Hey, Pumpkin! October 2023 Holidays and Observances

Orange card with

Don’t you look adorable in your Halloween costume! (Or scary. Or, you know, oddly sexy for a werewolf.) As you gear up for the festivities, there are many other things to celebrate this month—from teachers to tacos to treat bags.

It’s time to flip the calendar page, check out October holidays and observances and start thinking about who we’re connecting with this month. We’ve shared some ideas to help you celebrate.

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

Here for the free stuff? Click the links below to jump right to this month’s downloadables.

Illustration of scales against pink background with Libra lettered at the top.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Illustration of a scorpion against a yellow background with Scorpio lettered underneath

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Your Special Days in October  

Grab your calendar and a notepad. For your personal list of notes to write and cards to send, think about:

 

Time to stock up?

Lettered quote: Take care of yourself so you can keep taking on the world.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Lettered quote: Making someone smile is one of the best feelings in the world.

World Smile Day is October 6.

October Holidays and Observances  

All October:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Clergy Appreciation Month

 

October 3:

National Boyfriend Day

  • Send a handwritten note in a real card with your phone—and we’ll mail it for free! Because when’s the last time you sent a love note?
  • Browse romantic ideas

 

October 4:

National Taco Day

 

October 5:

World Teachers’ Day

 

October 6:

World Smile Day

 

National Coaches Day

  • Let them know how much their support and encouragement means with a thank-you card.
Cartoon: Pizza with one slice removed saying,

National Boyfriend Day is October 3.

In person, virtual or hybrid...teachers are always there. Thank you so much!

World Teachers’ Day is October 5.

October 14-22:

Keepsake Ornament Debut

Kick off the Countdown to Christmas and take advantage of event-only promotions. And shop 150 newly released Keepsake Ornaments—there’s at least one that’s perfect for everyone on your list.

Lettered quote: Reach out. Connect. Be there with your hugs or your voice or your screens...and always with your heart.

World Mental Health Day is October 10.

Lettered quote: Listen to her. Believe in her. Lift her up.

International Day of the Girl is October 11.

 

October 8:

Clergy Appreciation Day

 

October 9:

Indigenous People’s Day

 

October 10:

World Mental Health Day

 

October 11:

International Day of the Girl

National Coming Out Day

Lettered quote: Fall in love with yourself.

National Coming Out Day is October 11.

In our hearts there is love that will be there, always.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is October 15.

 

October 15:

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

 

White Cane Safety Day

  • White Cane Safety Day celebrates the achievements of blind or visually impaired people.

 

October 16:

Boss’s Day

You're sweet! You're hot - Funny Valentine Quote

Sweetest Day is October 21.

 

Halloween is October 31.

October 21:

Sweetest Day

 

October 23

Chongyang Festival

  • Held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month (Chong=double, yang=nine), this festival is celebrated with Chongyang cake (a lucky, decorated, steamed cake), chrysanthemum wine and mountain climbing.

 

October 31:

Halloween

More Ideas for October  

An illustration of a little girl dressed up for halloween as a witch, with a black polka-dotted dress and orange and green stockings; she's holding a broom in one hand and a jack-o-lantern candy bucket in the other.

25+ ways to make Halloween extra sweet for kids

We’ve compiled all of our amazing Halloween ideas for little witches, mermaids, monsters and superheroes, all in one place!

 

A white bowl filled with tissue paper wrapped, pumpkin shaped treat bags with green stems and googly eyes.

Make a pile of easy pumpkin treat bags

Here’s a DIY that’s sweet and fun to do. All it takes is tissue paper, candy and basic craft supplies to make party favors, classroom snacks or surprises for neighbors.

Lettered quote: I am my family's refuge, and they are mine. —Melvina Young

Read about making home a healing place

In the time of legal racial segregation, writer Melvina Young’s family worked hard to protect her innocence and dreams. Now she shares ways to make home a soft space when the world can be hard.

Hands hanging cut-paper banners (papel picado) on a stuccoed wall

LOOKING AHEAD: Día de los Muertos

Create your own papel picado (cut paper banners) for a Day of the Dead altar or celebration and learn about the holiday’s rich, meaningful and festive traditions.

 

October Celebration Planner  

A printed celebration planner page for the month of October lays on a desk with a light wood surface, next to a stack of journals, a pen, and a potted houseplant.

Download this October Celebration Planner page to help you keep track of this month’s special moments. IT’S FREE!

Digital Wallpapers  

A laptop displays a desktop wallpaper with an illustrated quote on it that reads,

Psych yourself up for Halloween with these magical illustrations and messages on all your screens. Download your free digital wallpapers below.

DESKTOP WALLPAPER | MOBILE WALLPAPER