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Guinness World Records Day

Explore the incredible, the unusual, and the astonishing on Guinness World Records Day – a day to challenge the impossible and make history!

Saturday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEGuinness World Records Day (organizer-announced, Nov)

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYUnique

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Embrace your extraordinary side and get ready to break some records because November 16 is Guinness World Records Day! This fantastic day came into existence in 2004 to celebrate the day that the Guinness Book of World Records became the best-selling copyright book. It's a day filled with excitement and astonishment as people from around the globe attempt to make their mark in the history by breaking or setting their own unique world records. From the unbelievable to the outright bizarre, anyone can try and make history, making this one of the most exciting days on the calendar! Explore the incredible, the unusual, and the astonishing today – a day to challenge the impossible and make history!

TIMELINE

Guinness World Records Day Timeline

Founding of Guinness World Records

The idea for a book of world records was born when Sir Hugh Beaver, Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, attended a shooting party and a debate about the fastest game bird in Europe couldn't be settled.

First Publication

The first edition of the Guinness Book of Records is published in August 1955, intended as a marketing giveaway to promote the Guinness beer brand.

Best-Selling Copyright Book

The Guinness Book of Records becomes the best-selling copyright book ever.

Guinness World Records Day Initiation

Guinness World Records Day is initiated on November 16th, celebrating the day the book became the best-selling copyright book.

First Multiple Record Day

On this Guinness World Records Day, an impressive 250,000 people took part, creating over 50 records in one day.

Most Unicycles in a Line

In honor of Guinness World Records Day, a group in Japan set a new record for the most people riding unicycles in a line, totaling 144 people.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Guinness World Records Day

Attempt to break an existing record

Search up some world records and see if there's one you think you could challenge. Can you interlock fingers and flip the most pancake flips in a row? Become the fastest texter? Prove that you can fit the most marshmallows in your mouth at once? If you can dream it, maybe you can achieve it.

ORGANIZE

Organize a records-breaking party

Get your friends together and challenge each other to break different records. Maybe you couldn't eat the most pizza slices in ten minutes alone, but can your group out-eat the current team record holders?

CREATE

Create a new world record category

Revel in the weird and wonderful by setting a brand-new world record! How about "Most Times Skipping a Stone on Water in a Minute?" The only limit is your imagination.

READ

Read through the Guinness World Records book

Celebrate at home with the stunning and awe-inspiring records in the Guinness World Records book. Be inspired, amazed, and perhaps a little bit alarmed by what some people around the world have achieved.

DONATE

Donate to charity for every record you break

Make the celebration meaningful by pledging to donate a set amount of money to your favorite charity for every record you (or your friends) can break during the day. Not only is it fun, but it’s also for a great cause!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Guinness World Records Day

It allows for personal achievement

Whether you're trying to set a new world record or break an existing one, the thrill of personal achievement is unmatched. The feeling of seeing your name in the Guinness World Record Book is exhilarating and satisfying. It aids in reinforcing a positive attitude and propels us to set even higher goals for ourselves.

It promotes creativity and fun

Guinness World Records Day is all about pushing boundaries and using our imagination. Whether it's setting a new record or attempting to break an existing one, the day calls for a lot of creativity, fun and laughter making it something we all look forward to.

It brings people together

Another reason why we love Guinness World Records Day is because it has a tendency of bringing people together. From organizing a record-breaking party with friends, to communities coming together to partake in a challenge, the day fosters camaraderie and builds stronger bonds among participants.