About National Hug a Bear Day

How long until National Hug a Bear Day?

National Hug a Bear Day .

Dates of National Hug a Bear Day

2026 United Kingdom Saturday, November 7thNational Hug a Bear Day

2025 United Kingdom Friday, November 7thNational Hug a Bear Day

2024 United Kingdom Thursday, November 7thNational Hug a Bear Day

2023 United Kingdom Tuesday, November 7thNational Hug a Bear Day

2022 United Kingdom Monday, November 7thNational Hug a Bear Day

Summary

We don't want to tell you how to live your life, but we would advise against any hugging of real bears.

National Hug a Bear Day in other countries

National Hug a Bear Day internationally

The “bear” in “Hug a Bear Day” actually refers to Teddy bears. “Teddy” bears are named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who served as President from 1901 to 1909.

Theodore Roosevelt’s association with bears is based on a famous story from November 1902 when he spared the life of one during a hunting expedition. This story was featured as a cartoon in the Washington Post, which inspired two New York City store owners to create the first “Teddy” bear toy.

These days Hug a Bear Day isn’t as much an acknowledgement of not shooting bears as it is promoting the benefits of hugging - there's a reason they are called cuddly toys.