Yahoo Lifestyle Happy November! November Holidays and Observances 2024, From Thanksgiving to Day of the Dead
November is officially here, and all of the feast planning (and everything else that goes with the Thanksgiving holiday) tend to take center stage for the month. That being said, before the majority of the frenzy begins, as a nation, we remember and celebrate Veterans Day to honor the military veterans. And of course, after Thanksgiving, many like to celebrate Black Friday with a day of shopping for all of the deals. However, did you know that out of all the days in November, there are more than triple that amount of celebratory observances to think about? We've got a huge list of all of the November holidays and observances in 2024!
Some of these other holidays are honoring an occupation or group of people. For instance, All Saints Day is celebrated to honor all of the saints of the church. Other observances are for disease awareness, such as Diabetic Eye Disease Month. And many of the rest are more offbeat and random like National Mason Jar Day or National Cook For Your Pets Day.
Besides the daily observances, there are also some observances that are celebrated either for a full week or an entire month. For instance, the National Hunger And Homeless Awareness Week occurs the entire week before Thanksgiving—the perfect timing to help us gain perspective and give back.
Since there are so many special days to consider for the month of November, we've put together a whole list of November holidays and observances for 2024 so that you can be in the know. Maybe you'll want to celebrate a few that you hadn't known about before.
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Who Comes Up With National Days and Observances?
While some holidays hold historic significance or are religious (some are both), there are so many random national days each year that you have to wonder who comes up with these and who is ultimately in charge of the list? If you love waffles and peanut butter, can you just call it out as a national day?
It is in fact almost as easy as that! A company or person can declare a day and it can take off on social media. However, there are sometimes more official ways to go about getting a national day approved, which is how they end up a universal thing on sites like National Day Calendar.
Some of the National Days for November may excite you—like National Donut Day or National Candy Day. Those are easy to celebrate. But others, like the National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, may pass by without a second thought. Whoever came up with that one must have needed a reminder to do it in a big way!
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What Major Holidays are in November?
While it's not a holiday (though some argue it should be), Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. This is a presidential election year, so make sure you're registered to vote.
Other than religious holidays, which we'll get to in a minute, the biggest holiday in November is Thanksgiving. This year it falls on Nov. 28, 2024. That means Black Friday is Nov. 29.
With Thanksgiving comes National Day of Mourning on Nov. 28 as well. This is a day that is in protest of Thanksgiving and serves to remember the "unjust treatment Native Americans have received since the 1620 Plymouth landing," per NationalToday.com.
Are There Any Religious Holidays in November?
In 2024, the month of November has a couple of religious holidays. Starting right at the top of the month is All Saints Day. This starts on November 1 and is a Catholic holiday meant to honor holy men and women canonized as saints within the Church.
Also falling on Nov. 1, but starting the night before on Halloween (Oct. 31), is the pagan religious festival of Samhain. It's a pagan or Wiccan festival that has roots in the Celtic tradition and it marks the end of harvest season. It is the opposite of Beltane, Gaelic May Day. Samhain is all about ringing in "the dark half of the year," aka winter.
Then there's the religious Hindu holiday called Diwali. Since the dates of Diwali—known as the Festival of Lights—are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, they change from year to year. But in 2024, Diwali begins on October 31 and goes until November 4. India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year, the Festival of Lights is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and marks the beginning of the new year for some Hindu groups. During Diwali, Indians light clay lamps outside of their homes, symbolizing the inner light that protects their dwellings from the darkness. The five-day holiday is as important in the Hindu religion as Christmas is in Christianity. And much like Christmas, Indians celebrate with prayer, feasts, and family gatherings.
