Yom Kippur, Chess Day, Redhead Day and More—Check Out All These September Holidays and Observances in 2023
Flip that calendar over to September and you know what happens? It (unofficially!) becomes pumpkin-everything season! You just know that fall is in the air when the favorite scents of crisp fallen leaves and apple pie take over your senses!
But September is also host to a whole bunch of cool, corny and cute days of observations. Of course, we know about Labor Day and Patriot’s Day (which honors September 11th). But who knew that there was a Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, National Dog Walker Day, National Guacamole Day and National Gymnastics Day? We’ve put together a list of all the September 2023 holidays and observances, so you don’t have to miss a single one that you might be interested in celebrating!
There are also religious holidays celebrated in September, like the Jewish holy day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Also, whole weeks in September are dedicated to special causes, like National Waffle Week (September 4-10) or National Rehabilitation Awareness Week (September 19-25). And the month of September is also a time to bring awareness to several important causes like Childhood Cancer, Suicide Prevention, Hispanic Heritage, and many more!
Keep on reading to find out all of the special-interest days and causes that are celebrated during the month of September!
Related: 75 Best Fall Quotes to Celebrate the Loveliest Season
What Major Holidays Are in September?
Labor Day is a federal holiday and is celebrated on the first Monday of September. In 2023, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 4.
Are There Religious Holidays in September?
Yes, there are several religious celebrations that take place in September, such as the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. One of Judaism’s high holy days, Rosh Hashanah means “start of the year” in the Hebrew language. The two-day celebration of the Jewish New Year commemorates the creation of the world. The date for Rosh Hashanah varies every year on the modern Gregorian calendar since its observance begins on the first day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah 2023 will begin the evening of Friday, September 15, and end in the evening on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
Another Jewish holiday taking place this September is Yom Kippur, which falls on Sept. 24, 2023. The highest of Judaism’s holy days, Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, as Jews believe it is on this day that God decides each person’s fate. Jewish people observe Yom Kippur with a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer at a special synagogue service as they ask God for the forgiveness of their sins committed over the past year. In 2023, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on September 24 and ends at nightfall the following evening, September 25. Since Yom Kippur is the most solemn day, Jewish people also do not go to work or school, using anything electronic is prohibited, and they don’t even use water to bathe, drink or brush their teeth. At the end of Yom Kippur, Jewish families gather for a celebratory meal to break their fast.
Sukkot is yet another Jewish holiday that takes place this month. In 2023, Sukkot will begin at sundown on September 29 and end on October 6. In Jewish tradition, the week-long holiday was to celebrate the yearly harvest of farmers, while also commemorating the Bible’s story of how the Jews escaped from Egypt and lived in temporary shelters as they wandered through the desert for 40 years.
Hindus also celebrate Janmashtami—the birth of the god Krishna—starting Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. And beginning on September 19, Hindus celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival marking the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of prosperity and wisdom.
Some Christians also celebrate The Birth of the Virgin Mary (also known as the Nativity of the Virgin Mary) on September 8 each year. The exact date that Mary, mother of Jesus, was born was not recorded in modern scripture. But the date of September 8 was chosen centuries ago by the Eastern Church, which begins its church calendar in September.
What Equinox is in September?
The Autumn Equinox this year will fall on Saturday, September 23, 2023. To be specific, fall will officially begin in the Northern Hemisphere at 2:50 am EST on that date, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, and occurs at the same time worldwide.
Does September 2023 Have a Full Moon?
The full moon—called the Harvest Moon in September—will appear on Saturday, September 29, 2023. The full moon that rises nearest to the autumn equinox is traditionally called the Harvest Moon, so that name can be used for either September or October’s full moon. That's why September 2023's full moon is called the Harvest Moon, since the Autumn Equinox date is September 23, 2023. This is also the last supermoon of 2023.
