Literary Calendar

Bookish Dates and Holidays to Celebrate

What better way to celebrate our love of books than by marking special bookish holidays and literary-themed dates throughout the year? Whether you want to host a themed feast for Hobbit Day or are a school library looking for inspiration,  this calendar is your guide to bookish celebrations all year long.

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January

  • J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday (January 3) – Raise a glass to Tolkien’s legacy with fellow fans around the world.
  • Winnie-the-Pooh Day/ A.A. Milne Birthday (January 18) – Celebrate A.A. Milne’s birthday, the author of our favorite little bear.
  • honey-infused treats and a cozy read-along.
  • National Library Shelfie Day (Fourth Wednesday of January) – Snap a photo of your bookshelves and share your love for literature!

February

  • Harry Potter Book Night (First Thursday of February) – Gather your fellow wizards and Muggles for a magical evening of themed food, trivia, and more.
  • Read in the Bathtub Day (February 9) – The ultimate excuse to relax with a book in a warm bath.

March

  • World Book Day (First Thursday of March in the UK & Ireland) – Dress up as your favorite literary character and share a book with someone!
  • Tolkien Reading Day (March 25) – Celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien by revisiting Middle-earth and feasting like a hobbit.

April

  • National Library Week (April, dates vary) – Support your local library and rediscover the magic of books.
  • Shakespeare’s Birthday (April 23) – Toast the Bard with Elizabethan-style food and a sonnet reading.

May

  • National Get Caught Reading Month – A month-long celebration encouraging people of all ages to get lost in a book.
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Day (May 4) – Host a Mad Hatter’s tea party and embrace the whimsical world of Wonderland.

June

  • Audiobook Appreciation Month – Explore a new audiobook while cooking or taking a walk.
  • Anne of Green Gables Day (June 13) – Bake raspberry cordial and immerse yourself in L.M. Montgomery’s world.

July

  • Beatrix Potter’s Birthday (July 28) – Celebrate the creator of Peter Rabbit with a garden picnic and classic tales.
  • Paperback Book Day (July 30) – Appreciate the joy of a well-worn paperback and share your favorites.

August

  • National Book Lovers Day (August 9) – A day dedicated to curling up with a good book and celebrating the joy of reading.
  • Percy Jackson’s Birthday (August 18) – Indulge in blue food and revisit Camp Half-Blood adventures.

September

  • Hobbit Day (September 22) – Bilbo and Frodo’s shared birthday! Bilbo and Frodo’s shared birthday! A day to celebrate all things Middle-earth with a feast fit for a Hobbit. Host a cozy Hobbit breakfast, afternoon tea, or a full-day feast!
  • Banned Books Week (Last week of September) – Celebrate the freedom to read by picking up a book that has been challenged or banned.

October

  • Frankenstein Friday (Last Friday of October) – Honor Mary Shelley’s masterpiece with gothic-inspired dishes and eerie tales.
  • Halloween Reads (October 31) – The perfect night to dive into spooky stories and eerie classics.

November

  • National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) – Join the challenge and work toward writing your own book!
  • Louisa May Alcott’s Birthday (November 29) – Celebrate with a Little Women-inspired meal and cozy reading session.

December

A Christmas Carol Day (December 19) – Revisit Dickens’ classic and enjoy a Victorian Christmas feast.