National Days
National observances and celebrations
Explore all 88 national days and observances with full details including history, fun facts, and ideas for how to celebrate. Each entry includes upcoming dates, related occasions, and frequently asked questions to help you make the most of every national celebration throughout the year.
National Parks Week
Explore America's natural treasures during National Parks Week! Celebrate the 63 national parks and over 400 National Park Service sites…
National Park Service Founders Day
National Park Service Founders Day on August 25 marks the 1916 Organic Act that created the U.S. National Park Service. It is a heritage…
National Beach Day
National Beach Day on August 30 is an informal U.S. summer date for shore time and beach cleanup, not a federal holiday.
National Cinema Day
Hit the big screen on National Cinema Day! Movie theaters across America offer discounted tickets, typically $3-4. This annual event…
National Eat Outside Day
Dine al fresco on National Eat Outside Day! Enjoy meals in the great outdoors. From picnics to patio dining, eating outside is a beloved…
National Food Bank Day
National Food Bank Day is observed on the first Friday in September — September 4 in 2026 — to highlight food banks and hunger relief. It…
National Read a Book Day
National Read a Book Day on September 6 is an informal literacy date for sitting down with a book. It is not International Literacy Day…
National Day of Encouragement
The National Day of Encouragement is observed on September 12. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, September 12. It began with a student-led…
National Peanut Day
National Peanut Day is an informal U.S. food observance marked on September 13. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, September 13. It highlights…
National Grandparents Day
National Grandparents Day is a U.S. observance on the first Sunday after Labor Day. In 2026 that is Sunday, September 13. It grew from…
National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan U.S. civic drive that helps eligible people register to vote or update their registration…
National Cleanup Day
National Cleanup Day is commonly observed on the third Saturday in September. In 2026 that is Saturday, September 19. It is a volunteer…
National Gratitude Day
National Gratitude Day is an informal U.S. thankfulness observance marked on September 21. In 2026 that is Monday, September 21. It aligns…
National Family Day
National Family Day is an informal U.S. observance marked on September 22. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, September 22. It encourages quality…
First Day of Fall
Welcome autumn on the First Day of Fall! In 2026 the September equinox lands on September 22 for much of the world — the astronomical start…
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a U.S. observance for the full month of October. It highlights workers with disabilities…
National German-American Day
National German-American Day is a United States heritage observance marked on October 6. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, October 6. It…
National Coaches Day
National Coaches Day is a United States observance marked on October 6. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, October 6. It traces to Senate Joint…
National Coffee with a Cop Day
National Coffee with a Cop Day is observed on the first Wednesday of October. In 2026 that is Wednesday, October 7. Officers and neighbors…
National Walk to School Day
National Walk to School Day is a Safe Routes to School observance on the first Wednesday of October. In 2026 that is Wednesday, October 7…
National School Lunch Week
National School Lunch Week is a week-long U.S. observance that highlights school meals and the nutrition professionals who serve them. In…
National Farmers Day
Thank a farmer on National Farmers Day. October 12 is the long-standing informal U.S. date — once widely called Old Farmers Day — set after…
Ada Lovelace Day
Raise the profile of women in STEM on Ada Lovelace Day. Founded by Suw Charman-Anderson in 2009, the day is always the second Tuesday of…
National Leadership Day
National Leadership Day is an informal observance marked on October 16. In 2026 that is Friday, October 16. It encourages people to…