November: Awareness Months & Holidays for Causes (2024)

Illustrated calendar for November awareness celebrations

Every month, there are hundreds of national and international celebrations dedicated to raising awareness and support for meaningful causes.

For those working to bring attention to important topics, it can be challenging to keep track of the next relevant awareness event. We’re here to help.

At Good Good Good, we aim to help people feel more hopeful and do more good. For years we’ve privately curated a comprehensive list of important cause-themed holidays that we’ve used for creating content on our good news Instagram, our Goodnewsletter, our Goodnewspaper, and on this very website.

We’ve organized this list of observances and events by month — and are making them public for the first time. Our hope is that this will help you or your organization bring attention to important issues.

Where applicable, we’ve included resources (usually good news around particular topics, action steps on how to make a difference, or relevant quotes) — and encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.

The main days and months you should know about for November are:

November Holidays Type Date
Native American Heritage Month Month November 1
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week Week November 11-18
World Kindness Day Day November 12
Giving Tuesday Day November 28
Veterans Day Day November 11
Trans Day of Remembrance Day November 20

November is the eleventh month of the year and has 30 days. It marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Known for Thanksgiving in the U.S., it’s a time of gratitude and family gatherings, characterized by feasting, parades, and football.

Explore our comprehensive list of national and international months, weeks, days, and birthdays for the month of November:

November Celebrations:

Awareness Months

There are several awareness months celebrated in November — though the five that often get the most attention include Native American Heritage Month, Movember, Diabetes Awareness Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month, and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.

Native American Heritage Month

Explore this guide on how to how to celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Movember

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

COPD Awareness Month

Diabetes Awareness Month

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Dercum’s Disease (Adiposis Dolorosa) Awareness Month

Adopt a Turkey Month

Manatee Awareness Month

Awareness Weeks

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Week prior to Thanksgiving

Read quotes about hunger and learn about world hunger stats

International Stress Awareness Week

1st week of November

Transgender Awareness Week

1st two full weeks of November

World Kindness Week

Week-long event in November

Explore the best ways to celebrate World Kindness Week

Polar Bear Week

1st week of November

UK Self Care Week

Week-long event in November

Explore the best (non-cliché) self-care ideas and self-care quotes

Restorative Justice Week

3rd week of November

National Family Week

3rd week of November

National Farm-City Week

3rd week of November

Awareness Days

World Vegan Day - November 1

Listen to our podcast episode about how going vegan can change the world

International Stress Awareness Day - November 2

World Jellyfish Day - November 3

National Bison Day - First Saturday of November

Read about how wild bison are back in the UK for the first time in thousands of years

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict - November 6

Aicardi Syndrome Awareness Day - November 8

Intersex Day of Remembrance - November 8

National STEAM Day - November 8

World Adoption Day - November 9

Veterans Day - November 11th

Explore these activities and ideas for how to celebrate Veterans Day and read these good news stories about veterans

World Usability Day - November 11

World Pneumonia Day - November 12

World Kindness Day - November 13

Check out these ideas for how to celebrate World Kindness Day and try one of these ideas for random acts of kindness

World Diabetes Day - November 14

National Recycling Day - November 15

World Ohtahara Syndrome Awareness Day - November 15

International Day for Tolerance - November 16

World COPD Day - 3rd Wednesday of November

World Pancreatic Cancer Day - 3rd Thursday of November

Social Enterprise Day - November 17

Read good news stories about businesses making a difference

National Hiking Day - November 17

Check out the “free days” at U.S. national parks and while you’re at it, explore the best national parks quotes and gifts for national parks lovers

International Transgender Day of Remembrance - November 20

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day - 1st Saturday before Thanksgiving

World Fisheries Day - November 21

Read the good news story about land-based aquaculture startups that are producing healthier fish without polluting the sea

Humane Society Anniversary Day - November 22

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25

Unthanksgiving Day - The same day as Thanksgiving

The National Day of Mourning - The same day as Thanksgiving

National Day of Listening - 1st Friday after Thanksgiving

Green Friday - 1st Friday after Thanksgiving

Explore this sustainable shopping guide to make sure your holiday shopping is eco-friendly

Small Business Saturday - 1st Saturday after Thanksgiving

Explore the best ideas for how to celebrate Small Business Saturday

Giving Tuesday - 1st Tuesday after Thanksgiving

Read and share our article on how and where to donate for Giving Tuesday (plus more ideas)

International Jaguar Day - November 29

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People - November 29

Shift Worker Sunday - Last Sunday of November

Notable Birthdays

Birthdays of leading activists, nonprofit leaders, and other world-changers born in the month of November:

Dorothy Day’s Birthday - November 8

Yvon Chouinard’s Birthday - November 9

Learn more about the founder of Patagonia by reading Yvon Chouinard's best quotes about the environment, sustainable business, and adventure

Bryan Stevenson’s Birthday - November 14

Read the best quotes from Bryan Stevenson — and learn about his admirable work

RuPaul’s Birthday - November 18

Brené Brown’s Birthday - November 18

Read and share the best quotes from Brené Brown

Sister Corita Kent’s Birthday - November 20

Mark Ruffalo’s Birthday - November 22

Jamie Lee Curtis’ Birthday - November 22

Bill Nye’s Birthday - November 27

You might also like: The Best November Quotes

Explore More Events:

Main Awareness Calendars: All Awareness Holidays | Heritage Months | International Days

More Awareness Calendars:  Animals | Pets | Environment & Sustainability | LGBTQ+ | Black & African American | Mental Health | Disability | Cancer | HIV/AIDS

Awareness Days & Months: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Is this list missing a holiday or awareness week/month? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.

Article Details

October 8, 2022 2:21 PM
January 23, 2024
Green awareness month calendar for April

April: Awareness Months & Holidays for Causes (2024)

The ultimate calendar of April’s awareness days, national months, and more...
Illustration of a simple monthly calendar with a handwritten "month" title, against a gradient background transitioning from light blue to yellow.

12 Months of the Year, In Order

A simple index of essential information about each month of the year — including every month’s number order, total days, and abbreviations.
Simple monthly awareness calendar, illustrated in a handdrawn style

Ultimate Calendar: Awareness Months & National Days

Your simple guide to the hundreds of national and global awareness holidays dedicated to supporting meaningful causes.
Illustrated calendar for December awareness celebrations

December: Awareness Months & Holidays for Causes (2024)

The ultimate calendar of December's awareness days, national months, and more...

Want to stay up-to-date on positive news?

The best email in your inbox.
Filled with the day’s best good news.