Wine Day, Waffle Day, and Left-Handers Day! Check Out All of the Wild August 2024 Holidays
The month of August is kind of seen as the last hurrah of warm weather. August is widely considered the end of summer, as families squeeze in last-minute vacations and beach trips before their kiddos prepare to go back to the classroom for a new school year. But did you know that there are a ton of wacky, weird and wild days to celebrate this month? August 2024 holidays and observances honor everything from waffles and chocolate chip cookies to left-handers and dolls, lighthouses and best friends. We go through each day of the month to make sure you don't miss a thing!
There are even some religious holidays that take place during the eighth month of the year. And the weeks that make up August have special significance as well, such as Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25-31), and more. Not to mention, August as a whole is a month filled with awareness—like National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month, Pedestrian Safety Month and more.
Keep on reading to find out what is celebrated during the month of August!
Related: August Has 2 Birth Flowers to Choose From—Here's What They Symbolize
What Major Holidays Are in August?
There are no major, federal holidays celebrated during August.
Are There Religious Holidays in August?
During August, there are a handful of religious holidays. The month starts off with Lughnasa (or Lughnasadah) on August 1—a Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of the harvest season. Lughnasa is celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It has pagan roots and is still celebrated in Pagan and Wiccan communities today. Closely connected to Lughnasa is Lammas Day, or Loaf Mass Day, also observed on August 1—a Christian holiday celebrating the new wheat crop, it was traditional to bring a loaf of bread made from the grains of the first crops to church to be blessed.
One Jewish holiday also falls during the month of August: Tu B’av. It's a more minor—but very joyful—Jewish holiday and falls on August 18 in 2024. Considered to be a holiday of love, Tu B’av is the Jewish equivalent of Valentine’s Day, and a day of many romantic celebrations like weddings and proposals.
Another Jewish holiday is Tisha B’Av, which falls on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av—in 2024, that is the evening of August 12 in the Gregorian calendar and ends the following night. Tisha B’Av is considered the saddest day of the Hebrew calendar, as many disastrous events occurred on that date, including the destruction of the first two Holy Temples in Jerusalem. Jews fast and pray on Tisha B’av in mourning and remembrance of various tragedies in the history of Judaism.
There aren't a ton of Hindu or Muslim holidays in August. But one that does fall during this month is the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, celebrating the unique bond between a brother and his sister, also on August 19.
There is also an important Christian holiday in August: The Assumption of Mary, or the Feast of the Assumption. Celebrated in 2024 on August 15, the holy day commemorates the belief that after the Virgin Mary died, her body ascended into Heaven where she was reunited with Jesus Christ. In addition to honoring the Blessed Mother in church, different cultures celebrate the feast with varying traditions, like blessing the summer harvest, having colorful parades or festivals, or fireworks.
Does August 2024 Have a Full Moon?
Yes! The first full moon in August, called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise on Aug. 19, 2024, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The August full moon got its name from the prehistoric-looking sturgeon fish, found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. It's also the first of four full supermoons in 2024.
Related: When Is the Next Full Moon? 2024 Monthly Calendar
August Daily Holidays and Observances 2024
August 1
DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Homemade Pie Day
India Pale Ale (IPA) Day
International Childfree Day
National Girlfriend's Day
Lammas Day
Lughnasa
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
National Planner Day
National Promise to Care Day
National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
Play Ball Day
Spider-Man Day
Start-Up Day Across America
Woman Astronomers Day
World Lung Cancer Day
World Scout Scarf Day
World Wide Web Day
Related: Huh? Some People Swear By Blowing Cinnamon Into Their Homes on the First of the Month—Here’s Why
August 2
International Beer Day
National Computer-Aided Design Day
National Coloring Book Day
National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
National Water Balloon Day
Tomboy Tools Day
August 3
Big Forehead Day
Clean Your Floors Day
Grab Some Nuts Day
Esther Day (a day of love between family and friends in honor of Esther Earl, the teenager who inspired John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars)
National Clown Day (the Saturday during Clown Week)
National Disc Golf Day
National Mustard Day
National Twins Day
Sandcastle Day
August 4
American Family Day
Assistance Dog Day
Hooray For Kid's Day
International Clouded Leopard Day
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
National Friendship Day
National Psychic Day
National Sisters Day
National White Wine Day
Psychic Day
Single Working Woman's Day
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Birthday
August 5
Blogger Day
Green Peppers Day
National Oyster Day
National Underwear Day
Work Like a Dog Day
August 6
Balloons to Heaven Day
Farmworker Appreciation Day
Hiroshima Day
National Fresh Breath Day
International Hangover Day
International Sailor Moon Day
National Fresh Breath Day
National Gossip Day
National Root Beer Float Day
Wiggle Your Toes Day
August 7
National Lighthouse Day
National Raspberries and Cream Day
National Sea Serpent Day
Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
Professional Speakers Day
National Purple Heart Day
August 8
Digital Nomad Day
Dying to Know Day
Happiness Happens Day
International Allyship Day
International Cat Day
National Braiders Day
National Bullet Journal Day
National CBD Day
National Dollar Day
National Frozen Custard Day
National Mochi Day
National Pickleball Day
National Zucchini Day
Take a Penny/Leave a Penny Day
The Date to Create
Universal & International Infinity Day
Wear Your Mother's Jewelry Day
August 9
International Co-Working Day
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
National Book Lovers Day
National Hand-Holding Day
National Rice Pudding Day
August 10
Celebrate Your Lakes Day
Garage Sale Day
Herbert Hoover Day
International Vlogging Day
National Bowling Day
National Duran Duran Appreciation Day
National Lazy Day
National Shapewear Day
National S’mores Day
Shop Online for Groceries Day
Skyscraper Appreciation Day
Spoil Your Dog Day
Update Your Bio Day
World Lion Day
August 11
Annual Medical Checkup Day
Gay Uncle's Day
Hip Hop Day
Melon Day
Mountain Day
National Align Your Teeth Day
National Face Mask Day
National Hip Hop Day
National Raspberry Tart Day
Play in the Sand Day
Presidential Joke Day
Son and Daughter Day
August 12
Baseball Fans Day
IBM PC Day
International Youth Day
Julienne Fries Day
Middle Child Day
Milkman Day
National Middle Child Day
Tisha B'Av
Vinyl Record Day
World Elephant Day
August 13
National Filet Mignon Day
National Prosecco Day
Women's and Family Day
August 14
Love Your Bookshop Day
Military Marriage Day
National Creamsicle Day
National Financial Awareness Day
National Navajo Code Talkers Day
National Spirit of ’45 Day
National Tattoo Removal Day
National Wiffle Ball Day
Social Security Day
World Calligraphy Day
World Lizard Day
Related: 11 New Movies We Can't Wait to Watch This Summer
August 15
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chant at the Moon Day
Check the Chip Day (for pet microchips)
I Love Cowboys and Cowgirls Day
Julia Child’s Birthday
Lemon Meringue Pie Day
National Back-To-School Prep Day
National Leathercraft Day
National Relaxation Day
No SpongeBob Day
World Greatness Day
August 16
Hawaiian Shirt Day
Kool-Aid Day
National Airborne Day
National Authenticity Day
National Bratwurst Day
National Independent Worker Day
National Roller Coaster Day
National Rum Day
National Tell A Joke Day
National Work From Home for Wellness Day
Surveillance Day
True Love Forever Day
August 17
Baby Boomers Recognition Day
Banana Lovers Day
Balloon Airmail Day
Break the Monotony Day
Clear the Shelters Day (the third Saturday in August)
International Geocaching Day
International Homeless Animals Day
National Black Cat Appreciation Day
National I Love My Feet Day
National Non-Profit Day
National Thrift Shop Day
National Vanilla Custard Day
World Honey Bee Day
August 18
Bad Poetry Day
Long Tan Day
Mail Order Catalog Day
National Badge Ribbon Day
National Couple's Day
National Fajita Day
National Ice Cream Pie Day
Never Give Up Day
Pinot Noir Day
Serendipity Day
Tu B'Av
World Breast Cancer Research Day
August 19
International Bow Day
International Orangutan Day
National Aviation Day
