National Days in April include Earth Day, Administrative Professionals’ Day, National Siblings Day, World Health Day, World Autism Awareness Day, and National Pet Day.
April arrives as a month anchored by environmental renewal, global civic advocacy, and creative expression.
Celebrated worldwide, Earth Day and Earth Month unite communities around conservation and climate action, while observances like World Health Day, World Autism Awareness Day, and National Financial Literacy Month bring critical attention to public well-being, neurodiversity, and practical life skills.
Cultural milestones also take center stage, from the literary appreciation of National Poetry Month and World Book Day to the expressive rhythms of International Dance Day and International Jazz Day.
Alongside these impactful global themes, April embraces the lighter spirit of spring with playful traditions and comforting food holidays.
It kicks off with lighthearted humor on April Fools’ Day, transitions into celebrations of human connection through National Siblings Day and National Pet Day, and honors everyday heroes on National Superhero Day and Administrative Professionals’ Day.
Food lovers also have plenty to spotlight, with viral culinary favorites like National Burrito Day, National Deep Dish Pizza Day, and National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.
April has no federal holiday and one of the highest counts of month-long observances in the year. Most of them are proclaimed rather than legislated, and several were created outside government entirely.
The month’s two best-known campaigns illustrate the split. National Child Abuse Prevention Month runs on annual presidential proclamations.
National Poetry Month was invented by a nonprofit in 1996 and has no statutory basis at all.
Table of Contents
National days in April
| Date | National & International Days Observed |
| April 1 | April Fools’ Day, National Sourdough Bread Day, National One Cent Day, International Fun at Work Day |
| April 2 | World Autism Awareness Day, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, International Children’s Book Day, National Ferret Day |
| April 3 | National Find a Rainbow Day, National Chocolate Mousse Day, World Party Day, Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun Day |
| April 4 | National Burrito Day (first Thursday), International Carrot Day, National Hug a Newsperson Day, World Stray Animals Day, National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day |
| April 5 | National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Caramel Day, National Flash Drive Day, Read a Road Map Day, First Contact Day |
| April 6 | National Tartan Day, National Student-Athlete Day, National Caramel Popcorn Day, National Handmade Day, International Day of Sport for Development and Peace |
| April 7 | World Health Day, National Beer Day, National Coffee Cake Day, National Pet Health Insurance Day, National No Housework Day |
| April 8 | National Zoo Lovers Day, National Empanada Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, National All Is Ours Day |
| April 9 | National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, National Cherish an Antique Day, National Name Yourself Day, National Chinese Almond Cookie Day |
| April 10 | National Siblings Day, National Farm Animals Day, National Cinnamon Roll Day, Encourage a Young Writer Day |
| April 11 | National Pet Day, National Submarine Day, National Cheese Fondue Day, World Parkinson’s Day, National Barbershop Quartet Day |
| April 12 | National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, International Day of Human Space Flight (Yuri’s Night), National Licorice Day, National Big Wind Day, Walk on Your Wild Side Day |
| April 13 | National Scrabble Day, National Peach Cobbler Day, National Make Lunch Count Day, International Plant Appreciation Day |
| April 14 | National Gardening Day, National Pecan Day, Look Up at the Sky Day, National Dolphin Day, International Moment of Laughter Day |
| April 15 | National Tax Day, National Titanic Remembrance Day, National Glazed Spiral Ham Day, National Rubber Eraser Day, World Art Day |
| April 16 | National Eggs Benedict Day, World Voice Day, National Orchid Day, National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day, Save the Elephant Day |
| April 17 | International Haiku Poetry Day, National Cheese Ball Day, National Bat Appreciation Day, World Hemophilia Day, Ford Mustang Day |
| April 18 | National Exercise Day, National Columnists Day, National Animal Crackers Day, National Lineworker Appreciation Day, World Amateur Radio Day |
| April 19 | National Garlic Day, National Amaretto Day, National Hanging Out Day, National Bicycle Day |
| April 20 | National Look-Alike Day, National Volunteer Recognition Day, National Cheddar Fries Day, National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day, UN Chinese Language Day |
| April 21 | National Tea Day (UK), World Creativity and Innovation Day, National High Five Day (third Thursday), National Kindergarten Day, Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day |
| April 22 | Earth Day, National Jelly Bean Day, National Girl Scout Leader’s Day |
| April 23 | World Book and Copyright Day, National Picnic Day, National Cherry Cheesecake Day, Lover’s Day, English Language Day |
| April 24 | World Day for Laboratory Animals, National Administrative Professionals’ Day (Wednesday of last full week), National Pigs in a Blanket Day, Stop Food Waste Day |
| April 25 | World Malaria Day, National DNA Day, National Telephone Day, National Zucchini Bread Day, World Penguin Day |
| April 26 | National Pretzel Day, World Intellectual Property Day, National Richter Scale Day, National Help a Horse Day, National Audubon Day |
| April 27 | National Tell a Story Day, National Prime Rib Day, National Morse Code Day, National Babe Ruth Day, World Tapir Day |
| April 28 | National Superhero Day, Workers’ Memorial Day, National Blueberry Pie Day, National Great Poetry Reading Day |
| April 29 | International Dance Day, National Zipper Day, National Peace Rose Day, National Shrimp Scampi Day, World Wish Day |
| April 30 | International Jazz Day, National Honesty Day, National Oatmeal Cookie Day, National Bubble Tea Day, National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day |
Here is the complete day-by-day guide to the key national and international days celebrated across April.
