Learn more fun facts on the Take a Monkey to Lunch Day Video Page.
- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- AwarenessWildlife
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 21
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐒
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day swings into action every July 21, dedicated to celebrating monkeys and raising awareness for all non-human primates. This day highlights the diverse world of apes, tarsiers, and lemurs, shedding light on the challenges they face as species. Learn about conservation efforts and find ways to contribute to a more stable environment for these intelligent creatures.
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Expected Take a Monkey to Lunch Day Deals
As a cause-driven observance, Take a Monkey to Lunch Day focuses on awareness and fundraising rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Jane Goodall Institute, and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund often highlight primate conservation initiatives. Look for opportunities to donate or participate in virtual events. Retailers like Lush Cosmetics and The Body Shop, known for their animal welfare stances, may promote cruelty-free products or donate a portion of sales to primate sanctuaries. We will update this page with confirmed live conservation drives and awareness campaigns as July 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #TakeAMonkeyToLunchDay. Share photos and facts about your favorite primates or conservation efforts.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #TakeAMonkeyToLunchDay. Join conversations about primate welfare, share news from conservation groups, or tweet about your favorite monkey species.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TakeAMonkeyToLunchDay. Post educational content about primate habitats, threats, and how to support sanctuaries.
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day Hero
Jane Goodall
History of Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day has been celebrated every year on July 21 since 2000. It is a day that is used to celebrate monkeys and other primates. The holiday is widely supported by environmental activists, art institutions, and visual artists. Some major supporters include the Louvre Museum, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution, Greenpeace, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s National Portrait Gallery, and Jane Goodall.
Many zoos around the world celebrate the day by hosting special Take a Monkey to Lunch Day events. The events usually share more information about monkeys and the experiences they go through. There are also performances by monkeys who can take intelligence tests and there are also auctions of artwork that were created by chimps. Some zoos offer special banana-themed food options during the holiday. There are lots of interesting activities that take place to honor the animals around the world.
The holiday is an opportunity for us to be mindful of the realities that monkeys face. They are intelligent primates who live alongside us, so it is important to provide them with as much care and support as we can. Support for the holiday goes into improving the lives of monkeys all around the world. They are able to live in conducive environments and have access to the resources that they need to survive. The holiday also ensures that they can get access to medical help from vets whenever it is needed.
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day timeline
“The Wizard of Oz” features monkeys with wings who try to scare off Dorothy and her friends.
The famous monkey, Curious George, makes his debut in books.
Two monkeys named Miss Baker and Able become the first monkeys to make a successful launch and return to space.
Casey Sorrow, an art student of Michigan State University, establishes this holiday.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
Local businesses can participate in Take a Monkey to Lunch Day by raising awareness and supporting primate conservation. Restaurants could offer a special ‘Monkey Meal’ with a portion of proceeds donated to a local zoo’s primate fund or a reputable sanctuary. Pet stores can highlight responsible pet ownership and educate customers on why primates do not make suitable pets. Any business can share educational content on social media, partnering with conservation groups to amplify their message and encourage customer donations.
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day FAQs
When is Take a Monkey to Lunch Day?
In 2026, Take a Monkey to Lunch Day falls on Tuesday, July 21. It’s a perfect mid-week reminder to reflect on the importance of primate conservation.
How many primate species are endangered?
Globally, approximately 60% of all primate species are currently threatened with extinction, and 75% have declining populations. This highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts in 2026.
What are the main threats to primates?
The primary threats to primates in 2026 include habitat destruction due to agriculture and logging, illegal wildlife trade for pets and bushmeat, and climate change impacts. Disease transmission from humans is also a growing concern.
What is the difference between a monkey and an ape?
In 2026, understanding the distinction between monkeys and apes is key to appreciating primate diversity. Apes, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, generally lack tails and are typically larger with more complex brains, while monkeys usually have tails and are smaller.
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day Activities
Visit a zoo
There are many zoos where you can go to visit some monkeys. Have fun feeding and playing with them.
Wear a monkey costume
If you like to dress up or just feel like being a little silly, you can wear a monkey costume. You can experience a tiny bit of what it's like to be a monkey. Maybe watch some YouTube videos to give you some tips!
Learn about monkeys
There are many issues that affect monkeys in our world today. Spreading awareness helps us get closer to providing solutions to those issues. Search the internet about monkeys and the endangerment they face today. Share this information on your social media handles to spread the word — you will surely make a difference.
5 Fascinating Facts About Monkeys
They spread diseases
Monkeys are one of the few animals that can spread diseases to humans — they can spread monkeypox, yellow fever, and other unidentified illnesses.
Some monkeys are very small
The smallest monkey in the world is the pygmy marmoset, with a body size usually around five inches tall and a tail length of seven inches.
There are ‘New World monkeys’
Monkeys that live in Central and South America are considered ‘New World monkeys' and monkeys found in Asia and Africa are considered ‘Old World monkeys.’
Humans didn’t evolve from monkeys
Monkeys and humans once had a common ancestor about 25 to 30 million years ago — after that period, each species evolved in its own way.
Old World monkeys were larger
Old World monkeys were larger than the monkeys of today — they had narrow noses and did not hang around in trees.
Why We Love Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
It creates awareness
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day helps to spread important information about the issues that monkeys face. This awareness helps us assist our primate friends.
It reminds us of our nature
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day is a holiday that serves to remind us of our basic animalistic nature. This helps us remember the things that are truly important to our ecosystem and encourages us to take better care of them.
It’s a fun holiday
Take a Monkey to Lunch Day is the best day to simply monkey around. It’s an opportunity to let loose and have some fun.
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