When is Dry January?
Dry January 2027
Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027
The whole of January. That's in 89 days.
until Dry January begins, in your time zone
Dry January is a challenge to go without alcohol for the whole first month of the year. The UK charity Alcohol Change UK runs the official campaign, which helps people take a break, notice how they feel and rethink their drinking habits.
About Dry January
The rule is simple: no alcohol for 31 days, starting on New Year's Day. Many people use the month to see how drinking fits into their routines, what triggers it and how they feel without it. The official campaign offers daily emails and a free app called Try Dry to help people keep going. The name Dry January is a registered trademark of Alcohol Change UK.
The campaign traces back to Emily Robinson. In 2011 she signed up for her first half marathon, which was due to take place in February, and gave up alcohol in January to make the training easier. After she joined the charity Alcohol Concern, now Alcohol Change UK, the charity launched the first official Dry January in 2013. The opening campaign featured Alastair Campbell, the former Downing Street communications chief, talking about his own past drinking.
In later years the charity partnered with Public Health England to reach more people and worked with Dr. Richard de Visser of the University of Sussex to study how participants fared. The challenge has spread well beyond the UK. One caution applies: people who are physically dependent on alcohol should not stop suddenly without medical advice, because the NHS warns that stopping overnight can be harmful.
Sources: Alcohol Change UK: The Dry January story, NHS: Alcohol support. How we check dates.
How to mark Dry January
- Sign up for the official challenge or use a free tracking app so you get daily encouragement and see your progress.
- Clear alcohol out of the house for the month and stock up on alcohol-free drinks you actually enjoy.
- Plan social time that doesn't center on drinking, such as a morning walk, a movie, a class or a cafe meetup.
- Keep short notes on your sleep, mood and spending, and look back at them at the end of the month.
- If you drink heavily every day or feel shaky or unwell when you don't drink, talk to a doctor before stopping.
Dry January dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wed, Jan 1 – Fri, Jan 31 |
| 2026 | Thu, Jan 1 – Sat, Jan 31 |
| 2027 | Fri, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 31 |
| 2028 | Sat, Jan 1 – Mon, Jan 31 |
| 2029 | Mon, Jan 1 – Wed, Jan 31 |
| 2030 | Tue, Jan 1 – Thu, Jan 31 |
| 2031 | Wed, Jan 1 – Fri, Jan 31 |
Related days
Explore
Frequently asked questions
When is Dry January 2027?
Dry January 2027 is Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027. It falls on the whole of January. In 2028, it is on Saturday, January 1, 2028.
Who started Dry January?
Emily Robinson's alcohol-free January in 2011, before her first half marathon, inspired it. The charity Alcohol Concern, now Alcohol Change UK, launched the official campaign in 2013.
Is it safe to stop drinking suddenly?
For most people, a month off is fine. But people who are physically dependent on alcohol should get medical advice first, because stopping overnight can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Is Dry January a public holiday?
No. Dry January is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.