October Holidays, Celebrations, and Observances

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. - Anne Shirley

Join me for Calendar Time videos!!

Follow me on IG for celebration updates and ideas!

Join my new Facebook group for people who want to find joy in the simple things!

October Celebrations

Not only do celebrations give us something to look forward to, but they provide opportunities to make space for special moments of connection with children. Decorate your space, or create a special craft, or prepare gifts for friends. Whatever you do, do it together, and you're guaranteed to make some memories.

Non-traditional celebrations in October:

Have you checked out my October celebration printables yet?

• National Black Dog Day, October 1st
• National Homemade Cookies Day, October 1st
• National Custodial Worker’s Recognition Day, October 2nd
• National Body Language Day, October 2nd (1st Friday in October)
• National Cinnamon Buns Day, October 4th
• World Smile Day, October 4th
• National Get Funky Day, October 5th
• National Do Something Nice Day, October 5th
• National Consignment Day, October 5th, (1st Monday in October)
• National Mad Hatter Day, October 6th
• National Noodle Day, October 6th
• National Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Day, October 7th
• National Inner Beauty Day, October 7th
• National Pumpkin Seed Day, October 7th (1st Wednesday in October)
• National Fluffernutter Day, October 8th
• American Touch Tag Day, October 8th
• National Leif Erikson Day, October 9th
• National Moldy Cheese Day, October 9th
• National Cake Decorating Day, October 10th
• World Mental Health Day, October 10th
• National Chess Day, October 10th (2nd Saturday in October)
• National Costume Swap Day, October 10th (2nd Saturday in October)
• National I Love Yarn Day, October 10th (2nd Saturday in October)
• International Day of the Girl Child, October 11th
• National Sausage Pizza Day, October 11th
• National Coming Out Day, October 11th
• Clergy Appreciation Day, October 11th (2nd Sunday in October)
• National Freethought Day, October 12th
• National Farmer’s Day, October 12th
• National Gumbo Day, October 12th
• National Train Your Brain Day, October 13th
• National Yorkshire pudding Day, October 13th
• National Dessert Day, October 14th
• Be Bald and Be Free Day, October 14th
• National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work or School Day, October 14th (Second Wednesday in October)
• National Fossil Day, October 14th (Wednesday of the 2nd full week in October)
• National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day, October 14th
• National Cheese Curd Day, October 15th
• National I Love Lucy Day, October 15th
• National Grouch Day, October 15th
• National Sports Day, October 16th
• National Dictionary Day, October 16h
• Global Cat Day, October 16th
• National Mulligan Day, October 17th
• National Pasta Day, October 17th
• Black Poetry Day, October 17th
• National Sweetest Day, October 17th (3rd Saturday in October)
• National Exascale Day, October 18th
• International Legging Day, October 18th
• National Chocolate Cupcake Day, October 18th
• National Seafood Bisque Day, October 19th
• National LGBT Center Awareness Day, October 19th
• National Youth Confidence Day, October 20th
• National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, October 21st
• National Reptile Awareness Day, October 21st
• National Hagfish Day, October 21st (3rd Wednesday in October)
• National Make a Dog’s Day, October 22nd
• National Nut Day, October 22nd
• National Color Day, October 22nd
• National Boston Cream Pie Day, October 23rd
• National Mole Day, October 23rd
• National Food Day, October 24th
• National Make a Difference Day, October 24th (4th Saturday in October)
• United Nations Day, October 24th
• National Greasy Food Day, October 25th
• Sourest Day, October 25th
• National Mule Day, October 26th
• National Pumpkin Day, October 26th
• National Mincemeat Day, October 26th
• National Black Cat Day, October 27th
• National Chocolate Day, October 28th
• National Cat Day, October 29th
• National Oatmeal Day, October 29th
• National Hermit Day, October 29th
• National Candy Corn Day, October 30th
• National Frankenstein Day, October 30th (last Friday in October)
• National Breadstick Day, October 30th (last Friday in October)
• National Trick or Treat Day, October 31st (last Saturday in October)
• National Caramel Apple Day, October 31st
• National Knock-Knock Jokes Day, October 31st
• National Magic Day, October 31st

Famous October birthdays:

• Julie Andrews, October 1, 1935. Actress, singer. Mary Poppins & The Sound of Music
• Groucho Marx, October 2, 1890. Comedian.
• Don McLean, October 2, 1945. Singer, songwriter, "American Pie"
• Ray Kroc, October 5, 1902. Founder of McDonald's
• George Westinghouse, October 6, 1846. Engineer, inventor, developed AC electric power.
• Desmond Tutu, October 7, 1931. Archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner.
• R. L. Stine, October 8, 1943. Children's book author.
• Henry John Heinz, October 11, 1844. Founder of the Heinz ketchup company.
• Eleanor Roosevelt, October 11, 1844. First Lady.
• E. E. Cummings, October 14, 1894. Poet.
• Noah Webster, October 16, 1758. Compiled first American English dictionary.
• Oscar Wilde, October 16, 1854. Poet, playwright.
• Evel Knievel, October 17, 1938. Motorcycle daredevil.
• Mike Ditka. October 18, 1939. DA BEARS.
• Alfred Nobel, October 21, 1833. Chemist, engineer, established Nobel prize.
• Gertrude Ederle, October 23, 1906. First woman to swim the English channel.
• Pablo Picasso, October 25, 1881. Artist.
• Emily Post, October 27, 1872. Etiquette maven.
• Dylan Thomas, October 27, 1914. Poet.
• Ezra Pound, October 30, 1855. Poet.
• John Keats, October 31, 1795. Poet.
• Juliette Gordon Low, October 31, 1860. Founder of Girl Scouts of America.
• Vanilla Ice, October 31, 1967. Ice, Ice, Baby.

October 2020 holidays of the more standard-fare:

• Full Harvest moon, Thursday, October 1st
• Sukkot begins, Friday, October 2nd
• Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah, Friday, October 9th
• Indigenous People's Day, Monday, October 12th
• Halloween, Saturday, October 31st