85 saved#2,636 of 6,224

National Mascot Day

Show your school spirit and celebrate National Mascot Day - dress up as your favorite mascot and join in the fun!

Thursday

June 2027

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

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEJune 17

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYSports

SUBCATEGORYTeam Sports

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Calling all mascots! It's time to celebrate National Mascot Day on June 17th. This special day celebrates the fun and unique personalities that mascots bring to sporting events, schools, and businesses alike. Although it's unclear when exactly this holiday was created, it’s believed to have been around since at least 2000. Whether you're a furry creature, fuzzy animal, or a person dressed in costume – today is your day to shine! So let's get ready for some mascot-filled fun with celebrations all across the country.

TIMELINE

National Mascot Day Timeline

First Use of Live Mascot

Yale University's "Handsome Dan" was the first live college mascot, setting a precedent for many schools to follow.

Cartoon Mascot Emergence

The 1920s saw the introduction of cartoon mascots, such as Felix the Cat, to represent businesses and products.

First Superhero Mascot

Captain America became the first superhero used as a mascot during World War II to boost morale and patriotism.

San Diego Chicken Hatches

The San Diego Chicken, one of the first widely popular modern sports mascots, hatches and starts its reign in baseball.

Olympic Mascots Evolution

Izzy, the mascot for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, marked a significant divergence from traditional mascot designs.

National Mascot Day Inception

The celebration of National Mascot Day begins, honoring mascots in sports and schools for their spirited and entertaining performances.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Mascot Day

Create a Mascot Day parade

Gather up all of your friends and family, dress up in costumes and create a parade to celebrate any and all mascots!

HOST

Host a mascot-themed party

A mascot-themed party is the perfect way to show your love for your favorite mascot. Invite your friends over to enjoy games, decorations, and snacks that revolve around the mascot.

DRAW

Draw a mascot portrait

Take some time to draw a portrait of your favorite mascot. This could be a great piece of art to hang up in your home or office.

WRITE

Write a letter to your favorite mascot

Take some time to write a letter expressing your appreciation for your favorite mascot. You can even share stories about how you've been inspired by the mascot.

VISIT

Visit the mascot in person

If you're lucky enough to live near the location where the mascot appears, plan a visit and take pictures with them! It's an unforgettable experience and the perfect way to celebrate National Mascot Day.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Mascot Day

Mascots promote school spirit

The presence of a mascot at school events is sure to get students excited and fired up! A mascot encourages school pride and makes activities like pep rallies more meaningful. Plus, having a mascot can help boost morale during difficult times and increase the overall positive culture of the school!

Mascots bring joy & excitement

Mascots are a fun and exciting way to add some extra energy and enthusiasm to any event. Whether they’re performing cheers on the sidelines of a sporting event or singing songs with children, mascots help create an unforgettable atmosphere that everyone can enjoy!

Mascots create a sense of community

A mascot helps to form a connection between people - it gives them something in common to talk about and celebrate. Mascots represent unity and bring people together, making it easier for communities to build stronger relationships with each other.

Related holidays

THU

Jan 2026

Animals

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

Dress up your furry friend and make National Dress Up Your Pet Day extra special - share photos of their cutest look on social media!

National Jersey Friday

Join the celebration of National Jersey Friday - show your team spirit by rocking your favorite jersey and cheering on your favorite players!

Monkey Around Day

Let loose and have some fun on Monkey Around Day - swing from the trees, play pranks, and embrace your inner monkey!

Mickey Mouse Day

Get ready for a magical day of fun and nostalgia as we celebrate the iconic Mickey Mouse on his special day! Don't miss out on all the exciting events and festivities.

11Read

FOR MARKETERS & CREATORS

Turn every day into a moment your audience actually shows up for.

8.4M

Monthly readers

5K+

Holidays tracked

Holiday Calendar for Brands Developer API