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National High Five Day arrives every third Thursday of April, inviting everyone to share a universal symbol of celebration and camaraderie. This day honors the simple, yet powerful, gesture of the high five, believed by many to have originated in baseball. Get ready to lift your hand, connect with others, and spread positive vibes by giving a high five to friends, family, and even strangers!
Want to sponsor National High Five Day? Learn how
Expected National High Five Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that brands often engage with National High Five Day through social media campaigns and interactive events. Expect playful promotions from casual dining spots like Chipotle or Shake Shack, encouraging customers to share their high five moments for discounts. Sports retailers like Nike and Adidas might run themed giveaways or challenges. Even tech companies such as Apple could highlight features that facilitate virtual high fives or shared celebratory experiences. Look for beverage brands like Coca-Cola or Gatorade to launch feel-good content. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 2027 approaches.
Platform Guide for National High Five Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalHighFiveDay. Film creative high five challenges or compilations of celebratory moments.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalHighFiveDay. Share photos or Reels of friends, family, or even pets exchanging high fives.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalHighFiveDay. Tweet about your favorite high five memories or funny high five fails.
National High Five Day Hero
Dusty Baker
National High Five Day timeline
Many believe that the gesture was created by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke when he high-fives teammate Dusty Baker after hitting a home run.
Others claim it is the Louisville basketball team that started the high five.
The third Thursday of April is recognized as National High Five Day.
The holiday raises funds each year for a good cause, with CoachArt as the recipient nonprofit organization in 2019.
National High Five Day FAQs
When is National High Five Day?
National High Five Day 2026 falls on Thursday, April 16. This annual observance takes place on the third Thursday of April, encouraging everyone to share a gesture of celebration and good cheer.
How did the high five originate?
The most widely accepted origin story traces the high five to a spontaneous moment in baseball. On October 2, 1977, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker hit a home run, and as he rounded the bases, teammate Glenn Burke raised his hand in celebration. Baker instinctively slapped it, creating a memorable gesture that quickly caught on.
How popular is the high five gesture?
The high five is a globally recognized gesture of celebration, congratulations, and camaraderie. It transcends language barriers and is commonly used in sports, workplaces, and social settings worldwide to convey enthusiasm and mutual support.
What's the difference between a high five and a low five?
A high five involves two people slapping their open palms together above shoulder height, typically as a sign of celebration or agreement. It’s an upward gesture that conveys excitement and success.
National High Five Day Activities
Raise your hand up high
Smile. Swing your arm forward. Smack! If you’ve done it right, your palm should hit their palm, providing you with a resounding ‘thwack’ sound.
Teach a kid the art of the high five
There is nothing more fun than teaching a baby a new trick. This National High Five Day, find a baby, maybe yours or maybe another friend's baby, and teach them the art of saying hi with their hands.
Teach a dog to high five
Okay, actually, teaching a baby a trick is fun but teaching a dog is even more fun! Find a dog and teach them to say hi with their paws!
4 Facts About The "Low Five"
The low five is the "too slow" variation of the high five
The rhyme starts, “Up high, down low” and then the hand is quickly taken away, so the slapper misses. Too slow!
The first movie sighting was in “The Principal”
The 1987 film “The Principal" featured James Belushi as the principal, snatching his hand away before Jacob Vargas can give him a low five.
Apes do it, too
In the 2014 movie, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," we find two apes giving the “too slow” version of the low five in the final scene.
The cooler five?
Some people say that the low five is the cooler cousin of the high five.
Why We Love National High Five Day
It’s traveled around the globe
Did you know that the high five is a universal gesture? People on every continent are doing it! In fact, one guy, Craig Lewis, even quit his job to high five the world! He traveled to 36 countries, high fiving his way through them all!
The High Five challenge
That’s right, just like the Ice Bucket Challenge, there’s a High Five Challenge that raises money for kids impacted by chronic illness. The money goes to provide them with arts and athletics programs.
The Kid President loves them
Remember Kid President? He once famously said, “Give people high fives just for getting out of bed. Being a person is hard sometimes.” Isn’t that the truth? We love giving high fives for everything!
National High Five Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 17 | Thursday |
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