Here’s the full list of holidays and observances in October
When you think of October, Halloween is often the first thing that comes to mind — and understandably so.
The last day of the month is a real treat (pun very much intended), but don't let the excitement surrounding the spooky season's standout trick you into thinking it's the only October holiday worth celebrating. In fact, there are tons of official (and unofficial) holidays, observance and awareness months from now through October 31.
Embrace all the food and fun that the season has to offer with holidays like National Pumpkin Day and National Apple Day. Or satisfy your sweet tooth before you get your candy fix on National Homemade Cookies Day, National Cinnamon Roll Day and National Dessert Day. (But since life is all about balance, don't forget to celebrate National Kale Day and National Oatmeal Day, too.)
It's not just about the treats, though: October is also a time to pick up some healthy habits that you can carry with you in the months ahead, whether it's clearing out your inbox (Inbox Zero Day) or finding an organization to volunteer for (Make a Difference Day).
Speaking of health, carve out time to raise awareness for important causes, ranging from mental health (World Mental Health Day) to menopause (World Menopause Day). All month long, wear your pink ribbon with pride and encourage loved ones to book their mammogram appointments in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The list goes on — and on. Lucky for you, we've created a list of all the important dates in October, so you won't miss a thing.
Daily Holidays and Observances in October 2023
October 1
World Vegetarian Day
Frugal Fun Day
International Coffee Day
International Music Day
National Homemade Cookies Day
National Hair Day
National Black Dog Day
World Card Making Day
October 2
International Day of Non-Violence
National Name Your Car Day
National Fried Scallops Day
World Communion Sunday
October 3
World Architecture Day
"Mean Girls" Day
National Boyfriend Day
October 4
Improve Your Office Day
National Taco Day
National Cinnamon Roll Day
National Golf Lovers Day
World Animal Day
World Habitat Day
Yom Kippur (sunset on Oct. 4 to nightfall on Oct. 5)
October 5
National Walk and Bike to School Day
National Do Something Nice Day
National Kale Day
National Pumpkin Seed Day
World Teachers’ Day
October 6
Inbox Zero Day
National Noodle Day
National Badger Day
National German-American Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 7
Kids Music Day
World Smile Day
October 8
I Love Yarn Day
World Octopus Day
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
October 9
International Beer and Pizza Day
Leif Erikson Day
Pastor Appreciation Day
October 10
Columbus Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
National Angel Food Cake Day
National Cake Decorating Day
World Mental Health Day
October 11
National Sausage Pizza Day
National Coming Out Day
International Day of the Girl Child
October 12
National Farmer's Day
National Gumbo Day
National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day
World Arthritis Day
October 13
National M&M Day
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
World Sight Day
Ada Lovelace Day
October 14
National Dessert Day
National Fossil Day
National I Love You Day
World Egg Day
October 15
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
Global Handwashing Day
Hoshana Rabbah (evening of Oct. 15 to evening of Oct. 16)
International African Penguin Awareness Day
National Cheese Curd Day
National Mushroom Day
Sweetest Day
October 16
Boss' Day
Dictionary Day
Global Cat Day
National Sports Day
World Food Day
World Spine Day
October 17
Black Poetry Day
National Pasta Day
Wear Something Gaudy Day
October 18
National Chocolate Cupcake Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
World Menopause Day
October 19
National Medical Assistants Day
National New Friends Day
National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20
International Sloth Day
World Osteoporosis Day
National Day on Writing
October 21
National Mammography Day
National Reptile Awareness Day
National Pets for Veterans Day
National Apple Day
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22
International Stuttering Awareness Day
Make a Difference Day
National Nut Day
October 23
National Paralegal Day
National Boston Cream Pie Day
National iPod Day
October 24
Diwali
National Food Day
National Kangaroo Awareness Day
United Nations Day
October 25
International Artist's Day
National Greasy Foods Day
National I Care About You Day
World Opera Day
October 26
National Pumpkin Day
National Day of the Deployed
National Chicken Fried Steak Day
National Pit Bull Awareness Day
October 27
National Mentoring Day
National American Beer Day
Navy Day
October 28
Bandanna Day
Plush Animal Lover's Day
International Animation Day
National Breadstick Day
National First Responders Day
Frankenstein Friday
October 29
National Oatmeal Day
National Cat Day
World Stroke Day
World Psoriasis Day
October 30
National Candy Corn Day
National Checklist Day
National Treat Your Pet Day
Mischief Night
October 31
Halloween
National Magic Day
Girl Scout Founder’s Day
National Caramel Apple Day
National Knock Knock Joke Day
Weekly Observances in October 2023
October 1 to 7: Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 4 to 10: World Space Week
October 6 to 12: National Physician Assistants Week
October 15 to 21: National Friends of Libraries Week
October 17 to 23: Energy Saving Week
October 23 to 31: Red Ribbon Week
October 24 to 31: Bat Appreciation Week
October 22 to 28: Respiratory Care Week
Monthly Observances in October 2023
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
ADHD Awareness Month
Bat Appreciation Month
Blindness Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Country Music Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Fair Trade Month
Halloween Safety Month
International Walk To School Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Apple Month
National Book Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cookie Month
National Dessert Month
National Pasta Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Physical Therapy Month
National Pizza Month
National Pretzel Month
World Animal Month
World Bullying Prevention Month
This article was originally published on TODAY.com