New Year’s Day – January 1

celebrates the New Year with parties, fireworks, and family gatherings

 

Martin Luther King Day – third Monday in January

honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King

 

Valentine’s Day – February 14

celebrates St. Valentine by giving loving cards and gifts like candy and flowers

 

Presidents Day – third Monday in February

honors the previous U.S. presidents 

 

St Patrick’s Day – March 17

celebrates Irish background with shamrocks and by wearing green

 

April Fools Day – April 1

a day people play harmless tricks and pranks on those around them for fun

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Easter - between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox

a Christian holiday that also includes eggs, egg hunts,  brunch, and family gatherings

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Earth Day - April 22

a day to celebrate the Earth and reflect on what we can do to protect the environment

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Mother’s Day - second Sunday in May

celebrates mothers with gifts and cards to show them love and thankfulness

 

Memorial Day – last Sunday in May

commemorates those who served, fought and died for America in the Wars. 

 

Father’s Day – third Sunday in June

celebrates fathers with gifts and cards to show them love and thankfulness

 

Independence Day - July 4

celebrates the independence of U.S. from Britain in 1776 with fireworks, parades, and picnics

 

Labor Day – first Monday in September

commemorates the working traditions of Americans 

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Columbus Day - second Monday in October

commemorates Christopher Columbus's landing in the New World in 1492.

 

Halloween – October 31

a day of costumes, pumpkins, and trick or treat

 

Veterans Day – November 11

a day that honors the veterans who served in the wars

 

Thanksgiving – fourth Thursday in November

celebrates being thankful in recognition of the thankful harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims and Indians, today it involves family gatherings of large meals with turkey and pumpkin pie

 

Christmas – December 25

a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, that also includes giving gifts, eating dinner, family gatherings, and Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.

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Here are some fun and less common days to celebrate:

January 4 National Spaghetti Day: eat spaghetti

January 15 National Hat Day: wear a favorite or funny hat

January 19 National Popcorn Day: eat popcorn

January 23 National Pie Day: eat a pie

January 24 National Peanut Butter Day: eat peanut butter

January 27 Chocolate Cake Day: eat chocolate cake

January 29 National Puzzle Day: do a word search, crossword, or jigsaw puzzle

January 21 - February 20 (date varies based on the new moon) Chinese New Year: eat Chinese food

February 2 Groundhog Day: make a winter (if the groundhog sees its shadow) or spring (if no shadow) craft

February 9 National Pizza Day: eat a pizza

February 27 National Strawberry Day: eat strawberries

March 14 National Potato Chip Day: eat potato chips

March 25 Waffle Day: eat waffles

March 30 Take a Walk in the Park Day: walk in a park

April 2 Children's Book Day: read a children's book

April 7 World Health Day: exercise and eat healthy

April 12 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day: eat a grilled cheese sandwich

April 15 World Art Day: go to an art museum or visit an art museum's website

April 26 National Pretzel Day: eat pretzels

April 23 World Book Day: read a book

April 27 Tell a Story Day: read a story out loud with family or a friend

May 2 Brothers and Sisters Day: do something nice for your brother or sister

May 5 Cinco do Mayo: eat Mexican food

May 15 National Chocolate Chip Day: eat chocolate chip cookies

May 18 International Museum Day: visit a museum or their website

May 28 National Hamburger Day: eat a hamburger

June 4 National Cheese Day: eat cheese

June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day: eat chocolate ice cream

June 17 Eat Your Vegetables Day: eat vegetables

June 18 International Picnic Day: have a picnic

July 1 International Joke Day: read a joke or tell someone a joke

July 7 Chocolate Day: eat chocolate

July 8 National Blueberry Day: eat blueberries

July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day: eat sugar cookies

July 20 Moon Day: observe the moon at night

July 23 National Hot Dog Day: eat a hot dog

July 29 National Lasagna Day: eat lasagna

July 30 National Cheesecake Day: eat cheesecake

August 2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day: eat an ice cream sandwich

August 3 National Watermelon Day: eat watermelon

August 10 National S'mores Day: make s'mores

August 19 National Potato Day: eat potatoes

August 31 National Trail Mix Day: make a trail mix

September (first Sunday after Labor Day) Grandparents Day: do something nice for your grandparents

September 12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day: drink a chocolate milk shake

September 20 National Punch Day: make a fruit punch

September 21 World Gratitude Day: celebrate and think about things you are grateful for

October 14 National Dessert Day: eat your favorite dessert

October 17 National Pasta Day: eat pasta

November 3 Sandwich Day: eat a sandwich

November 13 World Kindness Day: do something kind for someone

November 16 National Fast Food Day: go to a fast food restaurant

November 17 World Peace: celebrate peace

November 25 National Parfait Day: make a yogurt and fruit parfait

November 28 French Toast Day: make French Toast

December 8 National Brownie Day: make brownies

December 18 Bake Cookies Day: make cookies

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Special occasions to celebrate:

birthdays

anniversaries

weddings

graduations

birth of a baby

retirement

achievements in school, work, or other activities

milestones