Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day is observed each year on December 8. The observance invites people to use their imagination and act as if they arrived from another era, whether centuries in the past or far into the future. This day encourages playful storytelling and reminds people how different everyday life can look depending on the time period you imagine yourself coming from.
Origins of Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day emerged in 2007 from online discussions among science-fiction fans who wanted a day devoted purely to imaginative role-playing. The idea spread through blogs and early social platforms because it was easy to join and did not require any elaborate planning—participants simply acted as visitors from another time interacting with the present day.
The name “Sue Sandys” appears in a few isolated sources as a possible creator of the observance, but most accounts attribute its origin to anonymous online communities rather than a single confirmed founder. As with many informal internet-born observances, the exact starting point is difficult to verify, yet the idea has continued because people enjoy the creativity and humor behind it.
When Is Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day Observed?
The observance always takes place on December 8, which keeps the date consistent and easy to remember. Its fixed spot in early December also gives it a playful break in a month filled with more serious holidays.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 8, 2025 (Monday) |
| 2026 | December 8, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| 2027 | December 8, 2027 (Wednesday) |
| 2028 | December 8, 2028 (Friday) |
| 2029 | December 8, 2029 (Saturday) |
| 2030 | December 8, 2030 (Sunday) |
How to Celebrate Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
Before jumping into ideas, it helps to remember that Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day is meant to be playful and open-ended. People can go as subtle or dramatic as they want, and there’s no “right” way to do it. With that in mind, here are a few simple and creative ways people can take part:
- Choose a Time Period: Decide whether you’re “arriving” from the past or the future. This helps guide how you speak, what you notice, and how you react to modern objects.
- Try Speaking as a Visitor from Another Era: If you choose the past, you might ask basic questions about everyday technology. If you choose the future, you might act surprised that devices aren’t more advanced.
- React to Modern Life in Character: Look at common objects—phones, microwaves, cars—as if you’re seeing them for the first time. This adds humor while helping you think about how quickly technology changes.
- Write a Short Time-Travel Journal Entry: Describe “your arrival,” what confuses you, or what you find interesting. It’s a simple way to explore creativity without public role-playing.
- Share a Light-Hearted Post Online: Post a photo, quote, or short observation in character using #PretendToBeATimeTravelerDay. It works well even if you prefer a more private celebration.
