National Hug & High 5 Day
September 12
About National Hug & High 5 Day
National Hug & High 5 Day takes place every year on 12 September, and in 2026 it falls on Saturday, 12 September. The day encourages people to share a simple hug or a high five with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours and even strangers, using small moments of human connection to spread warmth and lift one another up. It was founded in the United States by Philadelphia author and adventurer David Hale Sylvester, known to many as “Big Dave”.
How to Celebrate National Hug & High 5 Day
This is a day made for participation, and the best way to mark it is to get out there and connect with the people around you. Here are plenty of ideas to get started.
- Offer high fives freely – Greet friends, family and colleagues with a high five throughout the day. It is a quick, upbeat gesture that instantly raises the mood and works just as well across a room as up close.
- Give a meaningful hug – Reach out to someone who could use a little support. A genuine hug, offered with consent, can ease stress and remind a person they are not alone.
- Reconnect with someone you have lost touch with – Pick up the phone or send a message to an old friend and arrange to meet. The day is a gentle nudge to rebuild connections that have gone quiet.
- Celebrate small wins at work – Mark a finished project, a closed deal or a colleague’s good news with a round of high fives. It turns everyday achievements into shared moments.
- Respect personal boundaries – Not everyone wants physical contact, and that is perfectly fine. Offer an air high five, a wave, a fist bump or a warm word instead, so everyone can join in comfortably.
- Spread it through your community – Organise a hug or high five station at a school, gym, office or local event, inviting people to share a positive moment as they pass.
- Check in on someone who is struggling – Use the day as a reason to reach out to anyone going through a hard time. Sometimes a hug and a few kind words mean more than any gift.
- Pay it forward – Pair your high five with a small act of kindness, whether that is buying a coffee, holding a door or simply offering a compliment.
What is National Hug & High 5 Day?
National Hug & High 5 Day is a celebration of human connection and the everyday gestures that bring people closer together. It champions two of the simplest expressions of warmth we have: the embrace of a hug and the upbeat slap of a high five. The day is for everyone, from close friends and family to strangers passing in the street, and its message is that kindness and connection cost nothing yet make an enormous difference. At its heart, it encourages people to look up, reach out and acknowledge one another.
When is National Hug & High 5 Day?
National Hug & High 5 Day is held annually on 12 September. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 12 September. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year. It is worth noting that this is a separate occasion from National High Five Day, which is celebrated on the third Thursday of April, so the two should not be confused.
The History of National Hug & High 5 Day
The story behind the day is deeply personal. David Hale Sylvester, a personal trainer and author from Philadelphia who stands at 6 feet 6 inches and goes by the nickname “Big Dave”, lost his close friend Kevin Bowser in the attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001. In 2002, Sylvester set out on his first cross-country bike ride, a journey of more than 4,000 miles, in Bowser’s memory and to raise money for a scholarship fund in his honour.
What began as a single ride grew into a mission that spanned more than two decades. Along the way Sylvester started giving out hugs and high fives to the people he met, turning his travels into a campaign for connection and compassion. By his own count he has shared these gestures with hundreds of thousands of people across all 50 US states and dozens of countries. He has made a point of visiting communities touched by tragedy and violence, offering comfort through human contact when words alone fall short.
Sylvester established National Hug & High 5 Day in 2021, choosing 12 September deliberately. He wanted the date to fall in the aftermath of tragedy, reflecting the way people instinctively turn to one another for comfort and reassurance after difficult events. The first observance took place on 12 September 2021, and the day has since become an annual reminder that strength and tenderness can go hand in hand.
Fun Facts About National Hug & High 5 Day
- Founder David Hale Sylvester estimates he has personally hugged and high-fived hundreds of thousands of people during his travels, with figures cited in coverage ranging into the half-million mark.
- His journeys have taken him across all 50 US states and into dozens of countries around the world.
- Sylvester’s mission began with a 4,000-mile-plus bike ride in 2002 in memory of his friend Kevin Bowser.
- The date of 12 September was chosen specifically for its connection to the day after the 11 September attacks, symbolising recovery and human support.
- Sylvester has written about his adventures, including the book “Traveling at the Speed of Life”, documenting his quest to connect with people everywhere he goes.
- A hug has been linked by researchers to the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone”, which can help lower stress.
Why National Hug & High 5 Day Matters
Loneliness and social isolation are growing concerns, and public health bodies have increasingly recognised them as serious risks to wellbeing. A day built around two of the most accessible gestures of connection offers a practical, joyful antidote. National Hug & High 5 Day reminds us that meaningful contact does not require money, planning or grand gestures. A hug or a high five takes seconds, yet it can brighten a day, ease a worry and strengthen the bonds between people. If you enjoy days that celebrate friendship and togetherness, you might also like National Words With Friends Day, another occasion built around staying connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Hug & High 5 Day?
It is an annual day encouraging people to share hugs and high fives with friends, family and strangers as a way of spreading warmth and human connection. It celebrates the idea that small gestures of kindness can have a big impact.
When is National Hug & High 5 Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The date is fixed and is observed on 12 September every year.
Who founded National Hug & High 5 Day?
It was founded in 2021 by David Hale Sylvester, a Philadelphia author and adventurer known as “Big Dave”, who has spent more than two decades travelling the world sharing hugs and high fives in memory of a friend lost in the 11 September attacks.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best hugs and high fives on social media with #HugAndHigh5Day and #HugAndHigh5Day2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to pass on a little warmth to someone who needs it!
Related Awareness Days
- National Words With Friends Day – A playful day celebrating friendship and connection through a much-loved word game.
- World Refugee Day – A day that highlights compassion and support for people in need around the world.
- National Children’s Day – A celebration of children and the importance of love, care and connection in family life.
Links
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