By Shelby Deering and Amanda Garrity

When you think of October, Halloween is often the first thing that comes to mind — and understandably so.

The last day of the month is a real treat (pun very much intended), but don’t let the excitement surrounding the spooky season’s standout trick you into thinking it’s the only October holiday worth celebrating. In fact, there are tons of official (and unofficial) holidays, observance and awareness months from now through October 31.

Embrace all the food and fun that the season has to offer with holidays like National Pumpkin Day and National Apple Day. Or satisfy your sweet tooth before you get your candy fix on National Homemade Cookies Day, National Cinnamon Roll Day and National Dessert Day. (But since life is all about balance, don’t forget to celebrate National Kale Day and National Oatmeal Day, too.)

It’s not just about the treats, though: October is also a time to pick up some healthy habits that you can carry with you in the months ahead, whether it’s clearing out your inbox (Inbox Zero Day) or finding an organization to volunteer for (Make a Difference Day).

Speaking of health, carve out time to raise awareness for important causes, ranging from mental health (World Mental Health Day) to menopause (World Menopause Day). All month long, wear your pink ribbon with pride and encourage loved ones to book their mammogram appointments in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The list goes on — and on. Lucky for you, we’ve created a list of all the important dates in October, so you won’t miss a thing.

October 11

• National Sausage Pizza Day
• National Coming Out Day
• International Day of the Girl Child

October 12

• National Farmer’s Day
• National Gumbo Day
• National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day
• World Arthritis Day

October 13

• National M&M Day
• Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
• World Sight Day
• Ada Lovelace Day

October 14

• National Dessert Day
• National Fossil Day
• National I Love You Day
• World Egg Day

October 15

• National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
• National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day
• Global Handwashing Day
• Hoshana Rabbah (evening of Oct. 15 to evening of Oct. 16)
• International African Penguin Awareness Day
• National Cheese Curd Day
• National Mushroom Day
• Sweetest Day

October 16

• Boss’ Day
• Dictionary Day
• Global Cat Day
• National Sports Day
• World Food Day
• World Spine Day

October 17

• Black Poetry Day
• National Pasta Day
• Wear Something Gaudy Day

October 18

• National Chocolate Cupcake Day
• National Pharmacy Technician Day
• World Menopause Day

October 19

• National Medical Assistants Day
• National New Friends Day
• National Seafood Bisque Day

October 20

• International Sloth Day
• World Osteoporosis Day
• National Day on Writing

October 21

• National Mammography Day
• National Reptile Awareness Day
• National Pets for Veterans Day
• National Apple Day
• National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

October 22

• International Stuttering Awareness Day
• Make a Difference Day
• National Nut Day

October 23

• National Paralegal Day
• National Boston Cream Pie Day
• National iPod Day 

October 24

• Diwali
• National Food Day
• National Kangaroo Awareness Day
• United Nations Day

October 25

• International Artist’s Day
• National Greasy Foods Day
• National I Care About You Day
• World Opera Day

October 26

• National Pumpkin Day
• National Day of the Deployed
• National Chicken Fried Steak Day 
• National Pit Bull Awareness Day

October 27

• National Mentoring Day
• National American Beer Day
• Navy Day

October 28

• Bandanna Day
• Plush Animal Lover’s Day
• International Animation Day
• National Breadstick Day
• National First Responders Day
• Frankenstein Friday

October 29

• National Oatmeal Day
• National Cat Day
• World Stroke Day
• World Psoriasis Day

October 30

• National Candy Corn Day
• National Checklist Day
• National Treat Your Pet Day
• Mischief Night

October 31

• Halloween
• National Magic Day
• Girl Scout Founder’s Day
• National Caramel Apple Day
• National Knock Knock Joke Day