Weird Holidays in January
January doesn’t have to feel long or boring. Weird holidays in January give you something unexpected to look forward to almost every day, from jumping into freezing water to celebrating bubble wrap and doing absolutely nothing on purpose.
Some of these days started as jokes, others came from radio hosts, small towns, or marketing stunts that somehow stuck.
Each holiday also includes a free black and white coloring page, so if you like marking the day creatively, there’s something fun to print for every single date.
Apple Gifting Day (January 1)
Instead of just giving a card, this day is about sharing apples as small acts of kindness. Some people bake with them, others gift them with handwritten notes.
Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)
Yes, people actually jump into freezing water for this. It started as a dare and turned into a charity tradition in many coastal towns.
National Buffet Day (January 2)
This celebration embraces excess in the most unapologetic way. Think towering plates, questionable food combos, and zero judgment.
Science Fiction Day (January 2)
A holiday for time travel fans, alien believers, and anyone who owns too many lightsabers. It’s an excuse to revisit cult classics and hidden gems.
Run It Up the Flagpole Day (Jan 2)
This oddly named holiday is about testing ideas and seeing who bites. It started in the advertising world and somehow stuck.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Day (January 3)
A niche candy with a loyal following. Fans argue over fondant vs liquid centers like it’s a personality trait.
Festival of Sleep Day (January 3)
Created by a sleep disorder organization, this holiday encourages guilt-free naps and better bedtime habits. Productivity can wait.
Fruitcake Toss Day (January 3)
Some towns literally compete to see who can throw fruitcake the farthest. Revenge on regifting, officially sanctioned.
National Spaghetti Day (January 4)
More than just dinner, it’s a day for heated debates over sauce, noodles, and whether garlic bread is mandatory.
National Trivia Day (January 4)
Started by trivia fans, this day celebrates useless knowledge and overly competitive game nights.
National Whipped Cream Day (January 5)
A holiday dedicated to canned clouds and homemade peaks. Some people even compete to make the tallest swirl that won’t collapse.
National Bird Day (January 5)
Started by conservation groups, this day highlights endangered species and illegal bird trade. It’s more meaningful than it sounds.
National Shortbread Day (January 6)
This crumbly cookie has just three ingredients, but fierce opinions about butter ratios. Bakers swear by family recipes.
National Bean Day (January 6)
From baked beans to lentils, this day celebrates one of the most underrated pantry staples. Protein-packed and endlessly versatile.
National Bobblehead Day (January 7)
Collectors display shelves of nodding heads from sports stars to movie characters. Some rare ones sell for thousands.
Old Rock Day (January 7)
A holiday for geology nerds and backyard rock collectors. People share their oldest finds and strange fossil discoveries.
National Bubble Bath Day (January 8)
An excuse to light candles, add ridiculous amounts of bubbles, and pretend your bathroom is a spa.
Earth’s Rotation Day (January 8)
Celebrates the moment scientists proved Earth spins on its axis. Without it, sunsets wouldn’t exist.
National Apricot Day (January 9)
Fans argue fresh vs dried like it’s a personality test. Both sides bring baked goods to prove their point.
National Static Electricity Day (January 9)
The day when everyone shocks each other on purpose. Science teachers secretly love this one.
National Word Nerd Day (January 9)
A celebration of obscure vocabulary, terrible puns, and people who genuinely enjoy dictionaries. Scrabble fans take this very seriously.
National Houseplant Appreciation Day (January 10)
Plant lovers show off their leafy collections and swap propagation tips. Some even throw tiny “plant parties.”
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day (January 10)
Started to promote energy awareness, but most people celebrate by unplugging things they forgot existed.
National Clean Off Your Desk Day (January 10)
That mysterious pile of papers finally gets dealt with. You’ll probably find snacks you forgot about.
Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day (January 11)
People tap it out, make bead bracelets, and flash it with phone lights. Secret-agent energy encouraged.
National Hot Toddy Day (January 11)
Cold-weather fans swear this drink cures everything. Recipes vary wildly depending on family tradition.
International Kiss a Ginger Day (January 12)
Created to celebrate redheads after years of teasing. Some people mark it with selfies and fiery filters.
National Marzipan Day (January 12)
This almond candy divides people instantly, either obsessed or deeply suspicious of it.
National Rubber Ducky Day (January 13)
Nostalgia meets bath-time humor. Collectors own ducks dressed as pirates, doctors, and royalty.
Make Your Dreams Come True Day (January 13)
Part motivation, part wish-making. Some write goals, others just buy lottery tickets.
