When is World Book Day (UK and Ireland)?
World Book Day (UK and Ireland) 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, March 4, 2027
A Thursday in early March, usually the first Thursday of the month (the World Book Day charity announces each date; the dates shown are its published schedule). That's in 138 days.
until World Book Day (UK and Ireland) begins, in your time zone
World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is a school-centered celebration of reading for fun, run by the World Book Day charity. Children receive a token they can swap for a free book, and many schools hold dress-up days and reading events.
About World Book Day (UK and Ireland)
World Book Day is the UK and Irish version of UNESCO's international book day, reshaped around schoolchildren. The charity behind it describes its mission as helping every child enjoy reading for pleasure, and the centerpiece is a book token given to young people in full-time education. The token, worth £1 in the UK and €1.50 in Ireland, can be exchanged for one of a set of specially published books or put toward another book at participating shops. The charity says it gifts about 3.2 million books to children every year.
The UK celebration was first launched in 1998 by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. UNESCO's own World Book and Copyright Day falls on April 23, but that date often lands in the Easter school holidays in Britain, so organizers moved the event to early March, when children are in class. It is normally held on the first Thursday of March, and the charity confirms each year's date in advance. In Ireland, token packs go to every primary and secondary school through the Department of Education.
On the day itself, many schools invite pupils to come dressed as a favorite book character, and teachers run read-alouds, author visits and book swaps. The charity also provides free classroom resources, audiobooks and video stories, along with low-cost dressing-up ideas and tips for families reading together. The UK event is separate from UNESCO's April 23 observance, which many other countries still celebrate.
Sources: World Book Day (charity): official site, World Book Day: Frequently asked questions, Euronews: UK and Ireland celebrate World Book Day (March 6, 2025), History (UK): The history of World Book Day. How we check dates.
How to mark World Book Day (UK and Ireland)
- Help your child pick a book with their World Book Day token at a participating bookseller.
- Put together a low-cost costume from clothes you already own, built around one detail from a favorite character.
- Read a chapter aloud together at bedtime and let your child choose the voices.
- Visit your public library and let children choose a book they'd never normally pick.
- Pass on books your family has outgrown to a school, library or community book swap.
World Book Day (UK and Ireland) dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, March 6, 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
Also on March 4
Related days
Explore
Frequently asked questions
When is World Book Day (UK and Ireland) 2027?
World Book Day (UK and Ireland) 2027 is on Thursday, March 4, 2027. It falls on a Thursday in early March, usually the first Thursday of the month (the World Book Day charity announces each date; the dates shown are its published schedule).
Why is World Book Day in March in the UK?
UNESCO's international book day is on April 23, which often falls in the Easter school holidays. UK organizers moved the celebration to early March so children would be in school to take part.
How much is a World Book Day token worth?
Each token is worth £1 in the UK or €1.50 in Ireland. It can be swapped for one of the special World Book Day books or used toward another book at participating sellers.
Is World Book Day (UK and Ireland) a public holiday?
No. World Book Day (UK and Ireland) is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.