31 Potluck Themes to do in October
Embrace the spirit of autumn and the festivities of October with these exciting potluck themes. From vibrant harvest feasts to eerie Halloween delights, these themes will add a touch of creativity and culinary adventure to your gatherings throughout the month.
So, grab your aprons and immerse yourself in the flavors of fall with these delightful potluck themes designed to celebrate the essence of October.
What Potluck Themes to do in October?
Potluck themes bring fun and variety to shared meals, allowing guests to showcase their culinary skills and experience new flavors, fostering a sense of community and creating memorable experiences.
October 1st – World Vegetarian Day: “Plant-Powered Feast”
Bring a variety of vegetarian dishes that celebrate the flavors and versatility of plant-based ingredients, such as stuffed bell peppers, vegetable curry, lentil soup, or quinoa salad.
October 2nd – Groucho Marx’s Birthday: “Marx Brothers’ Madness”
Pay homage to the comedy legends with whimsical and playful dishes, like “Duck Soup” (a savory soup), “Groucho’s Mustache” (chocolate-covered pretzel sticks), or “Harpo’s Horn” (spinach dip in a bread bowl).
October 3rd – National Techies Day: “Digital Delights”
Show appreciation for technology enthusiasts with modern and tech-inspired dishes, such as “Byte-sized Bites” (appetizers on skewers), “Pixel Pizza” (creative pizza toppings), or “Robot Roll-Ups” (sushi rolls).
October 4th – National Taco Day: “Make Your Own Taco Bar Potluck”
Guests can enjoy a festive potluck where they bring a variety of taco toppings and side dishes like Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, along with indulgent treats like churros and flan, to create their own delicious tacos.
October 5th – World Teachers’ Day: “Apple-Inspired Delights”
Show appreciation for teachers with dishes that incorporate apples in both savory and sweet creations. Guests can bring dishes like apple and brie crostini, apple walnut salad, apple-stuffed pork tenderloin, caramel apple dip with sliced apples, apple cinnamon muffins, or apple pie bars to celebrate and honor teachers.
October 6th – Mad Hatter Day: “Whimsical Wonderland Tea Party”
Channel the spirit of Alice in Wonderland with playful and whimsical dishes, like “Tea Party Sandwiches” (mini finger sandwiches), “Queen of Hearts’ Tartlets” (bite-sized savory pastries), or “Cheshire Cat’s Colorful Fruit Salad.”
October 7th – National Forgiveness and Happiness Day: “Harmony and Joy Potluck”
Focus on dishes that bring joy and foster forgiveness, such as “Peaceful Pasta Salad” (with colorful veggies and light dressing), “Forgiving Fruit Medley,” or “Gratitude and Grace Grain Bowl.”
October 8th – Matt Damon’s Birthday: “Cinematic Celebration”
Pay tribute to the actor and filmmaker with dishes inspired by his movies, like “Good Will Hunting” (New England clam chowder), “Bourne Identity Burgers” (gourmet burgers), or “Martian Macarons” (space-themed desserts).
October 9th – John Lennon’s Birthday: “Imagine Peace Feast”
Celebrate the legendary musician with dishes that promote peace and unity, such as “Revolutionary Veggie Curry,” “Strawberry Fields Salad,” or “All You Need Is Love Fruit Platter.”
October 10th – National Handbag Day: “Trendy Parisian Delights”
Bring foods inspired by the fashionable and trendy cuisine of Paris. Guests can contribute dishes like croque monsieur sandwiches, French onion soup, ratatouille, savory crepes with various fillings, macarons in different flavors, or decadent chocolate mousse to create a Parisian culinary experience.
October 11th – National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work/School Day: “Teddy Bear Picnic Potluck”
Create a playful picnic atmosphere with dishes suitable for all ages, such as “Teddy Bear Sandwiches” (sandwiches cut into teddy bear shapes), “Bear Paw Brownies,” or “Honey Pot Fruit Salad.”
October 12th – National Farmer’s Day: “Farm-to-Table Harvest”
Celebrate farmers and their bountiful harvests with dishes made from fresh, local ingredients, such as “Garden Vegetable Medley,” “Farmhouse Quiche,” or “Homemade Apple Pie.”
October 13th – International Skeptics Day/Friday the 13th: “Conspiracy Cuisine”
Dive into the realm of superstitions and conspiracy theories by bringing dishes inspired by mysterious phenomena. Guests can contribute dishes like “Illuminati Nachos” (layered with secret ingredients), “Area 51 Alien Tacos” (filled with out-of-this-world flavors), “Bermuda Triangle Blackened Fish” (a mysteriously seasoned seafood dish), “Bigfoot BBQ Ribs” (with a smoky and elusive flavor), or “Flat Earth Pizza” (with toppings arranged in a circular pattern). Let the culinary conspiracy theories unfold!
October 14th – National Dessert Day: “Sweet Sensations”
Indulge in an array of delightful desserts, such as “Decadent Chocolate Mousse,” “Tempting Tiramisu,” “Fruit Parfait Delights,” or “Homemade Ice Cream Sundae Bar.”
October 15th – National Grouch Day: “Grouchy Green”
Embrace the spirit of the day by having a green-themed potluck where all the dishes are predominantly green in color. Guests can bring dishes like spinach and artichoke dip, avocado salsa, green bean casserole, pesto pasta, matcha-flavored desserts, or a refreshing cucumber and mint salad.
