November Months

November includes more than 78 national, international, and awareness months covering major health campaigns, heritage observances, family recognition, writing initiatives, and seasonal food themes. Some of the most widely recognized observances this month include National Native American Heritage Month, National Diabetes Month, Movember, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and National Adoption Month, giving November a strong focus on health, history, and family.

To make the list easier to explore, the months below are organized into thematic groups. This layout helps you quickly find observances related to health, heritage, food, education, pets, or professional development. You can use it to plan content, support awareness campaigns, or see what November highlights.

See also the full calendar of national days taking place throughout November.

🎗️ Cancer Awareness & Fundraising

• Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Raises awareness of lung cancer, screening, research, and support for people affected by the disease. 

• Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Promotes research, recognition of symptoms, and support for people living with pancreatic cancer. 

• Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. Also called Gastric Cancer Awareness Month, it promotes education, research, and earlier detection. No Stomach For Cancer spearheaded its establishment in 2010.

• Neuroendocrine Tumors Awareness Month. Also called NET Cancer Awareness Month, it raises awareness of these uncommon cancers and the challenges of getting a diagnosis.

• Mouth Cancer Action Month 🇬🇧. Encourages people to recognize possible mouth cancer symptoms and seek assessment. Promoted by the Oral Health Foundation and Mouth Cancer Foundation.

• No-Shave November. Encourages participants to grow their hair and donate money normally spent on grooming to cancer causes. Started by the Hill family in 2009.

Health Conditions & Prevention

• National Diabetes Month. Promotes diabetes awareness, prevention, and management. The American Diabetes Association designated November in 1975; its own campaign now uses American Diabetes Month.

• National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Raises awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and its effects on individuals and families. President Ronald Reagan first designated November in 1983. 

• COPD Awareness Month. Raises awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Supported by the COPD Foundation and American Lung Association. 

• National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Promotes understanding of epilepsy, seizure first aid, and inclusion. The Epilepsy Foundation has observed November since 1969. 

• Prematurity Awareness Month. Focuses on premature birth, prevention research, and support for babies and families. Created by March of Dimes in 2003.

• Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. Raises awareness of high blood pressure in the lungs’ blood vessels and the need for timely diagnosis and care. 

• Alpha-1 Awareness Month. Highlights alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, an inherited condition that can affect the lungs and liver. Led by the Alpha-1 Foundation.

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month. Also called CRPS Awareness Month, it promotes understanding of this persistent pain condition and supports people affected by it. 

• Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month. Raises awareness of excessive, uncontrollable sweating and its effects on daily life. Launched by the International Hyperhidrosis Society in 2017.

• C. diff Awareness Month. Promotes understanding and prevention of Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. 

• Bladder Health Month. Encourages discussion of bladder conditions and available care. The Urology Care Foundation and American Urological Association launched their formal campaign in 2016.

• TMJ Awareness Month. Raises awareness of temporomandibular disorders, which can cause jaw pain and problems with chewing or speaking. Supported by the TMJ Association. 

• Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month. Raises awareness of gluten-free dietary needs, particularly for people with celiac disease, including challenges during holiday meals. 

• Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month 🇨🇦. Highlights inflammatory bowel disease and its effects on daily life. Led by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.

• Osteoporosis Month 🇨🇦. Promotes bone health, fracture prevention, and understanding of osteoporosis. Led by Osteoporosis Canada. 

Skin, Eye & Dental Health

• National Healthy Skin Month. Encourages healthy habits for skin, hair, and nails. Launched by the American Academy of Dermatology in 1997.

• Diabetes-related Eye Disease Month. Raises awareness of diabetes-related vision problems and the importance of regular eye examinations. Promoted by Prevent Blindness. 
• Eye Donation Month. Recognizes eye donors and raises awareness of cornea donation and transplantation. Observed since a 1983 presidential proclamation, with campaigns led by the Eye Bank Association of America.

• National Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Month. A commercial awareness campaign promoting a branded treatment for receding gums. Founded by Chao Seminars, Inc. in 2018. 

Men’s Health

• Movember. Raises funds and awareness for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Began with Travis Garone and Luke Slattery in Australia in 2003.

• Erectile Dysfunction Awareness Month. Encourages open discussion of erectile dysfunction and seeking appropriate care. This informal observance also appears as National Impotency Month.

Caregiving, Donation & Support Services

• National Family Caregivers Month. Recognizes unpaid family caregivers and their support needs. The National Family Caregivers Association, now Caregiver Action Network, began recognition efforts in 1994.

• National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Raises awareness of care that supports comfort, quality of life, and families facing serious or life-limiting illness. 

• National Care at Home Month. Recognizes home health, home care, hospice, and palliative care services. Introduced by the National Alliance for Care at Home in 2024.

• National Long-Term Care Awareness Month. Encourages planning for future care needs and costs. Established by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance in 2001.

• National Marrow Awareness Month. Highlights the need for volunteer bone marrow and blood stem cell donors who can help patients needing a transplant. 

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Children, Families & Community

• National Adoption Month. Raises awareness of children awaiting permanent families, particularly those in foster care. President Bill Clinton proclaimed the first National Adoption Month in 1995.

• National Child Safety and Protection Month. Encourages families and communities to prevent childhood injuries and create safer homes, roads, and play spaces.

• Family Court Awareness Month. Advocates for family court decisions that prioritize children’s safety. Started by Tina Swithin through the Family Court Awareness Month Committee in 2020.

• Family Stories Month. Encourages families to share and preserve memories, personal histories, and traditions through conversation, writing, or recordings. 

• Children’s Grief Awareness Month. Raises awareness of bereaved children’s needs and the support available to their families. Promoted by the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. 

• Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month. Recognizes the grief of losing a brother or sister. Founded by Deborah and Peter Kulkkula in 2008. 

• Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Draws attention to young people without safe, stable housing and encourages support for housing and prevention services. 

• Youth HOPE Month. Promotes youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education. Led by the National Runaway Safeline, it was formerly called National Runaway Prevention Month.

• National PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month. Encourages schools and families to support children’s physical health, mental well-being, and a healthy environment. Organized by National PTA.

🏫 Heritage, History & Military Recognition

• National Native American Heritage Month. Recognizes Native American histories, cultures, and contributions. The November national observance was established through Congress and President George H. W. Bush in 1990. 

• Aviation History Month. Explores the people, inventions, and milestones that shaped flight, from early aircraft to modern aviation. 

• Historic Bridge Awareness Month. Highlights historic bridges and the need to preserve them. Unofficially established by HistoricBridges.org in 2006. 

• American Music Month. Celebrates music by American composers. Promoted by the National Federation of Music Clubs through its Parade of American Music program.

• Military Family Month. Recognizes military families’ contributions and the challenges of service life. Established by the Armed Services YMCA in 1993. 

• Warrior Care Month. Highlights services for wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families. Established by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2008.

📚 Reading, Writing & Libraries

• National Novel Writing Month. Encourages writers to work toward a substantial writing goal during November. Founded by Chris Baty in 1999; community groups continue the challenge following the original nonprofit’s closure in 2025.

• National Life Writing Month. Encourages people to record their experiences through memoirs, autobiographies, personal essays, and family histories. 

• National Family Literacy Month. Encourages families to learn and read together. Grew from National Family Literacy Day, established by the National Center for Families Learning with Congress in 1994. 

• Picture Book Month. Celebrates picture books and their role in reading and learning. Founded by Dianne de Las Casas with fellow authors and illustrators in 2011.

• National Non-Fiction November 🇬🇧. Celebrates factual books and reading for pleasure. Organized by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups.

• International Games Month. Brings communities together through games in libraries. Grew from a 2007 event created by Jenny Levine and Scott Nicholson, becoming a month-long observance in 2022.

💼 Education, Careers & Business

• National Scholarship Month. Raises awareness of scholarships and access to higher education. Created by Scholarship America in 1998 and now led by the National Scholarship Providers Association.

• National Career Development Month. Encourages students and adults to explore careers, develop skills, and plan their next steps. Led by the National Career Development Association. 

• National Entrepreneurship Month. Recognizes entrepreneurs and encourages business creation, innovation, and opportunities for future business owners. 

• National Repair Done Right Month. Recognizes skilled repair professionals and promotes reliable device repairs. An industry-led campaign supported by WISE Certification. 

• Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month. Highlights the protection of essential services, including energy, communications, and transportation. Led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 

🐶 Animals & Wildlife

• Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Encourages adoption of older shelter animals and raises awareness of their needs and qualities as companions. 

• Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Raises awareness of cancer in pets and supports research, diagnosis, treatment, and affected families. 

• Pet Diabetes Month. Helps pet owners recognize diabetes symptoms and understand diagnosis, treatment, and daily care for affected cats and dogs. 

• Adopt a Turkey Month. Encourages symbolic turkey adoptions that support rescued animals. Associated with Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project.

• Manatee Awareness Month. Promotes manatee conservation, habitat protection, and safe boating. First declared by Florida Governor Bob Graham in 1979.

🍽️ Food, Cooking & Plant-Based Living

• World Vegan Month. Explores living without animal exploitation. Developed by The Vegan Society from World Vegan Day, which Louise Wallis introduced in 1994.

• National Roasting Month. An informal food observance celebrating roasting as a cooking method for vegetables, meats, and other foods. 

• National Raisin Bread Month. An informal celebration of raisin bread, including baking, sharing, and using it in recipes. 

• National Pomegranate Month. Celebrates pomegranates and encourages people to explore ways to prepare and enjoy the fruit. 

• National Pepper Month. Celebrates sweet and hot peppers, their many varieties, and their uses in cooking. 

• National Peanut Butter Lovers Month. Celebrates peanut butter and ways to enjoy it. Southern Peanut Growers expanded an earlier day-long celebration into a full month in 1995.

• National Fun with Fondue Month. Encourages people to try cheese, chocolate, and other fondue dishes served with foods for dipping. 

• Banana Pudding Lovers Month. Celebrates banana pudding and family food traditions. Created by the Rodgers family of Rodgers’ Banana Pudding Sauce in 2011.

• Spinach and Squash Month. An informal food theme encouraging people to include spinach and squash in seasonal meals. 

• Sweet Potato Awareness Month. An informal November observance highlighting sweet potatoes and their uses in cooking. 

• National Georgia Pecan Month. Celebrates Georgia-grown pecans and the state’s pecan industry. Promoted by Georgia agricultural organizations. 

• National Stuffing Month. An informal food observance celebrating stuffing recipes, ingredients, and holiday cooking traditions. 

• National Rice Awareness Month — Philippines. Promotes appreciation of rice, support for Filipino farmers, and reduced rice waste. Established by Presidential Proclamation No. 524 in 2004. 

🙏 Gratitude, Inspiration & Hobbies

• National Gratitude Month. Encourages people to recognize and express appreciation. Founded by Stacey Grewal in 2015, with registration through National Day Calendar.

• National Inspirational Role Models Month. Recognizes people whose example positively influences others. Created by journalist and public relations professional Darlene House in 2005.

• National Model Railroad Month. Celebrates model railroading through displays, demonstrations, and open houses. Promoted by the National Model Railroad Association.