Special Days and Observances in August (2024)

The month of August is often a calm and quiet time of year. It's a time to enjoy the last burst of warm, sunny weather, summertime cuisine, and chance to relax before the school year starts. August is also the time when folks begin to get excited for autumn, which usually promises cooler weather, crisp air, and fun holiday traditions.

The name of the month was originally a Latin word, Sextilis. In the 8th century BC, during the early Medieval period, the month was renamed to Augustin honor of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor.

Here are all the official and unofficial August holidays—some of which may fall on different days or times each year—to celebrate during the eighth month of the year.

Major Holidays and Observances

There are no federal holidays in August. Instead, August highlights daily, weekly, and monthly celebrations and observances such as U.S. Air Force Day, World Lung Cancer Day, National Book Lover's Day, and International Left-Handers Day. If you love dessert, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate with something sweet such as National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, National Raspberries and Cream Day, National Pie Day, and many more fun and unique celebrations. While these holidays are more minor in significance, they are still enjoyed and celebrated with enthusiasm.

August Daily Holidays and Observances

• August1:U.S. Air Force Day, National Girlfriends Day, Respect for Parents Day, National Mountain Climbing Day, Homemade Pie Day, National Spider-Man Day, National Planner Day, Swiss National Day, World Lung Cancer Day, Lammas Day
• August2:Dinosaurs Day, National Coloring Book Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, International Beer Day* (first Friday), National Water Balloon Day
• August 3: National Watermelon Day, Clean Your Floors Day, National Disc Golf Day, Sandcastle Day, National Mustard Day* (first Saturday), National Campfire Day* (first Saturday)
• August4:U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Assistance Dog Day, National Friendship Day, National Sisters Day, National White Wine Day, American Family Day* (first Sunday)
• August 5: Work Like a Dog Day, National Oyster Day, Blogger Day
• August 6: National Root Beer Float Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day, National Fresh Breath Day, Farmworker Appreciation Day, Fiesta de San Salvador
• August7:Sea Serpent Day, National Lighthouse Day, National Raspberries and Cream Day, Purple Heart Day
• August 8: International Cat Day, International Infinity Day, National Dollar Day, National Frozen Custard Day, National Mochi Day, National Pickleball Day, Take a Penny, Leave a Penny Day
• August9:Book Lovers Day, National Women's Day, International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, National Hand Holding Day, National Rice Pudding Day, International Coworking Day
  
• August 10:Smithsonian Day, National Lazy Day, National Spoil Your Dog Day, National Bowling Day* (second Saturday), Garage Sale Day, National S’mores Day, World Lion Day
• August11:Play in the Sand Day, National Son and Daughter Day, National Face Mask Day, National Hip Hop Day, National Raspberry Bombe Day
• August 12: International Youth Day, National Middle Child Day, National Vinyl Record Day, World Elephant Day, Tisha B'Av
• August13:International Left-Handers Day, National Filet Mignon Day, National Prosecco Day
• August 14:National Financial Awareness Day, Love Your Bookshop Day, National Creamsicle Day, World Calligraphy Day, World Lizard Day
• August 15:National Failures Day, Chant at the Moon Day, National Relaxation Day, National Lemon Meringue Pie Day, National Back To School Prep Day
• August 16: Tell a Joke Day, National Roller Coaster Day, National Rum Day, National Authenticity Day, National Hawaiian Shirt Day, National Kool-Aid Day, National Bratwurst Day
• August 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day, International Homeless Animals' Day* (third Saturday), International Geocaching Day, National Nonprofit Day, National Thrift Shop Day, World Honey Bee Day
• August 18:Helium Discovery Day, Bad Poetry Day, National Couple's Day, National Fajita Day, National Ice Cream Pie Day, World Breast Cancer Research Day, Tu B'av
• August 19:World Photography Day, Orville Wright's Birthday, National Aviation Day, National Potato Day, World Humanitarian Day, International Bow Day, International Orangutan Day
• August 20:Virtual Worlds Day, National Lemonade Day, National Radio Day, National Bacon-Lovers Day, National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
• August 21:Poet's Day, National Spumoni Day, National Senior Citizens Day
• August 22:International Tongue Twister Day, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, National Tooth Fairy Day, National Bao Day, National Burger Day, World Plant Milk Day
• August 23:Ride the Wind Day, National Sponge Cake Day, Buttered Corn Day, Hug Your Sweetheart Day, International Blind Dog Day, National Cuban Sandwich Day
• August 24:Strange Music Day, Vesuvius Day, National Waffle Day, Pluto Demoted Day
• National Peach Pie Day
• August 25: National Banana Split Day, National Whiskey Sour Day, National Kiss and Make Up Day,
• National Park Service Day, National Secondhand Wardrobe Day
• August 26: National Dog Day, National Women's Equality Day, National Cherry Popsicle Day
• August 27: National Just Because Day, International Lottery Day, National Banana Lovers Day, World Rock Paper Scissors Day
• August 28: National Red Wine Day, National Bow Tie Day, National Cherry Turnover Day, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
• August 29:Individual Rights Day, National Chop Suey Day, Lemon Juice Day
• More Herbs, Less Salt Day
• August 30: National Beach Day, National Grief Awareness Day, National Toasted Marshmallow Day, International Whale Shark Day, National Holistic Pet Day
• August 31: National Trail Mix Day, National Matchmaker Day, Eat Outside Day, National Zoo Awareness Day, World Distance Learning Day, International Overdose Awareness Day

August Weekly Holidays and Observances

• International Clown Week (1-7)
• International Assistance Dog Week (4-10)
• National Farmers Market Week (4-10)
  
• Exercise with Your Child Week (4-10)
• National Video Game Week (first week)
  
• National Scrabble Week (first week)
• National Fraud Awareness Week (first week)
• National Simplify Your Life Week (5-11)
• National Smile Week (second week)
• Elvis Week (9-17)
• Bargain Hunting Week (12-18)
• Friendship Week (third week)
• Aviation Week (19-25)
  
• World Water Week (23-27)
• Be Kind to Humankind Week (25-31)

August Monthly Holidays and Observances

• American Artist Appreciation Month
• Back to School Month
• Family Fun Month
• Family Meal Month
• Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
• Happiness Happens Month
• National Back To School Month
• National Eye Exam Month
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• National Inventors Month
• Black Business Month
• National Golf Month
• National Peach Month
• National Sandwich Month
• National Wellness Month
• Summer Sun Safety Month

*Denotes that date changes each year.