National Coffee Day (USA)
It's celebrated every year on this date to honor the cultural significance of coffee, though its origin is undocumented and it isn't a federal holiday.
National Silent Movie Day (USA)
This day celebrates early cinema to raise awareness about preserving silent films, many of which are at risk of being lost.
National Biscotti Day (USA)
It pays tribute to the Italian almond biscuit 'twice-baked,' traditionally dunked in espresso or dessert wine.
Michaelmas (Feast of St Michael and All Angels) (UK)
A traditional feast in the Church of England marking St Michael's role as a defenderβit once was one of the quarter-days when rents were due and terms began.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (International)
Established by the UN to spotlight the global amount of food lost or wasted and promote efforts toward its reduction under Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.
Birthdays
Jerry Lee Lewis (91 β deceased)
A pioneer of rock and roll music, known for his energetic piano performances and hits like 'Great Balls of Fire'. He was nicknamed 'The Killer' for his dynamic stage presence. Despite controversies, he remained a significant influence on rock music.
Halsey (32)
An American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and hits like 'Without Me' and 'Bad at Love'. Halsey is known for her advocacy on mental health issues. She has collaborated with artists like The Chainsmokers and BTS.
Luke Goss (58)
He found fame in the late 1980s as the drummer in Bros alongside his twin brother Matt, one of the biggest British pop acts of the era. Bros scored a string of UK hits including When Will I Be Famous? and the number one I Owe You Nothing, sparking scenes of Brosmania among their teenage fans. Luke later built a Hollywood acting career with roles in films including Blade II and Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and the brothers' 2018 reunion documentary After the Screaming Stops became an unexpected hit.
Ian McShane (84)
An English actor known for his roles in 'Deadwood' and 'American Gods'. Ian McShane has a distinctive voice, making him a popular choice for voice acting in films and video games. He has been acting since the 1960s, showcasing a versatile career.
Zachary Levi (46)
An American actor known for his role in the TV series 'Chuck' and as the lead in the superhero film 'Shazam!'. Zachary Levi is also a talented singer, having performed on Broadway. He is known for his charismatic and comedic acting style.
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On This Day
π΅ Music
Stone Temple Pilots released their debut studio album Core in 1992, which spawned the hit singles "Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden", "Creep" and "Plush" and has since been certified eight times Platinum in the US.
π΅ Music
Tommy Edwards's recording of 'It's All in the Game' reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, becoming one of the defining ballads of the era.
π΅ Music
Grand Funk Railroad's anthem "We're an American Band" claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, marking the band's first US chart-topping single.
π΅ Music
Prince & The Revolution's epic track "Let's Go Crazy" rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, becoming one of Prince's defining hits from the Purple Rain era.
π Pop Culture
Willie Mays made "The Catch", an iconic over-the-shoulder catch of a long fly ball during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, which still ranks among baseball's most unforgettable defensive plays.
π Pop Culture
In 1990, construction of the Washington National Cathedral was completed after decades of work, crowning its role as a major architectural and spiritual landmark in the United States.
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Movies & TV
Forgotten Island β π¬ Cinema
A magical animated adventure from DreamWorks in which two best friends become stranded on the mystical island of Nakali where escaping means risking everything they've ever shared, conceived and co-directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano lead the voice cast with Dave Franco and Jenny Slate among the ensemble bringing fantasy and heart to the fore. For fans of richly imagined worlds and emotional stakes, this island excursion promises to deliver just that.
Released: Friday Sep 25, 2026
Heart of the Beast β π¬ Cinema
Heart of the Beast is a survival thriller directed by David Ayer starring Brad Pitt, J. K. Simmons, and Anna Lambe, in which a former special forces soldier and his combat dog must fight the elements after a plane crash leaves them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. The film opened in the United States and many international markets on September 25, 2026, and is drawing positive attention for its emotional core and Pitt's rugged performance, though some critics find its close to the formula. On UK release, it's being shown under a 12A rating and audiences are reacting favorably to the cinematography and the bond between man and dog.
Released: Friday Sep 25, 2026 UK Release: Wednesday Sep 23, 2026
Primetime β π¬ Cinema
A suspenseful crime-drama thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim, following a character played by Robert Pattinson who must navigate public and private danger when scandalous secrets emerge, with Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo in key supporting roles. The film's tension builds through moral conflict and intrigue that make it feel both timely and urgent. For those who love character-driven suspense, this is one of the more gripping new entries this weekend.
Released: Friday Sep 25, 2026
Digger β π¬ Cinema
Digger is a satirical, high-concept comedy of catastrophic proportions directed by Alejandro GonzΓ‘lez IΓ±Γ‘rritu, with Tom Cruise starring as Digger Rockwellβan eccentric, world-powerful tycoon who must scramble to fix a disaster of his own making. In addition to Cruise, the cast includes Riz Ahmed, Sandra HΓΌller, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman and others, with the film filmed entirely in VistaVision and backed by strong awards-season expectations. It opens October 2, 2026 in the United States and the same date in the UK; however, early critic-screenings have already started to yield mixed feedback, placing its awards potential in question.
Released: Friday Oct 2, 2026
The Amazing Race (Season 39) β π‘ TV (USA)
The Amazing Race revs up for its 39th season with its traditional 9:30pm ET kickoff on CBS, sending teams across the globe in pursuit of the fastest finish. As one of the longest-running reality competition staples, its return marks a major fixture in CBS's fall schedule. The stakes, the travel, and the surprises are all promised to be bigger than ever as viewers return to the ultimate race for glory.
