September Holidays & Quirky Celebrations (2026)

Three of our children have birthdays in September, but there are plenty of reasons to celebrate this month that aren’t specific to our family. Below you’ll find a lengthy list of September Holidays, ninth in my monthly series of celebration-worthy moments. I hope these posts will help you make every month more memorable this year.

You’ll notice that some items on this list are linked to other pages. Click through for ideas and resources to help your family get the most out of each occasion.

Rather than relying on memory or needing to reference this post multiple times throughout the month, I suggest making note of any holidays that interest you on your calendar or day planner and printing the related resources in advance.

September Holidays and Quirky Celebrations

September 1

• American Chess Day – break out the chess board and stage a family tournament or watch a great film about chess, such as Searching for Bobby Fischer
• Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
• Emma M. Nutt Day – a day for celebrating the first woman telephone operator
• World Letter Writing Day – take time to jot a few lines or send a card to a far-off friend or relative today to let them know you’re thinking of them

  

September 2

• World Coconut Day
• National Blueberry Popsicle Day
• VJ Day, WWII
• Pierce Your Ears Day – here’s a pierced ear care chart my daughter asked me to make when she got hers pierced

  

September 3

• US Bowling League Day
• Skyscraper Day

September 4

• Wear Teal Day (first Friday in September) – I got married in August, not September, but teal was the color all my bridesmaids wore
• National Food Bank Day (first Friday in September)
• National Wildlife Day
• Newspaper Carrier Day
• Cheese Pizza Day
• National Macadamia Nut Day
• Eat an Extra Dessert Day – try one of our delectable dessert dishes

  

September 5

• National Tailgating Day (first Saturday in September)
• World Beard Day (first Saturday in September)
• National Hummingbird Day (first Saturday in September)
• Be Late for Something Day
• International Day of Charity
• National Cheese Pizza Day
• World Samosa Day

September 6

• Pet Rock Day (first Sunday in September)
• Grandparent’s Day (first Sunday after Labor Day) – If you have a grandparent, pay them a visit or send them a card. If you are a grandparent, connect with your grandkids.
• Fight Procrastination Day
• Barbie Doll Day
• Great Egg Toss Day
• National Read a Book Day – Pick a title from one of the genres on our reading challenge.

  

September 7

• Labor Day (first Monday of September) – a perfect time for our “Do Your Work Heartily” Coloring Page
• Google Commemoration Day
• National Acorn Squash Day
• Grandma Moses Day
• National Salami Day
• Neither Rain nor Snow Day
• National Meteor Day
• National Feel the Love Day – solve this puzzle to learn whether the love you’re feeling is true blue or not

  

September 8

• Telephone Tuesday (Tuesday after Labor Day) – the perfect time for phoning family and friends who are far away
• World Physical Therapy Day
• International Literacy Day – for ideas on celebrating this September holiday, check out our 25 ways to encourage literacy
• National Actors Day
• National Ampersand Day – celebrate by matching the pairs on our fun ampersand quiz … like socks & shoes, pots & pans, love & marriage, etc.
• Pardon Day
• National Date Nut Bread Day – Whip up a batch of our banana nut bread (and add chopped dates in with the nuts)
• Star Trek Day
• National Pledge of Allegiance Day – We began every day in elementary school by reciting this pledge.

  

September 9

• International Sudoku Day – try your hand at one of these challenging number puzzles today
• Wonderful Weirdos Day
• National Teddy Bear Day – start this September holiday right with a nice batch of teddy bear toast

  

September 10

• Sewing Machine Day (aka “Sew Be It Day”)
• National Swap Ideas Day – a good day for brainstorming with family or friends
• TV Dinner Day
• National Hot Dog Day – fire up the grill!

  

September 11

• World First Aid Day
• No News is Good News Day
• Remember Freedom Day
• National Emergency Responders Day
• National Hot Cross Bun Day
• Patriot Day
• National Make Your Bed Day – here are my best tips for training your kids to make their beds

  

September 12

• German Language Day (second Saturday in September) – our favorite way to learn German (plus free tests)
• National Lacemaking Day (second Saturday in September)
• National Chocolate Milk Shake Day – you know the drill: mix ice cream, milk, and chocolate syrup together until it’s thick but smooth
• Spy Day – for a fun activity for this September holiday, try racing to finish one of our free I SPY games
• National Video Games Day – Did you see China recently passed a law restricting kids to 3 hours of video games a week? If you have kids who need to curb a gaming addiction, try these tips.
• National Day of Encouragement – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

September 13

• Hug Your Hound Day (second Sunday in September) –
• National Pet Memorial Day (second Sunday in September) –
• Sustainable House Day (second Sunday in September)
• Defy Superstition Day
• Fortune Cookie Day – One of my favorites? “That wasn’t chicken.”

