October 2026: holidays, special days and observances

Thursday, October 1, 2026

October 1, 2026 is International Coffee Day. It is also International Day of Older Persons. And a fun one: World Vegetarian Day.

• International Coffee Day Worldwide

  A cup of coffee is remembered for forty years, as the Turkish saying goes. Who are you treating today?

• International Day of Older Persons Worldwide

  A day for our elders. The perfect time to give them a call.

• World Vegetarian Day Fun day

  How about a meat-free meal today?

Around the world

• Independence Day — Nigeria, Palau, Tuvalu
• National Day — China, Hong Kong
• Cerimonia di investitura dei Capitani Reggenti — San Marino
• 2 more days around the world in the app →

Friday, October 2, 2026

October 2, 2026 is International Day of Non-Violence. And a fun one: World Smile Day.

• International Day of Non-Violence Worldwide

  Gandhi's birthday. Honouring the power of non-violence.

• World Smile Day Fun day

  Smiles are contagious. Pass one on today 🙂

Around the world

• Grandparents' Day (Italy) — Italy. Italy celebrates its nonne and nonni.
• Gandhi Jayanti — India
• Independence Day — Guinea
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Saturday, October 3, 2026

October 3, 2026 is Boyfriend Day.

• Boyfriend Day Fun day

  How about a little surprise for your boyfriend today?

Around the world

• German Unity Day — Germany
• National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) — South Korea
• Independence Day — Iraq
• 3 more days around the world in the app →

Sunday, October 4, 2026

October 4, 2026 is National Taco Day in the United States. It is also World Space Week (Oct 4–10). And a fun one: Taco Day.

• National Taco Day United StatesFun day

  Tacos are on the menu today!

• World Space Week (Oct 4–10) Worldwide

  A week to look up. Count the stars tonight!

• Taco Day Fun day

  Crunchy or soft, enjoy a taco piled high with fillings.

Around the world

• Grandparents Day — United Kingdom. Don't forget to call your grandparents today.
• Clocks go forward (summer time) — Australia. Clocks go forward one hour: one hour less sleep tonight!
• Harvest Festival (Erntedankfest) — Germany. Giving thanks for the harvest; churches are decorated with produce.
• 6 more days around the world in the app →

Monday, October 5, 2026

October 5, 2026 is World Habitat Day. It is also World Architecture Day and World Teachers' Day. And a fun one: Do Something Nice Day.

• World Habitat Day Worldwide

  Everyone should have a safe home.

• World Architecture Day Worldwide

  A day for the architects who design our homes and streets.

• World Teachers' Day Worldwide

  Teachers' day around the world. In Türkiye it's celebrated on 24 November.

• Do Something Nice Day Fun day

  Do a small kindness for a friend or a stranger.

Around the world

• Thanksgiving — Saint Lucia
• Implantação da República — Portugal
• Constitution Day — Vanuatu

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

October 6, 2026 is German-American Day in the United States. And a fun one: Noodle Day.

• German-American Day United States

  Celebrating the contributions of German Americans.

• Noodle Day Fun day

  Slurp a warm bowl of noodles today.

Around the world

• Armed Forces Day — Egypt
• Memorial Day for the Martyrs of Arad — Hungary

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

October 7, 2026 is World Cotton Day. And a fun one: Frappé Day.

• World Cotton Day Worldwide

  From your T-shirt to your towel, a day for cotton and the farmers who grow it.

• Frappé Day Fun day

  Cool down with an icy, frothy frappé.

Thursday, October 8, 2026

October 8, 2026 is World Sight Day. And a fun one: Fluffernutter Day.

• World Sight Day Worldwide

  Love your eyes: an eye test once a year and regular screen breaks.

• Fluffernutter Day Fun day

  Peanut butter and marshmallow creme: a sweet sandwich!

Around the world

• Durga Puja — Bangladesh
• Battle of Angamos — Peru

Friday, October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026 is Leif Erikson Day in the United States. It is also World Post Day. And a fun one: World Egg Day.

• Leif Erikson Day United States

  Remembering the Viking explorer among the first Europeans in America.

• World Post Day Worldwide

  When did you last write someone a letter or a postcard?

• World Egg Day Fun day

  Scrambled, boiled or fried? Today the debate is open.

Around the world

• Valencian Community Day — Spain. Sweethearts exchange marzipan treats (the mocadorà).
• Independence Day — Uganda
• Columbus Day — Costa Rica
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Saturday, October 10, 2026

October 10, 2026 is World Migratory Bird Day. It is also World Mental Health Day. And a fun one: Cake Decorating Day.

