Pumpkin Spice Day, Yom Kippur, Halloween—See What Holidays and Special Days Are Observed in October!
Can you believe that it’s already October? Neither can we! But we have loved everything about the fall season so far, like pumpkin picking, tailgating at football games and sweater weather!
The month of October is synonymous with all things Halloween. Black cats, witches and ghosts, planning the perfect Halloween costume, and adorning your home and yard with spooktacular decorations fitting for this time of year. There are also some major religious holidays observed during October 2022, like Yom Kippur and Diwali, and the federal holiday, Columbus Day. But the month of October is also chock full of fun and silly observances, like National Coffee Day, a day dedicated to the movie Mean Girls, Wear Something Gaudy Day, National Greasy Foods Day and Face Your Fears Day.
There are also days on the October calendar that bring attention to more serious matters, like pregnancy and infant loss, anti-bullying and the trauma associated with abuse. Certain weeks in October are dedicated to recognizing causes like mental illness (October 2-8), fire prevention (October 9-15) and food banks (October 16-22). And the entire month of October is a time to bring awareness to important causes like breast cancer, dyslexia, Down Syndrome and depression education.
Want to know more about October 2022 holidays and observances? We’ve put together a list of all the special-interest days coming up this month, so keep on reading to see which ones you might want to celebrate!
What Major Holidays Are in October?
There are several major holidays in October. If you ask any child you know, they will likely tell you that October 31—aka Halloween—is the most important date of the month because it is the night that they get to dress up and go door to door begging for candy and other treats! But there is another major holiday that is celebrated during October as well.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States, and Columbus Day 2022 falls on Monday, October 12, 2022. The holiday commemorates the discovery of the Americas by the explorer Christopher Columbus and is observed each year on the second Monday of the month. Because it is a federal holiday, United States banks are closed, there is no delivery of mail by the United States Postal Service, and schools and most businesses across the country are closed for the day.
Are There Religious Holidays in October?
Yes, there are a few religious holidays that take place in October. In 2022, the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur falls during the month of October on the modern Gregorian calendar. The highest of Judaism’s holy days, Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, as Jews believe it is on this day that God decides each person’s fate. Jews observe Yom Kippur with a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer at a special synagogue service as they ask God for the forgiveness of their sins committed over the past year. In 2022, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 4 and ends at nightfall the following evening, October 5. Since Yom Kippur is the most solemn day, Jewish people also do not go to work or school, using anything electronic is prohibited, and they don’t even use water to bathe, drink or brush their teeth. At the end of Yom Kippur, Jewish families gather for a celebratory meal to break their fast.
Sukkot is another Jewish holiday that takes place in October. In 2022, Sukkot will begin at sundown on October 9 and end on October 16. In Jewish tradition, the week-long holiday was to celebrate the yearly harvest of farmers, while also commemorating the Bible’s story of how the Jews escaped from Egypt and lived in temporary shelters as they wandered through the desert for 40 years.
In 2022, the month of October also has a religious Hindu holiday called Diwali. Since the dates of Diwali—known as the Festival of Lights—are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, they change from year to year. But in 2022, Diwali begins on October 24. India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year, the Festival of Lights is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and marks the beginning of the new year for some Hindu groups. During Diwali, Indians light clay lamps outside of their homes, symbolizing the inner light that protects their dwellings from the darkness. The five-day holiday is as important in the Hindu religion as Christmas is in Christianity. And much like Christmas, Indians celebrate with prayer, feasts, and family gatherings.
Another religious holiday in October is All Hallow’s Eve, observed on October 31. Yes, that date is indeed Halloween—and that’s because the secular holiday has roots in the historic beliefs and practices of Christian religions. All Hallow’s Eve falls the night before the Christian holy day All Saint’s Day, or All Hallow’s Day, on November 1. Hallowed means “made holy” and over the years, All Hallow’s Eve eventually became known as Halloween.
Does October 2022 Have a Full Moon?
