November Holidays, National Days & Observances
November gathers together remembrance, gratitude, family traditions, cozy foods and the beginning of the winter holiday season. From Veterans Day and Thanksgiving to World Kindness Day, Día de los Muertos, gingerbread and homemade bread, November is a month made for gathering, reflecting and celebrating.
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 November Holidays & Observances
November 1–2: All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day and Día de los Muertos bring important religious and cultural traditions of remembrance to the beginning of November.
November 11: Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans.
November 13: World Kindness Day encourages acts of kindness and compassion in communities around the world.
November 20: World Children's Day promotes children's rights and well-being.
Fourth Thursday: Thanksgiving Day is a U.S. federal holiday centered on gratitude, gathering and a shared meal.
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is a United Nations observance promoting action to prevent violence against women and girls.
November Observances That Move
Some of November's biggest celebrations follow weekday or religious calendars instead of remaining on one numbered date.
- Thanksgiving Day: fourth Thursday in November in the United States.
- Black Friday: the Friday after U.S. Thanksgiving.
- Small Business Saturday: the Saturday after U.S. Thanksgiving.
- Cyber Monday: the Monday after U.S. Thanksgiving.
- GivingTuesday: the Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving.
- Advent: begins on a Sunday and may start in late November or early December.
- Diwali: follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar and may occur in October or November.
- Hanukkah: follows the Hebrew calendar and may begin in late November or December.
Looking ahead: In 2027, Veterans Day is Thursday, November 11, and Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 25. Black Friday follows on November 26.
30 Days of November Celebrations
Browse the daily list below for major holidays, international observances, food days, gratitude traditions, unusual celebrations and more.
November 1
November begins with All Saints' Day, World Vegan Day and several creative and food-centered observances as autumn moves toward the holiday season.
- All Saints' Day
- World Vegan Day
- National Author's Day
- National Cinnamon Day
- National Cook for Your Pets Day
November 2
All Souls' Day and Día de los Muertos make November 2 a day rich with traditions of remembrance, family, ancestry and honoring those who have died.
- All Souls' Day
- International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
- Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos
- National Deviled Egg Day
November 3
- National Sandwich Day
- National Homemaker Day
- National Stress Awareness Day
November 4
- National Candy Day
- National Chicken Lady Day
- Use Your Common Sense Day
November 5
World Tsunami Awareness Day promotes understanding of tsunami risk and preparedness, particularly in vulnerable coastal communities.
- World Tsunami Awareness Day
- National Doughnut Day (one of two popular observances)
- National Love Your Red Hair Day
November 6
- International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
- National Nachos Day
- National Saxophone Day
November 7
- International Day of Medical Physics
- National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
- National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
November 8
- International Day of Radiology
- National Cappuccino Day
- National STEM/STEAM Day
November 9
- World Adoption Day
- National Scrapple Day
- Go to an Art Museum Day
November 10
- World Science Day for Peace and Development
- Sesame Street Day
- National Vanilla Cupcake Day
November 11
Veterans Day honors people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed every year on November 11 and is a U.S. federal holiday.
- Veterans Day
- National Sundae Day
- National Origami Day
November 12
- World Pneumonia Day
- National French Dip Day
- National Happy Hour Day
November 13
World Kindness Day is a wonderful reminder that even small acts of care can brighten someone's day. Write an encouraging note, check on a neighbor, compliment someone sincerely, donate to a cause, help a friend or surprise someone with an unexpected act of kindness.
- World Kindness Day
- National Indian Pudding Day
November 14
- World Diabetes Day
- National Pickle Day
- National Spicy Guacamole Day
November 15
- National Philanthropy Day
- National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
- National Bundt Day
November 16
- International Day for Tolerance
- National Fast Food Day
- National Button Day
November 17
- World Prematurity Day
- National Homemade Bread Day
- National Take a Hike Day
November 18
- World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence
- National Princess Day
- National Apple Cider Day
November 19
- World Toilet Day
- International Men's Day
- National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day
November 20
World Children's Day promotes children's rights and well-being around the world. Families can mark the day by spending meaningful time together, reading about children's lives in different parts of the world, listening to children's ideas and talking about the importance of every child having opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
- World Children's Day
- Africa Industrialization Day
- National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
November 21
National Stuffing Day and National Gingerbread Cookie Day arrive just as Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking begin to take over kitchens across the country.
- World Television Day
- World Fisheries Day
- National Stuffing Day
- National Gingerbread Cookie Day
November 22
- National Cranberry Relish Day
- Go For a Ride Day
November 23
- Fibonacci Day
- National Espresso Day
- National Cashew Day
November 24
- Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
- National Sardines Day
November 25
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women begins the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
- National Parfait Day
- Blasé Day
November 26
- World Sustainable Transport Day
- National Cake Day
November 27
- National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
- National Craft Jerky Day
November 28
- National French Toast Day
- Red Planet Day
November 29
- International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
- National Lemon Cream Pie Day
- Electronic Greetings Day
November 30
November closes with an international remembrance for victims of chemical warfare alongside lighter observances devoted to mason jars, mousse and computer security.
- Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
- National Mason Jar Day
- National Mousse Day
- Computer Security Day
More Ways to Celebrate November
November invites a slower, warmer kind of celebration. Bake homemade bread, simmer apple cider, take a crisp-weather hike, gather around the table or begin a simple gratitude tradition. Try writing down one thing you are thankful for each day, creating a family gratitude jar or reaching out to someone whose presence has made your year better.
Thanksgiving brings many familiar traditions, from preparing favorite family recipes and decorating the table to watching parades, sharing stories and enjoying time together. The holiday can also be an opportunity to learn more about its history and the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, while keeping gratitude and gathering at the heart of the day.
There are plenty of smaller celebrations tucked into November too. Perform an unexpected act of kindness, bake gingerbread cookies, make a loaf of bread from scratch, enjoy a cup of cider, visit an art museum, take a hike or celebrate a wonderfully quirky food day. As November draws to a close, twinkling lights, holiday baking and the first signs of the winter celebrations ahead begin to appear.
No comments:
Post a Comment