Cultural Calendar Dates For October 2025

October 2025 is packed with key cultural celebrations and events, from Sober October and National Coming Out Day to World Mental Health Day. These important October dates offer valuable opportunities to promote awareness, inclusivity, and well-being in your workplace and beyond.

Key dates for your October 2025 calendar

📅 Sober October | Starts 1 October 2025
👉 Sober October encourages participants to give up alcohol for the month, promoting health benefits, mindfulness, and a healthier relationship with drinking.

» READ MORE: Rethinking Our Relationship with Alcohol: Sober October, Dry January, Dry July and more.

📅 Stoptober | Starts 1 October 2025
👉 Stoptober is a national campaign that encourages people to quit smoking for 28 days, with support and resources to help participants stay smoke-free.

📅 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) | Starts 1 October 2025
👉 NDEAM raises awareness about creating inclusive work environments for individuals with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities and disability employment.

READ MORE: PepTalk’s top disability awareness speakers

📅 UK Black History Month | starts 1 October 2025

👉 UK Black History Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history. It aims to educate and raise awareness about Black heritage and culture through events, activities, and educational programs. This year's theme“Reclaiming Narratives,” marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture. Explore PepTalk's top Black history speakers.

📅 ADHD Awareness Month | starts 1 October 2025

👉 ADHD Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about ADHD. It aims to educate the public, reduce stigma, and support individuals with ADHD through events, resources, and advocacy.

📅 World Smile Day 2025 | 4 October 2025

👉 A day dedicated to spreading joy and kindness, encouraging people to do acts of generosity and share smiles with others.

📅 National Work Life Week 2025 | starts 7 October 2025

👉 A week focused on promoting a healthy work-life balance, raising awareness of the importance of maintaining boundaries between your workplace and maintaining personal well-being.

📅 Dyslexia Awareness Week | starts 7 October 2025

👉 See also World Dyslexia Awareness Day 2025 on 10 October. Recommended PepTalk speaker: Dr Chris Arnold. Rather than viewing neurodiversity as a disability, Chris uses his creative background and insights to encourage organisations to embrace it as an "affability," a different ability to revolutionise their operations.

📅 World Sight Day 2025 | 10 October 2025

👉 A global event to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment, promoting eye health and access to eye care for all.

📅 World Mental Health Day 2025 | 10 October 2025

👉 A day to advocate for mental health awareness, education, and support, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

📅 National Coming Out Day | 11 October 2025

👉 A day to support and celebrate individuals who come out as LGBTQ+, fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Explore recommended PepTalk speakers for LGBTQ+ inclusion and Pride.

📅 International Day of the Girl | 11 October 2025

👉 A day to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face globally while promoting their empowerment, education, and rights. Explore inspiring female empowerment speakers.

📅 International Skeptics Day 2025 | 13 October 2025

👉 A day dedicated to promoting critical thinking, healthy scepticism, and questioning assumptions in everyday life. Consider speakers who specialise in critical thinking and scientific scepticism.

📅 World Menopause Day and Menopause Awareness Month | 18 October 2025 and all month

👉 A day and month to raise awareness about menopause and the support needed for those going through it, encouraging open discussions about health and well-being during this life stage. Here are expert speakers on menopause and women's health. Book a subject matter expert like Dr Angela Sharma to educate and empower your team.

📅 World Values Day 2025 | 18 October 2025

👉 A global initiative encouraging individuals and organisations to reflect on and act upon their core values to impact society positively. Discover speakers who inspire with their talks on business ethics.

📅 Anti-Slavery Day | 18 October 2025

👉 A day to raise awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking, focusing on prevention and support for survivors.

📅 Recycle Week 2025 | TBC, October 2025

👉 A week-long campaign to promote recycling practices and raise awareness about the benefits of recycling for the environment. Here are some hashtags to get your started: #RecycleWeek, #RecyclingMatters, #SustainableLiving, #ReduceReuseRecycle, #WasteReduction, #GreenLiving, #EnvironmentalAwareness

Of course, this is just a selection of cultural observances and dates! If we've missed any key days or events for your HR, Culture, Brand or People team, be sure to let us know on LinkedIn.

Explore The Rest of 2025

Key cultural calendar dates, weeks and observances for the rest of 2025:

💡 Would you like to mark any of these events with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!

Culture Calendar

Success favours the prepared. That’s why we’ve compiled a free calendar of awareness days and weeks to support your business.

From health and wellbeing to culture and DEI, adding the calendar will keep you on the pulse of what’s happening and ahead of the game. Plus, it works across all platforms.