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.

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 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.

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.

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?🎃 Share on X

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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 – October 16 in 2024– 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

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

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

Notes

Just for the foodies!

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

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.

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:

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

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.

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

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

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

Notes

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?

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

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!