National Get Gnarly Day
July 31
About National Get Gnarly Day
National Get Gnarly Day falls on Friday, 31 July 2026. It is a light-hearted American observance that encourages people to shake off routine, try something bold, and put a bit of daring into whatever they do. The day lands on the last Friday in July each year, which makes it a natural cue to round off the month with something adventurous.
How to Celebrate National Get Gnarly Day
The whole point of the day is to do something out of the ordinary, so the ideas below lean towards action rather than reflection:
- Take up a gnarly hobby – Try rock climbing, skateboarding, mountain biking, or surfing. The word gnarly came from surfers describing wild waves, so catching one is fitting.
- Say yes to an invitation you would normally decline – Stepping outside your usual circle introduces new people and unexpected experiences, which is exactly the spirit of the day.
- Plan a bold trip – Sort out a passport or map out an adventure somewhere you have never been. Gnarly people tend to be travellers.
- Change up your look – Go for a bold new hairstyle or add some vivid pieces to your wardrobe. A small visible change can shift how you feel for the rest of the month.
- Try an extreme sport – Book a session of indoor skydiving, a high ropes course, white-water rafting, or a climbing wall, with proper instruction and safety gear.
- Throw a gnarly party – Host a themed gathering where guests wear their most eccentric outfits and you serve food you have never cooked before.
- Tackle something you have been avoiding – Sign up for the cooking class, start the side project, or have the brave conversation. Gnarliness can be everyday courage, not just adrenaline.
- Volunteer for something new – Offer your time to a local cause you have never supported before. Doing good in an unfamiliar setting still counts as getting gnarly.
What is National Get Gnarly Day?
National Get Gnarly Day is a fun, unofficial observance that invites people to embrace new ideas, drop tired old habits, and approach life with a bit more boldness. The word gnarly has worn several meanings over the decades, from a surfer’s term for a difficult wave to 1980s slang for anything excellent or extreme. Today it stands for whatever is wild, cool, or daring, and the day exists to give that attitude a place on the calendar. Anyone can take part, and there are no rules beyond doing something a little braver than usual.
When is National Get Gnarly Day?
National Get Gnarly Day is observed on the last Friday in July each year. In 2026 that falls on Friday, 31 July. Because the date is tied to the final Friday of the month rather than a fixed number, it shifts slightly from year to year. The table below shows the next five occurrences.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 31 July |
| 2027 | Friday, 30 July |
| 2028 | Friday, 28 July |
| 2029 | Friday, 27 July |
| 2030 | Friday, 26 July |
The History of National Get Gnarly Day
National Get Gnarly Day has a corporate origin that is unusually well documented for a quirky observance. It was created by Whirlpool Corporation, which in 2016 launched an internal campaign built around the idea of putting some gNARliness into everything the company did. The capitalised letters in the middle of the word were deliberate: NAR stood for North American Region, and the campaign was a way to encourage staff to get excited about reaching goals and looking after customers.
The Registrar at National Day Calendar approved the day in June 2016, fixing it to the last Friday in July. The word itself has a longer story. It is thought to have emerged among surfers in the 1960s as a way of describing dangerous or impressive waves. By the 1980s it had crossed into mainstream pop-culture slang, where it could mean either excellent or, oddly, disgusting depending on the speaker. The awareness day leans on the positive reading, treating gnarly as a badge for anyone willing to take on a challenge.
Fun Facts About National Get Gnarly Day
- The day was created by Whirlpool Corporation, the home appliance manufacturer, as part of an internal staff campaign.
- The NAR in gNARliness stood for Whirlpool’s North American Region.
- It was approved by National Day Calendar in June 2016.
- The word gnarly is believed to have started as 1960s surfer slang for difficult waves.
- By the 1980s, gnarly could mean either excellent or gross, depending entirely on context.
- The date always lands on the last Friday in July, so it never falls on the same calendar date two years running.
Why National Get Gnarly Day Matters
Even a playful observance has a point. National Get Gnarly Day is a small nudge to step out of comfortable routines, try things that feel slightly out of reach, and approach the rest of the year with more confidence. For many people the hardest part of doing something new is simply starting, and a dedicated day gives that first step a bit of permission and momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Get Gnarly Day?
It is a fun, unofficial American observance that encourages people to be bold, try new things, and add some daring to their everyday lives. It was created by Whirlpool Corporation in 2016.
When is National Get Gnarly Day in 2026?
It falls on Friday, 31 July 2026. The day is always held on the last Friday in July, so the exact date changes each year.
Where does the word gnarly come from?
Gnarly is thought to have started as 1960s surfer slang for difficult or impressive waves. It later became 1980s pop-culture slang meaning excellent or extreme, and that is the sense the day celebrates.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your gnarliest moments on social media with #GetGnarlyDay and #GetGnarlyDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to do one bold thing before the day is out.
Related Awareness Days
- International Surfing Day – Celebrates the wave-riding culture that gave the word gnarly to the world.
- National Simplicity Day – A calmer counterpoint that encourages clearing out the unnecessary to make room for what matters.
- Embrace Your Geekness Day – Another upbeat day about owning your passions and doing your own thing without apology.
Links
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