Own Business Day is an annual celebration of independent businesses and the entrepreneurs who run them, held on the second Tuesday of October. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 13 October. The day encourages customers to support local and independent traders, while giving small business owners a focal point to promote special offers, run events...
Disaster Day, formally known as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, takes place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), it is a global observance that promotes a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience in the face of natural and human-made hazards. What is Disaster...
International Day for Failure takes place every year on 13 October. The day encourages people to talk openly about their mistakes, setbacks and disappointments, and to recognise failure as a normal and valuable part of learning, creativity and entrepreneurship. It began in Finland in 2010 as a student-led initiative and has since spread to dozens...
Ada Lovelace Day 2026 is Tuesday 13 October 2026. It falls on the second Tuesday of October each year. Ada Lovelace Day is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, held annually on the second Tuesday of October. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 13 October. The day...
International E-Waste Day takes place on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. It is a global awareness day organised by the WEEE Forum that highlights the growing problem of electronic waste and encourages people to recycle, repair, and reuse their old electrical and electronic equipment rather than throwing it away or leaving it unused. What is International...
What is Global Handwashing Day 2026? Global Handwashing Day is an annual global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. This day serves as a reminder of the critical role that hand hygiene plays in...
International Credit Union Day 2026 is a global celebration that recognizes the significant role that credit unions play in empowering individuals and communities to achieve financial well-being. It's a day to highlight the cooperative principles that guide credit unions and their commitment to providing accessible and affordable financial services to people from all walks of...
World Values Day 2026 is a global celebration dedicated to recognizing the importance of values in our lives and the positive impact they can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large. It's a day to reflect on our personal values, the values that bind us together as a society, and how we can...
Conflict Resolution Day 2026 is a global observance dedicated to promoting peaceful conflict resolution, fostering understanding, and encouraging collaboration. It serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving disputes and conflicts through non-violent means and finding common ground for the betterment of individuals, communities, and the world. Conflict Resolution Day encourages individuals, organizations, and...
National Lemon Bar Day is celebrated every year on 15 October, honouring the bright, buttery dessert that pairs a crumbly shortbread base with a tangy lemon curd topping. In 2026 the day falls on Thursday, 15 October, giving lemon lovers a perfect midweek excuse to bake, share and enjoy this zesty treat. How to Celebrate...
Earthquake Day in Chile is an annual day of earthquake awareness and preparedness, observed on the third Thursday of October. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, 15 October. The day brings schools, workplaces and communities together to practise life-saving safety drills and review their readiness for a country that sits on one of the most...
National Shawarma Day falls on Thursday, 15 October 2026. The day celebrates shawarma, the spiced, slow-roasted meat carved from a vertical spit and wrapped in warm flatbread with vegetables and sauces. It is a chance to enjoy one of the world's most popular street foods and to appreciate the centuries of culinary history behind it....
What is Restart a Heart Day 2026? Restart a Heart Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the importance of knowing how to restart a heart that has stopped beating. This day serves as a reminder that anyone can learn basic CPR skills and potentially save a life...
National Feral Cat Day takes place on 16 October each year and is dedicated to raising awareness about feral and community cats and promoting humane, effective ways of caring for them. Founded by the advocacy group Alley Cat Allies in 2001, the day champions Trap-Neuter-Return as the responsible alternative to lethal control. In 2016, Alley...
Global Cat Day takes place every year on 16 October. It is led by Alley Cat Allies, the leading advocacy organisation for cats, and calls on people worldwide to protect community cats and to support humane, science-based policies for every cat in every community. What is Global Cat Day? Global Cat Day is an international...
World Food Day 2026 is Friday 16 October 2026. It falls on 16 October every year. World Food Day dates YearDate 2026Friday 16 October 2026 2027Saturday 16 October 2027 2028Monday 16 October 2028 The date is fixed: World Food Day always falls on 16 October, marking the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of...
National Mulligan Day takes place every year on 17 October, and in 2026 it falls on Saturday, 17 October. The day celebrates the idea of the "mulligan", a golfing term for a do-over, and extends it to everyone: a light-hearted invitation to take a second chance, forgive a mistake, and try again. It is a...
International Sawfish Day takes place on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The day raises awareness of sawfish, a group of large, ray-like fish that are among the most endangered marine animals on Earth, and the threats driving their decline. It is marked each year by aquariums, zoos, researchers and conservation groups around the world. What is...
Stepping Stone Day is an informal observance held each year on 17 October that encourages people to pause and recognise the small steps, or "stepping stones", that carry them towards bigger goals. It is not run by any single official organisation, and its exact origins are not documented, but it has circulated through online calendars...
Adventure Day falls on Saturday, 17 October 2026. It is an annual celebration that encourages people to step outside their comfort zone, try something new and reconnect with the outdoors, whether that means scaling a peak, exploring a new neighbourhood or simply saying yes to an experience that takes a little courage. The date moves...
World Menopause Awareness Day is an annual event dedicated to raising global awareness about menopause and the health-related issues women face during this phase of life. The day serves as an important reminder to break the silence around menopause, provide support, and educate both women and men about the physical and emotional changes that occur....