National WICKED Day 2026

History & origins

National Day Calendar and representatives from WICKED the Musical announced National WICKED Day to be celebrated each year on October 30. NDC’s 2023 media alert frames the date as the anniversary of the musical’s Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003, and ties the calendar launch to the show’s 20th anniversary period. The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, reimagines Oz material associated with L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, centering the friendship of Elphaba and Glinda. Stage productions, tours, recordings, and later screen adaptations are separately licensed properties.

The day is a branded entertainment observance on commercial calendars. It is not a U.S. federal holiday. Exact performance counts, grosses, and “longest-running” rankings change over time; this page does not invent current box-office statistics. TheDayOf has no affiliation with the musical’s producers, licensors, or National Day Calendar.

Fan culture around the show is large, especially in the Halloween season when green-and-pink palettes are everywhere. That popularity also attracts piracy. Editorial celebration ideas below stick to ticketing, licensed audio/video, official sheet music, and original fan creativity that does not redistribute copyrighted tracks or full show captures.

Why it matters

Anniversary calendar days help new listeners find the legal cast recording and help longtime fans mark a shared date. Clear rights language matters because musical theatre lives on licensing — schools, community theatres, and streaming platforms included.

How to celebrate

Play a licensed cast recording or soundtrack you subscribe to or own. If you can afford tickets, see an authorized production or tour. Host a listening party with friends and talk about songs without posting full copyrighted audio. Wear green-and-pink colors you already own; avoid selling unauthorized logo merch. Read Baum’s public-domain novel alongside modern authorized adaptations and notice what changed. Support school or community licensed productions rather than unauthorized full uploads. Create original art inspired by themes without copying official key art. Do not share bootleg pro-shots or ripped tracks. Keep Halloween crossover fun light and legal.

Facts

• National Day Calendar and WICKED representatives announced National WICKED Day on October 30 in 2023 for the musical’s 20th Broadway anniversary period
• WICKED opened at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre on October 30, 2003
• Music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz; the book is by Winnie Holzman
• The observance is informal and branded: it is not a U.S. federal holiday
• TheDayOf coverage is independent editorial commentary and implies no affiliation; piracy is not a celebration method

Upcoming dates

• Friday, October 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 30, 2027
• Monday, October 30, 2028
• Tuesday, October 30, 2029
• Wednesday, October 30, 2030