December 13 National Days

December 13, 2025, is the 348th day of the year, with 17 days remaining until the end of the year. Falling on a Saturday in the 50th week, December 13th features ten observances that range from honoring service and remembrance, such as National Wreaths Across America Day and the National Guard Birthday, to celebrating music with National Violin Day. The date also includes several food-themed observances, including cocoa, ice cream, and cream cheese frosting.

Below is a list of all 10 national and international days celebrated on December 13, each with a brief explanation.

National & International Days on December 13

Ice Cream Day* (Third Sunday in July and December 13) is an unofficial observance that encourages people to enjoy ice cream even in the colder months. Although the official U.S. National Ice Cream Day is held in July, many calendars and businesses recognize this winter version as a fun way to celebrate ice cream twice a year.

National Ice Cream Days

National Cocoa Day celebrates cocoa as a warm, seasonal drink and highlights its long history. Cocoa has roots in Mesoamerican cultures such as the Mayans and Aztecs, who prepared a bitter, spiced beverage called xocoatl. It reached Europe in the 15th century and gradually evolved into the sweet versions enjoyed today. The day also points out the difference between hot cocoa, made from low-fat cocoa powder, and hot chocolate, made from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter, which creates a richer drink.

🍫 A similar day, National Hot Chocolate Day, is observed on January 31.

🍫 Did you know that there are over 70 chocolate-themed national days celebrated throughout the year?

International Shareware Day* (Second Saturday in December) highlights the “try before you buy” software model that allows users to test programs before paying for them. The observance was created in 1995 by David Lawrence to acknowledge the programmers who made this approach possible. Shareware began in the early 1980s with developers such as Andrew Fluegelman and Bob Wallace, who trusted users to pay if they found the software useful. Variations of the model include time-limited trials, feature-limited versions, and fully functional donationware.

National Cream Cheese Frosting Day was created in 2018 by Arla Foods to celebrate the popularity of this smooth, tangy frosting, especially during the holiday baking season. The day highlights how widely cream cheese frosting is used in cakes, cookies, and seasonal desserts across the United States.

National Day of the Horse / National Horse Day was established by Congress in 2004 to draw attention to the important role horses have played in the history and development of the United States. Horses supported agriculture, transportation, ranching, and military and law-enforcement work, and they remain part of recreation, sport, and therapy programs today. The equine industry also continues to make a significant economic impact nationwide.

National Guard Birthday marks the 1636 decision by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to organize its militia companies into permanent regiments, forming the oldest units in the U.S. military. The National Guard is built on this militia tradition, with its members serving both their states and the federal government. They support disaster response, community protection, and overseas military operations. The Air National Guard traces its official start to 1947, when the U.S. Air Force became a separate branch.

National Viol in Day recognizes the violin and its influence across many musical styles, including classical, country, jazz, and rock. The modern violin developed in early 16th-century northern Italy from earlier bowed instruments, and makers such as Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivarius helped establish its shape and sound. Its strong, expressive tone made it a key instrument in orchestras and ensembles, and it remains widely used around the world today.

National Violin Day

National Wreaths Across America Day* (Second Saturday in December) honors fallen U.S. veterans by inviting volunteers to place wreaths on their graves and speak their names aloud. The tradition began in 1992 when Morrill Worcester donated surplus wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, and it became a national nonprofit in 2007. Today, ceremonies take place at Arlington and thousands of other locations to remember those who served and to teach younger generations about their sacrifice.

Pick a Pathologist Pal Day highlights the important work of pathologists and coroners, whose expertise supports medical diagnosis and death investigations. Created by Tom and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, the day brings attention to roles that are essential in healthcare and forensic science. Pathologists analyze tissues and body fluids to identify disease, while coroners determine the cause and manner of unexpected or unexplained deaths.