30 Reasons to Celebrate in September

Special days and unconventional holidays to observe

Written by
Christina Donnelly
Christina Donnelly is a freelance writer and animal welfare advocate. She’s worked in the digital media industry for over a decade.
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Christina Donnelly
Updated 09/27/20
Friends clinking their glasses

Tawan Boonnak / Getty Images

Sometimes the month of September can be a bit of a back-to-school bummer, especially after a fun summer. Instead, celebrate all of the wacky, weird, and wonderful holidays September has to offer. From National Double Cheeseburger Day to National Beer Lover's Day and Love Note Day, there's something for everyone.

Here are 30 reasons to celebrate during the month of September.

Fun Fact

September gets its name from the Latin septem, meaning seven, because it used to be the seventh month of the year under the Roman calendar.

  • 01 of 30

    Sept. 1: National Cherry Popover Day

    The ingredients for cherry popovers

    fotostorm / Getty Images

    Roughly 50% flaky pastry, 50% gooey, and 100% delicious, a cherry popover makes an easy, pop-able treat, especially when you use fresh, end-of-summer cherries. You can even prep a big batch of cherry popovers to freeze for tasty breakfasts you can quickly heat up.

  • 02 of 30

    Sept. 2: World Coconut Day

    A cracked coconut

    HD Connelly / Getty Images

    From coconut cake and cocktails to coconut oil moisturizers and household cleaning products, there are many uses for coconut. For World Coconut Day, start by learning how to crack a coconut. Then, enjoy its contents however you like.

  • 03 of 30

    Sept. 3: Skyscraper Day

    skyscrapers
    Sushiman / Getty Images

    Skyscraper Day is a holiday dedicated to the architecture of tall city skylines. If you live in a city, spend this day visiting a skyscraper landmark. If you not, look up photos of city skylines and try to identify which city they're from.

  • 04 of 30

    Sept. 4: Eat an Extra Dessert Day

    A woman holding two small pies in skillets

    istetiana / Getty Images

    Splurging on dessert isn't always the healthiest choice to make. But today, go ahead and indulge in that second serving of your favorite dessert. After all, it's good to treat yourself every now and then.

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  • 05 of 30

    Sept. 5: National Cheese Pizza Day

    Four-cheese pizza
    Lara Hata / Getty Images

    It's widely believed that the humble cheese pizza is the perfect food. It's the ideal balance of carbs, protein, and fat. It reheats wonderfully. And it's delicious for any meal.

  • 06 of 30

    Sept. 6: National Coffee Ice Cream Day

    Scoops of coffee ice cream

    westend61 / Getty Images

    There's still time to celebrate ice cream before cooler weather arrives for many of us. For National Coffee Ice Cream Day, pile on a few scoops with chocolate syrup. Or blend your favorite coffee ice cream into a milkshake for a decadent treat with a slight caffeine kick.

  • 07 of 30

    Sept. 7: National Beer Lover's Day

    A man pouring a draft beer

    Erich Rau / Getty Images

    Beer isn't just the standard light lager bartenders sling across every American bar top. The craft beer movement has produced some incredibly creative and tasty brews that blend different styles, flavors, and inspirations. Check out your local brewery for some new-to-you beers today, or try brewing your own beer at home.

  • 08 of 30

    Sept. 8: International Literacy Day

    father and daughter reading together

    svetikd / Getty Images

    International Literacy Day is meant to raise awareness for literacy problems both locally and globally. It urges communities to work together to raise educational standards. To help out today, consider donating books to a school or library. It’s also the perfect day to work with neighbors to start a small “take a book, leave a book” library.

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  • 09 of 30

    Sept. 9: National Teddy Bear Day

    Three teddy bears on a little girl's bed.

    Kittiphan Teerawattanakul / Getty Images

    Dust off your childhood teddy bear and give it a squeeze because today is National Teddy Bear Day. If there are kids in your life, consider buying (or making) them a new stuffed animal. You also can donate stuffed animals to children in hospitals and other care facilities.

