Wine Day, Waffle Day, and Left-Handers Day! Check Out All of the Wild August 2023 Holidays
The month August is kind of seen as the last hurrah of warm weather. August is widely considered the end of summer, as families squeeze in last-minute vacations and beach trips before their kiddos prepare to go back to the classroom for a new school year. But did you know that there are a ton of wacky, weird and wild days to celebrate in August? August 2023 holidays and observances honor everything from waffles and chocolate chip cookies to left-handers and dolls, lighthouses and best friends. We go through each day of the month to make sure you don't miss a thing!
There are even some religious holidays that take place during the eighth month of the year. And the weeks that make up August have special significance as well, such as National Motorcycle Week (August 7-13), Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25-31), and more. Not to mention, August as a whole is a month filled with awareness—like National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month, Pedestrian Safety Month and more.
Keep on reading to find out what is celebrated during the month of August!
What Major Holidays Are in August?
There are no major federal holidays celebrated during the month of August.
Are There Religious Holidays in August?
During the month of August, there are a handful of religious holidays. The month starts off with Lughnasa (or Lughnasadah) on August 1—a Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of the harvest season. Lughnasa is celebrated throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It has pagan roots and is still celebrated in Pagan and Wiccan communities today. Closely connected to Lughnasa is Lammas Day, or Loaf Mass Day, also observed on August 1—a Christian holiday celebrating the new wheat crop, it was traditional to bring a loaf of bread made from the grains of the first crops to church to be blessed.
One Jewish holiday also falls during the month of August: Tu B’av. It's a more minor—but very joyful—Jewish holiday and falls on August 1 in 2023. Considered to be a holiday of love, Tu B’av is the Jewish equivalent of Valentine’s Day, and a day of many romantic celebrations like weddings and proposals.
There aren't a ton of Hindu or Muslim holidays in August. But one that does fall during this month is the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, celebrating the unique bond between a brother and his sister, also on August 30.
There is also an important Christian holiday in August: The Assumption of Mary, or the Feast of the Assumption. Celebrated in 2023 on August 15, the holy day commemorates the belief that after the Virgin Mary died, her body ascended into Heaven where she was reunited with Jesus Christ. In addition to honoring the Blessed Mother in church, different cultures celebrate the feast with varying traditions, like blessing the summer harvest, having colorful parades or festivals, or fireworks.
Does August 2023 Have a Full Moon?
Yes, in fact it has two. The first full moon in August, called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise on Aug. 1, 2023, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. The August full moon got its name from the prehistoric-looking sturgeon fish, found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.
The second full moon of August—a Blue Moon—will happen on Aug. 30, 2023. Plus both of these will be supermoons; this kind of full moon is when the moon is closest to earth, making it appear much bigger in the sky than usual. After these two supermoons, the last supermoon of 2023 will be in September.
Related: Find Out If Your Favorite Show Is Coming Back or Canceled Fall 2023
August Daily Holidays and Observances 2023
August 1
Colorado Day (in Colorado)
DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
Homemade Pie Day
International Childfree Day
National Girlfriend's Day
Lammas Day
Lughnasa
National Minority Donor Awareness Day
National Night Out
National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
Play Ball Day
Respect for Parents Day
Spider-Man Day
Start-Up Day Across America
U.S. Air Force Day
Woman Astronomers Day
World Lung Cancer Day
World Scout Scarf Day
World Wide Web Day
August 2
National Computer-Aided Design Day
National Coloring Book Day
National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
Take a Penny / Leave a Penny Day
August 3
Airplane Crop Duster Day
Clean Your Floors Day
Grab Some Nuts Day
Esther Day (a day of love between family and friends in honor of Esther Earl, the teenager who inspired John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars)
National Big Forehead Day
National IPA (India Pale Ale Beer) Day (the first Thursday in August)
August 4
Assistance Dog Day
Hooray For Kid's Day
International Beer Day (the first Friday in August)
International Clouded Leopard Day
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
National White Wine Day
Single Working Woman's Day
