What’s coming up in October?

October is the month most associated with autumn, pumpkins and Halloween. It’s the tenth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, containing 31 days. The name comes from the Latin word ‘Octo’ meaning eight. This is because it was the original eighth month in the Old Roman calendar which started in March and only had ten months. October hosts ‘Dia de los Muertos’ otherwise known as ‘Day of the Dead.’ Although this sounds dark, Mexican Day of the Dead is very much about celebrating the lives of loved ones rather than wallowing in death and darkness. It’s a festival filled with bright colours and music, much like the month. October is surrounded by numerous symbols. In numerology, it symbolises wealth, peace, prosperity and fertility. The month also celebrates Harvest, where many people donate non-perishable items of food to those who may be in need. 

During this month, Asters bloom and so do Chrysanthemums. In October, there are two zodiac signs known as Libra (scales) and Scorpio (the scorpion). Marigolds and Cosmos both represent October babies. Marigolds bloom all Summer and Autumn long, but in the Autumn is where they shine accenting the harvest season. As the leaves change colour and fall to the ground, October represents transformation and letting go of what no longer serves you to prepare for new growth. Spiritually, this month is also associated with the thinning veil between the physical and spirit worlds, which we often see celebrated on Halloween. 

Key dates in October:

1^st – World Vegetarian Day/International Coffee Day/ International Music Day/ Lincolnshire Day

2^nd – National Name Your Car Day/ National Poetry Day/ International Day of Non-Violence/

Anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi (1869)

3^rd – National Boyfriend Day/ World Smile Day

4^th – World Animal Day/ National Boycott your Bed Day/ National Golf Lovers’ Day/ Chicago Marathon

5^th – World Teachers Day/ National Grandparents’ Day/ Do Something Nice Day

6^th – World Architecture Day/World Habitat Day/ World Cerebral Palsy Day

7^th – National Badger Day

8^th – Diwali/ National Dyslexia Awareness Day/ World Octopus Day/ International Lesbian Day

9^th – World Sight Day/ World Rowing Coastal Championships

10^th – World Mental Health Day/ World Egg Day/ World Homeless Day/ New Moon/ World Handbag Day

11^th – World Hospice and Palliative Care Day/ National Coming Out Day/ Bookshop Day

12^th – World Arthritis Day

13^th – National Train our Brain Day/ International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

14^th – Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings (1066)

15^th – National Mushroom Day

16^th – Global Cat Day/ World Food Day/ Bosses Day

18^th – World Menopause Day

19^th – International Gin and Tonic Day/ Oxfordshire Day

20^th – International Sloth Day/ 2026 World Series (Baseball)

21^st – Apple Day

23^rd – International Snow Leopard Day 

24^th – World Development Information Day

25^th – Northamptonshire Day/ National Make A Difference Day/ World Pasta Day

26^th – Pumpkin Day

27^th – National Mentoring Day

30^th – National Pension Tracing Day

31^st – Halloween/All Hallows Eve/ All Saints Eve/ Samhain (Celtic/Pagan)

Awareness Months:

1. Black History Month
2. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
3. International Walk to School Month
4. International School Libraries Month
5. World Blindness Awareness Month
6. The Big Draw Festival
7. Go Sober for October
8. Unblocktober (keeping sewers, drains and water courses clear)
9. National Apple Month
10. Family History Month
11. National Domestic Violence Month
12. National Cyber Security Awareness Month
13. Black Cat Awareness Month
14. Computer Learning Month
15. Down Syndrome Awareness Month
16. National ADHD Awareness Month
17. World Menopause Month

Awareness Weeks:

3^rd – 7^th = Back Care Awareness Week

7^th – 13^th = National Arthritis Week

12^th – 17^th = National Hygiene Week

9^th – 15^th = Baby Loss Awareness Week

10^th – 16^th = National Porridge Week

12^th – 16^th = National Inclusion Week 

You can also start talking this month about Christmas offers or early bird Christmas things if it’s important to your business. Start getting bookings now for your products or services if relevant. Don’t forget to look at PR prompts to plan your personal or business stories this month. 

Are there any changes in the law that will affect your business this month? Are you speaking at an event this month? Are there any changes in your business happening this month – moving office/new service/product/ new accreditation that you can share about this month?

This is just a small collection of important dates in October. Be aware of the dates and try to put them in your calendar. Plan where you can. Could you create a blog or social media post related to one of these dates? Do any of these really stand out to you or relate closely to your business ethos? Could you do something fun in the office that relates to one of these dates and then post it online? These can be used for inspiration which could be turned into a story for the media. Can you comment this month on issues that have arisen around sporting events, celebrities or big news stories?

Think about how you personally and professionally engage with these topics. Create social media posts. Engage with your audience. Our diary/planner is a great place to look for a more detailed breakdown. Anything you do needs to be documented and shared from start to finish. This can turn into multiple stories, which is easier when pitching to journalists. Please remember to check on a calendar as dates can vary from year to year.