October Season & Vibe
- Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere
- Cozy weather and falling leaves
- Warm drinks, pumpkins and cozy outfits
A LITTLE AUTUMN MAGIC
October 2020
Everything special about October — cozy vibes, beautiful colours and meaningful moments.
October is the tenth month of the year and has 31 days. From International Coffee Day on October 1 to Halloween on October 31, explore national days, autumn traditions, awareness campaigns and the stories behind this colourful month.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Dates with a count have published stories or scheduled previews.
From the calendar
Explore October
What Is Special About October? Season, Zodiac, Birthstones & More
October Zodiac Signs
Libra
Oct 1–22
Balance · Harmony
Scorpio
Oct 23–31
Passion · Mystery
October Birthstones
Opal · Tourmaline
Traditionally associated with colour, hope and creativity.
October Birth Flowers
Marigold
Warmth · Optimism
Cosmos
Harmony · Peace
Seasonal descriptions mainly reflect the Northern Hemisphere. Zodiac dates are conventional Western ranges; transitions vary by year and time zone. Birth symbols describe cultural traditions.
October’s Major Events
Halloween
October 31 — pumpkins, costumes and local traditions.
World Mental Health Day
October 10 — a global awareness observance.
United Nations Day
October 24 — marks the UN Charter coming into force.
Every date has a story
October 17 — National Days & Stories
No stories in this selection yet.
New articles appear here according to their publication or scheduled date.
Browse all months →Why Is It Called October? History of Month 10
The meaning behind the name
October comes from the Latin octo, meaning eight. It was the eighth month in the early Roman calendar, before January and February were placed at the beginning.
Weather and seasons
In the Northern Hemisphere, October brings autumn colours and harvests. In the Southern Hemisphere, spring is underway. Local seasons and weather vary.
October Fast Facts
31 days
October 2020 begins Thursday and ends Saturday.
Opal & Tourmaline
Traditional October birthstones.
Halloween
Celebrated on October 31.
Meteor showers
October brings the Draconids and Orionids.
October Skies & Nature
Autumn Leaves
- Fall colours
- Golden trees
- Nature’s beauty
Hunter’s Moon
- A traditional seasonal full-Moon name
- Follows the Harvest Moon
- Its calendar date varies each year
Pumpkin Spice
- Seasonal drinks
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Cozy autumn flavours
Orionid Meteor Shower
- Visible during October
- Usually peaks around October 21–22
- Dark skies improve visibility
National Days & Holidays in October 2020
Selected recurring observances. These are calendar dates, not a complete list of public holidays or official days off. Local rules and traditions differ.
Awareness Months in October
Selected campaigns; many originated in the United States and may be observed at different times elsewhere.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- ADHD Awareness Month
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Calendar sources & editorial notes
Recurring dates are separate from the published and scheduled stories above. Movable Gregorian holidays are calculated for the selected year. Exact Moon phases, equinoxes, solstices and lunar-calendar festivals should be checked with local authorities before making plans.