Need an excuse to build with LEGO bricks? LEGO bricks? You probably don’t—but just in case, we’ve rounded up a few special days throughout the year where you can fully embrace your love of plastic brick.
Thanks in large part to social media, most AFOLs are now aware of at least a handful of unofficial (and official) holidays dedicated to the hobby. Of course, every day can be a LEGO day—especially when it’s your birthday, Christmas, or any other special day of celebration.
But if you’re looking for a reason to mark your calendar, here are a few notable LEGO-related dates worth celebrating.
International LEGO Day (aka Patent Day) – January 28
US patent for the Lego brick
Celebrated every year on January 28th, International LEGO Day commemorates the filing of the Danish patent for the modern LEGO brick in 1958. It’s a foundational moment in the history of the brick as we know it today.
Celebratory activities might include building a new set, creating something original, sharing ideas with friends, or even hosting a LEGO-themed party. However you mark it, it’s a great excuse to reflect on just how far the humble brick has come.
2x4 Day – April 2
An AFOL-created event, 2x4 Day takes place on April 2nd and celebrates one of the most iconic elements in the LEGO system: the 2x4 brick.
An AFOL-created event, 2x4 Day occurs on April 2nd and celebrates the magnificence of the 2x4 brick. A popular activity to celebrate the day is to build a creation using only 2x4 bricks! (And yes, depending on where you live, some builders also celebrate on February 4!)
Ole Kirk Kristianen’s Birthday – April 7
Ole Kirk Kristiansen
Not widely celebrated across the AFOL community (but perhaps it should be), this day honours the founder of LEGO and the man behind the name.
A fitting way to celebrate might be building a cake out of LEGO… or simply enjoying a real one. Either way, it’s a chance to recognize the origins of the brand that brought us all together.
International Day of Play – June 11
LEGO and several other high-profile companies have partnered with the United Nations to establish the International Day of Play (also known as World Play Day).
There’s even a fantastic article on BrickNerd by Brian Hickey with many suggestions for celebrating the day, but the simplest way is just to take a few moments to play, build, and create.
AFOL Name Creation Day – June 13/14
IMage via JAy’s Brick Blog
The term “Adult Fan of LEGO” was first used on June 13, 1995, on the Usenet group rec.toys.lego by Jeff Thompson. The very next day, Matthew Verdier shortened it to the now-familiar acronym: AFOL.
Since then, there have been many attempts to invent a new term to recognise and acknowledge adults who like LEGO products, but AFOL remains the most widely used. Celebrate this day by getting together with other AFOLs at a LUG meeting, or a LEGO Fan Event.
BrickLink Founded – June 19
Perhaps one of the most important milestones in the modern AFOL era, BrickLink was founded on June 19, 2000. BrickLink fundamentally changed how fans buy, sell, and source parts, and its impact on the hobby can’t really be overstated.
Without it, collectors wouldn’t have had access to LEGO sets and merchandise they hadn’t previously been able to purchase. Those who wanted to sell their collections wouldn’t have had a platform to do so, and, most importantly, we wouldn’t have the incredible wealth of information that now exists within the site. It has become not just a marketplace, but an essential resource for builders and collectors alike.
Of course, the most fitting way to celebrate the day would be to place a BrickLink order… or finally build something using parts you’ve sourced from the site.
LEGO Anniversary – August 10
Although the date is a little vague, August 10, 1932 is generally considered the day Ole Kirk Kristiansen first began making wooden toys—work that would eventually lead to the creation of the LEGO brand.
Most AFOLs don’t have access to any of those original wooden toys, so it’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate the day using their modern plastic counterparts and creating something amazing.
Micropolis Day – August 17
the first micropolis module
On August 17, 2008, Max Braun introduced the concept of Micropolis to his local LUG (TwinLUG), establishing a standard that would go on to spread throughout the LEGO community. This year marks 18 years since the original standard was introduced, and it has been modified and further developed many times, while still regularly appearing at LEGO fan events around the world.
The best way to acknowledge the day is to build something using the Micropolis standard. Perhaps your local LUG could even hold a Micropolis build competition?
LEGO Build Day – December 27
Imagine a whole day dedicated to building with LEGO! That’s what LEGO build day is all about. It’s that time of year when many LEGO fans, young and old, have received sets as gifts from friends, family, and even Santa.
To make the most of the day, build one of your new sets. Or, if you don’t have anything new, take apart an old one and create something completely different.
Every Day Is a LEGO Day
As you can see, there are many special days throughout the year where you have an excuse to celebrate your love of LEGO. Some are rooted in LEGO history, others in the creativity of the fan community, but all share the same goal of bringing people together through building.
And even beyond these specific dates, there’s no shortage of inspiration. From themed months to recurring contests and collaborative standards, the LEGO community has created countless ways to keep the ideas flowing. If you’re looking for even more, check out Every LEGO Collab Standard, Themed Month and Recurring Contest. It is a comprehensive list of community-driven challenges and events to inspire your next build.
Ultimately though, you don’t need to wait for a specific date on the calendar. The beauty of LEGO is that it’s always there when you need it, whether that’s to relax, to challenge yourself, or to connect with others who share the same passion. So while it’s fun to mark these days and celebrate alongside the wider community, every day can be a LEGO day so get building!
What other LEGO dates should we add to our calendar? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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