Fall Flavors & Festive Bites
From pumpkin spice to Halloween treats, October offers delicious excuses to eat local every day
With World Vegetarian Day, National Taco Day, and multiple pumpkin celebrations, October is packed with food holidays that highlight autumn's bounty.
🎃 October Food Holidays
October is peak harvest season - making it one of the most delicious months of the year with food holidays celebrating everything from vegetarian cuisine to Halloween candy.
← Back to Full CalendarWorld Vegetarian Day
Kicking off Vegetarian Awareness Month, Oct 1 is internationally recognized. Celebrate with plant-based meals at local vegetarian restaurants.
National Pumpkin Spice Day
A newer addition because 'Pumpkin Spice' needed its own day. Enjoy PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) and pumpkin spice everything - donuts, candles, you name it.
National Soft Taco Day
The day before Taco Day, we specifically appreciate the soft taco. Taco joints might promote soft tacos as a pre-game for the big day.
National Taco Day
Traditionally observed on October 4th, but starting in 2024, National Taco Day moved to the first Tuesday of October to align with 'Taco Tuesday'. In 2025, that's Tuesday, October 7.
National Apple Betty Day
Apple Betty (or Brown Betty) is a classic American dessert like an apple crumble. Enjoy this autumn dessert with cinnamon crumb topping.
National Noodle Day
All types of noodles are celebrated - pasta, ramen, rice noodles. Enjoy incredible noodle dishes from around the world.
Frappe Day
Likely referring to the New England milkshake term 'frappe' or any blended drink. Treat yourself to a frappe (or Frappuccino).
National Pierogi Day
The delicious Polish dumplings have their day. Pierogi festivals occur in some cities; enjoy these traditional dumplings.
National Moldy Cheese Day
A quirky one - it actually encourages appreciating blue cheeses (the noble mold in your Roquefort or Stilton).
National Angel Food Cake Day
Opposite of Devil's Food, Oct 10 is for the light, fluffy angel food cake. Serve with fruit or chocolate drizzle.
National Sausage Pizza Day
We had Cheese Pizza Day; now Oct 11 is specifically for sausage-topped pizza. Pizzerias can promote their meat lovers' specials.
National Gumbo Day
A taste of New Orleans - enjoy a hearty gumbo (seafood or chicken/sausage). Great day to visit a Cajun/Creole restaurant.
National Yorkshire Pudding Day (US)
In the UK, Yorkshire Pudding Day is in February, but in the U.S. calendars list Oct 13 for the British batter pudding traditionally served with roast beef.
National Dessert Day
Simply a day to indulge your sweet tooth with any and all desserts. No guilt - have cake, pie, ice cream, whatever.
National Chicken Cacciatore Day
The Italian 'hunter's style' chicken braised with tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, etc. A good day for a cozy homemade meal.
World Food Day
Established by the UN, Oct 16 raises awareness about food security and hunger worldwide. Reflect on global food issues.
National Pasta Day
While every day could be pasta day, Oct 17 is the official one. Enjoy spaghetti, penne, ravioli, and more.
National Chocolate Cupcake Day
The beloved cupcake (specifically chocolate) gets Oct 18. Bakeries often do BOGO cupcakes or special chocolate flavors.
National Seafood Bisque Day
A rich, creamy seafood soup (often lobster or crab bisque) is perfect for cool October. Celebrate this luxurious dish.
National Brandied Fruit Day
This likely harkens to the old tradition of preserving fruit in brandy (or making brandy-infused fruit compotes).
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
Combining two fall favorites - pumpkin pie and cheesecake - into one decadent dessert celebrated on Oct 21.
National Nut Day
An international observance highlighting nuts' health benefits and yumminess. Grab a handful of your favorite nuts to snack on.
National Boston Cream Pie Day
The state dessert of Massachusetts - a yellow cake with custard filling and chocolate glaze - known as Boston Cream Pie.
National Bologna Day
Yes, even bologna (baloney) has a day. Fry it, stick it in a sandwich with ketchup like the good old days.
World Pasta Day
As if National Pasta Day wasn't enough, Oct 25 is the global pasta day, founded by pasta associations.
National Pumpkin Day
Fall's mascot - the pumpkin - gets Oct 26. Pumpkin patches, carving, but also cooking and baking with pumpkin.
National American Beer Day
U.S.-centric beer celebration on Oct 27, focusing on American brewing history and beers. A nod to the burgeoning craft beer scene.
National Chocolate Day
One of the biggest candy days of the year, appropriately right before Halloween. Dedicated to chocolate in all its forms.
National Oatmeal Day
A wholesome day for a wholesome breakfast. Make yourself a cozy bowl of oatmeal to celebrate fiber and heart health.
National Candy Corn Day
The day before Halloween spotlights the love-it-or-hate-it tri-colored candy corn. If you're a fan, Oct 30 is your day to proudly munch on some.
Halloween (and Caramel Apple Day)
Oct 31 is Halloween, one of the biggest candy celebrations. Also marked as National Caramel Apple Day - fitting for the season of fall fairs.