  • 10 of 30

    Sept. 10: National Swap Ideas Day

    business people talking in meeting
    John Wildgoose / Getty Images

    They say two heads are better than one. So for National Swap Ideas Day, make a point to listen to other people's ideas and opinions before jumping in with your own. You never know where a good brainstorming session will take you.

  • 11 of 30

    Sept. 11: Make Your Bed Day

    A man making his bed.

    Maskot / Getty Images

    Many successful people have shared this advice: If you want to set up your day for success, make your bed every morning. That way, you'll accomplish something right off the bat. Not only will it help you establish a morning routine, but a tidy bed can make your life feel a little less cluttered.

  • 12 of 30

    Sept. 12: National Chocolate Milkshake Day

    A woman holding a small chocolate milkshake.

    Adrianna Calvo / Getty Images

    Indulge in a rich, cool treat today for National Chocolate Milkshake Day. Chocolate shakes are incredibly easy to make at home. You only need a few ingredients—usually milk, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate syrup—and a good blender.

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  • 13 of 30

    Sept. 13: National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day

    couple cooking with girl
    Robert Deutschman / Getty Images

    Let your kids do the cooking today for National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day. This day is all about teaching young people some cooking skills and letting them be creative with food. So pick a recipe that's suitable for your child's age, and allow them to take the lead on the food prep.

  • 14 of 30

    Sept. 14: Eat a Hoagie Day

    A submarine sandwich with multigrain bread, meat and cheese

    kajakiki / Getty Images

    You might call it a hoagie, grinder, submarine, hero, or po' boy. Regardless, today's the perfect excuse to dig into one of these massive sandwiches. Pile it with toppings, and make sure it's between two long slices of fresh French or Italian bread.

  • 15 of 30

    Sept. 15: National Double Cheeseburger Day

    A double cheeseburger with bacon.

    LauriPatterson / Getty Images

    Today's the day to stack your cheeseburger high. It doesn't matter if it's topped with bacon, avocado, a fried egg, or even bleu cheese. You can't properly celebrate National Double Cheeseburger Day without those two patties.

  • 16 of 30

    Sept. 16: National Guacamole Day

    An overhead shot of guacamole.

    Jeol Efthimiou / Getty Images

    Learn to make your own guac for National Guacamole Day. All you need are a few avocados, diced red onion, diced tomato, cilantro, and lime. If you want to jazz up this classic Mexican dish, try adding a few diced jalapeños, chopped mango, mashed peas, or pomegranate seeds. There are many recipe variations to suit every taste.

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  • 17 of 30

    Sept. 17: National Monte Cristo Day

    A monte cristo sandwich with french fries.

    LauriPatterson / Getty Images

    A Monte Cristo isn't just a case of a wrongfully imprisoned Count. It's a totally decadent pressed sandwich, too. Combining ham and cheese and fried in egg batter, a Monte Cristo is an American spin on the classic French croque monsieur sandwich.

  • 18 of 30

    Sept. 18: Rice Krispies Treats Day

    A stack of rice krispie treats.

    MmeEmil / Getty Images

    It's time to whip up this sweet and sticky snack for Rice Krispies Treats Day. Combine butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies for a traditional recipe. Or try adding different kinds of cereal, sprinkles, or even chocolate chips for a new-to-you treat.

  • 19 of 30

    Sept. 19: International Talk Like a Pirate Day

    A little boy dressed up as a pirate.

    Jessica Peterson / Getty Images

    Shiver me timbers: It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! If you're not sure exactly how to talk like a pirate, try adding a few "argggghs" and "walk the planks" into your everyday conversation. Whether you carry a parrot on your shoulder or wear an eye patch is totally up to you.

  • 20 of 30

    Sept. 20: National Pepperoni Pizza Day

    A close-up of flatbread pepperoni pizza.

