National Cheeseburger Day, National Hug a Musician Day, National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day — it seems like there is a holiday for literally everything on the planet, both big and small. And there kind of is!
Mark your calendars for the many obscure, fun and sometimes hilarious national days coming up this year. To help you navigate the overwhelming list of holidays, we’ve zeroed in on one per month, complete with specific ways to celebrate in Fort Collins. Plus, we’ve included a list of honorable mentions worth acknowledging if you want to keep the party going.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that even the smallest things are worth celebrating. So here’s to a celebratory 2021!
SKIP AHEAD TO:
January | February | March | April | May | June
July | August | September | October | November | December
JANUARY
January 31: National Hot Chocolate Day
Hot chocolate has the ability to make a cold day just a little warmer. This thick, silky, sugary, chocolaty treat is made all the better when topped with marshmallows, sprinkles and sometimes even candy cane bits. Although we often use the two terms interchangeably, there is actually a difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. And hot chocolate is made with ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. We celebrate the latter, arguably more flavorful beverage, on National Hot Chocolate Day!
How You Should Celebrate: Make your own hot chocolate at home or rely on a local coffee shop to make one for you! In our blog post, Winter-Inspired Drinks from Northern Colorado Coffee Shops to Sip on This Season, we included a few locally made hot chocolates, including the Ritual Hot Chocolate from Bindle Coffee! It is made with a dairy-free, housemade Ritual Chocolate sauce with Morning Fresh milk (or another dairy-free milk option). According to Morgan, one of their baristas, there’s no better hot chocolate in the Continental U.S.
Honorable Mentions for January
January 8: National Bubble Bath Day
January 10: National Houseplant Appreciation Day
January 13: National Rubber Ducky Day
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 15: National Bagel Day
January 23: National Pie Day
January 25: National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
January 29: National Puzzle Day
FEBRUARY
February 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day
With social media, texting, phone calls, video calls and email at the ready, it’s safe to say we are more connected to one another than we ever have been in history. But still, there’s nothing quite like getting a handwritten card in the mail. National Send a Card to a Friend Day is as simple as that: it’s a holiday inspiring us to take some time to send a card in the mail to a friend — or several friends! This small act of love is likely to make someone’s day.
How You Should Celebrate: Pick up a card made by PAGEFIFTYFIVE at Makerfolk. You can buy them individually or in a kit, which includes two mini cards with envelopes, three regular size cards, three forever stamps, a roll of washi tape, one sharpened pencil, one black Sharpie and a stamped bag. These kits provide everything you’ll need to send snail mail to your loved ones, both near and far!
Honorable Mentions for February
February 1: Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
February 8: National Kite Flying Day
February 9: National Pizza Day
February 11: National Guitar Day
February 16: National Pancake Day
February 17: Random Act of Kindness Day
February 22: National Margarita Day
February 25: National Chili Day
MARCH
March 5: National Day of Unplugging
Spend a day disconnected from your laptop, TV or smartphone on National Day of Unplugging. It can be easy to miss out on “real life” when we are constantly connected to friends, family and strangers on social media. This holiday was created to encourage people to spend time away from screens for 24 hours and instead spend time in nature, connecting with loved ones, and relaxing.
How You Should Celebrate: One of the best ways to unplug is to replace your smartphone with a book and mindless scrolling with a hike in nature. Consult our guide to self-care, 11 Ways to Practice Self-Care and Wellness in Fort Collins, which includes resources for relaxation and reconnection with yourself and others. This is the perfect day to have your very own at-home spa day, take a yoga class, or go for a long walk!
Honorable Mentions for March
March 3: National If Pets Had Thumbs Day
March 7: National Cereal Day
March 9: National Barbie Day
March 15: National Napping Day
March 20: National Corndog Day
March 22: National Goof Off Day
March 23: National Puppy Day
March 31: National Crayon Day
APRIL
April 7: National Beer Day
Did you know that beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic drink in the world — and also the oldest, dating back to 7,000 BC? It’s easy to see why! This well-loved drink is celebrated unofficially on National Beer Day, which marks the day in 1933 that the Cullen-Harrison Act was signed into law, reversing the prohibition of beer sales in the U.S. Pilsner, IPA, stout or sour — all types of beer are celebrated every year on April 7!
How You Should Celebrate: April 7 falls on a Wednesday this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate properly with a beer or two! And thankfully, you’re in a craft beer haven here in Northern Colorado. Pick up a six pack of beer or enjoy a pint at one of these breweries in Fort Collins. Wherever you source your beer(s), you can certainly trust the expert brewers we have in our midst.
