January Holidays That’ll Remind You to Stop and Taste the Snowflakes

It’s January. Out with the old, in with the new, and all that. But did you know there’s a whole host of January holidays and observances, including monthly, weekly, and daily events, to kick off the first month of 2025 long after the ball has dropped?

There’s one federal holiday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in remembrance of the great civil rights leader. It falls on the 20^th this year. By then, there is a strong chance you will have already given up on at least one of those new year’s resolutions—so much so that there’s a special day for it, Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day on the 17th. (Don’t beat yourself up. We all do it.)

And, of course, there’s your slate of food holidays, like National Pie Day on the 23rd—look out for deals for a free slice at local restaurants or try your hand at one of our favorite pie recipes.

Unlike the big holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the good news about these observances is that you don’t have to make a big fuss or spend a lot. You can celebrate fun occasions like Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day (the 11^th), Squirrel Appreciation Day (the 21^st), National Draw a Dinosaur Day (the 30^th), and many more special days here without spending a dime.

Read on for ideas to make every day in January worthy of celebration.

January Special Days

• January 1 — New Year’s Day, National Hangover Day

• January 2 — World Introvert Day, National Buffet Day, National Cream Puff Day, National Personal Trainer Awareness Day, National Science Fiction Day

• January 3 — National Write to Congress Day, J.R.R. Tolkien Day, Fruitcake Toss Day

• January 4 — National Spaghetti Day, World Braille Day, World Hypnotism Day

• January 5 — National Bird Day, National Whipped Cream Day

• January 6 — Bean Day, Cuddle Up Day, National Shortbread Day

• January 7 — National Bobblehead Day

• January 8 — National Bubble Bath Day, National Argyle Day, National Take the Stairs Day (2nd Wednesday)

• January 9 — National Apricot Day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

• January 10 — Houseplant Appreciation Day, Bittersweet Chocolate Day

• January 11 — Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day, Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day, National Milk Day, National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness

• January 12 — National Hot Tea Day, National Pharmacist Day, National Kiss A Ginger Day

• January 13 — Make Your Dreams Come True Day, National Rubber Duckie Day, Korean American Day, National Sticker Day, National Clean Off Your Desk Day (2nd Monday)

• January 14 — National Dress Up Your Pet Day

• January 15 — National Bagel Day, National Hat Day

• January 16 — Appreciate a Dragon Day, National Nothing Day

• January 17 — Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day

• January 18 — National Thesaurus Day, National Use Your Gift Card Day (3rd Saturday)

• January 19 — National Popcorn Day

• January 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday), National Cheese Lover Day, Penguin Awareness Day

• January 21 — National Hugging Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day

• January 22 — Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day, Library Shelfie Day (4th Wednesday)

• January 23 — National Pie Day, National Handwriting Day, Measure Your Feet Day

• January 24 — Beer Can Appreciation Day, Compliment Day, Global Belly Laugh Day, National Peanut Butter Day

• January 25 — Opposite Day, National Irish Coffee Day

• January 26 — National Spouse’s Day, National Green Juice Day

• January 27 — National Chocolate Cake Day, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (last Monday)

• January 28 — National Kazoo Day

• January 29 — National Puzzle Day

• January 30 — National Croissant Day, National Draw a Dinosaur Day

• January 31 — National Hot Chocolate Day, National Backward Day, Fun at Work Day (last Friday)

January Monthly Observances

• National Soup Month

• National Meat Month

• National Hot Tea Month

• National Oatmeal Month

• Be Kind To Food Servers Month

• National Train Your Dog Month

• Adopt A Rescued Bird Month

• National Clean Up Your Computer Month

• National Braille Literacy Month

• National Blood Donor Month

• National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

• Cervical Health Awareness Month

• National Stalking Awareness Month

• National Hobby Month

• National Polka Music Month

• National Skating Month

January Weekly Observances

• Week One — New Year’s Resolutions Week

• Week Two — National Mocktail Week, National Pizza Week

• Week Three — National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week

Happy celebrating!

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