The full moon during the month of October is traditionally called the Hunter’s Moon. According to Almanac.com, it will reach its peak on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 4:54 p.m. Eastern Time, but stargazers (or moon gazers in this case!) will need to wait until the sun sets to see the full moon in all its glory. And in the same way that September’s Harvest Moon looked “full” for three nights in a row because of the moon’s cycle this time of year, you will be able to view the full Hunter’s Moon in the night sky for several nights, starting on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
October Daily Holidays and Observances 2022
October 1
· Fall Astronomy Day
· International Coffee Day
· International Day of Older Persons
· International Frugal Fun Day (observed the first Saturday in October)
· National Hair Day
· National Homemade Cookies Day
· National Pumpkin Spice Day
· World Card Making Day
· World Vegetarian Day
October 2
· Country Inn, Bed & Breakfast Day
· Guardian Angels Day
· International Day of Non-Violence
· National Custodial Worker Day
· National GOE (Growth.Overcome.Empower) Day (in support of those healing from abuse trauma)
· National Name Your Car Day
· World Communion Sunday
· World Farm Animals Day
October 3
· Boyfriend’s Day
· Child Health Day
· World Architecture Day
· World Day of Bullying Prevention
· World Habitat Day
October 4
· National Frappe Day
· National Golf Lover’s Day
· National Taco Day
· National Vodka Day
· Ships-in-Bottles Day
· Ten-Four Day (recognizing radio operators who use the call sign 10-4)
· World Animal Day
· Yom Kippur (begins at sundown)
October 5
· Do Something Nice Day
· National Apple Betty Day
· National Kale Day
· National Pumpkin Seed Day
· National Walk to School Day
· Random Acts of Poetry Day
· World Teacher’s Day
October 6
· Mad Hatter Day
· National Depression Screening Day
· National German-American Day
· National Noodle Day
· National Plus Size Appreciation Day
· Physician Assistant Day
October 7
· Kids Music Day
· MFG (Manufacturing) Day
· National Diversity Day
· National Inner Beauty Day
· World Smile Day
· You Matter to Me Day
October 8
· I Love Yarn Day
· National Chess Day
· National Flutternutter Day
· National Motorcycle Ride Day (second Saturday in October)
· National Pierogi Day
· National Salmon Day
· Universal Music Day
· World Migratory Bird Day
· World Octopus Day
October 9
· Clergy Appreciation Day
· Curious Events Day
· Father-Daughter Day
· Fire Prevention Day
· Leif Erikson Day (in honor of the Norse explorer)
· Moldy Cheese Day
· Sukkot (begins at sundown)
Related: Healthy Halloween-Themed Snack Ideas
October 10
· Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
· Indigenous Peoples' Day (second Monday in October)
· International Newspaper Carrier Day
· National Angel Food Cake Day
· National Cake Decorating Day
· National Handbag Day
· National Kick-Butt Day
· National Metric Day
· National Tic Tac Day
· Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
· World Day Against the Death Penalty
· World Homeless Day
· World Mental Health Day
October 11
· Ada Lovelace Day (honoring the achievements of women in STEM fields
· International Day of the Girl Child
· International Face Your Fears Day
· National Coming Out Day
· National Sausage Pizza Day
· Southern Food Heritage Day
· World Child Development Day
October 12
· Emergency Nurses Day (second Wednesday of October)
· Freethought Day
· Moment of Frustration Scream Day
· International Top Spinning Day
· National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
· National Farmer's Day
· National Fossil Day
· National Gumbo Day
· National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day
· World Arthritis Day
October 13
· International Day for Failure
· International Day for Disaster Reduction
· National M&M's Day
· National Yorkshire Pudding Day
· No Bra Day
· Skeptics Day
· World Sight Day
October 14
· Be Bald and Free Day
· National Dessert Day
· World Egg Day
October 15
· Blind Americans Equality Day
· Global Handwashing Day
· International Day of Rural Women
· International Raw Milk Cheese Appreciation Day
· National Grouch Day
· National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
· National Mushroom Day
· National Pug Day
· Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
· Sweetest Day (a Midwestern tradition in which women give gifts and candy to the men)
Related: 150 Romantic Love Messages for Him or Her
October 16
· Dictionary Day
· Global Cat Day
· National Liqueur Day
· World Food Day
· Boss’s Day
October 17
· Black Poetry Day
· International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
· Mulligan Day (promoting do-overs, after the golf term for a second chance)
· National Pasta Day
