Everyone thinks of Thanksgiving as the start of the holiday season, but there is something special about October. A gentle sense of celebration floats around us. It’s a month packed with holidays. These days bring people together in unique ways, but we often rush past them without stopping to enjoy their meaning.
On Halloween, most people focus on finding the right costumes and collecting the best candy, but it’s also a night to embrace creativity, community, and fun! Neighbors greet each other, children laugh, and families create lasting memories. Throughout the month, many neighborhoods set up Halloween decorations, and popular events include the annual “Trunk or Treat” held at Camp Everwood and trick-or-treating across town, which is an event where children collect treats from decorated vehicles.
However, Halloween isn’t the only special day in October. Different cultures and communities celebrate during this time. For example, Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the history and contributions of Native communities and encourages people to learn stories that are often overlooked. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement in Judaism, is a time for families and friends to come together to pray and reflect. The Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie) in China is celebrated with mooncakes, full moons, and family reunions. In India and many other places, Navaratri and Diwali light up the month. Navaratri honors the triumph of good over evil with music and dance, while Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates hope and new beginnings.
Over time, Sharon has grown into a very diverse community that celebrates a wide range of cultural and religious holidays. For Yom Kippur, some families celebrate by fasting from sundown to nightfall to focus on spiritual matters and experience empathy. To celebrate Diwali, the Indian American Association of Sharon (IAAS) has a tradition of inviting Sharon residents to their celebration featuring dances and traditional activities; that celebration occurred on Nov. 8. For the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese American Association of Sharon holds gatherings and has a tradition of sharing and enjoying mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry.
Like the November and December holidays, October holidays aren’t just about decorations or treats—it’s about connection. Whether it’s through a shared meal or a neighborhood gathering, these moments remind us of how important it is to celebrate together. October holidays give us the chance to appreciate unique cultures and traditions.
