Celebrations

Holidays and Observances in April

National and cultural days to celebrate this month

April Calendar

 The Spruce / Margot Cavin

With spring in full bloom, this month comes a plethora of holidays and observances that focus on health awareness, cuisine, the arts and reading, and community service. For example, wear blue to support Autism Awareness, plant a vegetable garden for National Garden Month, raise a glass on National Beer Day, organize a poetry reading for Poetry Month, volunteer for a good cause for Volunteer Week, or plant a tree for Arbor Day, all in the name of April. Some special days are month-long observances with regional events throughout the country; others are week-long celebrations centered around a theme.

What Major Holidays Are in April?

Many times, but not always, Good Friday, Easter, Passover, and Ramadan fall in April; other times, the holidays fall in March. And, though rarely considered a holiday for many, the inevitable day your annual taxes are due in the United States falls in mid-April, typically on the 15th. Another holiday that falls in April and many consider major is Earth Day. April Fool's day is an annual custom, but it is not considered a holiday.

Here are all the daily, weekly, and monthly fun and special days you'll find a reason to celebrate in April.

April Daily Holidays and Observances

  • April 1: April Fools' Day, International Fun at Work Day, National Walk to Work Day* (first Friday)
  • April 2: World Autism Awareness Day, International Children's Book Day*, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, National Ferret Day
  • April 3: National Find a Rainbow Day, World Party Day, National Geologists Day* (first Sunday), International Carrot Cake Day
  • April 4: National Hug a Newsperson Day, School Librarians' Day
  • April 5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Dandelion Day, Read a Road Map Day, National Library Workers Day*
  • April 6: National Siamese Cat Day, National Student-Athlete Day, National Walking Day* (first Wednesday), National Bookmobile Day*
  • April 7: National Beer Day, World Health Day, International Beaver Day, National No Housework Day, National Burrito Day* (first Thursday)
  • April 8: National Empanada Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, Zoo Lovers Day, Day of Silence* (second Friday)
  • April 9: National Winston Churchill Day, National Name Yourself Day
  • April 10: National Hug Your Dog Day, National Siblings Day, Golfer's Day, National Farm Animals Day
  • April 11: National Pet Day, National Submarine Day
  • April 12: National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, National Licorice Day, International Day of Human Space Flight, International Be Kind to Lawyers Day*
  • April 13: National Make Lunch Count Day, National Scrabble Day, International Plant Appreciation Day, National Peach Cobbler Day
  • April 14: International Moment of Laughter Day, Look Up at the Sky Day, National Dolphin Day
  • April 15: National Laundry Day, Titanic Remembrance Day, World Art Day
  • April 16: National Stress Awareness Day, Save the Elephant Day, Husband Appreciation Day* (third Saturday)
  • April 17: National Cheeseball Day, International Bat Appreciation Day, National Haiku Poetry Day
  • April 18: National Velociraptor Awareness Day, National Columnists Day, Patriots Day* (third Monday)
  • April 19: Wear Pajamas to Work Day, National Garlic Day
  • April 20: Chinese Language Day, National Look-Alike Day, Volunteer Recognition Day
  • April 21: National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, National Kindergarten Day, National D.A.R.E. Day (Drug Abuse Resistance Education, second Thursday), National High Five Day*
  • April 22: Earth Day, National Jelly Bean Day, Girl Scout Leader Day
  • April 23: National Picnic Day, World Book and Copyright Day, National Lover's Day, National Take a Chance Day
  • April 24: World Laboratory Day
  • April 25: National DNA Day, National Hug a Plumber Day, National Telephone Day, World Malaria Day, World Penguin Day, National Zucchini Bread Day, National Hairstylist Appreciation Day*
  • April 26: National Pretzel Day
  • April 27: National Prime Rib Day, Morse Code Day, Babe Ruth Day, National Tell a Story Day, Administrative Professionals' Day*, International Guide Dog Day* (last Wednesday)
  • April 28: National Superhero Day, National Kiss Your Mate Day, Annual Teach Children to Save Day* (varies in April), Take Your Daughter and Son to Work Day* (fourth Thursday)
  • April 29: International Dance Day, International Shrimp Scampi Day, National Zipper Day, National Arbor Day* (last Friday)
  • April 30: International Jazz Day, National Honesty Day, National Raisin Day, National Mahjong Day

The Gateway to Spring

April comes from the Latin verb aperire, which means "to open." Many like to believe the name of the month describes the flowers and trees opening in springtime.

April Weekly Holidays and Observances

  • Laugh at Work Week (first week)
  • National Library Week (April 3-9)
  • Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week (third week)
  • National Coin Week (third week)
  • National Volunteer Week (third week)
  • Organize Your Files Week (third week)
  • National Karaoke Week (fourth week)
  • Fibroid Awareness Week (April 22-27)
  • Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 24-30)

April Monthly Holidays and Observances

  • World Autism Awareness Month
  • National Garden Month
  • National Humor Month
  • National Poetry Month
  • National Internship Awareness Month
  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
  • Stress Awareness Month
  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  • Scottish-American Heritage Month
  • National Soft Pretzel Month
  • National Pet Month
  • National Pecan Month
  • Distracted Driving Awareness Month
  • Keep America Beautiful Month
  • Move More Month
  • National Decorating Month
  • Couple Appreciation Month
  • International Guitar Month
  • National Kite Month

*Denotes that date changes each year

FAQ
  • What are major holidays in April?

    Many people begin their April with April Fools' Day. World Autism Awareness Day, Earth Day, and Arbor Day also occur in April.

  • What are some observances in April?

    In the United States, April celebrates the outdoors with National Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, and National Wildlife Week. It's also Stress Awareness Month, National Volunteer Month, National Poetry Month, National Humor Month, and more.

  • What are some religious holidays in April?

    Some major religious April holidays often include Ramadan, Easter, and Passover. However, the dates can vary.