When Is World Book Day
World Book Day is celebrated on April 23. See what day of the week and celebrate with reading.
Next occurrence of World Book Day
Thursday, 4 March 2027
World Book Day in 2026: Thursday, 5 March 2026
What is World Book Day?
World Book Day in the UK is celebrated on the first Thursday in March and promotes reading and books. It is a national celebration of authors, illustrators, and books, with the aim of inspiring children and adults to discover the joy of reading. On this day, children dress up as their favourite book characters and exchange book tokens. Schools and libraries organize special events to promote literacy and a love of reading.
Traditions
- •Dressing up as favourite book characters
- •Exchanging World Book Day tokens for books
- •Attending book-themed events at schools and libraries
- •Reading favourite books
- •Book swaps and book discussions
- •Author visits and book signings at schools
- •Book prizes and reading competitions
- •Promoting literacy and the love of reading
Fun Facts
- ✨World Book Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in March in the UK
- ✨Every child in UK primary schools receives a £1 book token
- ✨The costume tradition of dressing as book characters is unique to UK World Book Day
- ✨World Book Day promotes reading among children and adults
- ✨The global World Book Day is celebrated on 23 April
When is World Book Day each year?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 March 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | 4 March 2027 | Thursday |
| 2028 | 2 March 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | 1 March 2029 | Thursday |
| 2030 | 7 March 2030 | Thursday |
| 2031 | 6 March 2031 | Thursday |
| 2032 | 4 March 2032 | Thursday |
| 2033 | 3 March 2033 | Thursday |
| 2034 | 2 March 2034 | Thursday |
| 2035 | 1 March 2035 | Thursday |
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When is World Book Day?
UK World Book Day: first Thursday of March. 2025: 6 March. 2026: 5 March. 2027: 4 March. 2028: 2 March. The date moves with the day-of-week structure rather than being fixed. Note: UNESCO World Book Day is 23 April internationally - the UK chose a different date to avoid clashing with the school Easter holidays.
UK schools celebrate by encouraging children to dress up as book characters, with most schools allocating £1 book tokens funded by World Book Day Limited (£1 = approximate price of a children's paperback in the 1990s when scheme launched). Marks the largest book-buying day of the year for UK children's books. Costume sales at major retailers (Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco) spike dramatically in the preceding 2 weeks.
UK World Book Day Future Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 March |
| 2025 | 6 March |
| 2026 | 5 March |
| 2027 | 4 March |
| 2028 | 2 March |
| 2029 | 1 March |
| 2030 | 7 March |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is UK World Book Day different from international?
UNESCO designated 23 April globally (Cervantes' and Shakespeare's death dates). UK shifted to first Thursday of March to align with school terms - April often falls during Easter break. This local adaptation has stuck since 1998. Many other countries follow UNESCO; UK follows the school-friendly version.
How do I find a costume on short notice?
Common easy options: pyjamas with a teddy = 'Where the Wild Things Are'. Black eye-patch + striped shirt = pirate (multiple book characters). White shirt + black tie = various. Schools usually accept 'something book-themed' rather than expensive specific costumes. Online shops (Amazon, Asda) deliver in 24-48 hours during the season.
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