August is the eight month of the year and is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus, chosen because it is the time of several of his “great triumphs”. However, these days it is known for school summer holidays, ‘silly season’ in the newspapers, and a whopping Bank Holiday to see the summer out at the end of the month.
Yorkshire Day kicks off the month on 01/08/2026. This awareness day is open to pretty much every business or organisation linked to Yorkshire. Hospitality businesses can show off what makes Yorkshire great for food and relaxation, B2B providers can share how their place of business reflects Yorkshire. When you live in the best place in the world, every day is Yorkshire Day – did I ever mention I’m from Yorkshire?!
Playday returns on 05/08/2026, a celebration of children’s right to play. Child-based businesses will have an opportunity to share content relating to Playday. The UK’s celebration of cycle commuting also returns, Cycle To Work Day is 06/08/2026. While it is not for me (I swim, dontcha know), if you or your employees cycle to work share a bit about their habits.
In the UK there are a number of awareness months for August, Psoriasis Awareness Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and National Fishing Month. Returning for its 23nd year in 2026, National Allotments Week begins 10/08/2026, the theme this year is Grow to Learn.
Photo Credit: Lou and Joes
Food type businesses, 01/08/2026 will be National Mustard Day (USA). While its origins are American, International Beer Day can be observed across the world. Breweries, pubs and inns, share what is your favourite drink on 07/08/2026. 27/08/2026 is National Burger Day. Caterers, and burger bars, here’s an opportunity to show off your most gorgeous buns. My favourite is a Lou and Joes in Holmfirth, although I am partial to Five Guys. Afternoon Tea Week starts 10/08/2026 to 16/08/2026, which is also International Prosecco Day on 13/08/2026 – cheers!
Other Awareness Days:
- Month-long observances: National Breastfeeding Month, Gastroparesis Awareness Month (paralysis of the stomach), American Adventures Month, Neurosurgery Outreach Month, Psoriasis Awareness Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and National Fishing Month
- Minden Day (British Armed Forces) is 01/08/2026
- Yorkshire Day kicks off the month on 01/08/2026
- National Girlfriend Day is 01/08/2026
- Brighton Pride Festival 01/08/2026 – 02/08/2026
- World Breastfeeding Week starts 01/08/2026
- Cowes Week starts 01/08/2026-07/08/2026
- National Mustard Day 01/08/2026
- Welsh National Eisteddfod 01/08/2026-08/08/2026
- World Scout Scarf Day will be 01/08/2026
- National Watermelon Day 03/08/2026
- Play Day is 05/08/2026
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony (Japan) held on 06/08/2026
- Cycle To Work Day is 06/08/2026
- International Beer Day 07/08/2026
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo starts 07/08/2026
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe 07/08/2026
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta glows up 07/08/2026
- International Cat Day (International Fund for Animal Welfare) is on 08/08/2026 though all cats think every day is their day!
- National Book Lovers Day is on 09/08/2026
- Piping Live! Blows in on 09/08/2026
- International Coworking Day is 09/08/2026
- International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (UN) is on 09/08/2026
- Lazy Day is 10/08/2026
- National Allotments Week begins 10/08/2026
- Afternoon Tea Week starts 10/08/2026 to 16/08/2026
- International Youth Day and World Elephant Day are on 12/08/2026
- New Moon Rises 12/08/2026
- Left Handers Day is on 13/08/2026
- International Prosecco Day on 13/08/2026
- National Financial Awareness Day is on 14/08/2026
- Edinburgh Art Festival 14/08/2026
- Victory Over Japan Day is 15/08/2026
- Edinburgh International Book Festival 15/08/2026
- Assumption of Mary 15/08/2026
- National Relaxation Day is on 15/08/2026
- India Independence Day is 15/08/2026
- National Rum Day is 16/08/2026
- World Humanitarian Day is observed on 19/08/2026
- Green Man Festival starts 20/08/2026
- World Mosquito Day is observed on the day Sir Ronald Ross discovered in 1897 how mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans 20/08/2026
- World Plant Milk Day 22/08/2026
- International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade is 23/08/2026
- European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism is 23/08/2026
- National Dog Day barks in on 26/08/2026
- National Burger Day 27/08/2026
- Reading and Leeds Festival 27/8/2026
- Full Moon rises 28/08/2026
- International Day Against Nuclear Tests is 29/08/2026
- Notting Hill Carnival starts 29/08/2026
- National Beach Day is 30/08/2026
- International Day of the Disappeared is 30/08/2026
- US Open Tennis starts 30/08/2026
- Bank Holiday 31/08/2026
Disclaimer: There are so many awareness days we just can’t feature them all, so we do our best to give you a broad overview so you can pick what suits you and your business.