When is World Radio Day?
World Radio Day 2027 is on Saturday
Saturday, February 13, 2027
February 13 every year. That's in 119 days.
until World Radio Day begins, in your time zone
World Radio Day is a UNESCO observance that celebrates radio as a cheap, far-reaching medium for news, culture, debate and emergency information. It thanks broadcasters and encourages stations to serve diverse audiences and stay trustworthy.
About World Radio Day
World Radio Day recognizes radio's reach and its role in public life. UNESCO and the UN point out that radio is inexpensive to produce and to receive, works where internet access is limited, and can carry warnings and instructions during disasters. The day encourages stations to reflect the communities they serve, offer a range of voices and viewpoints, and keep the trust of their listeners.
The campaign for the day started in Spain. Jorge Álvarez, president of the Spanish Radio Academy, has described writing to UNESCO's director-general in January 2008 to ask for a world radio day, then working with Spain's delegation to UNESCO on a formal proposal. UNESCO's Executive Board recommended the idea in 2011, and the General Conference proclaimed World Radio Day in November 2011. The UN General Assembly endorsed it in December 2012 through resolution A/RES/67/124.
February 13 was chosen because United Nations Radio was established on that date in 1946. Each year UNESCO picks a focus and invites broadcasters to mark the day on air. The 2025 edition looked at radio and climate change, and the 2026 edition looked at how radio stations can use artificial intelligence responsibly while keeping human judgment and listener trust at the center. UNESCO also runs a map that helps stations find partner stations in other places to swap programs, guests and archive recordings.
Sources: UNESCO: World Radio Day, United Nations: World Radio Day, Radio World: interview with Jorge Álvarez, Spanish Radio Academy. How we check dates.
How to mark World Radio Day
- Tune in to a local or community station you've never listened to, including AM, FM or an online stream.
- Listen to a broadcast from another country or in a language you're learning.
- Check that your household has a battery or hand-crank radio for power cuts and storms.
- Thank a local host or newsroom by calling in, writing a note or sharing a favorite program.
- Record a short audio story with your family or class, the way a radio feature would sound.
World Radio Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
| 2026 | Friday, February 13, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, February 13, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, February 13, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, February 13, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, February 13, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, February 13, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is World Radio Day 2027?
World Radio Day 2027 is on Saturday, February 13, 2027. It falls on February 13 every year. In 2028, it is on Sunday, February 13, 2028.
Why is World Radio Day on February 13?
United Nations Radio was established on February 13, 1946, and UNESCO chose the anniversary when it proclaimed the day in 2011.
Who created World Radio Day?
The Spanish Radio Academy asked UNESCO for the day, Spain made the formal proposal, and UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed it in November 2011. The UN General Assembly endorsed it in 2012.
Is World Radio Day a public holiday?
No. World Radio Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.