  

• Bald is Beautiful Day
• International Chocolate Day – bring on the fudge!
• National Peanut Day – How about covering them in chocolate?
• Uncle Sam Day – Did you know Uncle Sam’s image was first used in 1813?
• Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
• Positive Thinking Day – Every cloud has a silver lining — you just have to look for it.

  

September 14

• I’m On Top of It Day (second Monday in September)
• National Cream-Filled Donut Day – Doug and I joined an gym in college that was across the street from Dunkin Donuts… so we’d split a dozen cream- and jelly-filled and chocolate-glazed donuts after every workout.
• Star Spangled Banner Day
• National Ants on a Log Day
• Eat a Hoagie Day
• National Live Creative Day
• National Coloring Day – celebrate this September holiday by downloading some of our free printable coloring pages (or purchasing one of my coloring books)

  

September 15

• International Dot Day
• National Cheese Toast Day – lay sliced cheese atop a piece of bread and pop it in the oven until the cheese melts
• National Online Learning Day
• Felt Hat Day – on this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats for the winter
• World Afro Day
• National Thank You Day – use some of our free printable thank you cards to send a note of gratitude to somebody who’s shown you kindness
• National Linguine Day
• Someday – If you’ve ever told yourself, Someday, I’ll do such-and-such… today’s the day!
• Make a Hat Day
• National Caregivers Day – Are you a caregiver? Use our home healthcare checklist to keep track of your tasks.

  

September 16

• American Legion Day
• Collect Rocks Day – How about painting the rocks you collect, then hiding them at the park or playground for another collector to find?
• Step Family Day
• Mayflower Day
• Mexican Independence Day
• National Play Doh Day – mix up a batch of homemade play dough. If you’ll use unsweetened Kool-Aid mix to color it, you’ll get bright colors that smell good, too.
• National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day
• Working Parents Day
• National Guacamole Day – prepare a big bowl of our savor-it-slowly guacamole to serve with tortilla chips and pico de gallo

  

September 17

• National Apple Dumpling Day
• National Bakery Day
• Citizenship Day
• Constitution Day – If you’ve never memorized the Preamble to the Constitution, today would be a great day to do it (or review it)!

  

September 18

• International Read an eBook Day
• Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day
• National Cheeseburger Day
• World Bamboo Day
• Rice Crispy Treats Day – We add peanut butter and chocolate to our Rice Crispy Treats to make them extra yummy!
• National Respect Day – Husbands, especially, desire respect. For encouragement in communicating respect to yours, join our 30-Day Respect Challenge.

  

September 19

• Batman Day (third Saturday in September) – Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na!
• International Eat an Apple Day (third Saturday in September) – You know what they say: An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
• National Dance Day (third Saturday in September)
• Thank a Police Officer Day (third Saturday in September)
• Locate an Old Friend Day (third Saturday in September) – If you can’t find your old friends, at least you can pray for them.
• National Gymnastics Day (third Saturday in September)
• Astronomy Day (observed Saturday closest to the quarter moon in September or October)- “The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1). Go star gazing tonight. Here’s a picture to color as you wait for them to come out:

  

• International Talk Like A Pirate Day – Ahoy there, Matey!
• National Butterscotch Pudding Day

September 20

• National Women’s Friendship Day (third Sunday in September) – here’s some pretty coloring pages and other free friendship-themed printables
• Back to Church Sunday (third Sunday in September) – to keep kids quiet and help them pay attention in church, have them fill out our sermon notes printable as they listen
• National Wife Appreciation Day (third Sunday in September)
• National Neighborhood Day (third Sunday in September) – take a stroll around the block today and play neighborhood bingo as you walk
• National Fried Rice Day
• Pepperoni Pizza Day
• National String Cheese Day

September 21

• Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day – be sure to bring a list of any medications they’re taking
• Escapology Day
• National Farm Safety Day for Kids
• Pause the World Day
• National Pecan Cookie Day
• International Day of Peace – We have a free printable PEACE ON EARTH Pennant Banner to help celebrate this September holiday!
• Miniature Golf Day – Putt-Putt, anyone?
• World Gratitude Day – voice your appreciation for those around you

  

September 22

• National Voter Registration Day (fourth Tuesday in September)
• Business Women’s Day
• Proposal Day
• Elephant Appreciation Day
• Autumn Equinox – Fall begins! How about kicking it off with a fall bucket list?
• National Centenarian’s Day
• National Hobbit Day – a great day to visit the Shire, either by reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic or watching the movie
• White Chocolate Day
• Girls’ Night In Day
• Dear Diary Day – for some fun “anytime” diaries, check out my devotional journals

  

