National Twilighters Day
September 13
About National Twilighters Day
National Twilighters Day falls on Sunday, 13 September 2026, celebrating the worldwide community of fans devoted to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga. The date marks the birthday shared by author Stephenie Meyer and her heroine Bella Swan, and it has become a focal point for Twihards everywhere, from the rainy town of Forks, Washington, to fan gatherings across the globe.
How to Celebrate National Twilighters Day
Whether you are a lifelong Twihard or a casual fan of sparkling vampires, there are plenty of ways to mark the occasion:
- Host a saga rewatch marathon – Settle in for all five films, from Twilight (2008) through to Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012). Bonus points for matching the running order to the books.
- Reread the novels – Pick up the original four books, or revisit Midnight Sun, the 2020 retelling of the first book from Edward Cullen’s perspective.
- Wear your Team Edward or Team Jacob colours – Dust off the fan merchandise, pull on a Cullen crest hoodie, or simply dress in moody greys and forest greens to suit the Pacific Northwest mood.
- Bake a birthday cake for Bella – The day doubles as Bella Swan’s birthday, so a cake is entirely appropriate. Share a slice with friends and toast the character who started it all.
- Throw a themed party – Set the scene with low lighting, a vampire-and-werewolf dress code, and a playlist drawn from the films’ celebrated soundtracks.
- Visit Forks, Washington – The real town that inspired the fictional setting embraces its Twilight fame. Take a self-guided tour using the town’s Twilight map and photograph Bella’s red truck.
- Support a charity – The Twilight fan community has a long history of fundraising, so consider donating to a cause you care about in the spirit of the day.
- Post and tag online – Share your celebrations using #NationalTwilightersDay and #StephenieMeyerDay to connect with fans around the world.
What is National Twilighters Day?
National Twilighters Day is an unofficial celebration of the fans, often called Twihards or Twilighters, who grew up with and continue to adore Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. The four young-adult novels, published between 2005 and 2008, and their film adaptations turned a story about a teenage girl, a vampire, and a werewolf into one of the defining cultural phenomena of its era. The day honours that fandom, the friendships it has created, and the town of Forks that became its real-world heart.
When is National Twilighters Day?
National Twilighters Day is observed every year on 13 September. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday. The date is deliberately chosen: 13 September is the birthday of both author Stephenie Meyer and her central character, Bella Swan, making it the natural day for fans to gather and celebrate. In Forks, Washington, the festivities typically extend across a long weekend, with the 2026 Forever Twilight in Forks festival running from 10 to 13 September.
The History of National Twilighters Day
The roots of National Twilighters Day lie in the extraordinary success of the Twilight books. Stephenie Meyer published the first novel in 2005, and within a few years the saga had sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and spawned a five-film series that grossed billions at the box office. Fans were drawn not only to the central romance but to the brooding, rain-soaked atmosphere of the fictional town of Forks.
That fictional town is a real place. Forks, a small logging community on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, had been hit hard by the decline of the timber industry. As Twilight‘s popularity grew, fans began making pilgrimages to the town, and the community embraced its new identity. Forks began holding celebrations around Bella’s birthday in the late 2000s, with the town marking “Stephenie Meyer Day” as early as 2007. The annual Forever Twilight in Forks festival grew out of these gatherings and now draws thousands of visitors each September.
National Twilighters Day itself was formally established in 2019 by April Tinnes, Patsy Harrison, Twyla Moore and Cindy Stapp, who wanted a dedicated day to recognise the global fan community rather than the location alone. The celebration gives fans everywhere, not just those able to travel to Forks, a shared moment to honour the saga and the friendships it has fostered. If you enjoy days devoted to beloved screen and television culture, you might also like National Television Heritage Day.
Fun Facts About National Twilighters Day
- The date of 13 September is shared by both Bella Swan and Stephenie Meyer, which is why fans treat the day as a double birthday celebration.
- Forks, Washington, once welcomed fewer than 1,000 visitors a year before Twilight; at the peak of the craze the town drew tens of thousands of fans annually.
- The town offers a free self-guided Twilight map so fans can tour locations linked to the story, including a replica of Bella’s distinctive red pickup truck.
- The Twilight fan community has organised charity fundraising over the years, including efforts connected to causes such as cancer support.
- Stephenie Meyer revisited the saga in 2020 with Midnight Sun, retelling the first book from Edward Cullen’s point of view, reigniting interest among long-time Twihards.
- Lodging in Forks for the festival weekend often books up roughly a year in advance, such is the demand from devoted fans.
Why National Twilighters Day Matters
For a story sometimes dismissed by critics, Twilight built one of the most loyal fan communities of its generation. National Twilighters Day matters because it celebrates that sense of belonging, the friendships forged at conventions and festivals, and the way a piece of fiction can reshape a real community. For the town of Forks, the fandom has become a genuine economic lifeline, and for fans it is a reminder that the stories we love can bring people together for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Twilighters Day?
National Twilighters Day is a fan-led celebration of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga and the global community of Twihards who love it. It honours the books, the films, and the town of Forks, Washington, that inspired the setting.
When is National Twilighters Day in 2026?
National Twilighters Day takes place on Sunday, 13 September 2026, the birthday shared by author Stephenie Meyer and her character Bella Swan.
Why is National Twilighters Day celebrated on 13 September?
The date was chosen because 13 September is the birthday of both Stephenie Meyer and Bella Swan, making it the natural day for fans to gather. The town of Forks has marked celebrations around this date since the late 2000s.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your Twilight rewatch snaps, Team Edward and Team Jacob debates, and Forks travel photos on social media with #NationalTwilightersDay and #NationalTwilightersDay2026. Tag your fellow Twihards and challenge them to take part!
Related Awareness Days
- National Twilight Zone Day – Another day for fans of a landmark screen classic, celebrating Rod Serling’s iconic anthology series.
- National Television Heritage Day – A celebration of the screen culture and adaptations that shape our shared stories.
- Frankenstein Friday – A day honouring gothic and supernatural storytelling, a genre with deep ties to vampire and monster fiction.
Links
- Visit the official Forever Twilight in Forks festival website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash.
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