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National Mad Hatter Day

Put on your best hat and join in the fun of National Mad Hatter Day - it's a day for embracing creativity, eccentricity and imagination!

Tuesday

October 2026

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

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YEARLY DATEOctober 6

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYFantasy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

On October 6th, get ready to celebrate National Mad Hatter Day! This day celebrates the iconic character from Lewis Carroll's classic novel Alice in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter was known for his quirky behavior and wild hat collection. He also famously hosted the "Mad Tea Party" where he invited Alice and a few other characters to tea. Today, this holiday is meant to honor all those who embrace their eccentricities and stand out from the crowd. So let your inner mad hatter shine on this special day!

TIMELINE

National Mad Hatter Day Timeline

Mad Hatter's Literary Debut

The Mad Hatter character first appeared in Lewis Carroll's novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".

Disney's Alice in Wonderland

Disney released their animated film "Alice in Wonderland", popularizing the Mad Hatter character for a new generation.

Inception of National Mad Hatter Day

A group of computer enthusiasts in Boulder, Colorado declared October 6 as National Mad Hatter Day inspired by the character's eccentricities.

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Johnny Depp portrayed the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's live-action adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland", further cementing the character's cultural significance.

Virtual Celebrations of Mad Hatter Day

Due to the global pandemic, many celebrations shifted online in 2020, with participants showing off their 'mad hats' in virtual parties and on social media.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Mad Hatter Day

Throw a tea party

Grab your friends and family, and throw an over the top tea party. Mad Hatter style. Invite everyone to dress up in their quirkiest hat and be ready for a wild day of delicious food, fun activities, and lots of laughs.

MAKE

Make crazy hats

Gather some supplies and get ready to make some unique hats. Let your imagination run wild and have fun making hats that are out of this world. Don't forget to take pictures!

VISIT

Visit a tea house

Take a break from the everyday and plan an outing to a local tea house. Enjoy some hot tea, scones, and other tasty treats while chatting with friends.

Go on a scavenger hunt

Put together a Mad Hatter themed scavenger hunt. Hide items around town or in your home that relate to the Alice in Wonderland story and have everyone compete to find them.

HAVE

Have a movie night

Gather up the blankets, pillows, and snacks for a movie night fit for The Mad Hatter himself. Put on Alice in Wonderland or other whimsical movies for an evening of entertainment.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Mad Hatter Day

It promotes literacy

By celebrating National Mad Hatter Day, we're helping to promote literacy in children. The original story featuring the Mad Hatter has been a favorite among kids for generations, which reinforces the importance of reading and creative storytelling.

Mad Hatter is an iconic character

The Mad Hatter is one of the most beloved characters in literature, thanks to his memorable look and quirky personality. He's been inspiring generations of readers for over 100 years and can be seen as a symbol of creativity and imagination.

It's a fun holiday

It's always fun to dress up like the Mad Hatter and celebrate National Mad Hatter Day. From wearing colorful clothes to hosting a tea party, there are plenty of unique activities you can do with friends and family to honor this beloved holiday.

Related holidays

SUN

Jul 2026

Fun

Alice in Wonderland Day

Celebrate Alice in Wonderland Day with colorful tea parties, dress-up activities, and a screening of the classic movie - it's time to get curious!

National Alice Day

A fun observance on March 23 celebrating individuals named Alice, honoring the name's Germanic origins meaning "noble" and its cultural significance including the fictional character Alice in Wonderland.

Make a Hat Day

Get creative and show off your style on Make a Hat Day! From silly to chic, there's no limit to the fun you can have creating your own unique headwear.

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TUE

Sep 2026