National and awareness days this week
Awareness, national and fun days from Monday 9 November to Sunday 15 November 2026, for the UK, the USA and other countries.
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Monday 9 November
- Carl Sagan Day
Carl Sagan Day on 9 November marks the birthday of the US astronomer and science communicator with stargazing, talks and science events.
- International Week of Science and Peace
The International Week of Science and Peace, held in the week of 11 November, promotes links between science, cooperation and peace.
- Living Wage Week
A UK week each November when the new real Living Wage rates are announced and accredited employers are celebrated, held 9 to 15 November in 2026.
- Microtia Awareness Day
Microtia Awareness Day on 9 November raises awareness of microtia, a congenital condition in which the outer ear does not fully develop.
- National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day
National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day is a US food day on 9 November celebrating crispy fried chicken breast served in a soft bun.
- National Louisiana Day
National Louisiana Day on 9 November celebrates the US state known for jazz, Creole and Cajun culture and Mardi Gras.
- National Recycling Week (Australia)
Planet Ark's week each November encouraging households, schools and workplaces to recycle correctly and cut waste. In 2026 it runs from 9 to 15 November.
- National Scrapple Day
National Scrapple Day is a US food day on 9 November celebrating scrapple, the pork and cornmeal loaf of the Mid-Atlantic states.
- Tomorrow's Engineers Week
A UK week each November showing young people the variety of careers in engineering, held 9 to 13 November in 2026.
- Trustees' Week
An annual week each November thanking charity trustees and encouraging more people to take on the role, held 9 to 13 November in 2026.
- World Quality Week
A week in November when organisations recognise the work of quality professionals and the value of quality management.
Tuesday 10 November
- Hindu New Year (Annakut)
Hindu New Year, the day after Diwali in the Gujarati calendar, is marked with Annakut, a vast offering of food in temples.
- Marine Corps Birthday
The Marine Corps Birthday on 10 November marks the founding of the Continental Marines in 1775, celebrated by US Marines with balls and a cake ceremony.
- NET Cancer Day
A global day on 10 November that raises awareness of neuroendocrine cancers and the need for earlier diagnosis.
- New Zealand Trotting Cup Day
Harness racing's biggest day in New Zealand, held at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on a Tuesday in November Cup Week; 2026 is on 10 November.
- World Science Day for Peace and Development
World Science Day for Peace and Development on 10 November highlights the role of science in society and in building sustainable futures.
Wednesday 11 November
- Armistice Day
The anniversary on 11 November of the end of First World War fighting in 1918, marked with a two-minute silence at 11am.
- Canterbury A&P Show
Canterbury's agricultural and pastoral show, held over three days in Christchurch during November Cup and Show Week; 2026 runs 11 to 13 November.
- National Origami Day
National Origami Day on 11 November celebrates the Japanese art of paper folding, also marked internationally as International Origami Day.
- National Sundae Day
National Sundae Day is a US food day on 11 November celebrating the ice cream sundae and its many toppings.
- Singles' Day (11.11)
Singles' Day on 11 November is a major online shopping event, led by Alibaba's 11.11 festival in China.
- Veterans Day
A US federal holiday on 11 November honouring everyone who has served in the US armed forces.
Thursday 12 November
- American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
American Fancy Rat and Mouse Day on 12 November celebrates domesticated rats and mice as intelligent, affectionate pets.
- Cork International Film Festival
Film festival in Cork. The 71st festival runs from 12 to 22 November 2026.
- National French Dip Day
National French Dip Day is a US food day on 12 November celebrating the roast beef sandwich served with au jus for dipping.
- National Happy Hour Day
National Happy Hour Day on 12 November celebrates the US tradition of discounted drinks and bar snacks after work.
- National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day on 12 November celebrates fully loaded pizza with every topping bar the anchovies.
- World Pneumonia Day
Held on 12 November, World Pneumonia Day raises awareness of pneumonia, a leading infectious cause of death, and calls for better prevention and treatment.
Friday 13 November
- BBC Children in Need Appeal Night
The BBC's annual televised fundraising night for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, held on Friday 13 November 2026.
- Canterbury Anniversary Day (Show Day)
Regional public holiday for Canterbury, with a historic date of 16 December, observed on the Friday of the Canterbury A and P Show in November; Friday 12 November in 2027.
- Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a four day Hindu festival honouring the Sun God, held six days after Diwali, from 13 to 16 November 2026.
- National Indian Pudding Day
National Indian Pudding Day is a US food day on 13 November celebrating the baked cornmeal and molasses dessert of New England.
- Sadie Hawkins Day
Sadie Hawkins Day on 13 November is a US tradition of role reversal, inspired by a 1937 comic strip, in which women ask men out.
- Trans Awareness Week
A week from 13 to 19 November raising awareness of trans people and the issues they face, leading into Trans Day of Remembrance.
- World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day on 13 November encourages people everywhere to carry out acts of kindness in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
Saturday 14 November
- National Family PJ Day
National Family PJ Day on 14 November invites families in the US to spend a cosy day together in their favourite pyjamas.
- National Pickle Day
National Pickle Day is a US food day on 14 November celebrating pickles of every kind, from dill and gherkins to bread and butter.
- National Seat Belt Day
National Seat Belt Day on 14 November urges everyone in the US to buckle up on every journey ahead of the holiday travel season.
- The Lord Mayor's Show
The City of London's historic procession for the new Lord Mayor, held on Saturday 14 November 2026.
- World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day on 14 November is the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign, led by the International Diabetes Federation and recognised by the United Nations.
Sunday 15 November
- America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day on 15 November encourages people across the US to recycle more and buy products made from recycled materials.
- Grey Cup
The championship game of the Canadian Football League, played in November; the 2026 game is in Calgary on 15 November.
- International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime
On 15 November the UN raises awareness of the threats posed by organised crime that crosses borders and the need to tackle it together.
- International Fraud Awareness Week
A global week in November that promotes fraud prevention and awareness, held from 15 to 21 November in 2026.
- Maths Week England
A week of maths activities for schools and the public in England, held from 15 to 21 November in 2026.
- National Skin Cancer Action Week
Cancer Council's annual sun safety campaign in the third week of November, running 15 to 22 November 2026 and 21 to 28 November 2027.
- Road Safety Week
Brake's annual UK road safety campaign every November, running 15 to 21 November in 2026.
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, on the third Sunday of November, remembers people killed and injured on the roads.
- World Prematurity Day
A global day on 15 November that raises awareness of preterm birth and the needs of babies born too early and their families.