumn leaf with the words October on it.

For the national days word search printables for the other months, check out these pages:

Other word search puzzles to be updated soon. Stay tuned!

Monthly national day lists

There are over 2000 national days in the year and each month has over 150 special days to celebrate. Get all the monthly lists here:

Orange bokeh background with words national days of the year.

Pin this list of national days in October

Would you like a reminder of this post of the October national days? Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.Jack O Lanterns and words Get the calendar of national days in October.

Which are your favorite national day of October?

Admin note: this post for the national days in October first appeared on the blog in April of 2018. I have updated the post to add all new photos, a printable safety list, and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: 1 National Days Printable

October National Days Planner Printable

Leaves, cup of coffee and plaid shirt with words Hello October.

Print out this planner to accompany the October calendar of national days, and fill it in with your favorite national days in October. It's a great way to keep track and plan for the whole month.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty easy

Materials

  • Heavy cardstock or printer paper

Tools

  • Computer printer

Instructions

  1. Load your heavy card stock or glossy photo paper into your Deskjet printer.
  2. Choose portrait layout and if possible "fit to page" in your settings.
  3. Print out and use the to do list to plan your activities for the month.

Notes

Halloween background with a to do list overlaid on top.

Share on Social Media

Ann WJ

Wednesday 27th of September 2023

Hello! October is also National Respect Life Month. Thanks!

Carol

Thursday 28th of September 2023

Thanks Ann. I have updated the list of monthly observances.

Lisa

Thursday 12th of September 2019

Love your printables! Will the remaining months be created?

Carol

Sunday 15th of September 2019

Hi Lisa. Yes I will. I’m on vacation right now but will be back ay work shortly and will work on each printablesoon. Carol

Karen Cline

Thursday 12th of September 2019

Thanks so much for sharing this!! We are very excited about doing this. Thanks again

Sharon Gore

Friday 6th of September 2019

So unique and useful! Thank you again!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Skip to Instructions