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Humbug Day

Don't let the holiday stress get to you - embrace your inner Scrooge and celebrate Humbug Day with a day of relaxation and grumpiness.

Monday

December 2026

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

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YEARLY DATEDecember 21

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYSilly

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to bah humbug on December 21 for Humbug Day! This fun and quirky holiday is a great way to let out any frustrations or negativity before the busy holiday season. The term "humbug" originated in Victorian England and was often used as a term of disdain or annoyance. However, this day celebrates embracing your inner scrooge and finding humor in life's little annoyances. So go ahead and let out a big "humbug!" – it's sure to put a smile on your face.

TIMELINE

Humbug Day Timeline

Humbug Goes Mainstream

The term "Humbug" gained widespread notoriety in 1843 when it was used in the famous novel "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, where the grouchy character, Scrooge, often uses it to showcase his displeasure.

Holiday Stress Recognized

Increasing awareness of holiday stress syndromes started in the late 70s, contributing to the conception of Humbug Day.

Origin of Humbug Day

Humbug Day was officially created by Ruth and Thomas Roy from Wellcat Holidays & Herbs as a day to vent out frustrations and ward off holiday season stress.

Popularity Increase

During the 1990s, Humbug Day gained popularity as a means to embrace and express negativity in an otherwise joyous season.

Humbug Day in Digital Age

With the advent of social media, Humbug Day has been widely spread, allowing people to vent their frustrations and stress across various digital platforms.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Humbug Day

Embrace your inner Scrooge

Get into the spirit of Humbug Day by embracing your inner Scrooge. Put on a grumpy face and start saying "Bah humbug!" to everything and everyone.

PLAY

Play pranks on your friends

Have some fun on Humbug Day by playing pranks on your friends. Just make sure they have a sense of humor and won't get too upset!

WATCH

Watch a marathon of holiday movies

Celebrate Humbug Day by watching a marathon of holiday movies that are known for their grumpy characters, such as "The Grinch" or "A Christmas Carol."

COMPLAIN

Complain about everything

On Humbug Day, let yourself complain about everything and anything. It's the one day of the year where you can let all your frustrations out.

GIVE

Give a "Humbug" gift

Instead of giving traditional holiday gifts, give a "Humbug" gift to your friends and family. This could be something silly or even a gag gift that will make them laugh.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Humbug Day

It reminds us to find joy in unexpected places

The term "humbug" has been associated with negativity and skepticism, but this holiday challenges us to find joy in unexpected places. It's a good reminder to look for the silver lining or find something positive even in the most seemingly unpleasant situations.

It's a fun way to embrace the holiday season

Humbug Day, celebrated on December 21st, is a chance to let go of any stress or negativity and just have fun. It's a great reminder to not take everything so seriously during the busy holiday season and simply enjoy yourself!

It's an opportunity for some harmless pranks

One of the traditions of Humbug Day is to play light-hearted pranks on friends and family. These funny tricks can help bring people closer together and create lasting memories that will be talked about for years to come.