• World Migratory Bird Day Worldwide

  The birds are heading south. Safe travels!

• World Mental Health Day Worldwide

  Mental health matters as much as physical health. Be kind to yourself today.

• Cake Decorating Day Fun day

  Grab icing, sprinkles and imagination and decorate a cake.

Around the world

• Fiji Day — Fiji
• Independence Day — Cuba
• National Day — Taiwan. Its international status is disputed.
• 4 more days around the world in the app →

Sunday, October 11, 2026

October 11, 2026 is International Day of the Girl Child. And a fun one: Southern Food Heritage Day.

• International Day of the Girl Child Worldwide

  Every girl has the right to go to school, to dream and to choose.

• Southern Food Heritage Day Fun day

  Celebrating the warm, hearty food traditions of the American South.

Around the world

• Bolivian Woman's Day — Bolivia
• Revolution Day — North Macedonia

Monday, October 12, 2026

October 12, 2026 is Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day in the United States. It is also World Arthritis Day. And a fun one: Gumbo Day.

• Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day United States

  Americans mark Columbus and the heritage of Indigenous peoples.

• World Arthritis Day Worldwide

  If joint pain and morning stiffness don't go away, see a rheumatologist. Arthritis can strike at any age.

• Gumbo Day Fun day

  A day to taste Louisiana's spicy, hearty stew.

Around the world

• Thanksgiving (Canada) — Canada. Canadians give thanks for the harvest with turkey and pumpkin pie.
• National Day — Spain
• Children's Day (Brazil) — Brazil. Brazilian children are spoiled with gifts.
• 9 more days around the world in the app →

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

October 13, 2026 is International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction Worldwide

  Pack an emergency kit and know your assembly point. Preparation saves lives.

Around the world

• Rwagasore Day — Burundi
• King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day — Thailand

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

October 14, 2026 is World Standards Day. And a fun one: Dessert Day.

• World Standards Day Worldwide

  From plugs to screws, a day for the shared standards that make life easier.

• Dessert Day Fun day

  There's always room for dessert!

Around the world

• Svetitskhovloba — Georgia
• Nyerere Day — Tanzania

Thursday, October 15, 2026

October 15, 2026 is Global Handwashing Day. It is also International Day of Rural Women. And a fun one: Mushroom Day.

• Global Handwashing Day Worldwide

  Soap and water, the cheapest medicine. Wash your hands for 20 seconds.

• International Day of Rural Women Worldwide

  In fields, gardens and barns: a day for the rural women who feed our tables.

• Mushroom Day Fun day

  Sauté, soup or pizza: cook something with mushrooms.

Around the world

• Teachers' Day (Brazil) — Brazil. Brazil thanks its teachers.
• Aunty Tek Spice Word Festival — Grenada
• Mother's Day — Malawi

Friday, October 16, 2026

October 16, 2026 is Boss's Day in the United States. It is also World Bread Day and World Food Day. And a fun one: Dictionary Day.

• Boss's Day United StatesFun day

  If you have a great boss, today's the day to say thanks.

• World Bread Day Worldwide

  Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread. Don't waste it; stale bread has its uses too.

• World Food Day Worldwide

  Finish your plate, reduce waste. Millions still go to bed hungry.

• Dictionary Day Fun day

  Open a page at random and learn a new word.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

October 17, 2026 is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. And a fun one: Pasta Day.

• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Worldwide

  A day of solidarity for a world without poverty.

• Pasta Day Fun day

  Spaghetti, penne or fusilli: pick your plate!

Around the world

• Anniversary of the death of Dessalines — Haiti

Sunday, October 18, 2026

October 18, 2026 is Chocolate Cupcake Day.

• Chocolate Cupcake Day Fun day

  A little frosted chocolate cupcake hits the spot.

Around the world

• Independence Restoration Day (Azerbaijan) — Azerbaijan. Celebrating Azerbaijan's restored independence in 1991.
• Double Ninth Festival — Taiwan
• National Day of Prayers — Zambia

Monday, October 19, 2026

October 19, 2026 is Evaluate Your Life Day.

• Evaluate Your Life Day Fun day

  Where have you come from, where are you heading? Take a moment for yourself.

Around the world

• Mother Teresa Day — Albania
• National Heroes Day — Jamaica
• National Day of Remembrance for Steadfast Clergy — Poland

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

October 20, 2026 is World Osteoporosis Day.