October 16th – National Boss’s Day: “Boss’s Favorites”
Celebrate your boss by bringing their favorite dishes, whether it’s a special homemade lasagna, a decadent chocolate cake, or a gourmet salad they enjoy.
October 17th – National Pasta Day: “Pasta Palooza”
Showcase the versatility of pasta with a variety of dishes, such as spaghetti Bolognese, creamy fettuccine Alfredo, pesto pasta salad, or stuffed shells.
October 18th – National Chocolate Cupcake Day: “Sweet Tooth Extravaganza”
Indulge your sweet tooth with an array of chocolate cupcakes, brownies, chocolate-covered strawberries, or a chocolate lava cake.
October 19th – International Gin and Tonic Day: “Gin and Tonic Pairings”
Elevate the celebration by bringing dishes that complement the flavors of gin and tonic. Guests can contribute dishes like citrus-marinated grilled shrimp skewers, cucumber and dill finger sandwiches, smoked salmon canapés, cheese and charcuterie boards with a variety of accompaniments, or gin-infused desserts like lemon and gin cupcakes or juniper berry-infused tart.
October 20th – National Suspenders Day: “Retro Comfort Foods”
Take a trip down memory lane with comforting classics like mac and cheese, meatloaf, tuna casserole, or a retro-inspired Jell-O salad. Make it a full party and have everyone wear suspenders or retro outfits too!
October 21st – Kim Kardashian’s Birthday: “Glamorous and Trendy Dishes”
Bring dishes that are stylish and trendy, such as avocado toast, gourmet sliders, sushi burritos, or acai bowls.
October 22nd – National Nut Day: “Nutty Treats”
Showcase the goodness of nuts with dishes like almond-crusted chicken, pecan pie, walnut salad, or cashew stir-fry.
October 23rd – National Mole Day: “Rooted in the Earth”
Celebrate the bountiful produce from the ground by bringing dishes that feature root vegetables like potatoes, onions, carrots, and more. Guests can contribute dishes such as roasted root vegetable medley, mashed sweet potatoes, caramelized onion tart, carrot and ginger soup, parsnip fries, or beet salad.
National Bologna Day (October 24th): “Classic Sandwiches”
Honor the humble sandwich with classics like BLTs, ham and cheese, club sandwiches, or a Philly cheesesteak. Guests can also bring side dishes like chips, prepared salads (egg, tuna, chicken, etc), and classic desserts like cookies!
October 25th – Pablo Picasso’s Birthday: “Blue Period Delights”
Pay homage to Picasso’s Blue Period by bringing dishes that feature shades of blue. Guests can contribute dishes like blueberry cheesecake, blue corn tortilla chips with blueberry salsa, blue velvet cupcakes, blueberry smoothies, or blueberry-infused cocktails to capture the essence of the Blue Period in a culinary way.
October 26th – National Pumpkin Day: “Pumpkin Spice Everything”
Embrace the flavors of fall with pumpkin-themed dishes like pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice latte, or pumpkin pie.
October 27th – National Frankenstein Friday: “Monstrous Delights”
Embrace the spirit of classic monsters with dishes inspired by iconic creatures. Guests can contribute dishes like “Werewolf Chili” (spicy chili with a howling kick), “Vampire Bites” (garlic-infused meatballs), “Mummy Wraps” (sliced ham or turkey wrapped around cheese), “Monster Mash Guacamole” (guacamole with colorful monster-shaped chips), or “Creature’s Blood Punch” (a refreshing red fruit punch). Let the monsters come alive on your plate!
October 28th- Plush Animal Lover’s Day: “Cuddly Comfort Foods”
Bring dishes that provide warmth and comfort, such as chicken pot pie, beef stew, macaroni and cheese, or a cozy shepherd’s pie.
October 29th – National Oatmeal Day: “Warm and Wholesome Potluck”
Celebrate the goodness of oatmeal with dishes like overnight oats, oatmeal cookies, granola bars, oatmeal in meatloaf, or a hearty oatmeal breakfast casserole.
October 30th – National Candy Corn Day: “Vibrant Harvest Feast”
Embrace the colors of candy corn with dishes that are orange, yellow, and/or white in color. Guests can bring dishes like butternut squash soup, roasted carrots, mango salsa, cornbread, cauliflower buffalo bites, orange creamsicle cupcakes, lemon bars, or coconut rice to create a vibrant and flavorful harvest feast.
October 31st – Halloween: “Spooky and Ghoulish Delights Potluck”
Embrace the spirit of Halloween with dishes like “mummy” hot dogs wrapped in dough, “witches’ fingers” (carrot sticks with almond fingernails), “eyeball” punch with floating lychee, or “graveyard” brownies with tombstone decorations.
Fun Potluck Themes to do in October
Potluck themes for October offer an opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season and create unforgettable culinary experiences.
Whether it’s celebrating fall harvest, channeling the enchantment of Halloween, or exploring global flavors, these themes add a touch of creativity and adventure to gatherings with friends, family, and loved ones.
So, gather around the table, savor the delicious dishes, and enjoy the warmth and camaraderie that comes with sharing a meal together. Cheers to a month filled with delightful potluck celebrations!
