When is National Hugging Day?
National Hugging Day 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, January 21, 2027
January 21 every year. That's in 96 days.
until National Hugging Day begins, in your time zone
National Hugging Day encourages people to hug family and friends more often, with one firm condition: ask first. Kevin Zaborney of Michigan came up with it in 1986 to lift spirits during the gloomy stretch after the winter holidays.
About National Hugging Day
The day is a nudge to show affection to the people close to you, and its founder has always paired that message with consent. From the start Kevin Zaborney advised people to ask before they hug, because not everyone welcomes a hug and personal space deserves respect. For people who aren't huggers, a kind word, a handshake or a phone call fits the spirit just as well.
Zaborney, then a young psychology graduate working in Michigan, dreamed up the day in 1986. A People magazine profile from January 1989 reported that he felt American society was embarrassed to show feelings in public and wanted to change that. He picked January 21 because it sits roughly midway between Christmas and Valentine's Day, a period when he believed many people feel low. His girlfriend at the time was the granddaughter of William and Helen Chase, publishers of the Chase's annual events reference, and the Chases added the day to their calendar, which helped it spread.
By 1989 People described that year's event as the third, with schools staging hugathons and Zaborney receiving letters from thousands of supporters. He later became a pastor, and his National Hugging Day website, run from Caro, Michigan, still carried an "Always Ask First" message in 2011. The day has no official status from any government, but it is now widely noted in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when health officials urged social distancing, coverage of the day in 2021 turned to comforting alternatives to hugging, such as time with pets.
Sources: People: A Concerned Cupidian Named Kevin Zaborney Squeezes National Hugging Day into the Calendar (January 23, 1989), archived, National Hugging Day official website (2011), archived, USA Today: National Hugging Day, safe hug alternatives amid COVID-19 (2021), archived. How we check dates.
How to mark National Hugging Day
- Give a hug to someone in your household, and ask first if you're not sure they want one.
- Call or video-chat a relative who lives alone and might not get much physical contact in winter.
- Offer a non-hug alternative, such as a fist bump, a handshake or a kind note, to people who prefer more space.
- Talk with young children about asking before hugging and respecting a no.
- Visit a grandparent or an older neighbor and spend unhurried time together.
National Hugging Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, January 21, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, January 21, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, January 21, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, January 21, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, January 21, 2030 |
| 2031 | Tuesday, January 21, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Hugging Day 2027?
National Hugging Day 2027 is on Thursday, January 21, 2027. It falls on January 21 every year. In 2028, it is on Friday, January 21, 2028.
Who started National Hugging Day?
Kevin Zaborney, from Michigan, came up with the day in 1986. It gained wider notice after it was listed in the Chase's calendar of events, published by relatives of his then-girlfriend.
Why is National Hugging Day on January 21?
Zaborney chose a date roughly halfway between Christmas and Valentine's Day, when he felt many people were at an emotional low after the holidays.
Do you have to hug strangers on National Hugging Day?
No. The founder's own advice is to ask before you hug. The day is about showing affection to people who welcome it, mostly family and friends.
Is National Hugging Day a public holiday?
No. National Hugging Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.