How Many Days Until April Fools Day? (April 1, 2026)

What Is April Fool’s Day?

Joking is an indispensable part of our daily lives, and April Fool’s Day, celebrated every year on April 1st worldwide, highlights this playful spirit. You can find a countdown above to see how many days remain until April Fool’s Day. On this day, especially young people and children enjoy playing jokes and tricks on each other. Even some serious media outlets add humor by sharing small “fake” news stories.

The History of April Fool’s Day

There are many rumors about the origins of April Fool’s Day. One popular story comes from France, where April 1st used to mark the start of the new year until 1564. King Charles IV changed the calendar to start the year on January 1st. However, some people continued to celebrate the old new year on April 1st by exchanging gifts and well-wishes as a joke, which led to the tradition of playing pranks. Another related myth is the Fools’ Feast, celebrated on April 1st in Pagan cultures. Similar festivals existed in ancient Rome, known as Hilaria, and in India, Holi is celebrated around the same time, on March 31st.

How April Fool’s Day Is Celebrated Today

Today, April Fool’s Day is celebrated globally with jokes and pranks. In some countries, people organize parties, go on trips, or join prank clubs. Many of us have experienced a joke on this day at least once. The nature of the jokes varies by culture: Western countries often feature elaborate, planned pranks, while Muslim countries tend to keep jokes smaller and more innocent.

Famous April Fool’s Day Jokes

April 1 is also known as Joke Day worldwide. Over the years, many famous jokes have made headlines. For example, in 1962, a Swedish TV technician tricked viewers by placing a nylon stocking over the screen to simulate color television on the country’s only black-and-white channel. In 1977, The Guardian published a seven-page supplement about the fictitious San Serriffe Island, creating a legendary prank. Another famous joke was in 1996 when Taco Bell announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell, renaming it the “Taco Freedom Bell,” which sparked public outrage.

Track How Many Days Until April Fool’s Day

If you’re wondering how many days until April Fool’s Day or when April Fool’s Day is, you can check the countdown above this page to follow the remaining time.