    LauriPatterson / Getty Images

    If cheese pizza is the perfect food, then a pepperoni pizza is the perfect food and then some. Topped with classic pepperoni or spicy soppressata, this pizza can be an ideal take-out dinner, late-night snack, or even breakfast.

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  • 21 of 30

    Sept. 21: International Day of Peace

    Little girl giving the peace sign

    Karin Dreyer / Getty Images

    International Day of Peace is a worldwide holiday dedicated to strengthening peace among all people. There are calls for a global ceasefire and no violence in active combat zones, as discussions occur on how to promote peaceful solutions. This is a great day to learn about people who have won the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded to those whose work promotes friendship among nations.

  • 22 of 30

    Sept. 22: World Car-Free Day

    A woman riding her bike to work

    Maskot / Getty Images

    If you're able, do your part to protect Mother Earth and ditch your car today for World Car-Free Day. Try biking to work or on your errands, take public transit, or carpool. It might seem small, but small changes can add up to have a major impact.

  • 23 of 30

    Sept. 23: National Great American Pot Pie Day

    A close-up of a pot pie

    sf_foodfoto / Getty Images 

    What better way to celebrate the arrival of fall than a classic American pot pie? It's easy to make your own crust (or you can opt for store-bought), and you can toss whatever meats and veggies you have on hand into the filling. It's also simple to make a vegan recipe.

  • 24 of 30

    Sept. 24: National Punctuation Day

    A question mark on a chalkboard.

    Tatâna Maramygina / Getty Images

    For National Punctuation Day, brush up on your use of apostrophes, commas, colons, and more. Get into a debate about the Oxford comma. And be a little adventurous by throwing a semicolon into an email or a text.

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  • 25 of 30

    Sept. 25: National Cooking Day

    A father and son cooking in the kitchen

    Sam Edwards / Getty Images

    For some, cooking means boiling pasta and heating up jarred marinara. For others, it means preparing sous vide steak, blanching and creaming spinach, and hand-whipping potatoes. No matter your definition of cooking, today's the day to don your apron, get into the kitchen, and try preparing something new.

  • 26 of 30

    Sept. 26: National Pancake Day

    Pancakes with blueberries on top

    Krissie Tran / Getty Images

    Blueberries. Bananas. Buttermilk. When it comes to pancakes, the combinations are pretty much limitless. In honor of National Pancake Day, simply stir the fixings of your choice into homemade or packaged pancake batter. Then, fry and enjoy.

  • 27 of 30

    Sept. 27: Love Note Day

    An overhead shot of a love note with lavender flowers.

    Lisa MacIntosh / Getty Images

    Everyone loves receiving a sweet love note. So for Love Note Day, skip the mushy store-bought card and get a little more creative. Add a cute note to your kid's lunch, use old lipstick to write a message on your partner's side of the bathroom mirror, or surprise your best friend with a note filled with compliments.

  • 28 of 30

    Sept. 28: National Neighbor Day

    neighbors on a porch

    Creative RF / Sean Justice / Getty Images

    Make today a beautiful day in your neighborhood. Spread some kindness by bringing your neighbors homemade baked goods, inviting them over for a potluck, or offering to help them with some home or yard projects. 

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  • 29 of 30

    Sept. 29: National Coffee Day

    A close-up of two cups of coffee

    Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

    Today, raise your coffee mug and toast to the roasted beans that keep us going. Looking for a few special ways to appreciate coffee? Try adding it to your favorite cocktail, coating coffee beans in chocolate, or blending a few beans into your favorite vanilla ice cream for a homemade coffee shake.

  • 30 of 30

    Sept. 30: National Hot Mulled Cider Day

    An overhead shot of hot mulled cider

    istetiana / Getty Images

    Whether you brew some kid-friendly cider or add a splash of your favorite whiskey for an adults-only drink, there's nothing better than curling up in front of a fire with a cup of hot mulled cider.