Related: ‘I Just Went to the Biggest Día de Los Muertos Celebration in America and This Is What Happened’
List of Monthly Observances For November
National Adoption Month
American Diabetes Month
Aviation History Month
Banana Pudding Lovers Month
Bereaved Siblings Month, Worldwide
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
Eye Donation Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
National Inspirational Role Models Month
National Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Marrow Awareness Month
Movember
National Memoir Writing Month
National Native-American Heritage Month
National Novel Writing Month
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month
Picture Book Month
Prematurity Awareness Month
National Runaway Prevention Month
Vegan Month, Worldwide
Weekly Observances For November
National Fig Week (November 1-7)
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (November 3-9)
National Rad Tech Week (November 3-9)
International Fraud Awareness Week (November 10-16)
National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 10-16)
Dear Santa Letter Week (November 10-16)
National Young Readers Week (November 11-15)
National Donor Sabbath (November 15-17)
National Hunger And Homeless Awareness Week (November 18-26)
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November Daily Holidays and Observances
November 1
Author's Day
Day of the Dead
Deck the Everything Day
Extra Mile Day
Fountain Pen Day
International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
Love Your Lawyer Day
National Biologics Coordinators Day
National Brush Day
National Calzone Day
National Cinnamon Day
National Cook For Your Pets Day
National Deep Fried Clams Day
National Family Literacy Day
National Jersey Day
National Vinegar Day
Prime Meridian Day
Samhain
Scented Candle Day
World Vegan Day
Related: 15 Best Día de los Muertos Traditions To Help Honor Loved Ones
November 2
All Souls' Day
Be the Impact Day
Broadcast Traffic Professionals Day
Day of the Dead (last day)
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
Look for Circles Day
National Bison Day
National Deviled Egg Day
National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month)
World Ballet Day
World Numbat Day
Related: What Exactly Are Ofrendas, and How Are They Related to Día de Los Muertos?
November 3
Cliche Day
Daylight Savings Ends
National Sandwich Day
Give Someone a Dollar Day
National Accessory Day
National Homemaker Day
National Housewife’s Day
National Sandwich Day
One Health Day
Smart Home Day
World Jellyfish Day
Zero Tasking Day
Related: How To Celebrate Día de Los Muertos—Plus, the 9 Biggest Day of the Dead Celebrations in America
November 4
Diwali (last day)
Job Action Day
National Candy Day
National Chicken Lady Day
National Day of Community Service
National Easy-Bake Oven Day
Traffic Directors Day
Use Your Common Sense Day
November 5
American Football Day
Election Day
National Chinese Takeout Day
National Love Your Red Hair Day
World Tsunami Awareness Day
November 6
Dog Film Festival
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
Marooned Without a Compass Day
National Advent Calendar Day
National Basketball Day
National Ladies Learning Code Day
National Nachos Day
National Report Home Health Care Fraud Day
National Team Manager Day
Saxophone Day
November 7
Hug a Bear Day
International Merlot Day
International Stout Day
National Bittersweet Chocolate and Almonds Day
National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day
National Cancer Awareness Day
National Cash Back Day
National Men Make Dinner Day
Notary Public Day
November 8
Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day
National Cappuccino Day
National Dunce Day
National Parents as Teachers Day
National STEM/STEAM Day
Talk Money Day
World Pianist Day
World Radiography Day
World Town Planning Day
November 9
Brian Holland Legacy Day
Carl Sagan Day
Chaos Never Dies Day
Go to an Art Museum Day
National Scrapple Day
World Freedom Day
November 10
Area Code Day
Forget Me Not Day
International Accounting Day
International Tongue Twister Day
Marine Corps Birthday
National Pupusa Day
National Vanilla Cupcake Day
Orphan Sunday
Sesame Street Day
World Immunization Day
World Science Day
November 11
Veterans Day
Death/Duty Day
National Metal Day
National Education Day
National Origami Day
National Sundae Day
World Orphans Day
November 12
American Fancy Rat & Mouse Day
Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
National French Dip Day
National Happy Hour Day
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
World Pneumonia Day
November 13
National Hug a Musician Day
Sadie Hawkins Day
Symphonic Metal Day
World Kindness Day
November 14
International Girls Day
Loosen Up Lighten Up Day
National American Teddy Bear Day
National Family PJ Day
National Pickle Day
National Seat Belt Day