April 1: April Fools’ Day
A widely celebrated global tradition characterized by practical jokes, harmless pranks, and hoax announcements by friends, media outlets, and major brands before midday.
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage member states to raise awareness, foster global acceptance, and support the fundamental rights and inclusion of autistic individuals.
April 3: National Find a Rainbow Day
A lighthearted spring observance that encourages people to look for beauty, hope, and optimism after rainy days, often used metaphorically to highlight positivity during challenging times.
April 4: National Burrito Day (First Thursday) / International Carrot Day
Celebrates the hearty Mexican and Tex-Mex dish wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Globally, April 4 also highlights the nutritional value and culinary versatility of carrots.
April 5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
Pays tribute to the thick-crust, cheese-laden pizza style originating in Chicago during the 1940s, baked in high-sided steel pans to accommodate generous layers of toppings and crushed tomato sauce.
April 6: National Tartan Day / National Student-Athlete Day
Recognizes the cultural, historical, and economic contributions of Scottish Americans, commemorating the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. It also celebrates high school and collegiate student-athletes excelling both on the field and in the classroom.
April 7: World Health Day / National Beer Day
Marks the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, focusing annually on a major global public health challenge. In the U.S., it also marks National Beer Day, celebrating the Cullen-Harrison Act of 1933 that legalized 3.2% beer prior to the repeal of Prohibition.
April 8: National Zoo Lovers Day
Celebrates public zoological parks, animal conservation facilities, and educational programs dedicated to preserving endangered wildlife species and fostering human appreciation for biodiversity.
April 9: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
A solemn U.S. federal observance honoring the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of military service members who were captured and held as prisoners of war while serving the nation.
April 10: National Siblings Day
Founded in 1995 by Claudia Evart in memory of her late brother and sister, this viral holiday encourages people across the country to celebrate, call, and share photos with their brothers and sisters.
April 11: National Pet Day
Established in 2006 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, this day encourages pet owners to spoil their furry companions while spotlighting animal shelter adoption for pets awaiting homes.
April 12: National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day / International Day of Human Space Flight
Celebrates the classic comfort food combining toasted bread and melted cheddar or American cheese. Internationally, it commemorates Yuri Gagarin’s historic first human orbit in space on April 12, 1961.
April 13: National Scrabble Day
Honors Alfred Mosher Butts, born on this day in 1899, who created the iconic crossword board game originally named “Criss-Cross Words” during the Great Depression.
April 14: National Gardening Day
Encourages green thumbs and beginners alike to prep outdoor soil, start seed beds, cultivate spring vegetables, and plant pollinators as warm weather settles in.
April 15: National Tax Day / National Titanic Remembrance Day
Typically the federal tax filing deadline in the United States. It is also the solemn anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in the North Atlantic in 1912.
April 16: National Eggs Benedict Day / World Voice Day
Celebrates the classic weekend brunch dish featuring poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and rich hollandaise sauce over split toasted English muffins. Globally, World Voice Day promotes vocal health and communication arts.
April 17: International Haiku Poetry Day
Celebrates the traditional three-line Japanese poetic form structured in 5-7-5 syllables, inspiring poets, classrooms, and online communities to share concise verses about nature and everyday life.
April 18: National Exercise Day / National Columnists Day
Promotes physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and regular physical activity to counter sedentary lifestyles. It also honors newspaper and digital columnists for insightful commentary and storytelling.
April 19: National Garlic Day
Honors the “stinking rose,” celebrating the pungent allium that forms the foundational aromatic base of cuisines across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
April 20: National Look-Alike Day / Volunteer Recognition Day
A playful day encouraging people to identify celebrity doppelgängers or dress identically to friends and coworkers, while community groups honor local volunteers for unpaid service.
April 21: National Tea Day (UK) / World Creativity and Innovation Day
A premier British culinary celebration highlighting traditional afternoon tea, builders’ brew, and specialty herbal infusions. The UN also marks this day to encourage creative problem-solving in achieving sustainable development goals.