• World Osteoporosis Day Worldwide

  Calcium, vitamin D and exercise for strong bones. Osteoporosis progresses silently.

Around the world

• Revolution Day — Guatemala
• Mashujaa Day — Kenya
• Vietnamese Women's Day — Vietnam

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

October 21, 2026 is Apple Day.

• Apple Day Fun day

  Harvest time: celebrate the many varieties of apple!

Around the world

• Trafalgar Day — United Kingdom. Remembering the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar and Admiral Nelson.
• Ndadaye Day — Burundi
• Armed forces Day — Honduras
• 2 more days around the world in the app →

Thursday, October 22, 2026

October 22, 2026 is Nut Day.

• Nut Day Fun day

  Hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts: grab a handful for energy.

Friday, October 23, 2026

October 23, 2026 is International Day of the Snow Leopard. And a fun one: Boston Cream Pie Day.

• International Day of the Snow Leopard Worldwide

  A day to protect the snow leopard, the ghost of the mountains.

• Boston Cream Pie Day Fun day

  Try this classic cream-filled, chocolate-glazed dessert.

Around the world

• 1956 Revolution Memorial Day — Hungary
• Liberation Day — Libya
• Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle — North Macedonia
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Saturday, October 24, 2026

October 24, 2026 is United Nations Day. It is also World Development Information Day, Global Media and Information Literacy Week (Oct 24–31) and Disarmament Week (Oct 24–30).

• United Nations Day Worldwide

  The UN Charter came into force on this day in 1945.

• World Development Information Day Worldwide

  Highlighting the power of information in solving development problems.

• Global Media and Information Literacy Week (Oct 24–31) Worldwide

  Before you share, ask: is this true, and where does it come from?

• Disarmament Week (Oct 24–30) Worldwide

  An awareness week for fewer weapons and more peace.

Around the world

• Independence Day — Zambia
• First Day of Winter — Iceland

Sunday, October 25, 2026

October 25, 2026 is World Pasta Day. And a fun one: Greasy Foods Day.

• World Pasta Day Fun day

  Pasta is the star of the kitchen today. Tomato or cream?

• Greasy Foods Day Fun day

  Treat yourself: fries and burgers are in order today!

Around the world

• Clocks go back (winter time) — 14 countries: United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and 11 more
• Basque Country Day — Spain. Celebrating the Basque Country's autonomy.
• Election Day — Brazil
• 5 more days around the world in the app →

Monday, October 26, 2026

October 26, 2026 is Pumpkin Day.

• Pumpkin Day Fun day

  Carve it, cook it or just use it as decoration.

Around the world

• October Bank Holiday (Ireland) — Ireland. A long weekend around Halloween.
• Labour Day — New Zealand
• National Day — Austria

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

October 27, 2026 is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

• World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Worldwide

  Old films, records, tapes: a day for protecting our audiovisual heritage.

Around the world

• Independence Day — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

October 28, 2026 is Chocolate Day.

• Chocolate Day Fun day

  A square of chocolate brightens any day.

Around the world

• Ohi Day — Greece
• Independent Czechoslovak State Day — Czechia

Thursday, October 29, 2026

October 29, 2026 is World Psoriasis Day. It is also World Stroke Day and International Day of Care and Support. And a fun one: Cat Day.

• World Psoriasis Day Worldwide

  Psoriasis isn't contagious. A day of understanding and support for those living with it.

• World Stroke Day Worldwide

  Face drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble: call emergency services at once. Every minute counts.

• International Day of Care and Support Worldwide

  Thanks for the unseen work of everyone caring for children, elders and the sick.

• Cat Day Fun day

  Cuddle your feline friends and give them a special treat.

Around the world

• Republic Day — TRNC (Northern Cyprus), Türkiye
• Jour de l'Unité — Vanuatu

Friday, October 30, 2026

October 30, 2026 is Candy Corn Day.

• Candy Corn Day Fun day

  Halloween's tricolour candy takes the stage.

Around the world

• World Savings Day (Germany) — Germany. Children take their piggy banks to the bank: small savings grow.

Saturday, October 31, 2026

October 31, 2026 is Halloween in the United States. It is also World Cities Day.

• Halloween United StatesFun day

  Get your costume ready and put sweets by the door. Pumpkins take the stage!

• World Cities Day Worldwide

  What's your favourite corner of your city?

Around the world

• Reformation Day — Germany, Chile, Slovenia
• All Saints' Day — Finland, Sweden
• Flag Day — Ecuador