Related: 30 Cute Fall Door Decor Ideas
September Daily Holidays and Observances 2023
September 1
American Chess Day
Bring Your Manners To Work Day
Cherry Popover Day
College Colors Day
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
National Acne Positivity Day
National Chianti Day
National Food Bank Day
National Lazy Mom's Day
National little Black Dress Day
National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
Pink Cadillac Day
World Letter Writing Day
September 2
National Blueberry Popsicle Day
National Hummingbird Day
National Live Fearless Day
National Tailgating Day
Pierce Your Ears Day
International Bacon Day
World Coconut Day
World Beard Day
September 3
National Doodle Day
National Pet Rock Day
National Skyscraper Day
US Bowling League Day
September 4
Labor Day
Eat an Extra Dessert Day
Mouthguard Day
National Macadamia Nut Day
National Wildlife Day
September 5
National Be Late for Something Day
National Cheese Pizza Day
International Day of Charity
September 6
Fight Procrastination Day
Janmashtami
National Coffee Ice Cream Day
National Read a Book Day
Great Egg Toss Day
September 7
Buy a Book Day
International Day of Clean Air
National Read a Book Day
National Acorn Squash Day
National Beer Lovers Day
National Feel the Day Day
National Grateful Patient Day
National Neither Snow Nor Rain Day
September 8
Actor's Day
International Literacy Day
National 401(k) Day
National Ampersand Day
National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
National Iguana Awareness Day
Star Trek Day
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
World Physical Therapy Day
September 9
Care Bears Share Your Care Day
Emergency Services Day
Free Dentistry Day
German Language Day
International Box Wine Day
International Sudoku Day
National When Pigs Fly Day
National Teddy Bear Day
Wonderful Weirdos Day
September 10
Grandparents Day
Hug Your Hound Day
National Pet Memorial Day
National TV Dinner Day
Swap Ideas Day
White Balloon Day
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 11
National Hot Cross Bun Day
National Make Your Bed Day
Patriot Day
September 12
National Ants on a Log Day
National Chocolate Milkshake Day
National Day of Encouragement
National Video Games Day
September 13
Defy Superstition Day
International Chocolate Day
National Bald is Beautiful Day
National Peanut Day
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
National Twilighters Day
Positive Thinking Day
Programmers Day
Related: 60 Pumpkin Quotes
September 14
Are You Okay Day
National Coloring Day
National Cream-Filled Donut Day
National Eat a Hoagie Day
National School Pictures Day
National Sober Day
September 15
Felt Hat Day
Greenpeace Day
International Day of Democracy
International Dot Day
Make a Hat Day
National Creme de Menthe Day
National Double Cheeseburger Day
National Linguine Day
National Online Learning Day
World Lymphoma Awareness Day
National Concussion Awareness Day
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Rosh Hashanah
World Afro Day
World Engineers Day
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset through sunset of September 17)
September 16
Batman Day
Collect Rocks Day
Mexican Independence Day
International Coastal Cleanup Day
International Eat an Apple Day
International Red Panda Day
National Responsible Dog Ownership Day
National Choose Your Chocolate Day
National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day
National Guacamole Day
National Play-Doh Day
National Stepfamily Day
Working Parents Day
National Gymnastics Day
National Tattoo Story Day
Puppy Mill Awareness Day
Talk Like a Pirate Day
World Barber Day
September 17
International Country Music Day
International Patient Safety Day
National Apple Dumpling Day
National Pet Bird Day
Smithsonian Day
Time's Up Day
Wife Appreciation Day
September 18
Locate an Old Friend Day
National Cheeseburger Day
International Equal Pay Day
National First Love Day
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
National Respect Day
Purple Bra Day
Read an eBook Day
Rice Krispies Treats Day
U.S. Air Force Day
September 19
National Butterscotch Pudding Day
National Meow Like a Pirate Day
National Voter Registration Day
Ganesh Chaturthi
September 20
National Care For Kids Day
National Fried Rice Day
National Punch [drink] Day
National Pepperoni Pizza Day
National Queso Day
National String Cheese Day
September 21
International Day of Peace
Miniature Golf Day
National Black Women's Equal Pay Day
National Chai Day
National Opioid Awareness Day
National Pecan Cookie Day
World Gratitude Day
World Alzheimer's Day
September 22
Native American Day
Dear Diary Day
Hobbit Day
Hug a Vegetarian Day
National Elephant Appreciation Day
National Girls’ Night In Day
National Ice Cream Cone Day
National White Chocolate Day
National Singles Day
World Rhino Day
World Car-Free Day
September 23
Fall Equinox
First Day of Autumn
National Checkers Day
Bi Visibility Day
International Day of Sign Languages
International Rabbit Day
Redhead Appreciation Day
National Baker Day
National Checkers Day
National Great American Pot Pie Day
National Hunting and Fishing Day
September 24
National Cherries Jubilee Day
National Horchata Day
National Punctuation Day
World Bollywood Day
World Day of the Deaf
World Rivers Day
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset through sunset of September 25)
September 25
Binge Day
National Comic Book Day
National Cooking Day
National One-Hit Wonder Day
National Quesadilla Day
National Good Neighbor Day
National Daughters Day
National Lobster Day
National Psychotherapy Day
National Roadkill Day
World Pharmacists Day
September 26
Love Note Day
National Dumpling Day
National Family Day
National Pancake Day
Johnny Appleseed Day
Lumberjack Day
National Key Lime Pie Day
Shamu the Whale Day
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
September 27
Ancestor Appreciation Day
National Chocolate Milk Day
World Tourism Day
National Crush a Can Day
National No Excuses Day
National Scarf Day
National Women's Health and Fitness Day
September 28
National Drink a Beer Day
National Sons Day
International Right To Know Day
Ask a Stupid Question Day
National Good Neighbor Day
September 29
September 30
International Podcast Day
National Chewing Gum Day
National Hot Mulled Cider Day
Save the Koala Day
International Translation Day
National Ghost Hunting Day
National Love People Day
Pet Tricks Day
Save Your Photos Day
Related: 18 Must-See Fall Foliage Spots
September Weekly Observances
National Waffle Week (September 3-9)
National Assisted Living Week (September 10-16)
Suicide Prevention Week (September 10-16)
National Farm Animals Awareness Week (September 17-23)
National Rehabilitation Awareness Week (September 18-24)
Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week (September 18-24)
Deaf Dog Awareness Week (September 24-30)
Sea Otter Awareness Week (September 24-30)
September Monthly Observances
Baby Safety Month
Better Breakfast Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Classical Music Month
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15)
International Square-Dancing Month
National Chicken Month
National Honey Month
National Library Card Signup Month
National Papaya Month
National Self-Care Awareness Month
National Service Dog Month
National Yoga Awareness Month
National Mushroom Month
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Self-Improvement Month
Save the Koala Month
World Candle Month
Next, check out this awesome list of fall quotes!
