- Number of holidays
- 13
- Day of the year
- 31
- Days left in the year
- 334
National Hot Chocolate Day celebrates hot chocolate — descended from the Aztec xocolatl that Spanish explorers sweetened, warmed, and added milk to, eventually producing the hot beverage that Swiss, Dutch, and Belgian chocolatiers perfected. Backwards Day celebrates doing everything in reverse — wearing clothes backwards, writing backwards — a playful inversion educators use to encourage cognitive flexibility. National Storytelling Week begins on the last Saturday of January in 2027, launched by the Society for Storytelling to celebrate oral tradition, personal narrative, and the ancient human practice of sharing stories aloud. Westminster Dog Show shifts to the last Saturday of January in 2027, the prestigious annual dog show held by the Westminster Kennel Club — the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States.
All holidays on January 31
National Hot Chocolate Day
Backwards Day
Brandy Alexander Day
Eat Brussel Sprouts Day
Gorilla Suit Day
Hug An Economist Day
Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
International Zebra Day
Nauru Independence Day
Scotch Tape Day
World Leprosy Day
About January 31
January 31 Q&As
What is the most popular holiday on January 31?
On January 31, National Hot Chocolate Day is the most widely recognized U.S. food observance. National Storytelling Week is the most globally significant cultural observance, and Westminster Dog Show is the most recognized U.S. dog show event.
What countries celebrate holidays on January 31?
January 31 observances span the UK (National Storytelling Week) and the U.S., which hosts National Hot Chocolate Day, Backwards Day, Westminster Dog Show, Catholic Schools Week, and Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day.
What are some fun or unusual holidays on January 31?
January 31 includes National Hot Chocolate Day, Backwards Day, Gorilla Suit Day, Hug An Economist Day, and Eat Brussels Sprouts Day.
