Annual Events

NPS photo

There’s a lot happening in parks and National Park Service programs every day! The National Park Service even hosts or participates in national commemorations and celebrations throughout the year. While it’s hard to pick just a couple things that stand out, here are some to mark your calendars. Discover what makes these events special and how you can get involved. Be sure to also check with your local parks for more annual events.

Federal Holidays

Federal holidays are often days to come out to enjoy national while parks, while also offering an opportunity to reflect on our nation's history and heritage in places where it is preserved.

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., also known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January, observed on the third Monday)
• Inauguration Day (January 20 every four years)
• Washington's Birthday, also known Presidents' Day (February, observed on the third Monday)
• Memorial Day (May, observed on the last Monday)
• Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (September, observed on the first Monday)
• Columbus Day (October, observed on the second Monday)
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (November, observed on the fourth Thursday)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

National Park Service-Hosted Celebrations

Join in special days that are sponsored by the National Park Service often in partnership with many others.

• Fee-Free Days (throughout the year)
• NPS Volcano Week (first week of February)
• National Park Week (during April)
• National Junior Ranger Day (during April)
• Cave Week (first week of June)
• National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
• National Fossil Day (October, second Wednesday)

Theme Days & Campaigns

The National Park Service also commemorates or celebrates other theme days and campaigns throughout the year. Here are just a few:

January

• First Day Hikes (January 1)
• Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (observed on the third Monday)

February

• Black History Month
• NPS Volcano Week (first week of February)
• Engineers Week (third full week)

March

• Irish American Heritage Month
• Women's History Month

April

• National Volunteer Week
• National Park Week (late April)
• Earth Day (April 22)
• National Junior Ranger Day (during National Park Week)

May

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Memorial Day (observed on the last Monday)

June

• Pride Month
• Cave Week (first week of June)
• Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)

July

• Independence Day (July 4)

August

• National Park Service Birthday (August 25)

September

• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
• Latino Conservation Week (dates vary)
• September 11: Day of Remembrance and 9/11 Day of Service (September 11)
• National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday)

October

• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)

November

• Native American Heritage Month

December

• Winter Holidays
• Veterans Day (November 11)
• Red Shawl Day (November 19)