April Fools' Day 2027
April Fools' Day 2027 is on Thursday, April 1, 2027 (in 155 days). It is a day for pranks, jokes and hoaxes celebrated every year on April 1 and is not a federal holiday.
- Date
- Thursday, April 1, 2027
- Countdown
- In 155 days
- Federal holiday
- No
- Date rule
- April 1 (fixed date)
- Possible dates
- Always April 1; only the weekday changes
- Next occurrence
- Saturday, April 1, 2028
April Fools' Day dates by year
| Year | Date | Weekday | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | 210 days ago |
| 2027 | April 1, 2027 | Thursday | in 155 days |
| 2028 | April 1, 2028 | Saturday | in 17 months |
| 2029 | April 1, 2029 | Sunday | in 2 years |
| 2030 | April 1, 2030 | Monday | in 3 years |
| 2031 | April 1, 2031 | Tuesday | in 4 years |
| 2032 | April 1, 2032 | Thursday | in 5 years |
| 2033 | April 1, 2033 | Friday | in 6 years |
| 2034 | April 1, 2034 | Saturday | in 7 years |
| 2035 | April 1, 2035 | Sunday | in 8 years |
Dates are calculated from the rule shown above, not copied from a list, so they stay correct for any year. See everything else happening that month in the calendar for April 2027.
The date of April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is always April 1, so only the weekday changes. It is not a holiday, and schools, offices and banks are open as usual. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, tradition says that pranks should stop at noon and that anyone who plays a trick in the afternoon is the fool. In 2028 April Fools' Day is on Saturday, April 1, 2028.
Where April Fools' Day comes from
Nobody knows exactly how the custom began. A popular theory links it to France, where the start of the year was moved to January 1 in the 1560s and people who still celebrated the new year in spring were mocked as fools. Historians point out that the evidence for this story is weak. Others see a possible early reference in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" from the 14th century, and some connect the day to Roman and medieval spring festivals with role reversals and jokes. By the 18th century the custom was common in Britain, and British settlers brought it to America.
Traditions around the world
In France and Italy the day is called "April fish" (poisson d'avril, pesce d'aprile), and children try to stick a paper fish on the backs of friends without being noticed. In Scotland the tradition once lasted two days: "hunting the gowk", sending people on pointless errands, on April 1, followed by Taily Day with pranks played on people's backsides. In the United States the day is mostly about harmless practical jokes among family, friends and coworkers.
Famous hoaxes
In 1957 the BBC program Panorama showed Swiss farmers "harvesting" spaghetti from trees, and many viewers called to ask how to grow their own. In 1996 Taco Bell announced that it had bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell, and in 1998 Burger King advertised a "Left-Handed Whopper". Media outlets and tech companies still publish fake products and stories every April 1. The opposite also happens: when Google announced Gmail on April 1, 2004, with a then-huge 1 GB of free storage, many people thought it was a joke.
Pranks without harm
The best April Fools' jokes are ones the target can laugh at too. Avoid pranks that could cause injury, damage property or frighten people, and never fake emergencies, calls to police or alarming messages. Be extra careful with news and offers you see online on April 1 and check them with a trusted source before sharing.
Frequently asked questions about April Fools' Day
When is April Fools' Day 2027?
April Fools' Day 2027 is on Thursday, April 1, 2027.
When is April Fools' Day 2028?
April Fools' Day 2028 is on Saturday, April 1, 2028.
Is April Fools' Day a holiday?
No. It is a popular tradition, not a federal or state holiday, and schools, offices and businesses are open.
Do pranks have to stop at noon?
In the United Kingdom and some other countries tradition says so. In the United States there is no such rule, and jokes often continue all day.
Why is it called April Fools' Day?
The person who falls for a prank is the "April fool". The origin of the custom is unknown, although many theories exist.