National Dress Up Your Pet Day (January 14)
Some pets tolerate costumes, others plot revenge. Social media fills with dogs in tutus and cats in tiny hats.
National Organize Your Home Day (January 14)
Closets get reorganized and junk drawers face judgment. Donation bags usually appear by the end.
National Strawberry Ice Cream Day (January 15)
A classic flavor with surprisingly loyal fans. People argue whether real fruit chunks are essential.
National Bagel and Lox Day (Jan 15 or Feb 9)
This combo has serious brunch credibility. New Yorkers take it personally if it’s done wrong.
International Hot and Spicy Food Day (January 16)
Hot sauce collections finally get their moment. Bragging rights go to whoever cries last.
National Nothing Day (January 16)
The only rule is doing absolutely nothing. Overachievers struggle the most.
Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day (January 17)
When everyone admits those gym plans were unrealistic. Guilt-free quitting encouraged.
Benjamin Franklin Day (January 17)
A nod to one of history’s biggest overachievers. People share weird facts about his inventions and habits.
National Kid Inventors’ Day (January 17)
Celebrates kids who came up with brilliant ideas. Adults pretend they were just as creative.
National Gourmet Coffee Day (January 18)
Coffee snobs show off brewing gadgets and obscure beans. Casual drinkers just add more creamer.
National Thesaurus Day (January 18)
Word lovers swap fancy synonyms and overcomplicate simple sentences on purpose. Roget would be proud.
National Popcorn Day (January 19)
Sweet, salty, caramel, cheesy, no one can agree on the best flavor. Movie nights get extra serious.
National Tin Can Day (January 19)
A salute to the humble can that changed food storage forever. Some people even turn them into art.
National Cheese Lovers Day (January 20)
An excuse to build dangerously tall cheese boards. The real debate is soft vs hard.
National Penguin Awareness Day (January 20)
People share adorable penguin facts while learning about conservation. Cute and educational.
National Hugging Day (January 21)
Suddenly everyone is very affectionate. Even awkward side-huggers make an effort.
Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21)
Backyard birdwatchers secretly love this one. Tiny squirrels get unexpected fan mail online.
National Polka Dot Day (January 22)
Bold patterns come out of hiding. Minnie Mouse unofficially rules the day.
National Hot Sauce Day (January 22)
People show off bottles with skulls on the label. Pain tolerance becomes a personality trait.
National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day (January 22)
Cat owners pretend their pets are curious philosophers. The cats remain unimpressed.
National Pie Day (January 23)
Everyone suddenly has strong opinions about crust thickness. Apple vs cherry debates get heated.
National Handwriting Day (January 23)
Cursive makes a dramatic comeback. Teachers quietly celebrate proper letter spacing.
National Peanut Butter Day (January 24)
Crunchy vs smooth arguments resurface like clockwork. Someone always brings out the spoon.
National Compliment Day (January 24)
Strangers awkwardly hype each other up. It’s wholesome but slightly uncomfortable.
National Macintosh Computer Day (January 24)
Old Apple fans dust off their first beige desktops. Nostalgia hits hard.
National Opposite Day (January 25)
“Yes” means no, pajamas become formal wear, and everyone lies about everything.
National Peanut Brittle Day (January 26)
Teeth enter the danger zone. Grandma’s recipe suddenly matters a lot.
National Spouses Day (January 26)
People post throwback photos and embarrassing couple stories. Sentimental chaos ensues.
National Chocolate Cake Day (January 27)
Diet plans are officially postponed. Forks move faster than usual.
National Blueberry Pancake Day (January 28)
Breakfast turns competitive. Who can stack them highest?
National Fun at Work Day (January 28)
Offices attempt trust falls, desk games, and awkward icebreakers. Productivity briefly drops, morale rises.
Data Privacy Day (January 28)
A reminder to finally change that password from 2012. Cybersecurity experts beg you to stop reusing it.
National Puzzle Day (January 29)
Jigsaw fans flex their patience levels. Missing pieces spark household investigations.
National Croissant Day (January 30)
Bakeries show off their flakiest creations. Crumbs become a badge of honor.
National Hot Chocolate Day (January 31)
Marshmallow towers reach unsafe heights. People debate milk vs dark chocolate like sommeliers.
National Backwards Day (January 31)
Shirts go on backwards and breakfast happens at dinner. Chaos is encouraged.
National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (Last Monday in January)
Popping bubbles becomes socially acceptable. Stress levels drop instantly.
National Soup Swap Day (3rd Saturday of January)
Friends exchange homemade soups like secret recipes. Someone always labels theirs “extra spicy.”