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National Adoption Week

Expand your family, fill your heart! National Adoption Week shines a light on the joy and love that adoption brings.

Monday

19–25

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENational Adoption Week (3rd Mon Oct, 7-day)

OBSERVED INUnited Kingdom

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYYouth

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate the beauty of family with National Adoption Week starting on October 21. Initially focused on just one day, the overwhelming need for highlighting the significance of adoption led to expanding the observance to an entire week back in 1998. National Adoption Week is now a monumental annual event, celebrating the joy, love, and fulfillment that adoption can bring to both children in need of a loving home and hopeful parents. This week gives us all an opportunity to spread awareness about adoption and celebrate the incredible families brought together by the transformative power of love. Expand your family, fill your heart - that's what National Adoption Week is all about!

TIMELINE

National Adoption Week Timeline

Adoption Awareness Week

The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange initiated the first Adoption Awareness Week in the US.

National Adoption Week

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, a wider initiative to encourage adoption awareness nationwide.

Expansion to Adoption Month

Due to increased interest and activities, President George H.W. Bush expanded National Adoption Week to the entire month of November.

Resurgence of Adoption Week

National Adoption Week re-emerged independently, starting annually on October 21, to provide a focused period of time to discuss the significance of adoption.

Thematically Driven Campaigns

National Adoption Week began focusing on specific themes to promote different aspects of adoption, such as the adoption of older children or transracial adoptions.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Adoption Week

Share your Adoption Story

If you have personally experienced the joy of adoption, share your story with others. Whether you write a blog post, share images on social media, or create a scrapbook for your family to cherish, your tale of love and connection can aim to inspire others to consider adoption.

HOST

Host an Adoption Information Session

Collaborate with local adoption organizations to hold an information session where interested individuals or couples can learn about the adoption process. Use this event to debunk some common myths about adoption and answer any queries prospective adoptive parents might have.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a Community Event

Look for community events centered around National Adoption Week, like fundraisers, charity runs, or art auctions. Participating in these events will help raise awareness and promote the cause in your own community.

DONATE

Donate to Adoption Charities

Support adoption by donating to charities that work in this field. Your contribution could help offer necessary services to prospective parents and children, including legal assistance, counseling, and post-adoption support.

SEND

Send a Thank you Note

If your family has been blessed by adoption, take some time during National Adoption Week to write thank you notes to those who were part of your journey - social workers, attorneys, foster parents, or support groups. This simple act of gratitude can provide much-needed encouragement to those involved in this transformative profession.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Adoption Week is Important

Supporting Adoption Services

Through various events, fundraisers, and activities organized during National Adoption Week, support is amassed for charities and organizations dedicated to adoption. This helps such entities continue their crucial work of providing necessary services like counseling, legal assistance, and post-adoption support to prospective parents and children.

Promotion of Adoption Awareness

National Adoption Week helps raise consciousness about the significance of adoption. It brings the subject into the spotlight, enlightening people about the process of adopting, the number of children in need of loving homes, and how fulfilling expanding one's family through adoption can be. Moreover, it also addresses common myths about adoption, aiding in their debunking.

Celebration of Adoptive Families

National Adoption Week serves as a tribute to all adoptive families, applauding their love, sacrifice, and commitment. It is a chance to honor and appreciate parents who have opened their hearts and homes to children through adoption. The stories shared during this week truly depict the transformative power of love and family.

Related holidays

National Adoption Month

This National Adoption Month, join us in spreading awareness and love for families formed through adoption. Let's celebrate the beautiful bonds created through adoption!

National Adoption Day

National Adoption Day - weaving threads of love, unifying souls and creating forever families. Celebrate the beauty of chosen love!

National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month - join us in raising awareness and supporting children and families in the foster care system.

Foster Care Fortnight

Join us in recognizing and supporting the incredible families and individuals who open their hearts and homes during Foster Care Fortnight.

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