Honorable Mentions for April
April 1: National Burrito Day
April 5: National Deep Dish Pizza Day
April 9: National Unicorn Day
April 13: National Scrabble Day
April 16: National Wear Pajamas to Work Day
April 22: National Jelly Bean Day
April 24: National Skipping Day
April 28: National Superhero Day
MAY
May 6: International No Diet Day
At the start of the new year, we were all bombarded with messages of healthy eating, fitness goals, and other diet-related things. While there is nothing wrong with taking care of your body, the pressure to adhere to a certain standard can create low self-esteem and sometimes even prompt destructive habits. In 1992, British feminist Mary Evans Young created International No Diet Day, which has since sparked many to have a more balanced relationship with food and their bodies! This is the day to eat whatever you want with no hesitation.
How You Should Celebrate: Ditch your diet! If you need a little direction, we’ve conveniently created a list of 9 Local Fort Collins Places You Can Go to Cheat on Your Diet That Are Actually Worth It. It includes some of our favorite indulgent spots in town serving up things like towering burgers, quarter-pound cookies, fried chicken and caramel coconut cheesecakes. If you miss International No Diet Day, don’t worry — May 11 is National Eat What You Want Day!
Honorable Mentions for May
May 1: International Harry Potter Day
May 4: Star Wars Day
May 8: National Have a Coke Day
May 21: National Endangered Species Day
May 24: National Brother’s Day
May 26: National Paper Airplane Day
May 29: National Learn About Composting Day
May 31: National Macaroon Day
JUNE
June 3: World Bicycle Day
A mode of transportation that is also a form of exercise? We think the Flintstones were onto something with their footmobile, which is much like a bicycle! While the bicycle itself dates back to the 19th century in Europe, World Bicycle Day is a relatively new international holiday. After the prompting of sociology professor and cycling and physical education activist, Leszek Sibilski, the United Nations officially designated June 3 as World Bicycle Day in 2018.
How You Should Celebrate: Hit the trail — on wheels, that is! Fort Collins has a thriving bike culture, and PeopleForBikes proved it by ranking us #9 on their list of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S. Get all the bike gear you might need at Gearage then spend the afternoon on one of these beginner-approved biking trails winding all throughout Northern Colorado.
Honorable Mentions for June
June 2: National Leave the Office Early Day
June 4: National Donut Day
June 6: National Yo-Yo Day
June 11: National Corn on the Cob Day
June 17: National Eat Your Vegetables Day
June 21: International Yoga Day
June 23: National Hydration Day
June 27: National Sunglasses Day
JULY
July 18: National Ice Cream Day
We scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! On the third Sunday in July every year, we celebrate National Ice Cream Day, which comes at the perfect time when the kids are out of school and the weather is hot! We have President Ronald Reagan to thank for this sweet holiday. In 1984, he declared a day for ice cream — and even made July National Ice Cream Month, if you needed a reason to celebrate this delicious, ice cold treat all month long!
How You Should Celebrate: Whether you prefer plain vanilla or decadent flavors piled with creative toppings, there are plenty of places to get a scoop — or several — in the area. Check out our list of the best places to get ice cream in Fort Collins to track down your next ice cream treat!
Honorable Mentions for July
July 1: International Joke Day
July 6: International Kissing Day
July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day
July 12: National Simplicity Day
July 14: National Mac and Cheese Day
July 20: National Lollipop Day
July 25: National Wine and Cheese Day
July 31: National Mutt Day
AUGUST
August 9: National Book Lovers Day
There’s nothing quite like escaping into the world of a book, whether nonfiction or fiction. Books have played an integral role in society throughout history, by telling stories, educating the masses and even preserving cultures. Whether you consider yourself a reader or not, there’s no denying the power and importance of books. And if you do consider yourself a book lover, National Book Lovers Day is for you!
How You Should Celebrate: Read a book! But before you do, start by reading The Book Lover’s Guide to Fort Collins, which includes our favorite local bookstores and libraries, organizations and programs, and other literary resources. Pick up a new book or two and spend the day getting lost in a story — or a fascinating topic!
