What you need to know about January!

This month bears the name of the Roman god Janus, who rightly stood for fresh starts. Discover some interesting customs, oddball holidays, night sky views, and more!

January Calendar

• January 1 is New Year’s Day. While you’re still recuperating from the prior night’s parties, read about some other New Year’s traditions you might not know about and celebrate with some Hoppin’ John for good luck.
• January 5 brings Twelfth Night, an English folk custom that marked the end of Christmas merrymaking and, in ancient Celtic tradition, the end of the 12-day winter solstice celebration. On Twelfth Night, it was customary for the assembled company to toast each other from the wassail bowl.
• January 6 is Epiphany. According to the New Testament’s Gospels, on this date, the Magi–the three wise men or kings–venerated and brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Bake a beautiful Epiphany Tart or a King Cake with a lucky bean inside!
• January 17 is Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. He was not only a world-renowned statesman, inventor, and scientist but was also fascinated by agriculture. Here at The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we consider him the father of almanacs!
• January 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day (observed). This holiday is held on the third Monday in January and honors the principles of this civil rights leader and Nobel Prize Winner dedicated to nonviolence. This year, January 20 is also Inauguration Day.
• January 29 is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Celebrated widely throughout East Asia, this holiday begins with the first new Moon after the Winter Solstice and is associated with the Chinese Zodiac.

January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month and National Hot Tea Month! Here are some more fun things to celebrate in January:

• January 1: Z Day (On this day, those whose last name begins with “Z” get to go first instead of last.)
• January 3: National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day
• January 6: National Bean Day
• January 8: Elvis Presley’s Birthday
• January 10: National Houseplant Appreciation Day
• January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
• January 20: National Penguin Day
• January 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day
• January 29: National Puzzle Day

Perihelion: Earth Passes Its Closest to the Sun

On January 4, 2025, Earth reaches perihelion, which is the point in the planet’s orbit where it is closest to the Sun. At perihelion, Earth will be 91,405,993 miles from our bright star. Don’t forget your sunscreen! 

The Full Wolf Moon

January’s Moon is called the Wolf Moon. The Saxon word for the month was Wulf-monath or “wolf month.”

This year, the full Moon reaches peak illumination on Monday, January 13, at 5:27 P.M. EST. It can be seen rising from the horizon around sunset that evening.

January Birthstone

January’s birthstone, the garnet, is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel.

January Birth Flower

January’s birth flowers are the carnation and snowdrop. Read