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Birthday
August 5
Blogger Day
Green Peppers Day
International Traffic Light Day
National Disc Golf Day (the first Saturday in August)
National Oyster Day
Mead Day (the first Saturday in August)
National Mustard Day (the first Saturday in August)
National Twins Day
National Underwear Day
National Water Balloon Day (the first Friday in August)
Sandcastle Day (the first Saturday in August)
Tomboy Tools Day (the first Friday in August)
Work Like a Dog Day
August 6
American Family Day (the first Sunday in August)
Balloons to Heaven Day
Cycle to Work Day
Farmworker Appreciation Day
Hiroshima Day
International Hangover Day
International Sailor Moon Day
National Clown Day (the Saturday during Clown Week)
National Fresh Breath Day
National Friendship Day (the first Sunday in August)
National Gossip Day
National Psychic Day (the first Sunday in August)
National Root Beer Float Day
National Sisters Day (the first Sunday in August)
National Tree Day
Wiggle Your Toes Day
August 7
National Beach Party Day
National Lighthouse Day
National Raspberries and Cream Day
National Sea Serpent Day
Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
Professional Speakers Day
National Purple Heart Day
August 8
Bullet Journal Day
Digital Nomad Day
Dying to Know Day
Happiness Happens Day
International Cat Day
National CBD Day
National Dollar Day
National Frozen Custard Day
National Zucchini Day
The Date to Create
Universal & International Infinity Day
Wear Your Mothers Jewelry Day
August 9
International Coworking Day
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
National Book Lovers Day
National Hand Holding Day
National Rice Pudding Day
August 10
International Vlogging Day
National Duran Duran Appreciation Day
National Lazy Day
National Shapewear Day
National S’mores Day
Skyscraper Appreciation Day
Spoil Your Dog Day
Update Your Bio Day
World Lion Day
August 11
Annual Medical Checkup Day
National Align Your Teeth Day
National Face Mask Day
National Hip Hop Day
National Raspberry Tart Day
Play in the Sand Day
Presidential Joke Day
Son and Daughter Day
Shop Online for Groceries Day
August 12
Baseball Fans Day
Celebrate Your Lakes Day (the second Saturday in August)
Garage Sale Day (the second Saturday in August)
IBM PC Day
International Youth Day
Julienne Fries Day
Middle Child Day
Milkman Day
National Bowling Day (the second Saturday in August)
National Middle Child Day
National Model Aviation Day (the second Saturday in August)
Shop Online for Groceries Day (the second Friday in August)
Vinyl Record Day
World Elephant Day
August 13
Gay Uncle's Day (the second Sunday in August)
National Filet Mignon Day
National Prosecco Day
Melon Day (the second Sunday in August)
Women's and Family Day
August 14
Love Your Bookshop Day
Military Marriage Day
National Creamsicle Day
National Financial Awareness Day
National Navajo Code Talkers Day
National Spirit of ’45 Day
National Tattoo Removal Day
National Wiffle Ball Day
Social Security Day
US Victory Day
Victory Day (in Rhode Island, the second Monday in August)
World Lizard Day
Related: 11 New Movies We Can't Wait to Watch This Summer
August 15
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chant at the Moon Day
Check the Chip Day (for pet microchips)
I Love Cowboys and Cowgirls Day
Julia Child’s Birthday
Lemon Meringue Pie Day
National Acadian Day (in Canada)
National Back-To-School Prep Day
National Relaxation Day
No SpongeBob Day
World Greatness Day
August 16
Bennington Battle Day (in Vermont)
National Airborne Day
National Bratwurst Day
National Independent Worker Day
National Roller Coaster Day
National Rum Day
Surveillance Day
True Love Forever Day
World Calligraphy Day
August 17
Baby Boomers Recognition Day
Banana Lovers Day
Balloon Airmail Day
National Black Cat Appreciation Day
National I Love My Feet Day
National Non-Profit Day
National Thrift Shop Day
National Vanilla Custard Day
August 18
Bad Poetry Day
Birth Control Pills Day
Mail Order Catalog Day
National Badge Ribbon Day
National Couple's Day
National Kool-Aid Day
National Fajita Day
National Ice Cream Pie Day
National Men’s Grooming Day (the third Friday in August)
Never Give Up Day
Long Tan Day
Statehood Day (in Hawaii, the third Friday in August)
Pinot Noir Day
Serendipity Day
World Breast Cancer Research Day
August 19
Break the Monotony Day (the third Saturday in August)
Clear the Shelters Day (the third Saturday in August)
International Bow Day
International Orangutan Day
National Aviation Day
National Hot and Spicy Food Day
National Sandcastle and Sculpture Day
National Soft Ice Cream Day
International Geocaching Day (the third Saturday in August)
International Homeless Animals Day (the third Saturday of August)
Potato Day
World Honey Bee Day (the third Saturday in August)
World Humanitarian Day
World Photography Day
August 20
International Day of Medical Transporters
Lemonade Day
National Bacon Lovers Day
National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
