There’s a Day for That?!

Have you ever heard of National Play Outside Day, National Play Monopoly Day or National Jukebox Day? Probably not! November is full of unusual celebrations, and these three are perfect examples of how ordinary activities can become reasons to celebrate. Let’s take a closer look at their origins and the stories behind them.

National Play Outside Day – November 7

When was the last time you went outside simply to have fun? Not to go shopping, walk the dog or get somewhere, but just to play? National Play Outside Day encourages people to put their phones away, leave their homes and enjoy some fresh air.

The celebration takes place on the first Saturday of every month. It was created in 2011 by Aaron Wiggans and Rhonda Abeyta, who wanted to remind people that outdoor activities should be part of everyday life.

There are countless ways to celebrate. You could go hiking, ride a bike, fly a kite, play football or simply explore your neighbourhood. Children might enjoy jumping into piles of autumn leaves, while adults could organise a game of badminton or go for a walk in a nearby park.

The idea is simple: you don’t need expensive equipment or a special location to have fun. Sometimes, all you need is a little free time and a reason to step outside.

National Play Monopoly Day – November 19

If you enjoy board games, November 19 is the perfect excuse to organise a game night. National Play Monopoly Day celebrates one of the world’s best-known board games.

Although many people think Monopoly was invented by Charles Darrow, its history actually goes further back. In 1902, an American woman called Elizabeth Magie designed a board game known as The Landlord’s Game. It was created to demonstrate how land ownership and the collection of rent could affect society.

Over the years, different versions of the game appeared. In 1935, the Parker Brothers company published Monopoly, which soon became a huge success.

The aim of the game is to buy properties, collect rent from other players and try to become the richest person around the board. Players can also build houses and hotels, but they must be careful: landing on someone else’s expensive property can cost them a lot of money!

Today, Monopoly comes in hundreds of different editions. You can find versions based on films, TV shows, cities and even football teams. Some families have their own rules, too, which can make the game even more exciting – or cause a few arguments!

National Jukebox Day – November 25

Before music streaming services and smartphones, people often went to cafés, bars and restaurants to listen to their favourite songs. One popular way to play music was the jukebox, a machine that allowed customers to choose songs by putting coins into it.

The first coin-operated music player was introduced in San Francisco in 1889 by Louis Glass and William S. Arnold. It was connected to a phonograph, an early machine that played recorded sound. At first, customers had only a small number of songs to choose from, and the sound was not very loud.

The name jukebox appeared much later, in the 1940s. These machines became especially popular in American cafés and diners, where people could choose music while enjoying a meal or meeting friends.

Today, jukeboxes are less common, but they still bring back memories of another time. National Jukebox Day is celebrated on the day before American Thanksgiving. In 2026, that means November 25.

So, whether you prefer outdoor games, a competitive board game or choosing your favourite song on a jukebox, November offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself!