October Awareness Days 2026 (UK) and National Days

There are 222 awareness days, weeks and months in October 2026. The ones people look up most: Halloween (31 October), Wear It Pink (23 October), National Black Cat Day (27 October), National No Bra Day (13 October) and Boss’s Day (16 October).

Updated 23 October 2026

163

Single-day events

23

Awareness weeks

36

Awareness months

222

Total events

Get the full 2027 calendar, £49.99/yearThe key October dates in Excel, Google Sheets, PDF and iCal

Key October 2026 awareness days

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayFun & QuirkyUSNational Boyfriend Day 2026US · Sat 3 Oct

8 Oct8 OctThursdayDisability AwarenessInternationalWorld Dyslexia Awareness Day 2026International · Thu 8 Oct

13 Oct13 OctTuesdayHealth & WellbeingUKNational No Bra Day 2026UK · Tue 13 Oct

15 Oct15 OctThursdayHealth & WellbeingUKGlobal Wave Of Light 2026UK · Thu 15 Oct

16 Oct16 OctFridayOctober Awareness DaysUSBoss’s Day 2027US · Fri 16 Oct

23 Oct23 OctFridayCancerInternationalWear It Pink 2026International · Fri 23 Oct

27 Oct27 OctTuesdayAnimals & WildlifeInternationalNational Black Cat Day 2026International · Tue 27 Oct

31 Oct31 OctSaturdaySeasonalAustraliaHalloweenAustralia · Sat 31 Oct

Awareness Months in October 202636

Seed Gathering Season 2026 ADHD Awareness Month 2026 Black History Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 Eye Injury Prevention Month 2026 Menopause Awareness Month 2026 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2026 The Big Draw 2026 CMT Awareness Month 2026 Go Sober For October 2026 International School Library Month 2026 International Walk to School Month National Cholesterol Month 2026 National Home Security Month 2026 Pituitary Awareness Month 2026 Domestic Violence Awareness Month National Book Month National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month Emotional Wellness Month 2026 National Fire Prevention Month Dyslexia Awareness Month LGBTQ+ History Month Blindness Awareness Month Global Diversity Awareness Month 2026 National Physical Therapy Month Pear and Pineapple Month 2026 Black Cat Awareness Month 2026 Liver Awareness Month Eczema Awareness Month National Protect Your Hearing Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month Mental Health Month 2026 (Australia)Stoptober 2026 National Coupon Awareness Month UK 2026 Family Learning Festival 2026

All October 2026 Awareness Days by Date

1 Oct1 OctThursdayCountry National DaysInternationalNigeria — Independence DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayCountry National DaysInternationalPalau — Independence DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayCountry National DaysInternationalTuvalu — Independence DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayEnvironmentAustraliaWorld Vegetarian DayAustralia · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayCommunityInternationalInternational Day of Older Persons 2026International · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayOctober Awareness DaysUKNational Poetry Day 2026UK · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayFood & NutritionAustraliaInternational Coffee Day 2026Australia · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayHealth & WellbeingAustraliaNational Longevity DayAustralia · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayFood & NutritionUSNational Pumpkin Spice DayUS · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayFun & QuirkyUSNational Hair DayUS · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayArts & CultureInternationalInternational Music DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayGlobal & NationalInternationalCyprus Independence DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayAnimals & WildlifeInternationalInternational Raccoon Appreciation DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayGlobal & NationalInternationalChina, People’s Republic of – National DayInternational · Thu 1 Oct

1 Oct1 OctThursdayReligious & FaithUSBring Your Bible to School DayUS · Thu 1 Oct

1–7 OctWeek1 Oct to 7 OctWeekOctober Awareness DaysAustraliaInternational Babywearing Week 2026Australia · 1–7 Oct

1–7 OctWeek1 Oct to 7 OctWeekFood & NutritionInternationalNational Vegetarian Week 2026International · 1–7 Oct

1–7 OctWeek1 Oct to 7 OctWeekArts & CultureInternationalWorld Black Beauty Innovation Week 2026International · 1–7 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayCancerInternationalLee National Denim Day 2026International · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayCommunityInternationalWorld Smile Day 2026International · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayAnimals & WildlifeUKCanine Companion DayUK · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayScience & TechnologyInternationalAudiophile DayInternational · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayGlobal & NationalInternationalGandhi JayantiInternational · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayBusiness & FinanceUSManufacturing DayUS · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayGlobal & NationalInternationalInternational Day of Non-ViolenceInternational · Fri 2 Oct

2 Oct2 OctFridayGlobal & NationalInternationalGuinea – Independence DayInternational · Fri 2 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayCountry National DaysInternationalGermany — Day of German UnityInternational · Sat 3 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayCountry National DaysInternationalSouth Korea — National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol)International · Sat 3 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayFun & QuirkyUSNational Boyfriend Day 2026US · Sat 3 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayGlobal & NationalInternationalIraq – Independence DayInternational · Sat 3 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayFun & QuirkyUSMean Girls DayUS · Sat 3 Oct

3 Oct3 OctSaturdayEnvironmentInternationalBritish Carrot Day 2026International · Sat 3 Oct

3–4 Oct3 Oct to 4 OctOctober Awareness DaysUKNational Brunch Weekend 2026UK · 3–4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayCountry National DaysInternationalLesotho — Independence DayInternational · Sun 4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayOctober Awareness DaysUSNational Vodka Day in the USA 2026US · Sun 4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayEnvironmentInternationalNo Disposable Cup Day 2026International · Sun 4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayOctober Awareness DaysAustraliaWorld Animal Day 2026Australia · Sun 4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayFun & QuirkyUSNational Good Buddy DayUS · Sun 4 Oct

4 Oct4 OctSundayFood & NutritionUSNational Cinnamon Roll DayUS · Sun 4 Oct

4–10 OctWeek4 Oct to 10 OctWeekOctober Awareness DaysAustraliaWorld Space Week 2026Australia · 4–10 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayCommunityInternationalBullying Prevention Awareness Day USA 2026International · Mon 5 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayHealth & WellbeingInternationalChild Health Day 2026International · Mon 5 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayDisability AwarenessInternationalInternational Dysgraphia Awareness Day (IDAD) 2026International · Mon 5 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayEnvironmentInternationalWorld Habitat Day 2026International · Mon 5 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayOctober Awareness DaysAustraliaWorld Teachers Day 2026Australia · Mon 5 Oct 5Oct5 Oct5 OctMondayArts & CultureInternationalGlobal James Bond DayInternational · Mon 5 Oct

5 Oct5 OctMondayFun & QuirkyInternationalBalloons Around the World DayInternational · Mon 5 Oct

5–9 OctWeek5 Oct to 9 OctWeekEducation & YouthInternationalCycle To School Week 2026International · 5–9 Oct

5–9 OctWeek5 Oct to 9 OctWeekBusiness & FinanceInternationalNational Work Life Week 2026International · 5–9 Oct

5–9 OctWeek5 Oct to 9 OctWeekCommunityInternationalNSPCC’s Kindness Challenge 2026International · 5–9 Oct

5–9 OctWeek5 Oct to 9 OctWeekHealth & WellbeingInternationalPublic Health Workforce Week 2026International · 5–9 Oct

5–9 OctWeek5 Oct to 9 OctWeekHealth & WellbeingInternationalInternational Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) 2026International · 5–9 Oct

5–10 OctWeek5 Oct to 10 OctWeekHealth & WellbeingUKBackcare Awareness Week 2026UK · 5–10 Oct

5–11 OctWeek5 Oct to 11 OctWeekDisability AwarenessAustraliaDyslexia Awareness Week 2026Australia · 5–11 Oct

5–11 OctWeek5 Oct to 11 OctWeekFood & NutritionUKNational Curry Week 2026UK · 5–11 Oct

5–11 OctWeek5 Oct to 11 OctWeekHealth & WellbeingUKNational Hygiene WeekUK · 5–11 Oct

6 Oct6 OctTuesdayAnimals & WildlifeUKNational Badger Day 2026UK · Tue 6 Oct

6 Oct6 OctTuesdayFood & NutritionUSNational Taco Day 2026US · Tue 6 Oct

6 Oct6 OctTuesdayDisability AwarenessAustraliaWorld Cerebral Palsy Day 2027Australia · Tue 6 Oct

6 Oct6 OctTuesdayEducation & YouthUSNational Coaches DayUS · Tue 6 Oct

Plan your October content

Content planning tools and templates for 2027: editorial calendars, Google Sheets, Excel, calendar feeds and printable calendars. The rest of 2026 is included.

Get the full 2027 calendar, £49.99/year

Planning content for October? See the key dates on the marketing calendar and the lighter days on the social media holidays list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What national days are in October 2026?+

There are 222 national days, awareness days, and observances in October 2026. This includes 163 single-day events, 23 awareness weeks, and 36 awareness months covering health, community, food, education, and more.

What awareness month is October?+

October 2026 is home to 36 awareness months and month-long campaigns. Browse the full list above to discover all the causes and observances being marked throughout the month.

What holidays and special days are in October?+

October 2026 includes 163 single-day events, 23 awareness weeks, and 36 awareness months. These range from international observances and national days to fun and quirky celebrations.

How many awareness days are in October?+

There are 222 total awareness events in October 2026. This includes national days, international observances, awareness weeks, and month-long campaigns. Awareness Days maintains one of the most comprehensive calendars of these events.

What is October known for?+

October is known for 222 awareness days and national observances. It is a key month for awareness campaigns, with 36 month-long observances and 23 awareness weeks running alongside 163 individual days.