Calendar · 2026
October 2026 festivals & important days
22 occasions in October 2026, in date order, each with ready-to-share creatives.
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1Thu
China National Day
Thursday, 1 October 2026 · National Day
China's National Day on 1 October marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949..
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1Thu
Nigeria Independence Day
Thursday, 1 October 2026 · National Day
Nigeria celebrates Independence Day on 1 October, marking independence from Britain in 1960..
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2Fri
Gandhi Jayanti
Friday, 2 October 2026 · Important Day
Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and is observed worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.
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3Sat
German Unity Day
Saturday, 3 October 2026 · National Day
German Unity Day on 3 October marks the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990..
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4Sun
World Animal Day
Sunday, 4 October 2026 · Important Day
World Animal Day on 4 October raises awareness of animal welfare and the bond between people and animals.
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5Mon
World Teachers' Day
Monday, 5 October 2026 · Important Day
World Teachers' Day on 5 October, led by UNESCO, honours teachers around the world.
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8Thu
Indian Air Force Day
Thursday, 8 October 2026 · Important Day
Indian Air Force Day on 8 October marks the founding of the Indian Air Force in 1932..
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10Sat
World Mental Health Day
Saturday, 10 October 2026 · Important Day
World Mental Health Day on 10 October encourages open conversations about mental health and support for wellbeing..
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10Sat
Fiji Day
Saturday, 10 October 2026 · National Day
Fiji Day on 10 October marks Fiji's independence from Britain in 1970..
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11Sun
Navratri
Sunday, 11 October 2026* · Festival
Navratri is nine nights of devotion to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, celebrated with fasting, garba and dandiya.
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16Fri
World Food Day
Friday, 16 October 2026 · Important Day
World Food Day on 16 October focuses on ending hunger and building sustainable food systems.
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17Sat
Durga Puja
Saturday, 17 October 2026* · Festival
Durga Puja is the grand autumn festival of Bengal honouring Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura, with pandals, dhunuchi dance and sindoor khela on the final day..
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20Tue
Dussehra
Tuesday, 20 October 2026* · Festival
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and of good over evil.
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26Mon
Valmiki Jayanti
Monday, 26 October 2026* · Festival
Valmiki Jayanti celebrates the birth of Maharishi Valmiki, author of the Ramayana, on the full moon of Ashwin..
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29Thu
Karwa Chauth
Thursday, 29 October 2026* · Festival
On Karwa Chauth married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the wellbeing of their husbands, breaking the fast after sighting the moon.
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31Sat
Halloween
Saturday, 31 October 2026 · Festival
Halloween is celebrated on 31 October with costumes, pumpkins and trick-or-treating, and is popular with schools, cafés and retail brands for playful posts..
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31Sat
National Unity Day
Saturday, 31 October 2026 · Important Day
National Unity Day, or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, on 31 October honours the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who united the princely states into India..
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27Wed
Dhanteras
Wednesday, 27 October 2027* · Festival
Dhanteras opens the five days of Diwali and is considered an auspicious day to buy gold, silver and new utensils.
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28Thu
Choti Diwali
Thursday, 28 October 2027* · Festival
Choti Diwali, or Narak Chaturdashi, is the second day of the five-day Diwali festival, celebrated the day before Lakshmi Puja..
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29Fri
Diwali
Friday, 29 October 2027* · Festival
Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with diyas, rangoli, sweets and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.
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30Sat
Govardhan Puja
Saturday, 30 October 2027* · Festival
Govardhan Puja, or Annakut, falls the day after Diwali and remembers Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan hill..
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31Sun
Bhai Dooj
Sunday, 31 October 2027* · Festival
Bhai Dooj closes the Diwali festivities and celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, with tilak, prayers for long life and exchange of gifts..
* Date depends on the lunar calendar or moon sighting and is confirmed closer to the day.