What is Hobbit Day?

your official invitation to celebrate this 'holiday' with (new and old!) Tolkien fans

“Before long the invitations began pouring out, and the Hobbiton post-office was blocked, and the Bywater post-office was snowed under, and voluntary assistant postmen were called for. There was a constant stream of them going up the Hill, carrying hundreds of polite variations on ‘Thank you, I shall certainly come.’ ” - The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter: A Long-expected Party, J.R.R. Tolkien

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There appears to be an influx of new people being introduced to the works of Tolkien this year. To any and all I would like to send out a heartfelt welcome. 

I’m seeing it all over social media and wondered what’s causing the current resurgence interest in Tolkien’s work.

Is it the return of The Rings of Power Season Two this August? Is it the announcements made earlier this year that Peter Jackson would be making two new films set in Middle-earth?

I wouldn’t be able to say for sure. What I do know is, however they arrive, I’m thrilled to invite fresh people deeper into this fandom. 

And as a self-appointed member of the welcoming committee, I feel it is my duty to inform you of an exclusively Tolkien holiday celebrated within the fandom that you may not be aware of; one that is exactly one month away today! 

Do you enjoy good food, gathering with friends, and cozying up to read (or watch adaptations of) The Professor’s works?

Have you ever wanted to mark the last lingering days of summer that intermingle with the magic beginnings of fall but didn’t know exactly how to celebrate?

I have the perfect unofficial holiday for you. 

I’m talking of course about Hobbit Day. 

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But what is Hobbit Day?

In The Lord of the Rings the story begins with the preparation for Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday party. We learn as we read that it will also be a day celebrating Frodo Baggins’ 33rd birthday because the two Hobbits were born on the same day: September 22nd. 

And so for many years now, fans of Tolkien have taken to celebrating every September 22nd in what has come to be known as Hobbit Day. 

From my understanding and experience, this holiday is completely informal and customizable. 

• Some celebrate by curling up alone at home to read a beloved Tolkien passage with a favorite comfort drink of choice. 

• Some plan menus weeks in advance, send out invitations and welcome their friends and family for a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. 

• Some plan to be outside as much as possible and take a hike or a long walk out in nature (could there be anything more Tolkien than a long walk out in nature?). 

This day is all about taking time to slow down, eat foods you love and appreciate the themes of camaraderie, hope and beauty in the darkness that J.R.R. Tolkien wove into his tales.

How to celebrate?

How you choose to celebrate is entirely up to you. As for me and my house, we’re already having planning conversations and mapping out meals; seven in total as is proper in Hobbit culture! 

1. Breakfast

2. Second Breakfast

3. Elevenses

4. Luncheon

5. Afternoon Tea

6. Dinner

7. Supper

Once we’ve got our meal squared away—ours include Belgian waffles, spinach & bacon quiche, po-tay-to soup and buttermilk chocolate cake—we’ll be getting outside for a hike if at all possible. For our kids, we’re also planning to read (and watch!) portions of The Hobbit books + films. 

But for me the indisputable highlight will be that this will be the day we officially begin our journey through The Lord of the Rings with our substack community here.

What better day to start our read-through than on Hobbit Day?! 

Why read The Lord of the Rings now?

After doing this for several years, I’ve found that September is the perfect time to begin reading The Lord of the Rings. There’s just something extra special about starting the story in the same month the story both begins and ends. 

And whether you’re reading from the Northern Hemisphere (where I am) or the Southern Hemisphere, you’re watching the world shift from one season to another. I’ve found that taking this particular story along with me through the changes has helped me walk through them in a whole new way.

Reading The Lord of the Rings has given me a “Tolkien-lens” through which to view the world. This author is often disparaged for his winding narratives that showcase a deep reverence for nature, but all it's done for me is stoke that reverence as well. 

From the simple beauty of the Shire, to the mysterious comfort of Lothlórien, to the eucatastrophe on the plains of Gorgoroth, this story is ready and waiting to welcome you into its pages as you enjoy the last months of 2024. And how fitting to embark on the journey on a little known (but very well loved) holiday known as Hobbit Day. 

How does the LOTR read-through work here?

On September 22nd (Hobbit Day!), we begin The Fellowship of the Ring together. There is no set reading schedule but I aim to read between 5-7 chapters a week. 

All paid subscribers to this substack will get a weekly ‘Middle-earth Monday’ post sent straight to their inbox where I’ll include summaries of the chapters, questions to spark conversations in a private community and loads of extra resources/videos/playlists to enhance your reading experience. If you want to know why I take this approach, I recently wrote a more in-depth look into how I host my read-throughs here. 

How will YOU be celebrating Hobbit Day?

Whether you choose to go full Bilbo Baggins and invite the whole Shire or keep it small and intimate and pick up a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring with us, I hope your Hobbit Day is a lovely one. You’ve got exactly one month to make your plans!

May you have fair weather, a full belly and good friends to share your appreciation of these beautiful tales with.  

If you’re new to the Tolkien fandom or have been around these parts for awhile, I’m so glad you’re here and can’t wait to guide you through The Lord of the Rings this September 22nd.