31 reasons to celebrate in January
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 2: Swiss Cheese Day
January 3: Women’s Rock! Day
January 4: National Spaghetti Day
January 5: National Bird Day
January 6: Bean Day
January 7: National Tempura Day
January 8: Bubble Bath Day
January 9: National Apricot Day
January 10: Houseplant Appreciation Day
January 11: National Hot Toddy Day
January 12: National Marzipan Day
January 13: National Melba Fishing Day
January 14: Organize your day at home
January 15: Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day
January 17: Hot Buttered Rum Day
January 18: National Gourmet Coffee Day
January 19: National Popcorn Day
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day* (third Monday)
January 21: National Hug Day
January 22: Day to answer your cat’s questions
January 23: National Pie Day
January 24: Beer Can Appreciation Day
January 25: National Irish Coffee Day
January 26: National Peanut Brittle Day
January 27: Thomas Crapper Day
January 28: National Daisy Day
January 29: National Puzzle Day
January 30: National Croissant Day
January 31: Brussels Sprouts Day
As the days get shorter and the temperature cools, we could all use a few more reasons to celebrate in January. From holidays like New Year’s Day to National Cheese Lover’s Day and National Pie Day, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the warmth and joy.
Here are 31 reasons to celebrate during the month of January.
fun fact
January is named after the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions.
1) January 1: New Year’s Day
Good year! Today look back on all you have accomplished in the past year and look forward to what awaits you in the New Year. It’s a great day to write down some personal goals for the year.
2) January 2: Swiss Cheese Day
Not all Swiss cheeses have holes, and not all cheeses with holes are Swiss. Swiss cheese comes in several varieties, including American, Emmental and Gruyere. But it is usually sold as pale yellow cheese filled with holes. Whichever variety you prefer, grab a slice of Swiss today.
3) January 3: Women’s Rock! Day
Celebrate women in the music industry on Women Rock! Day. On this day in 1987, Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking the first time a woman received this honor. So take the time today to crank up the tunes of your favorite female musicians and music industry legends.
4) January 4: National Spaghetti Day
Whether you make your own or stick to store-bought, nothing beats a huge bowl of spaghetti with garlic marinara sauce and meatballs on a cold winter day. For National Spaghetti Day, take your meal to the next level by pairing it with freshly baked garlic bread.
5) January 5: National Bird Day
Even if you’re not a bird watcher or bird owner, take a moment today to appreciate the birds. Learn about the birds that stay in your area during the winter, as well as any that may have migrated to a warmer location.
6) January 6: Bean Day
“Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart!” There’s actually some truth to your favorite playtime song, because beans are quite healthy. They’re packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they can be added to tons of dishes, including soups, salads, and even brownies. Today is the perfect day to cook a bean-centric dish.
7) January 7: National Tempura Day
Tempura is a typical Japanese dish consisting of breaded and fried vegetables and seafood. To celebrate National Tempura Day, stop by your favorite Japanese restaurant or make your own tempura at home.
8) January 8: Bubble Bath Day
After all the hubbub of the holidays, you probably need some serious “me time.” Today, prepare a hot bath, add your favorite bath bomb, sit back and relax with a good book or a glass of wine. You deserved it!
9) January 9: National Apricot Day
From dried apricots to apricot pie to inventive apricot cocktails, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this sweet stone fruit today. Mix up an apricot infused recipe you’ve never tried before. Just be careful of the pit.
10) January 10: Houseplant Appreciation Day
Today, take a few minutes to appreciate and care for your houseplants. They bring beauty while refreshing the air in your home. If you don’t have houseplants, now might be the day to change that.
11) January 11: National Hot Toddy Day
If you’ve been shoveling snow all day (or just playing in it), warm up with a boozy toddy for National Hot Toddy Day. All you need is honey, lemon juice, water, spices, and your favorite bourbon or whiskey.
12) January 12: National Marzipan Day
Before you can celebrate, you should probably know what marzipan is: a deliciously moist combination of sugar or honey and almond flour (a fine powder made from ground almonds). Marzipan is often covered in chocolate, but it can also be rolled out very thinly and molded to make some really impressive treats. If you’ve never tried it, now is the day to change that.
13) January 13: National Melba Fishing Day
Peach melba is packed with summery ingredients, including peaches, raspberries, and vanilla ice cream. But you don’t have to wait for warm temperatures to indulge yourself. Make it for National Peach Melba Day with frozen or canned fruit and dream of balmy summer days.
14) January 14: Organize your day at home
If your New Year’s resolution was to get organized, today is a good day to check in on your progress. From the kitchen to the closets and the garage, you can make plans to organize every room in your home.