September 23

• See You at the Pole (fourth Wednesday in September) – a day for students to gather together to pray for their friends, parents, siblings, school, teachers, and nation
• Checkers Day
• Dog in Politics Day
• International Day of Sign Languages
• National Snack Stick Day
• Tiny House Day
• National Great American Pot Pie Day – here’s a super quick and easy recipe for chicken pot pie

  

September 24

• National Punctuation Day
• National Cherries Jubilee Day
• Kiss Day – don’t miss out on the great benefits of kissing

September 25

• Native American Day (fourth Friday in September)
• Love Note Day (fourth Friday in September)
• Hug a Vegetarian Day (last Friday in September) – print a copy of our list of 50 quick & easy vegetarian snacks
• German Butterbrot Day (last Friday in September)
• National Daughter Day
• National Quesadilla Day
• Binge Day (looking for a great show to binge watch? Try The Chosen! You can watch both seasons for free)
• Math Story Telling Day
• National Cooking Day
• National Comic Book Day – a good opportunity for reading comic books or maybe even creating comics of your own
• Family Health and Fitness Day – For fun ways for your family to get fit together, check out my book Get Up & Go

  

September 26

• International Rabbit Day (fourth Saturday in September)
• National Singles Day (observed Saturday of National Singles Week)
• Museum Day (fourth Saturday in September)
• READ in America Day (fourth Saturday in September)
• World Deaf Day (last Sunday in September)
• International Lace Day (last Saturday in September)
• Save Your Photos Day (last Saturday in September)
• World Rivers Day (last Saturday in September)
• Johnny Appleseed Day
• Lumberjack Day
• Shamu the Whale Day
• National Pancake Day – try some yummy cranberry orange pancakes… they’re delicious!
• National Better Breakfast Day – you’ll find lots of great recipes and quick breakfast ideas in this post (plus even more in the comment section)

  

September 27

• National Chocolate Milk Day
• World Tourism Day – whether you’re traveling across town or around the globe, you’ll find lots of smart travel tips in my book Pack Up & Leave
• Oktoberfest begins in Germany
• Woodland Creatures Day – here’s the perfect woodland creature coloring page to mark the occasion
• Crush a Can Day – or, if you’d rather create than destroy, try some of our savvy tin-can recycling projects

  

September 28

• Family Day (fourth Monday in September) – pick one or more of our 50 frugal ideas for family fun to celebrate this September holiday
• Ask a Stupid Question Day
• Read a Child a Book You Like Day – you’ll find some of our family favorites listed here
• International Right to Know Day
• National Good Neighbor Day – for ideas on connecting with those around you, check out our 25 Ways to Be a Good Neighbor

  

September 29

• Confucius Day
• Broadway Musicals Day
• Goose Day
• National Coffee Day
• National Attend Your Grandchild’s Birthday Day
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Day
• World Heart Day – send some of our pretty printable postcards to people close to your heart

  

September 30

• International Podcast Day – Did you know I now have a podcast called The Loving Life at Home Podcast? Today would be a great day to listen to an episode (or two or three) of that!

  

• Chewing Gum Day
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day
• National Mudpack Day
• National PreparAthon Day!
• International Translation Day
• National Hot Mulled Cider Day

Week-long Celebrations in the Month of September

First Week of September

• National Waffle Week (first full week of September)

Second Week of September

• National Beauty and Barber week (second full week of September) – for tips on being your own family barber, check out these haircutting tips
• National Assisted Living Week (observed the week following Grandparents Day)
• International Housekeepers Week (second full week of September) – for tips to make housekeeping easier, check out this post

  

Third Week of September

• National Small Business Week (observed September 13-16)

Fourth Week of September

• Fungal Disease Awareness Week (observed 5 days following Sept. 20)
• Sea Otter Awareness Week (last full week of September) – you’ve got to admit, sea otters are adorable

  

Special observations that last the entire month of September

• Better Breakfast Month – get all our better breakfast ideas here
• Self Improvement Month
• Baby Safety Month
• Classical Music Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• International Square Dancing Month
• National Blueberry Popsicle Month
• National Courtesy Month
• Whole Grains Month
• Chicken Month
• Friendship Month – get all our best friendship printables here

  

• National Sewing Month
• Library Card Sign Up Month – if you don’t already have one, drive to your local library and fill out the form
• National Preparedness Month
• Read a New Book Month – check my monthly book reviews columns for inspiration
• Honey Month
• National Piano Month – we have lots of free printables for tracking practice time and teaching notes and keys

  

And that wraps us our September Holidays post. For more posts in this series, please follow this link: Monthly Holidays & Quirky Celebrations And to keep the fun going through every season of life, check out our family fun bundle. It’s packed with practical ways to nurture family relationships and make the most of daily interactions all year long.