National Patient Advocacy Day
National Sandcastle and Sculpture Day
National Soft Ice Cream Day
Potato Day
World Humanitarian Day
World Photography Day
August 20
International Day of Medical Transporters
Lemonade Day
National Bacon Lovers Day
National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
National Radio Day
Virtual Worlds Day
World Mosquito Day
August 21
Brazilian Blowout Day
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
Internet Self-Care Day
National Spumoni Day
Senior Citizens Day
August 22
Be an Angel Day
Eat a Peach Day
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
National Burger Day
National Pecan Torte Day
National Surgical Oncologist Day
National Rainbow Baby Day
National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
National Tooth Fairy Day
Never Bean Better Day
World Plant Milk Day
Related: 50 Cute Summer Date Ideas To Keep the Romance Alive
August 23
Buttered Corn Day
Cheap Flight Day
Cuban Sandwich Day
Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition
Find Your Inner Nerd Day
Hug Your Sweetheart Day
International Blind Dog Day
National Ride the Wind Day
National Sponge Cake Day
Slavery Remembrance Day
August 24
Can Opener Day
International Bat Night
International Strange Music Day
Kobe Bryant Day
National Knife Day
National Peach Pie Day
National Waffle Day
Pluto Demoted Day
Vesuvius Day
August 25
Kiss and Make-Up Day
National Banana Split Day
National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
National Whiskey Sour Day
Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday (the last Sunday in August)
Social Justice Sunday
August 26
Make Your Own Luck Day
Musical Yoga Day
National Cherry Popsicle Day
National Dog Day
National Toilet Paper Day
August 27
Crab Soup Day
International Lottery Day
Just Because Day
Kiss Me Day
National Pots de Creme Day
Tarzan Day
World Rock Paper Scissors Day
August 28
Crackers Over the Keyboard Day
International Read Comics In Public Day
National Bow Tie Day
National Cherry Turnover Day
Power Rangers Day
Radio Commercials Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Red Wine Day
August 29
Chop Suey Day
Individual Rights Day
International Cabernet Day
International Day Against Nuclear Tests
Lemon Juice Day
Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
More Herbs, Less Salt Day
National Sports Day
August 30
College Colors Day
Frankenstein Day
International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
International Whale Shark Day
National Beach Day
National Grief Awareness Day
National Holistic Pet Day
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
Slinky Day
World Daffodil Day (last Friday in August)
August 31
Eat Outside Day
International Cabernet Day
International Day for People of African Descent
International Overdose Awareness Day
Love Litigating Lawyers Day
National Matchmaker Day
National Trail Mix Day
National Zoo Awareness Day
Speak Kind Words Saturday (last Saturday in August)
We Love Memoirs Day
World Distance Learning Day
August Weekly Observances 2024
International Clown Week (August 1-7)
National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1-7)
National Cleanse Your Skin Week (August 1-7)
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)
Twins Weekend (August 2-4)
National Psychic Week (August 4-10)
Exercise With Your Child Week (August 4-10)
National Farmers Market Week (August 4-10)
National Health Center Week (August 4-10)
National Stop on Red Week (August 4-10)
National Resurrect Romance Week (August 4-10)
Simplify Your Life Week (August 5-11)
Safe + Sound Week (August 12-18)
Elvis Week (August 9-17)
National Bargain Hunting Week (August 12-18)
National Smile Week (August 11-17)
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (August 17-September 5)
National Aviation Week (August 19-25, coinciding with Orville Wright's Birthday on August 19)
Health Unit Coordinators Week (August 23-29)
Brake Safety Week (August 25-31)
Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25-31)
August Monthly Observances & Awareness Celebrations
Admit You’re Happy Month
American Adventures Month
American Artists Appreciation Month
ARRR-Gust: International Pirate Month
Black Business Month
Boomers Making a Difference Month
Child Support Awareness Month
Children’s Vision & Learning Month
Family Fun Month
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
Happiness Happens Month
Home Business Month
Learn Japanese Month
Medic Alert Awareness Month
Motorsports Awareness Month
National Anti-Frizz Month
National Back-to-School Month
National Breastfeeding Month
National Brownies at Brunch Month
National Catfish Month
National Crayon Collection Month
National Eat Dessert First Month
National Eye Exam Month
National Goat Cheese Month
National Golf Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Minority Donor Awareness Month
National Panini Month
National Parks Month
National Peach Month
National Read-a-Romance Month
National Sandwich Month
National Traffic Awareness Month
National Water Quality Month
National Wellness Month
Neurosurgery Outreach Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month
Romance Awareness Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Next, check out these 34 cold pasta salad recipes for summer!