National Radio Day
Virtual Worlds Day
World Mosquito Day
August 21
Brazilian Blowout Day
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
Internet Self-Care Day
National Spumoni Day
Poets Day
Senior Citizens Day
August 22
Be an Angel Day
Eat a Peach Day
National Pecan Torte Day
National Rainbow Baby Day
National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
National Tooth Fairy Day
Never Been Better Day
World Plant Milk Day
Related: 50 Cute Summer Date Ideas To Keep the Romance Alive
August 23
Buttered Corn Day
Cheap Flight Day
Cuban Sandwich Day
Find Your Inner Nerd Day
Hug Your Sweetheart Day
International Blind Dog Day
National Ride the Wind Day
National Sponge Cake Day
Slavery Remembrance Day
August 24
Can Opener Day
International Strange Music Day
Kobe Bryant Day
National Burger Day
National Knife Day
National Peach Pie Day
National Waffle Day
Shooting Star Day
Vesuvius Day
August 25
Forgive Your Foe Friday (the last Friday in August)
Kiss and Make Up Day
National Banana Split Day
National Second-Hand Wardrobe Day
National Whiskey Sour Day
World Daffodil Day (the last Friday in August)
August 26
Make Your Own Luck Day
Musical Yoga Day
National Cherry Popsicle Day
National Dog Day
National Toilet Paper Day
Speak Kind Words Saturday (last Saturday in August)
Women's Equality Day
August 27
Crab Soup Day
International Lottery Day
Just Because Day
Kiss Me Day
Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (in Texas)
National Pots de Creme Day
Sacrifice Our Wants for Others’ Needs Sunday (the last Sunday in August)
Social Justice Sunday
Tarzan Day
World Rock Paper Scissors Day
August 28
Crackers Over the Keyboard Day
International Read Comics in Public Day
National Bow Tie Day
National Cherry Turnover Day
National Power Rangers Day
Radio Commercials Day
Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
Red Wine Day
August 29
Chop Suey Day
Individual Rights Day
Lemon Juice Day
Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
More Herbs, Less Salt Day
Touch a Heart Tuesday (the last Tuesday in August)
Willing to Lend a Hand Tuesday (the last Tuesday in August)
August 30
Frankenstein Day
International Cabernet Sauvignon Day
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
International Whale Shark Day
National Beach Day
National Grief Awareness Day
National Holistic Pet Day
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Day
Slinky Day
Tug of War Day (the last Wednesday in August)
August 31
Eat Outside Day
International Cabernet Day
International Day for People of African Descent
International Overdose Awareness Day
Love Litigating Lawyers Day
National Matchmaker Day
National Trail Mix Day
Thoughtful Thursday (the last Thursday in August)
We Love Memoirs Day
August Weekly Observances 2023
International Clown Week (August 1-7)
National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1-7)
National Cleanse Your Skin Week (August 1-7)
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)
Twins Weekend (August 4-6)
National Psychic Week (August 6-12)
Exercise With Your Child Week (August 6-12)
National Farmers Market Week (August 6-12)
National Health Center Week (August 6-12)
National Stop on Red Week (August 6-12)
Simplify Your Life Week (August 7-13)
Safe + Sounds Week (August 7-13)
Elvis Week (August 9-17)
National Bargain Hunting Week (August 14-20)
National Resurrect Romance Week (August 6-12)
National Smile Week (August 13-19)
U.S. Amateur Golf Week (August 14-20)
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (August 17-September 5)
National Aviation Week (August 19-25, coinciding with Orville Wright's Birthday on August 19)
Brake Safety Week (August 20-26)
Health Unit Coordinators Week (August 23-29)
Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25-31)
August Monthly Observances & Awareness Celebrations
Admit You’re Happy Month
American Adventures Month
American Artists Appreciation Month
ARRR-Gust: International Pirate Month
Black Business Month
Boomers Making a Difference Month
Child Support Awareness Month
Children’s Vision & Learning Month
Family Fun Month
Get Ready for Kindergarten Month
Happiness Happens Month
Home Business Month
Learn Japanese Month
Medic Alert Awareness Month
Motorsports Awareness Month
National Anti-Frizz Month
National Back-to-School Month
National Breastfeeding Month
National Brownies at Brunch Month
National Catfish Month
National Crayon Collection Month
National Eat Dessert First Month
National Eye Exam Month
National Goat Cheese Month
National Golf Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Minority Donor Awareness Month
National Panini Month
National Parks Month
National Peach Month
National Read-a-Romance Month
National Sandwich Month
National Traffic Awareness Month
National Water Quality Month
National Wellness Month
Neurosurgery Outreach Month
Psoriasis Awareness Month
Romance Awareness Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Next, check out these 34 cold pasta salad recipes for summer!
