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National Bowling Day

Strike up the fun this National Bowling Day - head down to your local bowling alley for a day of laughs and good times!

Saturday

August 2026

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

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YEARLY DATESecond Saturday in August

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSports

SUBCATEGORYIndividual Sports

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get your bowling shoes ready for National Bowling Day on the Second Saturday in August! This day has been around since the 1950s, when it was created to celebrate the popular sport of bowling. Over the years it has become a fun and exciting way to get friends and family together for some friendly competition. It's also a great opportunity to learn a new skill or even just have some fun with friends. So gather up your team and head to the nearest alley – you don't want to miss out on all the excitement that National Bowling Day has to offer!

DEALS & OFFERS

Past offers

No active deals yet — here’s who’s celebrated before.

Nothing yet for 2026

Brands typically announce offers a week before the date. Check back closer to the day.

3 brands have run a deal

Main Event Entertainment

Kings Dining & Entertainment

Andy B's

See past offers

TIMELINE

National Bowling Day Timeline

American Bowling Congress Formed

The American Bowling Congress was established, creating standards for the sport and organizing national competitions.

Birth of National Bowling Day

In the 1950s, National Bowling Day was established to celebrate the popular sport of bowling and encourage more people to participate.

Automatic Pinsetter Revolutionizes Sport

The invention of automatic pinsetting machines revolutionized the sport making it more accessible and popular.

Bowling Enters Video Game World

Bowling becomes available in the video game world with the release of "Wii Sports", bringing the game into homes virtually.

Bowling Continues to Evolve

With diverse types of bowling and innovative technology, the sport continues to evolve, attracting new generations of bowlers every year.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Bowling Day

Organize a tournament

Gather your friends and family together to celebrate National Bowling Day with a tournament. Set up teams and prizes, and may the best team win!

RENT

Rent out a bowling alley

Find your local bowling alley and rent out the whole place for your own private celebration. Invite all your friends and family and have a fun day of bowling.

TRY

Try glow in the dark bowling

Many bowling alleys offer late night "cosmic bowling" where you can bowl with blacklight effects and glow in the dark lanes and pins. It's a great way to experience the game in a whole new way.

DRESS

Dress up

Why not take National Bowling Day up a notch by dressing up as your favorite bowling character or team? You can also dress in costume to make it extra festive.

VISIT

Visit a pro shop

Check out your local pro shop on National Bowling Day and pick out some new gear or get your ball re-surfaced. New shoes, a new ball, or some new accessories could be just what you need to become an even better bowler.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Bowling Day

Bowling brings people together

Whether you're playing in a league or just having a friendly game among friends and family, bowling is a great way to create fond memories and build relationships with those around you. You never know who you might meet or what new friendships you might form!

Bowling is fun

What's not to love about bowling? It's a great way to spend time with friends and family, get some exercise, and have loads of fun. With so many different bowling alleys to choose from, you're bound to find the perfect place for your next bowling night!

Bowling encourages active competition

Bowling is the perfect sport for competitive people. Everyone can join in on the fun, regardless of their skill level. And it's always satisfying to see pins fall as you get closer to striking out or winning with a higher score than your opponents!