Released: Wednesday Sep 30, 2026
Chicago Med (Season 12) β π‘ TV (USA)
Chicago Med pulls back into its 12th season at 8pm ET on NBC, where the lives, ethics, and intense decisions in the emergency room take center stage. It leads off a packed night of One Chicago drama with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. premiering later that evening. For fans of medical-and procedural crossover chaos, this marks the season return of one of the strongest pillars of the NBC drama lineup.
Released: Wednesday Oct 7, 2026
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Concerts
Happening in the next 7 days
π€ Olivia Rodrigo β The Unraveled TourTonight: Tuesday Sep 29 at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This week: Wednesday Sep 30 at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Β· Friday Oct 2 at House of Blues Orlando, Orlando, Florida Β· plus 3 more dates this week.
π€ Bruno Mars β The Romantic TourThis week: Wednesday Sep 30 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California Β· Friday Oct 2 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California Β· Saturday Oct 3 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
π€ Harry Styles β Together, TogetherArtist residency This week: Wednesday Sep 30 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Β· Friday Oct 2 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Β· Saturday Oct 3 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.
π€ SHAKIRA β LAS MUJERES YA NO LLORAN - RESIDENCIA EUROPEAThis week: Friday Oct 2 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain Β· Saturday Oct 3 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain Β· Saturday Oct 3 at Shakira Stadium, Madrid, Tarragona, Spain Β· plus 1 more date this week.
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Events
Happening in the next 14 days
Wigtown Book Festival β π Event β Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, UK
Wigtown Book Festival is a ten-day celebration of literature, ideas, music, theatre and more, in Scotland's National Book Town with over 250 events featuring authors, film, poetry and discussions. Tickets and full programme are available from the box office (01988 403 222) and the official site wigtownbookfestival.com.
Dates: Friday Sep 25-Sunday Oct 4, 2026
Microelectronics UK 2026 β π― Conference β London, UK
Microelectronics UK is the leading UK event for engineering, semiconductor, photonics and embedded systems professionals, showcasing over 175 exhibitors, more than 120 speakers and content across multiple stages including startup launches and technical forums. It takes place at ExCeL London; registration, event hours and tickets are detailed on the official Microelectronics UK website.
Dates: Tuesday Sep 29-Wednesday Sep 30, 2026
State Fair of Texas β πͺ Festival β Dallas, Texas
One of the largest state fairs in the U.S., offering massive food courts, livestock shows, carnival rides, exhibitions, and multiple stages of live music at its Midway and Main stages that attract stars and local artists alike. This event garners national attention for its scale, its unique Texan culture, and its longstanding traditions that resonate across the country. Tickets are required for entry; Fair Park hours are typically 10 a.m. until 9-10 p.m., and minors under 18 must be accompanied after 5 p.m. on certain days.
Dates: Friday Sep 25-Sunday Oct 18, 2026
State Fair of Virginia β πͺ Festival β Doswell, Virginia
An annual state fair focused on Virginia's agriculture, entertainment, youth programming, and scholarship competitions, featuring Midway rides, exhibits, and large-scale blue-ribbon showings. It draws significant regional and national interest as Virginia is agriculturally rich and this fair showcases both traditional and cultural local talent. Admission covers concerts and exhibits (though some attractions cost extra), fair runs daily from morning until evening.
Dates: Friday Sep 25-Sunday Oct 4, 2026
Cumberland Fair β πͺ Festival β Cumberland, Maine
The Cumberland Fair is a long-running agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibits, exhibit halls, harness racing, and a midway full of rides and food, strongly rooted in local community history and harvest-time traditions. Gates open at 8 a.m., buildings at 9 a.m., children 12 and under are free, parking is free, with daily admission for those 13 and over around $15; more info is available on CumberlandFair.com.
Dates: Sunday Sep 27-Saturday Oct 3, 2026
Bath Children's Literature Festival β πͺ Festival β Bath, Somerset
This autumn gathering brings some of the biggest and best-loved names in children's books to Bath for talks, workshops and family friendly events across a number of venues. Tickets vary by event and many are free or priced modestly; full programme and booking available via the official Bath Festivals website (bathfestivals.org.uk).
Dates: Friday Sep 25-Sunday Oct 4, 2026
The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) β πͺ Festival β West Springfield, MA
New England's largest fair combining exhibitions, agricultural displays, food stalls and arena concerts, drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually. It's a major cultural institution in the US Northeast, with diverse music, agriculture, arts and state-level vendors of interest beyond the region. The event runs 17 days, with timed tickets, fair entry fees, and major acts on select nights in the fair's arena.
Dates: Friday Sep 18-Sunday Oct 4, 2026
Oktoberfest Munich β πͺ Festival β Munich, Germany
The world's most famous folk festival and beer fair with more than 100 rides, large and small tents serving Bavarian food and drink, and traditional music and parades that attract millions from around the globe. It matters to a national audience because it's a key cultural touchstone in German and global fest culture, known far beyond Bavaria and drawing visitors and media from the US and UK. Practical info: admission to the festival grounds is free (fees apply for the Oide Wiesn historic section), beer tents have different opening hours, and crowds are heaviest on opening weekend and festival-branded table reservations fill quickly.
Dates: Saturday Sep 19-Sunday Oct 4, 2026
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