August 2025 events guide: Back-to-school, pumpkin spice latte return, football, tax-free shopping & more

August is here, which means it's time for back-to-school, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and college football. There are no federal holidays in August. It's one of only three months in the year without any federal holiday.

The next holiday is Labor Day, which will be on Monday, September 1. Many people will leave for trips the Thursday or Friday before. Most students in the U.S. go back to school in August, although some return in late July or early September, as per the USA TODAY report.

Colleges and universities also start their fall semester in August, which also means it's rush season for sororities and fraternities. Some states will have sales tax holidays this month to help parents and students save money on back-to-school shopping.


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These states and their tax-free dates include:

• Arkansas: Aug. 2–3

• Connecticut: Aug. 17–23

• Florida: Aug. 1–31

• Iowa: Aug. 1–2

• Maryland: Aug. 10–16

• Massachusetts: Aug. 9–10

• Missouri: Aug. 1–3

• Ohio: Aug. 1–14

• Oklahoma: Aug. 1–14

• South Carolina: Aug. 1–3

• Texas: Aug. 8–10

• West Virginia: Aug. 1–4

Pumpkin Spice and Football Are Back This Month

Starbucks will bring back the Pumpkin Spice Latte on Tuesday, August 26. This drink usually kicks off pumpkin spice season. College football will return on Saturday, August 23. One of the big games will be Iowa State vs. Kansas State, which will be played in Ireland.

Other big football games this month include Texas vs. Ohio State, Alabama vs. Florida State, and Notre Dame vs. Miami. The U.S. The open tennis tournament will begin on August 19 with the Mixed Doubles Day Session in New York at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as per the USA TODAY report.

Religious Days, Full Moon, and Fun August Dates

Some religious holidays in August include:

• Lughnasadh on August 1
  
• Feast of Assumption on August 15
  
• Krishna Janmashtami from August 16–17
  
• Start of Paryushana on August 21
  
• Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27
  

August’s full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon and it will peak on Saturday, August 9 at 3:55 a.m. ET. The new moon will happen on Saturday, August 23 at 2:06 a.m. ET. The Perseids meteor shower will peak overnight from Tuesday, August 12 to early Wednesday, August 13, as stated by USA TODAY report.

Fun and quirky national days in August include:

• August 1: International Beer Day, Water Balloon Day
  
• August 2: Sunflower Day

• August 3: Sisters Day
  
• August 4: Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
  
• August 5: Wiggle Your Toes Day
  
• August 10: Lazy Day
  
• August 17: Black Cat Appreciation Day
  
• August 22: Tooth Fairy Day
  
• August 23: Find Your Inner Nerd Day
  

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August may not have major holidays, but it’s still a fun and busy month with school, sports, shopping deals, and cool night sky events. Story reported by Julia Gomez and Betty Lin-Fisher for USA TODAY.

FAQs

Q1. Is there any federal holiday in August 2025 in the USA?
No, August 2025 has no federal holidays; the next one is Labor Day on September 1.

Q2. When does Starbucks bring back the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2025?
Starbucks will return the Pumpkin Spice Latte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.