April Holidays, National Days & Observances
April brings spring celebrations, Earth Day, April Fools' Day, books, gardens, animals, food holidays and a remarkable collection of international observances. From serious commemorations to wonderfully silly reasons to celebrate, April has something happening almost every day.
Holiday Helper note: Some observances are official holidays, while others are cultural, religious, awareness-based or unofficial fun days. Dates for movable observances can change from year to year.
Major April Holidays & Observances
April 1: April Fools' Day is celebrated in many countries with jokes, tricks and playful surprises.
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day is a United Nations observance focused on autism awareness and inclusion.
April 7: World Health Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization and highlights a major global health theme each year.
April 22: Earth Day / International Mother Earth Day encourages environmental awareness, education and action around the world.
April 23: World Book and Copyright Day celebrates books, authors, reading and the importance of protecting creative work.
April 30: International Jazz Day celebrates jazz and its role in bringing people and cultures together.
April Observances That Move
Some of April's most important celebrations do not stay on the same numbered date. Keeping them here helps this guide remain useful from year to year.
- Easter and Holy Week: dates change annually according to the Christian liturgical calendar.
- Orthodox Easter and Holy Week: often occur on different dates from Western Christian observances.
- Passover: dates change according to the Hebrew calendar and may fall in March or April.
- Arbor Day: National Arbor Day in the United States is traditionally the last Friday in April, while some states observe Arbor Day on different dates.
- Administrative Professionals Day: Wednesday of the last full week of April.
- Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day: traditionally observed on the fourth Thursday in April.
Looking ahead: In 2027, Passover begins the evening of April 21, Earth Day is April 22, Passover ends April 29, Orthodox Good Friday is April 30, and National Arbor Day is April 30. Western Easter occurs earlier that year, on March 28.
30 Days of April Celebrations
Browse the daily list below for major holidays, international observances, food days, spring traditions, unusual celebrations and more.
April 1
April begins with one of the year's best-known playful traditions. April Fools' Day has long been associated with jokes, pranks and harmless surprises.
- April Fools' Day
- National Sourdough Bread Day
- National One Cent Day
April 2
World Autism Awareness Day brings global attention to autism, while International Children's Book Day celebrates the joy of books and reading for young people. It is a meaningful day for learning, listening, sharing stories and encouraging a lifelong love of reading.
- World Autism Awareness Day
- International Children's Book Day
- National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
- National Ferret Day
April 3
- National Find a Rainbow Day
- National Chocolate Mousse Day
- World Party Day
April 4
- International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
- National Vitamin C Day
- National Hug a Newsperson Day
April 5
- International Day of Conscience
- National Caramel Day
- National Deep Dish Pizza Day
April 6
- International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
- National Tartan Day
- National Student-Athlete Day
- National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7
World Health Day is observed each year on April 7 and draws attention to important health issues affecting people around the world. Each year brings a different theme and an opportunity to learn more about global health and well-being.
- World Health Day
- International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
- National Beer Day
- National Coffee Cake Day
April 8
- National Empanada Day
- Draw a Bird Day
- Zoo Lovers Day
April 9
- National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
- National Unicorn Day
- National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10
- National Siblings Day
- National Farm Animals Day
- National Cinnamon Crescent Day
April 11
- National Pet Day
- National Barbershop Quartet Day
- National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12
International Day of Human Space Flight commemorates the beginning of the human space era. Celebrate by learning about space exploration, looking at the night sky, visiting a planetarium or introducing children to the wonders of astronomy.
- International Day of Human Space Flight
- National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
- National Licorice Day
April 13
- Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
- National Scrabble Day
- National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14
- World Chagas Disease Day
- National Gardening Day
- National Dolphin Day
- National Pecan Day
April 15
- World Art Day
- National Laundry Day
- National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
April 16
- Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C.
- National Orchid Day
- National Eggs Benedict Day
- National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
April 17
- National Haiku Poetry Day
- National Cheeseball Day
- Bat Appreciation Day
April 18
- International Day for Monuments and Sites
- National Animal Crackers Day
- National Columnists' Day
April 19
- National Garlic Day
- National Amaretto Day
- National Hanging Out Day
April 20
- Chinese Language Day
- National Look-Alike Day
- National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
April 21
- World Creativity and Innovation Day
- National Tea Day
- National Kindergarten Day
April 22
Earth Day is one of April's defining observances and a wonderful reason to spend time appreciating the planet. Plant something, take a nature walk, pick up litter, learn about local wildlife, conserve resources or choose another small way to care for the environment.
- International Mother Earth Day / Earth Day
- National Jelly Bean Day
April 23
Books, language and picnics all share April 23. Read a favorite book, discover an author you have never read before, learn a few words in another language or pack lunch and enjoy a spring picnic outdoors.
- World Book and Copyright Day
- English Language Day
- Spanish Language Day
- National Picnic Day
- National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 24
- International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
- World Immunization Week begins
- National Pigs in a Blanket Day
April 25
- World Malaria Day
- International Delegate's Day
- National DNA Day
- National Telephone Day
- National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26
- International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
- World Intellectual Property Day
- National Pretzel Day
- National Kids and Pets Day
April 27
- National Tell a Story Day
- National Prime Rib Day
- National Devil Dog Day
April 28
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work
- National Superhero Day
- National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29
- International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes
- International Dance Day
- National Shrimp Scampi Day
- National Zipper Day
April 30
April closes on a musical note with International Jazz Day, alongside several lighter food and pet-related observances.
- International Jazz Day
- National Oatmeal Cookie Day
- National Raisin Day
- National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
More Ways to Celebrate April
April is a beautiful month for getting outdoors, welcoming spring and finding new ways to celebrate together. Earth Day is a perfect reason to explore nature, plant flowers, start a garden, learn about wildlife or choose a simple project that helps care for the planet.
The month's many celebrations offer something for almost every interest. Enjoy a favorite book for International Children's Book Day or World Book Day, spend extra time with a beloved pet for National Pet Day, create something colorful for World Art Day, look for rainbows, draw a bird, write a haiku or spend an afternoon in the garden.
Food lovers can join the fun with grilled cheese, caramel, pecans, pretzels, blueberry pie and plenty of other delicious April observances. Whether the day calls for learning, creating, exploring, laughing or simply enjoying a favorite treat, April offers 30 different chances to make an ordinary day feel worth celebrating.
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