October 2023 language and cultural dates for your diary
Religious/cultural
30 Sept-6 Oct – Sukkot – Judaism
The first day (and first and second days in the Diaspora) are celebrated as full holidays with prohibitions against work. The following days are called Chol Hamoed (weekdays of the festival), during which work is generally allowed and observances of Sukkot continue. This is followed by Shemini Atzeret (the “Eighth Day of Assembly”) and Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in Torah”), which are celebrated as one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora.
4 – Baptism of the Prophet (Umm al-Qura) – Islam
6-8 – Shmini Atzeret / Simchat Torah – Judaism
12 – Bandi Chhor Divas – Sikhism
15-24 – Navaratri: A Hindu festival celebrating the Goddess Durga
16 – Birth of the Bab: A day honoring the birthday of a co-founder of the Baha’i faith
17 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: One of the nine holy days in the Baha’i faith that honors the birthday of one of the co-founders
20 – Birth of the Guru Granth – Sikhism
24 – Dussehra: The final day of 10 Hindu holy days that honors Asuj Navratras
23 – Vijayadasham – Hinduism
31 – All Hallows’ Eve / All Saints’ Eve – Christianity
31 – Samhain (end of harvest/beginning of winter) – Pagan
Awareness And Events
Black History Month
3 – The Children’s Trust’s Pyjama Day (find out more about our work with the charity)
5 – World Teachers Day
10 – World Mental Health Day
10 – National Braille Week
12 – World Sight Day
18 – World Menopause Day
22 – International Stuttering/Stammering Day
22 – Wear Red Day (Show racism the red card)
