What to Celebrate in October – Big & Small Moments to Enjoy

October is such a fun month to celebrate! The air is crisp, the leaves are gorgeous, and pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere you turn. It’s the season for cozy nights, football games, and of course, plenty of fall fun. At Juggling Real Food and Real Life, we love finding ways to celebrate both the big traditions and the little everyday moments — and October has plenty of both!

Let’s take a look at some fun things we can celebrate this month.

Halloween (October 31)

The grand finale of October! Whether you’re trick-or-treating with little ones, hosting a Halloween party, or just enjoying a scary movie marathon, there are so many ways to celebrate. Put together a family costume theme, whip up some fun snacks, or make it a night of cozy family traditions.

National Apple Month

October is peak apple season, so it’s the perfect time for apple picking, baking apple crisp, or making crockpot baked apples with the kids. Don’t forget — simple things like sliced apples with peanut butter make a great after-school snack that feels extra festive this month, especially if you picked them up from the local orchard.

National Pumpkin Day (October 26)

Mark your calendar for October 26th! This is the perfect excuse to carve pumpkins, bake pumpkin bread, or finally try that pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin spice waffle recipe you’ve been eyeing. Little themed days like this give you an easy reason to celebrate without much planning. I like making fun themed coloring sheets for the kiddos for each holiday celebration. This is something that is easy and fun to do with Chat GPT.

Football Season Fun

October weekends are made for football — whether it’s cheering at your teen’s high school game, a college rivalry, or a lazy Sunday watching the pros. Make it special with a tailgate-style dinner at home: nachos, chili, sliders, or a big pot of soup.

National Sock Day (October 9)

This one’s just for fun! Celebrate by surprising your kids with a silly pair of socks or start a goofy family tradition of wearing mismatched socks for dinner. It’s the little things that make everyday life memorable. Some of my kids’ favorite memories come from a time when we had zero money. A little creativity goes a long way.

Harvest Festivals & Fall Traditions

October is filled with community fun — pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, and harvest festivals. These outings don’t have to be fancy; just pack a simple picnic, bring the camera, and enjoy a day outdoors with the people you love.

Sweetest Day (Third Saturday in October)

This isn’t celebrated everywhere, but it’s a sweet excuse (pun intended!) to do something thoughtful for your spouse, your kids, or even a friend who could use some extra love. Bake cookies, write a note, or drop off a surprise treat.

Celebrate the Everyday

October doesn’t have to be all about big holidays. Light a fall scented candle, bake a batch of pumpkin muffins, or play a board game with your family. Sometimes the ordinary evenings turn out to be the most cherished memories of all. I love making small moments feel like something extra special for my family.

Let’s Celebrate Together!

October is packed with reasons to gather, laugh, and create memories — from apple picking to football games to pumpkin carving. Remember, it doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be an awesome day.

What will you celebrate this month? Leave me a comment below and let’s keep this busy Mama conversation going.

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