National Spicy Guacamole Day
Operating Room Nurse Day
World Diabetes Day
World Quality Day
World Usability Day
November 15
America Recycles Day
Day of the Imprisoned Writer
I Love to Write Day
National Ample Time Day
National Bundt Day
National Camp T-Shirt Day
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
National Drummer Day
National Philanthropy Day
National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
Pack Your Mom's Lunch Day
Steve Irwin Day
World Vasectomy Day
November 16
Guinness World Records Day
Have a Party with your Bear Day
International Day For Tolerance
National Black Marketers Day
National Button Day
National Clarinet Day
National Fast Food Day
National Rural Health Day
November 17
International Students Day
National Hiking Day
National Homemade Bread Day
National Take A Hike Day
National Unfriend Day
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
World Prematurity Day
Substitute Educator Day
November 18
Apple Cider Day
International Occult Day
Married to a Scorpio Support Day
Mickey Mouse Birthday
Mickey Mouse Day
Minnie Mouse Birthday
National Princess Day
Odd Socks Day
November 19
International Journalist Day
International Men's Day
National Camp Day
National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day
National Entrepreneur's Day
National Have A Bad Day Day
National Macchiato Day
National Play Monopoly Day
Women Entrepreneurs Day
World Toilet Day
November 20
Education Support Professionals Day
Future Teachers of America Day
International Hug a Runner Day
Name Your PC Day
National Absurdity Day
National Child's Day
National Pay Back Your Parents Day
National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Universal Children's Day
World COPD Day
November 21
False Confession Day
National Gingerbread Cookie Day
National Rural Health Day
Red Mitten Day
Social Enterprise Day
Use Less Stuff Day
World Fisheries Day
World Hello Day
World Pancreatic Cancer Day
World Philosophy Day
World Television Day
November 22
Flossing Day
Go For A Ride Day
Humane Society Anniversary Day
Love Your Freckles Day
National Cranberry Relish Day
November 23
Aura Awareness Day
Eat a Cranberry Day
Family Volunteer Day
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
National Adoption Day
National Cashew Day
National Espresso Day
Thankful For My Dog Day
November 24
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
D.B. Cooper Day
International Shift Worker Sunday
National Sardines Day
Stir-Up Sunday
November 25
Blasé Day
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
National Brand Day
National Parfait Day
National Play Day With Dad
Shopping Reminder Day
White Ribbon Day
November 26
Good Grief Day
Giving Tuesday
International Cake Day
November 27
DrinksGiving (Blackout Wednesday)
National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
National Craft Jerky Day
Pins and Needles Day
Turtle Adoption Day
What Do You Love About America Day
November 28
National Day Of Mourning
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
National Day of Mourning
National Dog Show Broadcast
National Family Health History Day
National French Toast Day
Red Planet Day
Thanksgiving
Unthanksgiving Day
November 29
Black Friday
Buy Nothing Day
Chadwick Boseman Day
Electronic Greetings Day
Fur-Free Friday
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Maize Day
National Lemon Cream Pie Day
Native American Heritage Day
Square Dancing Day
Throw Out Your Leftovers Day
You’re Welcomegiving Day
November 30
Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare
Meth Awareness Day
International Computer Security Day
National Mason Jar Day
National Mousse Day
National Personal Space Day
National Stay at Home Because You're Well Day
Native Women's Equal Pay Day
Perpetual Youth Day
Small Business Saturday
St. Andrew's Day
Related: 10 Must-Haves To Host A Top-Notch Friendsgiving
Some Facts To Know About Some of the November Holidays and Observances 2024
Daylight Savings Time ends on November 3, 2024, and is when we move our clocks back one hour, which means it gets light earlier each morning and dark earlier each night.
Movember is when men grow out their facial hair for the entire month of November to raise awareness for cancer.
Sadie Hawkins Day occurs on November 13 and is an American folk event and pseudo-holiday originated by Al Capp's classic hillbilly comic strip Li'l Abner (1934–1978).
Native American Heritage Day (November 24) is when Indigenous people in America are given special honor with their cultures, accomplishments, contributions and heritage celebrated.
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 because it was on this day at 11:00 am that World War I ended in 1918.
The first Thanksgiving lasted for three days and was not proclaimed a holiday until 1777.
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