· National Playing Card Collection Day
· Wear Something Gaudy Day
October 18
· Alaska Day
· Meatloaf Appreciation Day
· National Chocolate Cupcake Day
· World Menopause Day
October 19
· Evaluate Your Life Day
· International Pronouns Day
· LGBT Center Awareness Day
· National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20
· Get Smart About Credit Day
· National Brandied Fruit Day
October 21
· Babbling Day
· International Nacho Day
· National Mammography Day
· National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22
· International Stuttering Awareness Day
· Make A Difference Day
· National Color Day
· National Fossil Day
· National Nut Day
· Smart Is Cool Day
October 23
· Mother-in-Law Day
· National Boston Cream Pie Day
· National Mole Day (celebrated by chemists and mathematicians in honor of the specialized counting of Avogadro’s Number)
October 24
· Diwali
· National Bologna Day
· National Food Day
· Recycle Your Mercury Thermostat Day
· United Nations Day
Related: Delicious Diwali Recipes
October 25
· Howl at the Moon Night
· International Artist Day
· National Greasy Foods Day
· Punk for a Day Day
· Sourest Day
October 26
· National Mincemeat Pie Day
· National Pumpkin Day
October 27
· Cranky Coworkers Day
· National Black Cat Day
· Navy Day
· World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
October 28
· Childcare Superhero Day
· Frankenstein Friday
· National Breadstick Day
· National Chocolate Day
October 29
· National Cat Day
· National Oatmeal Day
· World Stroke Day
October 30
· Checklists Day
· Devil's Night, or Mischief Night
· Haunted Refrigerator Night
· National Candy Corn Day
· World Audio Drama Day (commemorating Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds" broadcast in 1938)
October 31
· All Hallows Eve, or Halloween
· Books for Treats Day
· Magic Day
· National Candy Apple Day
· National Caramel Apple Day
· National Knock-Knock Day
· National UNICEF Day
· World Cities Day
October Weekly Observances
· Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8)
· National Carry a Tune Week (October 2-8)
· World Space Week (October 4-10)
· Earth Science Week (October 9-15)
· Emergency Nurses Week (October 9-15)
· Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15)
· OCD Awareness Week (October 9-15)
· National School Lunch Week (October 10-14)
· Food and Drug Interaction Education and Awareness Week (October 16-22)
· National Character Counts Week (October 16-22)
· National Chemistry Week (October 16-22)
· National Food Bank Week (October 16-22)
· National Friends of Libraries Week (October 16-22)
· National Health Education Week (October 17-21)
· Nuclear Science Week (October 17-21)
· Pastoral Care Week (October 23-29)
· National Magic Week (October 25-31)
October Monthly Observances
· ADHD Awareness Month
· Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
· American Cheese Month
· American Pharmacist Month
· Breast Cancer Awareness Month
· Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
· Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month
· Clergy Appreciation Month
· Computer Learning Month
· Contact Lens Safety Month
· Cookie Month
· Domestic Violence Awareness Month
· Down Syndrome Awareness Month
· Dyslexia Awareness Month
· Eat Country Ham Month
· Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
· German-American Heritage Month
· Global Diversity Awareness Month
· Health Literacy Month
· Healthy Lung Month
· LGBT History Month
· Liver Cancer Awareness Month
· International Drum Month
· National Apple Month
· National Applejack (Hard Cider) Month
· National Arts and Humanities Month
· National Audiology Awareness Month
· National Bake and Decorate Month
· National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
· National Chili Month
· National Chiropractic Health Month
· National Crime Prevention Month
· National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
· National Dental Hygiene Month
· National Depression Education and Awareness Month
· National Dessert Month
· National Diabetes Month
· National Disability Employment Awareness Month
· National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
· National Pizza Month
· National Popcorn Poppin' Month
· National Vegetarian Month
· National Popcorn Popping Month
· National Reading Group Month
· National Roller Skating Month
· National Seafood Month
· National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
· Polish-American Heritage Month
· Positive Attitude Month
· Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
· Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
· Sarcastic Month
· Spinach Month
· Talk About Your Medicines Month
· Vegetarian Month
· World Menopause Month
Next, check out these creepy-cute drinks and treats for your Halloween party menu!
