January 30 National Days

January 30, 2026, is the 30th day of the year, with 336 days remaining, and it falls on a Friday in the fifth week of the year.

Many observances on this date are meant to lift spirits at the end of January. Today we celebrate flaky croissants, health and fitness habits for preschool children, and several playful, slightly silly days that encourage humor, creativity, and social connection.

Below is a list of all 9 national and international days observed on January 30, each explained briefly.

National & International Days on January 30

National Big Wig Day* (Last Friday in January) was founded in 2016 by Patty Sharkey after she shared a playful wig selfie to lift post-holiday spirits. The idea developed into a charity-focused observance that encourages people to wear bold wigs to start conversations and support cancer-related causes. Awareness and fundraising often benefit programs such as the American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better initiative, which provides wigs and personal care support for people undergoing chemotherapy.

National Croissant Day celebrates the buttery, flaky pastry enjoyed around the world. The croissant’s origins can be traced back to Austria’s 13th-century Kipferl, which later evolved into the iconic French croissant thanks to Austrian officer August Zang, who introduced Viennese baking techniques to Paris in 1839.

National Croissant Day

National Draw a Dinosaur Day invites people of all ages to pick up a pencil and sketch their favorite prehistoric creatures. The day was founded in 2007 by Todd Page, then a student who began drawing dinosaurs during a dull anthropology class and realized how enjoyable the activity could be. The purpose is to encourage creativity and imagination without pressure for artistic skill, with many participants sharing their drawings online using themed hashtags.

National Escape Day encourages people to step away from everyday routines and focus on rest and renewal. The observance gained recognition around 2016 alongside growing public interest in wellness and self-care. It promotes simple ways to reset, such as unplugging from technology, spending time outdoors, or taking a quiet mental break to ease burnout and restore focus.

National Fun At Work Day* (Last Friday in January) promotes a more engaging and supportive workplace environment. The observance is commonly linked to Playfair, which introduced International Fun at Work Day on April 1 in 1996 to emphasize the value of humor and play in professional settings. The focus is on boosting morale, reducing stress, and strengthening team relationships through simple shared activities such as games, themed outfits, or eating together.

National Inane Answering Message Day draws attention to voicemail greetings that are overly long, confusing, or misleading. The day was created in 2001 by Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays to encourage replacing time-wasting or trick messages with short, clear recordings that respect the caller’s time.

National Preschool Health & Fitness Day* (Last Friday in January) ocuses on the importance of physical activity and nutrition in early childhood development. The day is linked to the KID-FIT program, created in 1991 by Michele Silence, to promote healthy habits in young children. The observance encourages preschools, childcare centers, and families to support children ages three to five through movement, active play, and simple nutrition education.

School Day of Non-violence and Peace (DENIP) marks the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi. It was founded in 1964 by Spanish poet and educator Llorenç Vidal Vidal in Majorca to promote education based on peace, tolerance, and non-violence, encouraging schools to teach students to resolve conflicts through dialogue instead of using force

Yodel for Your Neighbors Day invites people to step outside and try yodeling. The observance was created by Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays to break winter’s usual quiet and share a moment of fun with neighbors.