August often flies under the radar with no major national holidays—but don’t let that fool you. It’s actually packed with quirky, charming, and surprisingly meaningful celebrations. Whether you’re looking for fun ideas to beat the summer doldrums, or creative ways to bond as a family, this list is your August inspiration station!

Here are just a few of the unique holidays and festivals you can celebrate this month—and how to make them special in your own backyard.


Friendship Day – August 1

How to Celebrate:

  • Write old-fashioned letters to childhood friends

  • Host a backyard friendship picnic

  • Make a DIY “Friendship Coupon Book” for your kids to give to their friends

Bonus: Share a quote from philosopher Samuel Johnson:

“A man should keep his friendships in constant repair.”


National Smile Week – August 1–7

How to Celebrate:

  • Make smiley-face pancakes

  • Do random acts of kindness with your kids

  • Leave smiley notes on neighbors’ doors


Rounds Resounding Day – August 1

How to Celebrate:

  • Teach your family how to sing in rounds (“Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” anyone?)

  • Have a silly singalong night around a firepit or living room fireplace

National Catfish Month – All of August

How to Celebrate:

  • Try a catfish recipe from the South

  • Learn about Mississippi’s catfish farms

  • Go fishing (even if it’s just a toy rod in the kiddie pool!)

National Water Quality Month – All of August

How to Celebrate:

  • Test your tap water or learn where your local water comes from

  • Plan a water-themed family science day

  • Talk with kids about why clean water matters


Chocolate Festival – August 2

How to Celebrate:

  • Host a “Chocolate Challenge” night (taste test different kinds)

  • Make chocolate fondue with summer fruit

  • Bake everything chocolate for the day—muffins, cookies, even chocolate pasta!

International Clown Week – August 1–7

How to Celebrate:

  • Let the kids dress up in goofy costumes

  • Watch old slapstick movies (like Charlie Chaplin)

  • Put on a backyard “clown show”


Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night – August 8

How to Celebrate:

  • You guessed it—drop off extra garden goodies!

  • Add a handwritten recipe card or zucchini joke

  • Turn it into a family “stealth mission” after dark

Fairy Tale Festival – August 6–7

How to Celebrate:

  • Dress up as favorite fairy tale characters

  • Create your own fairy tale and act it out

  • Make storybook-themed snacks like “Three Bears Porridge” or “Jack’s Beanstalk Green Beans”

Great Cardboard Boat Regatta – August 7

How to Celebrate:

  • Build boats out of cardboard boxes

  • Race them across a kiddie pool or in the tub

  • Award silly prizes for “Most Creative,” “Most Likely to Sink,” etc.

Roasting Ears of Corn Food Fest – August 14

How to Celebrate:

  • Roast corn over a grill or campfire

  • Let kids make their own butter blends (herb, spicy, honey)

  • Talk about Native American food traditions

 Family Day – August 14

How to Celebrate:

  • Turn off phones and spend the day unplugged

  • Play a favorite family board game

  • Make a “family values tree” with everyone’s input

National Relaxation Day – August 15

How to Celebrate:

  • Make a chill-out playlist

  • Let everyone pick one relaxing activity (bubble bath, puzzles, hammock time)

  • Declare it a no-cleaning, no-cooking day!

Anniversary of Elvis Presley’s Death – August 16

How to Celebrate:

  • Have a sock hop dance night

  • Try Elvis’s favorite snack: peanut butter and banana sandwich

  • Watch one of his classic performances as a family

Holzfest – August 19

How to Celebrate:

  • Build a birdhouse, whittle a stick, or sand a block of wood

  • Learn about different types of trees and wood

  • Visit a local woodcraft store or lumber yard for inspiration

Kiss and Make Up Day – August 25

How to Celebrate:

  • Write a letter of apology or forgiveness

  • Help your kids practice “making things right”

  • Share stories of reconciliation from your own life

Be Kind to Humankind Week – August 25–31

Try these daily themes:

  • Sunday: Sacrifice your wants for others’ needs

  • Monday: Be a polite driver

  • Tuesday: Send a heartfelt note or message

  • Wednesday: Volunteer your time

  • Thursday: Give a thoughtful compliment

  • Friday: Forgive someone

  • Saturday: Speak only kind words

Quick Tip: Turn These Days Into Lifelong Traditions

Don’t worry if these holidays aren’t on your calendar—make your own! Let your family vote on which to adopt as new traditions. August is the perfect blank slate for creativity, fun, and togetherness.

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