As we enter the fall season, it’s time to get excited about the holiday season. Pumpkin spice lattes abound, the weather is getting colder, and the leaves are beginning to change color. But there are more holidays to look forward to than just Halloween and Thanksgiving. There are dozens of national holidays you’ve probably never heard of that can be a blast to celebrate. Here are some of our favorites that happen just in the month of October!

National Homemade Cookies Day – October 1st

National Homemade Cookie Day is the best way to start off the month of October! I personally don’t need any excuse to bake some cookies, but if you’re looking for one, here you go! Make several dozen and share with your co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family. Whether your favorite cookie is chocolate chip, peanut butter, or even oatmeal raisin, there’s a spot for every variety on this amazing holiday.

Experiment with a new recipe or try a family favorite. Here are some of our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes. Don’t forget to accurately measure your ingredients and follow the recipe closely. Remember, it’s baking, not cooking, so each step matters. Most importantly, have fun and share the joy with those you love on National Homemade Cookie Day!

National Child Health Day – The First Monday In October

An actual Federal Observance Day, National Child Health Day occurs the first Monday of each October, reminding us that each and every child deserves to grow up healthy and strong. Whether it’s through healthcare, nutrition, or family life, National Child Health Day is about supporting American children and ensuring they get the care they need.

Celebrate this day by promoting child health by going for a walk with your kids, volunteering for volunteer work with kids, or doing some babysitting with activities. Use #ChildHealthDay to promote activism for children’s health support on this day.

National Boyfriend Day – October 3rd

Observed every year on October 3rd, boyfriend day is the one day where we celebrate the poor, overlooked boyfriend. Valentine’s Day is all about girlfriends, and there’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and days for siblings, cousins, grandparents, and practically everyone.

What does your boyfriend love to do? Maybe he loves a great steak or an action movie–or perhaps he’s a secret fan of French patisserie. Whatever he loves, honor your special guy on #NationalBoyfriendDay.

National Taco Day – October 4th

While I certainly wouldn’t suggest that anyone limit tacos to one day a year, we celebrate them every October 4th! Eaten all across the globe, tacos have been here since before the Europeans came to the North American continent. Whether you love hard shell or soft shell, beef or chicken, or you’ve never had a taco before (which I don’t understand), celebrating National Taco Day can be a blast!

Go to your local Mexican restaurant and celebrate the glorious and delicious invention—the taco!

National Plus Size Appreciation Day – October 6th

There’s no weight limit to beauty, no matter what people think. On October 6th, we celebrate women and men of all sizes, recognizing that plus size people are beautiful in many ways. It’s easy to dismiss those who are overweight as unhealthy or fat, but it’s much more complicated than that.

If you’re bigger, curvier, even just taller, National Plus Size Appreciation Day is for you. It’s hard to deal with the onslaught of popular media demanding certain standards for the population–for weight, makeup, and other factors. Celebrate your own accomplishments and beauty no matter what your size is. Build confidence in yourself and celebrate with others. Share #PlusSizeAppreciationDay to show your love for people of larger size.

National Frappe Day – October 7th

If you’re a coffee lover, you may turn up your nose at a classic frappe, but they’re a delicious frozen treat. You can even get varieties that don’t have coffee. There are three main varieties:

1) A blended coffee drink

2) A milkshake

3) A fruit-flavored blended drink

You don’t have to do much to enjoy National Frappe Day. Stop at your favorite coffee shop and enjoy a frappe with a friend. Whether you’re a coffee snob or you turn your nose up at the stuff, you can find something to enjoy on October 7th.

National Dessert Day – October 14th

What better day to indulge than National Dessert Day? Bake your own desserts, go to your favorite bakery, or make a stopover at your mom or grandma’s house. Do you love pie, cookies, or ice cream? Maybe you love to eat candy or donuts?

Every country has its own favorite desserts, and in our American melting pot, there’s no limit to the delicious sweets we enjoy. Find the most delicious holiday dessert recipes for the season and try something new. Have some fun on National Dessert Day with whatever your favorites are–and celebrate with family and friends.

National Greasy Foods Day – October 25th

If you’re trying to diet, you should avoid October 25th. The best foods–greasy foods– are celebrated on this day. Everything from fried chicken, pizza, bacon, french fries, fried pickles, whatever you could think of. But greasy foods don’t have to be incredibly unhealthy.

You can cook with healthier oils, like coconut or olive oil, and use smaller amounts. Frying at higher temperatures also reduces the amount of oil absorbed into food. There’s nothing wrong with indulging occasionally, and this is the day to do so. Order from your favorite restaurant or make a special meal at home for your family and friends to celebrate National Greasy Food Day.

National Chocolate Day – October 28th

If you don’t like chocolate, we can’t be friends. Full stop. Join me in my love of cholate on October 28th, when chocolate obsession is at its strongest. There’s even argument about when Chocolate Day is–with other sources citing December 29th or July 7th at International Chocolate Day.

Regardless, chocolate is worth celebrating. Cultivated from cacao beans usually grown in Mexico or Central America, the initial taste is very intense and bitter. It takes fermentation and processing to create the two main components of chocolate: cocoa solids and cocoa butter. These components, mixed with fats, sugar, and milk, create the chocolate you love.

Spend National Chocolate Day eating your favorite chocolate treats, baking chocolate desserts, or enjoying a special chocolate dessert a restaurant.

National Cat Day – October 29th

If you love cats, October 29th is the day to celebrate the best pets in the world. While they might not show it, cats are always there for you, ready to ruin your furniture, vomit on your shoes, and lick you with your sandpaper tongues.

You love them regardless and cats around the country need your help getting rescued. Adopt a cat on #NationalCatDay and celebrate the wonderful kitties in your life. Whether you’re a cat lover or a dog person, you can find some reason to celebrate National Cat Day. Visit your local cat cafe or animal rescue on October 29th.