What Day Is It?National Hugging Day is on January 21 every year. The next one is January 21, 2027, a Thursday. It is an unofficial day, and all it asks is that you hug someone who would like one.
Who started Hugging Day?
The day is credited to Kevin Zaborney, a pastor from Clio, Michigan, who launched it on January 21, 1986. He felt that people were embarrassed to show their feelings in public and hoped a day like this would help.
Why January 21?
The date was no accident. It sits in the quiet stretch between the winter holidays and Valentine’s Day, a time when many people feel low. The holidays are over, it is cold in much of the northern hemisphere, and spring is still far off.
Ways to mark the day
- Hug someone you have not hugged in a while.
- Ask first. Not everyone likes hugs, and that is fine.
- Far away from your favourite people? A call or a card can do the same job.
Hugging Day is a fun tradition, not an official holiday, so nobody gets the day off.
National Hugging Day dates
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 21 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | January 21 | Thursday |
| 2028 | January 21 | Friday |
Frequently asked questions
Is National Hugging Day an official holiday?
No. It is an unofficial day that spread through word of mouth and the media.
Is it the same as Valentine’s Day?
No. Hugging Day is for anyone you care about, including friends and family, and it comes about three weeks earlier.