Honorable Mentions for August
August 3: National White Wine Day
August 6: National Root Beer Float Day
August 12: National Vinyl Record Day
August 16: National Roller Coaster Day
August 19: National Potato Day
August 21: National Senior Citizens Day
August 22: National Tooth Fairy Day
August 30: National Beach Day
SEPTEMBER
September 28: National Good Neighbor Day
We may live just feet from our neighbors, but the busyness of our lives can get in the way of us spending time getting to know them — or extending an act of kindness. Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana created National Good Neighbor Day in the early 1970s, intending to inspire others to connect with and recognize the importance of good neighbors. Several years later, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation establishing September 24 as National Good Neighbor Day, and in 2003 the date was changed to September 28. In President Carter’s proclamation, he mentioned that the nation should “observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
How You Should Celebrate: It’s simple: be a good neighbor! This can look like many things, like simply pausing for conversation with a neighbor as you take out the trash, or going the extra mile to do something kind for those who live on your block. If you need some ideas, we created a list of 10 Acts of Kindness for Celebrating Good Neighbor Day!
Honorable Mentions for September
September 4: College Colors Day
September 13: National Peanut Day
September 16: National Guacamole Day
September 18: National Cheeseburger Day
September 19: National Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 22: Hobbit Day
September 25: National Cooking Day
September 29: National Coffee Day
OCTOBER
October 26: National Pumpkin Day
It seems as though the entire month of October should be dedicated to pumpkins. After all, they’re everywhere this time of year — in our food, on our porches and even in our coffee. This autumnal squash is native to North America, and the oldest evidence of its existence dates back to somewhere between 7000 and 5500 BC. But it wasn’t until relatively recently that the pumpkin was so closely associated with fall and Halloween. Today, the United States produces 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins each year!
How You Should Celebrate: Pick out a pumpkin or two, either at a local garden center or at one of the many pumpkin patches scattered throughout Northern Colorado. While you’re there, enjoy other fall festivities, like apple cider donuts, hayrides, corn mazes and more. Once you have your pumpkins, spend the evening carving them into jack-o’-lanterns to display on your porch just in time for Halloween!
Honorable Mentions for October
October 2: National Name Your Car Day
October 4: National Taco Day
October 6: National Noodle Day
October 13: National M&M Day
October 17: National Pasta Day
October 21: National Apple Day
October 25: National I Care About You Day
October 29: National Cat Day
NOVEMBER
November 9: Go To an Art Museum Day
Big or small, art museums play an important role in our society, preserving history and displaying the work of both current and historic artists dabbling in a variety of mediums and styles. From The Louvre in Paris to The Met in New York City, there are thousands of art museums across the globe, each designed to showcase the work of talented artists and promote the arts in our communities. Go To an Art Museum Day inspires us to do just that: go to an art museum and get lost in a world of creativity!
How You Should Celebrate: With all this talk of The Louvre and The Met, it’s easy to forget we have an incredible art museum in our midst right here in Fort Collins. Museum of Art Fort Collins is located directly adjacent to Oak Street Plaza in one of the prettiest historic buildings in downtown Fort Collins. Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibitions exploring everything from masks to fine art photography.
Honorable Mentions for November
November 1: National Cook For Your Pets Day
November 4: National Candy Day
November 10: Sesame Street Day
November 12: National Happy Hour Day
November 14: National Pickle Day
November 15: National Recycling Day
November 17: National Hiking Day
November 26: National Cake Day
DECEMBER
December 1: National Christmas Lights Day
No matter your stance on the “decorating before or after Thanksgiving” debate, we can all agree that December 1 feels like a natural time to dive head first into the holiday festivities. One of the best ways to do so is by decorating your home to the fullest with Christmas lights on the exterior — and of course, all over your tree. Before the invention of electric lights, people used to balance candles on the branches of their tree — which sounds like a good way to start a house fire. Thankfully, in 1880, Thomas Edison invented electric Christmas lights and in 1903, General Electric began selling them to the masses. And the rest is history!
How You Should Celebrate: Spend the day decking out your home to the fullest with sparkling Christmas lights — whether you prefer the pure white or bright, multi-colored strands. Plus, there are plenty of light displays around town to admire, both on homes in the neighborhood and at large-scale events! Kick off the holiday season by driving around to admire the handiwork of your neighbors.
Honorable Mentions for December
December 4: National Cookie Day
December 5: International Ninja Day
December 7: National Cotton Candy Day
December 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
December 12: Gingerbread House Day
December 17: National Ugly Sweater Day
December 20: National Sangria Day
December 26: National Thank You Note Day
Oh Happy Day!
No matter what’s on your calendar, we hope you celebrate to the fullest this year!
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