October is home to several holidays that change their observance date each year, often depending on the phases of the moon or the lunisolar calendar. These holidays are sometimes referred to as “moveable feasts”.
1. Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a two-day celebration that marks the beginning of the Jewish civil year and the ten-day period of repentance known as the High Holy Days. It is traditionally observed on the first and second days of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The exact date of Rosh Hashanah varies from year to year because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on both the cycles of the moon and the seasons.
2. Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, on which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins and renew their commitment to God. Yom Kippur is observed on the tenth day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The exact date of Yom Kippur varies from year to year because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
3. Sukkot
Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a seven-day harvest festival that commemorates the Israelites’ wandering in the desert after their exodus from Egypt. During Sukkot, Jews traditionally build temporary huts called sukkahs, in which they eat, sleep, and live for the duration of the festival. Sukkot is observed on the fifteenth day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The exact date of Sukkot varies from year to year because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
4. Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret, also known as the Eighth Day of Assembly, is the eighth and final day of the Sukkot festival. It is a day of rest and celebration, on which Jews traditionally gather for prayers and festivities. Shemini Atzeret is observed on the twenty-second day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The exact date of Shemini Atzeret varies from year to year because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
5. Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, meaning “Rejoicing of the Torah,” is a joyous holiday that celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. On Simchat Torah, Jews traditionally dance with Torah scrolls, sing songs, and eat festive meals. Simchat Torah is observed on the twenty-third day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The exact date of Simchat Torah varies from year to year because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
First Week of October
1st Monday in October
- Supreme Court Opening Day
- World Day of Architecture
- World Day of Bullying Prevention / Blue Shirt Day
- World Habitat Day
- National Consignment Day
- Child Health Day
- Day of Unity
- Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention
1st Tuesday in October
- National Fruit at Work Day
1st Wednesday in October
- Balloons Around The World Day
- Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day – (Also known as Feast of St. Francis of Assisi)
- Coffee With A Cop Day
- Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Also Known as Blessing of the Animalws at the Cathedral Day)
- International Walk to School Day
- National Kale Day
- National Pumpkin Seed Day
- Walk to School Day
1st Friday in October
- Kid’s Music Day
- Lee’s National Denim Day
- National Body Language Day
- National Diversity Day
- National Manufacturing Day
- Plaidurday
- World Smile Day
1st Saturday in October
- Bed & Breakfast Inn Mascot Day
- Cephalopod Awareness Day
- Digital Scrapbooking Day
- Frugal Fun Day
- Inter-American Water Day
- International Newspaper Carrier Day
- National Play Outside Day
- Woofstock
- World Card Making Day
1st Sunday in October
- Change a Light Day
- Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day
- Intergeneration Day
- International African Diaspora Day
- International Blessings of the Fishing Fleet Day – (1st Sunday)
- National Pickle Day
- World Communion Day
Second Week of October
2nd Monday in October
- Ada Lovelace Day
- Headspace Day (Australia)
- Own Business Day
- World Child Development Day
- 2nd Tuesday in October
- replace
2nd Wednesday in October
- Bullying Prevention Day
- Emergency Nurses Day
- International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
- International Top Spinning Day
- Kraken Day and Cephalopod Awareness Week
- National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day
- National Fossil Day – (Wednesday of Earth Science Week)
- National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
- National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day
- Stem Cell Awareness Day
- Stop America’s Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today
- Stop Bullying Day
2nd Thursday in October
- World Sight Day
- 2nd Friday in October
- Friday the 13th
- National Chess Day
- National Family Bowling Day
- Vet Nurse Day
- World Egg Day
2nd Saturday in October
- National Costume Swap Day
- National Curves Day
- National Kids Bowl Free Day
- National Motorcycle Ride Day
- Universal Music Day
- World Migratory Bird Day
- I Love Yarn Day
- International African Penguin Awareness Day
- National Chess Day
Third Week of October
3rd Saturday in October
- Sweetest Day
- National Fetch Day
- International Repair Day
- International Independent Video Store Day
- Bridge Day
Fourth Week of October
4th Friday in October
- Frankenstein Friday
- International Bandanna Day
- National Breadstix Day
- Nevada Day
- World Lemar Day
4th Saturday in October
- Allantide
- Hug a Sheep Day
- Kiwanis One Day
- Make a Difference Day
- National Pit Bull Awareness Day
- National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
4th Sunday in October
- World Priest Day
- Mother-in-Law Day
- Visit a Cemetery Day
More in October
More Fun Days in October
- Reformation Sunday
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Disclaimer and Risk Warning: This content is presented to you on an “as is” basis for general information and educational purposes only, without representation or warranty of any kind. I am not a financial advisor. All statements are my own opinion.