Hey, Pumpkin! October 2021 Holidays and Observances

Orang 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.

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.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October.

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

World Smile Day is October 1.

October Holidays and Observances  

All October:

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

 

October 1:

World Smile Day

 

October 3:

National Boyfriend Day

  • Send a handwritten note in a real card with your phone—and we’ll mail it for free! Try Sign & Send™ for a love note.
  • Browse romantic ideas

 

Cartoon: Pizza with one slice removed saying,

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 4:

National Taco Day

 

October 5:

World Teachers’ Day

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 10:

World Mental Health Day

 

Clergy Appreciation 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 14:

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 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

 

Sweetest Day

Keepsake Ornament Debut is October 16-24.

 

Halloween is October 31.

October 16-24:

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.

 

October 22:

Pop the popcorn! Grab the remote! Countdown to Christmas begins on the Hallmark Channel.

 

October 31:

Halloween

More Ideas for October  

Child's hands putting greeting card in an envelope.

Help Your Kids Reach Out and Connect

Teach kids to write cards and letters to express themselves and spread kindness. Whether they’re putting a smile on a grandmother’s face or saying “thanks” to a favorite teacher, we can help get them started.

 

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.

 

Free downloadable September digital wallpapers  

Psych yourself up for Halloween with these pumpkin spice designs on all your screens. Download your free October 2021 digital wallpapers below illustrated by Chloe J., a Hallmark artist.

DOWNLOAD PUMPKIN SPICE BY CHLOE J.


DESKTOP WALLPAPER | MOBILE WALLPAPER