Every year on October 31, while many people prepare for Halloween, magicians and illusion fans celebrate National Magic Day. The day honors the art of magic and one of its greatest figures, Harry Houdini, who died on this date in 1926.
Magic Day belongs to National Magic Week, which runs from October 25 to 31. The Society of American Magicians created it to honor Houdini’s legacy and inspire magicians to share their craft. Throughout the week, magicians across the U.S. perform free shows in hospitals, schools, and community centers, bringing moments of wonder to those who need them most.
National Magic Day is one of the smaller fun days in our national days calendar, as shown by the fact that only a bit over 1,000 posts on Instagram use the hashtag #NationalMagicDay (as of October 2025).
When Is National Magic Day Observed?
National Magic Day is celebrated annually on October 31, the anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death in 1926, and always falls on the same date regardless of the weekday.
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 31 | Saturday |
| 2027 | October 31 | Sunday |
| 2028 | October 31 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | October 31 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | October 31 | Thursday |
How Can I Celebrate National Magic Day?
There are several ways you can observe National Magic Day. If you are lucky, there might be a live magic show or Houdini-themed event in your area on October 31. Some theaters, museums, and magic clubs host special performances to celebrate Harry Houdini and Magic Day.
If you’d rather take part yourself, learn a simple magic trick — maybe a card shuffle, coin vanish, or a sleight of hand move. Tutorials online make it easy to begin, and performing for friends is a fun way to keep the tradition alive.
Another great idea is to watch a magic-themed movie or documentary. Highly rated movies such as The Prestige and Now You See Me are not only much-loved Hollywood movies, they also help viewers understand how much practice, creativity, and skill go into performing magic.
Depending on where you are located, you could also visit a magic shop or museum to see the tools of the trade up close. Legendary U.S. shops such as Tannen’s Magic Shop in New York City and Hollywood Magic in California have served professional magicians for decades and remain popular with beginners. If you are wondering what you can expect to find in a magic shop, they typically at least sell props, books, and beginner kits.
Finally, you could celebrate by doing magic yourself. If you know a trick, why not perform a short routine for family or classmates, or do something kind and surprising for someone else.
