January 16th marks National Nothing Day, a unique “holiday” that has been observed in the United States since 1973. Unlike most holidays that encourage celebration, activity, or commemoration, this day offers something different: the opportunity to do absolutely nothing.
Created by newspaperman Harold Pullman Coffin, National Nothing Day was designed as a day to observe nothing at all. Coffin’s idea was to give Americans a break from the countless observances that fill the calendar, allowing one day where people can relax and do whatever they wish—or nothing at all.
National Nothing Day is not an official national holiday. Its unofficial status perfectly matches the laid-back, non-committal theme of doing nothing!
Why Celebrate National Nothing Day?
In a world filled with endless obligations, tasks, and celebrations, National Nothing Day offers a refreshing reminder to pause. This day encourages people to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and embrace the art of simply being. It’s a chance to sit back, relax, and take a break from the usual grind.
For those who enjoy lounging around or need an excuse to skip daily responsibilities, National Nothing Day provides the perfect opportunity to unwind.
When Is National Nothing Day Celebrated?
National Nothing Day has been observed on January 16th every year since 1973, giving everyone a break from the endless stream of holidays and celebrations. If you’re planning to mark your calendar for this quirky day of doing absolutely nothing, here are the upcoming dates through 2030. Keep in mind, this day never changes, making it easy to plan your relaxing moments year after year:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 16, Thursday |
| 2026 | January 16, Friday |
| 2027 | January 16, Saturday |
| 2028 | January 16, Sunday |
| 2029 | January 16, Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 16, Wednesday |
How to Celebrate National Nothing Day
Wondering how to celebrate a day dedicated to doing nothing? It’s simple:
- Do absolutely nothing: No chores, no obligations, no guilt. Just embrace relaxation.
- Disconnect: Turn off your phone or stay away from social media for a day to fully embrace the “nothing” theme.
- Relax with friends: If you want to do “nothing” with others, gather some friends and enjoy a stress-free, plan-free day together.
National Nothing Day reminds us all that sometimes, the best thing to do is simply nothing. Take the day off—mentally, emotionally, or physically—and enjoy the calmness of a day without expectations.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
