A Chillingly Good Time: Events in October

Taking care of your health

Of course, taking care of yourself should always be on the agenda. But if you need a reason, October offers two! It’s both Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as Mental Health Awareness Month — two important topics that are also being picked up in our communities.

In Abu Dhabi, for instance, Ambassadors hosted an Official Pink October Event on 18 October in honor of affected women and cancer survivors. Next to live entertainment and exclusive discounts on food and drinks, attendees also received a complimentary one-on-one session with Health & Cancer Coach Reem Obaid.

In Riyadh, meanwhile, members of the Women Only Group met on 17 October to dance, sweat, and raise awareness and support for breast cancer at the Pink Zumba Party.

Awareness and mutual support can be a game changer when it comes to any kind of health issue, not just cancer. For that reason, the Global Well-Being Group hosts regular online sessions such as the Stronger Together: Living Abroad with Chronic Illness activity on 12 October. The aim: creating a supportive, discussion-based space where people with chronic illness can connect and find strength in shared experiences.

Finding strength, specifically attendees’ inner strength, was also on the agenda of the Brussels Learning Lovers Group. During a 90-minute interactive workshop on The Art of Self-Management, attendees explored the power of self-awareness as a tool against stress and anxiety and as the basis for mental resilience.

Oktoberfest, a global success story

A staple of the month: the Oktoberfest. What started as a local festivity following a royal wedding has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, with Oktoberfest celebrations happening around the globe.

In the hopes for better weather, the folk festival actually takes place mostly in September in its hometown, Munich. Only its last weekend falls in October. And on that weekend, the Munich Party People Group made sure to pay the Wiesn (as it’s locally known) a visit for their Meet and Drinks activity.

Across the pond, the Montréal Community enjoyed an unforgettable event called Friendship on Tap: Oktoberfest Edition on 3 October. From Prost! to pretzels, the Bavarian spirit was strong at this event!

Pretzels were also in the picture (literally) for attendees of the Singapore Day & Night Group’s Oktoberfest activity. Host Angeline managed to book a table at the popular Paulaner Bräuhaus, which provided the perfect setting for a Bavarian evening filled with authentic German food and great company.

For the San Francisco Bay Explorers Group, hosting an Oktoberfest party is somewhat of a tradition by now — and 2025 was no exception. With authentic food, beverages, and decorations at an exclusively booked venue, members could party all night long to the tunes of a phenomenal DJ.

Still coming up is the InterNations OC – Prost! event in Orange County. If you’re in the area this Saturday, 25 October, get ready to raise a stein and have a great time! Traditional music, hearty food, and great company are waiting for you.

Ready to get spooky?

Speaking of upcoming events: Halloween is nearly here, and it’s another popular theme in our communities!

The New York City Community had an early start with their 1st PumpKinG & Queen Harvest Party on 17 October  — in the words of the hosts, “an evening filled with autumn colors, lively American country music, festive vibes, and a touch of Halloween whimsy!”

Though of course most spooky events are still to come at the end of this month.

In Germany, for instance, the Halloween events in Cologne and Dortmund — both on 31 October — are just two examples out of many.

On the same evening, InterNations St. Gallen invites you to dust off your costume and oil your singing voice for their Halloween / Karaoke Event.

Friday, 31 October also promises to be a night of costumes and chillingly good music at the Fright Night Fever! – Halloween Party in Istanbul. Make sure to reserve your spot for discounted entry and a welcome “potion”.

Spring rather than autumn has arrived in Melbourne — but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the spooky fun! Join the Halloween After-Work on 30 October for a dash of magic and mischief!

 

Not sure what’s happening in your city? Check out the Events calendar.

 

If you enjoy organizing activities and sharing your interests with other members, you can also get involved as an event host yourself.