Celebrate Mario Day on March 10

Gamers worldwide honor Nintendo's iconic plumber hero with games, costumes, and fan events.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:53pm

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Millions of video game fans around the world are celebrating Mario Day on March 10, honoring Nintendo's iconic mustached hero who has starred in some of the most popular video games ever made. Fans mark the day by playing Mario games, wearing costumes, or sharing their favorite memories from the long-running series.

Why it matters

The Mario franchise has sold hundreds of millions of games and remains a major part of Nintendo's success, making it one of the most recognizable video game characters in the world. What started as a fan-made celebration has now become an officially recognized occasion for Nintendo to promote games and offer special activities for players.

The details

Mario first appeared in the 1981 arcade game 'Donkey Kong' as 'Jumpman,' before being renamed Mario and reimagined as a plumber who travels through colorful worlds to defeat villains like Bowser and rescue Princess Peach. The date was chosen because when written as 'Mar10,' it looks like the name 'Mario.' Over time, the celebration spread online through social media posts and fan events across the world.

  • Mario Day is celebrated annually on March 10.
  • Nintendo began officially recognizing Mario Day in the mid-2010s.

The players

Mario

Nintendo's iconic mustached hero who has starred in some of the most popular video games ever made.

Joey Morona

cleveland.com's resident pop culture expert.

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What they’re saying

“I first met Mario on my ColecoVision, when he was trying to rescue his beloved from a smitten Donkey Kong. The fact that he's still as popular as ever decades later is a testament to the lasting impact Nintendo has had on pop culture. Not bad for a humble Italian plumber who started out climbing ladders and dodging barrels.”

— Joey Morona, pop culture expert (cleveland.com)

The takeaway

Mario's enduring popularity and the widespread celebration of Mario Day demonstrate the lasting impact of the Super Mario franchise and Nintendo's ability to create iconic characters and experiences that resonate with generations of gamers.