15) January 15: Strawberry Ice Cream Day
Ice cream has over 20 different “holidays” scattered throughout the year. Strawberry ice cream is in the spotlight on January 15. Celebrate with a bowl of sweet pink stuff or sip on a frothy strawberry milkshake.
16) January 16: International Hot and Spicy Food Day
For some people, spicy may mean a mild salsa. For others, it means munching on sweaty, painfully spicy ghost peppers. No matter your spicy food threshold, today is the day to add some spice to your cooking.
17) January 17: Hot Buttered Rum Day
Indulging in a hot buttery rum is the perfect treat for a cold winter night. This mixed drink includes dark rum, butter, brown sugar and spices. The ingredients come together to create a delicious and comforting drink. Try your hand at making one for Hot Buttered Rum Day.
18) January 18: National Gourmet Coffee Day
Even if you drink coffee most of the time, you can fall in love with the coffee bean all over again on National Gourmet Coffee Day. Try a new type of coffee, an elaborate coffee drink, or even a decadent coffee dessert.
19) January 19: National Popcorn Day
Today, pay homage to the simple, no-frills snack that is popcorn. Whether you put it on the stove, throw it in the microwave, or buy it ready made, no movie is complete without a bucket of buttery, salty popcorn. And today is the perfect excuse to pull out a batch for movie night.
20) January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day* (third Monday)
Today, Americans honor Martin Luther King Jr., the Baptist pastor, activist, and hero of the civil rights movement. Take the time to learn more about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., teach all of the children in your life the importance of his work as a civil rights leader, and reflect on all of his contributions to our society.
21) January 21: National Hug Day
Sometimes all you need is a good hug. By releasing oxytocin, hugs help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Today is the perfect day to give someone a hug. And if hugs aren’t your thing, make sure to do other friendly gestures for the people you meet.
22) Day to answer your cat’s questions
Don’t act like you’ve never thought about what your pet’s human voice would sound like and say to you. If you have a cat, try to translate its sounds and gestures into human language. Today is a great day to research information on feline body language, which can really help you understand what your cat is trying to say.
23) January 23: National Pie Day
From classic apple pie to chocolate pudding pie, there really is a pie for everyone. Enjoy a slice today from your local bakery. Or try your culinary skills by baking a pie from scratch.
24) January 24: Beer Can Appreciation Day
The craft beer movement produced some very inventive beers and put canned beer back on the map. Now you can find hoppy IPAs, rich stouts and fruity acids in a box. For Beer Can Appreciation Day, treat yourself to your favorite canned beer or try something new.
25) January 25: National Irish Coffee Day
Today, raise your glass to the culinary genius who decided to mix sweet coffee and whipped cream with delicious Irish whiskey. Afterwards, brew your own Irish coffee and make yourself comfortable on the sofa.
26) January 26: National Peanut Brittle Day
It can be a little hard to eat and make dentists cringe, but Peanut Brittle is absolutely delicious in all its crunchy, chewy, and gooey glory. Try making a homemade treat recipe today with all your favorite ingredients.
27) January 27: Thomas Crapper Day
Contrary to popular belief, plumber and sanitation engineer Thomas Crapper did not invent the flush toilet. What he did was revolutionize plumbing and sanitation. His contributions to the commode modernized existing flush toilets making them more efficient and hygienic. So take a moment today to learn a little more about its history and don’t take modern plumbing for granted.
28) January 28: National Daisy Day
Brighten up a dreary winter day by displaying fresh daisies in your home. Whether you prefer shasta daisies (the classic yellow and white flowers) or large, bright gerber daisies, these friendly blooms are an easy way to add a splash of color to an otherwise gray day.
29) January 29: National Puzzle Day
Too cold to go out? Work on a puzzle with your family or friends. Today is a perfect day to start a complicated puzzle with hundreds (or thousands) of pieces. You might have finished it by the time the warm weather finally returns.
30) January 30: National Croissant Day
Say hello to the dish of the day: the flaky, buttery and all around delicious croissant. Coated in butter, stuffed with sandwich fillings, or dipped in coffee, croissants make the perfect container for most foods. Learn how to make your own today or buy some at a local bakery.
31) January 31: Brussels Sprouts Day
Brussels sprouts get a bad rap, but these vegetables can be quite delicious in the right recipes. Roast them with a drizzle of olive oil and your favorite spices, or top them with bacon bits for a savory dish. If you’ve never tried Brussels sprouts, today is the day to finally experience just how delicious they can be.