April 22: Earth Day
First held in 1970 and organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day mobilizes over a billion people across 190+ countries for environmental stewardship, policy reform, cleanups, and climate action.
April 23: World Book and Copyright Day / National Picnic Day
Commemorates the deaths of literary giants William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, promoting global literacy, authorship, and copyright protection. It also encourages outdoor springtime picnics.
April 24: World Day for Laboratory Animals / National Administrative Professionals’ Day
Focuses global advocacy on the ethical treatment and humane replacement of animals in scientific research. In office settings, it recognizes administrative assistants, secretaries, and receptionists for workplace coordination.
April 25: World Malaria Day / National DNA Day
A WHO campaign dedicated to eradicating malaria through prevention, bed nets, and treatment innovations. National DNA Day commemorates the 1953 publication of the double-helix structure by Watson and Crick and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003.
April 26: National Pretzel Day / World Intellectual Property Day
Honors the ancient knot-shaped baked pastry, celebrating soft Bavarian varieties, crispy twisted snack bites, and mustard pairings. Globally, WIPO celebrates creators, patent holders, and trademark innovators.
April 27: National Tell a Story Day
Celebrates oral traditions, folkloric heritage, and personal narratives, encouraging family members and teachers to pass down meaningful memories and stories to future generations.
April 28: National Superhero Day / Workers’ Memorial Day
Honors fictional comic book icons alongside real-life heroes such as healthcare workers, firefighters, and teachers. Concurrently, labor organizations remember workers killed, injured, or disabled on the job.
April 29: International Dance Day
Created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) on the birthday of ballet innovator Jean-Georges Noverre, celebrating the universal language and joy of movement across cultures.
April 30: International Jazz Day / National Honesty Day
Officially recognized by UNESCO to highlight jazz music as a diplomatic tool for promoting peace, unity, and intercultural dialogue. National Honesty Day encourages straightforward communication and integrity in public life.
Month-Long April Observances
| Observance | Founding Organization / Originator | Year Established | Purpose & Context |
| National Poetry Month | Academy of American Poets | 1996 | Inaugurated to celebrate poets, increase the reading of poetry, and support literature in education. |
| Earth Month | Environmental organizations & UN | ~1970s | Extends the mission of Earth Day (April 22) into a full month of climate action and conservation initiatives. |
| Autism Acceptance Month | Autism Society of America | 1970s (updated 2021) | Shifted nomenclature from “Awareness” to “Acceptance” to foster authentic community integration and rights. |
| Stress Awareness Month | Health care professionals & institutions | 1992 | Highlights the physical and mental tolls of chronic stress, promoting healthy coping mechanisms. |
| National Financial Literacy Month | US Congress / Jump$tart Coalition | 2004 | Officially designated via Senate Resolution 316 to educate citizens on debt management, savings, and budgeting. |
| National Volunteer Month | Points of Light / Civic groups | 1990s | Grew out of National Volunteer Week (established in 1974) to spotlight community service and non-profit volunteerism. |
April 2027 is unusual: no federal holiday, no time change, no equinox or solstice, and — because Easter falls early on March 28 — none of the Holy Week dates that normally anchor an April calendar.
Nothing in this list closes a federal office. Tax Day is a statutory deadline, not a holiday.
Earth Day is worth a note: its April 22 date was chosen in 1969 to fall between spring break and final exams on college calendars, making it the only major American observance whose date was set by the academic year.
National Poetry Month has no federal designation
It was created in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, a nonprofit, and is now among the most widely observed literary campaigns in the world.
There is no act of Congress and no standing proclamation behind it.
This is the same category as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month — enormously successful, entirely unofficial.
Listing it beside a proclaimed observance without noting the difference is the flattening this category exists to correct.
Floating Observances in April
- National Burrito Day: First Thursday in April
- National Walk to Work Day: First Friday in April
- National Beer Day: Always celebrated on April 7 (anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act)
- National High Five Day: Third Thursday in April
- National Administrative Professionals’ Day: Wednesday of the last full week of April
- National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day: Fourth Thursday in April
- National Arbor Day: Last Friday in April
Frequently asked questions
Is there a federal holiday in April?
No. April carries no entry in the federal holiday schedule under 5 U.S.C. 6103 in any year. Tax Day, Earth Day and April Fools’ Day are all widely marked and none closes federal offices, banks or the postal service.
Who created National Poetry Month?
The Academy of American Poets, a nonprofit, in 1996. It has no statutory designation and no standing presidential proclamation. It is among the most widely observed literary campaigns in the world and entirely unofficial.
Is Easter in April 2027?
No. Western Easter falls on Sunday, March 28, 2027, one of the earliest possible dates. Orthodox Pascha falls on Sunday, May 2. April 2027 sits between the two, carrying Orthodox Holy Week from April 25 but neither Easter itself.
