Hoodie Hoo Day
February 20, 2027
About Hoodie Hoo Day
Hoodie Hoo Day is celebrated annually on 20 February, a quirky informal holiday that invites people to step outside at noon, wave their hands in the air, and shout “Hoodie Hoo!” to chase away winter and welcome the approaching spring. Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays, the day falls exactly one month before the spring equinox. In 2027, Hoodie Hoo Day lands on Saturday, 20 February.
What is Hoodie Hoo Day?
Hoodie Hoo Day is a light-hearted, unofficial holiday designed to give people a morale boost during the dreariest stretch of winter. The premise is simple: at noon on 20 February, participants go outside, raise their hands above their heads, and shout “Hoodie Hoo!” as a collective declaration that winter’s grip is loosening and spring is on the way. It’s deliberately silly, and that’s the point — after months of cold, dark weather, a communal shout of defiance at the sky is exactly the kind of nonsense that lifts spirits.
When is Hoodie Hoo Day?
Hoodie Hoo Day takes place on Saturday, 20 February 2027. The date is fixed and falls on 20 February every year — precisely one month before the spring equinox on 20 March.
How to Celebrate Hoodie Hoo Day
The beauty of Hoodie Hoo Day is its simplicity. Here’s how to take part:
- Shout “Hoodie Hoo!” at noon — Step outside at midday, wave your hands above your head, and shout “Hoodie Hoo!” as loudly as you can. Do it solo or rally your neighbours, colleagues, or classmates to join in.
- Organise a group shout — Gather friends, family, or coworkers for a communal Hoodie Hoo moment. The more people involved, the more fun (and effective) the winter-banishing becomes.
- Share it on social media — Film your Hoodie Hoo moment and post it online. These videos tend to spread quickly because they’re joyful and refreshingly absurd.
- Make it a workplace event — Encourage your office to step outside at noon together. It’s a quick team-building moment that costs nothing and provides a welcome break from the routine.
- Reflect on the coming spring — Use the day as a prompt to think about what you’re looking forward to as the weather warms. Plan a garden project, book a spring outing, or simply enjoy the fact that the days are getting noticeably longer.
- Combine it with a hot drink — After your outdoor shout, warm up with a hot chocolate, tea, or coffee. You’ve earned it.
- Learn about the Roys’ other holidays — Thomas and Ruth Roy created over 80 quirky holidays through Wellcat Holidays, including No Housework Day and Blame Someone Else Day. Explore their full list for more fun.
History of Hoodie Hoo Day
Hoodie Hoo Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy through their venture Wellcat Holidays, based in Pennsylvania, USA. Thomas Roy was a radio host who noticed a submission form in “Chase’s Calendar of Events” — a reference book cataloguing holidays and observances — and decided to create his own celebrations. Hoodie Hoo Day emerged from this creative impulse in the late 1980s as a way to address the late-winter blues that many people experience.
The Roys were prolific holiday inventors, creating over 80 unofficial observances that are now recognised in various national day calendars. Their holidays tend to be whimsical, community-oriented, and designed to bring moments of levity into ordinary life. Hoodie Hoo Day is among their most popular creations.
The phrase “hoodie hoo” itself has roots in American Southern dialect. Variations of the expression — sometimes rendered as “hootie hoo” — functioned as a type of holler in parts of the rural American South, used to get someone’s attention across a distance. One of its more recognisable appearances in popular culture comes from “The Andy Griffith Show” in the 1960s. Linguists studying Southern English classify these as nonlexical hollers — sounds that sit between language and sound effect, similar to “yoo-hoo” or the Australian “coo-ee.”
The strategic placement of the day exactly one month before the spring equinox gives it a sense of ritual. While it lacks the ancient traditions of Groundhog Day (2 February), which also involves predicting the end of winter, Hoodie Hoo Day offers a more participatory and democratic approach to the same seasonal anxiety.
Fun Facts About Hoodie Hoo Day
- Hoodie Hoo Day falls exactly one month before the spring equinox on 20 March — a deliberate placement by its creators.
- Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays created over 80 unofficial holidays, many of which are now listed in major national day calendars.
- The phrase “hoodie hoo” is related to Southern American English hollers used to call across distances, similar to “yoo-hoo.”
- The day has no formal organisation, website, or committee — it’s purely grassroots, spread by word of mouth and social media.
- Schools and workplaces across the US have adopted the tradition as a fun midday activity during the February slump.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hoodie Hoo Day?
Hoodie Hoo Day is a quirky unofficial holiday on 20 February where people step outside at noon and shout “Hoodie Hoo!” to chase away winter and welcome the approaching spring.
When is Hoodie Hoo Day in 2027?
Hoodie Hoo Day falls on Saturday, 20 February 2027.
Who created Hoodie Hoo Day?
The day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays in Pennsylvania, USA, in the late 1980s. They are known for inventing over 80 quirky holidays.
Spread the Word
Join the fun and share your Hoodie Hoo moment on social media with #HoodieHooDay and #HoodieHooDay2027. Film your noon shout, tag your friends, and help chase winter away together.
Related Awareness Days
- Halloween — Observed on 31 October, another seasonal celebration with roots in warding off unwanted forces — though spirits rather than winter.
- 404 Day — Celebrated on 4 April, another quirky celebration that embraces the playful side of the awareness day calendar.
- World Emoji Day — Falling on 17 July, a similarly light-hearted day that thrives on social media participation.
Links
Plan your next campaign
Use Awareness Planner to discover events, build content calendars, and stay ahead of key dates.
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
