Fintastic Friday

Category: Animals
Fintastic Friday around the world in 2026
Image: A whale shark at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. by Rick Wallace , from Unsplash. CC0

About Fintastic Friday

How long until Fintastic Friday?
Fintastic Friday .
Dates of Fintastic Friday
2026 InternationalMay 8
International Fri, May 8Observances Holiday
2025 InternationalMay 9
International Fri, May 9Observances Holiday
2024 InternationalMay 10
International Fri, May 10Observances Holiday
2023 InternationalMay 12
International Fri, May 12Observances Holiday
2022 InternationalMay 13
International Fri, May 13Observances Holiday
Summary
Find out the dates, history and traditions of Fintastic Friday.

WhaleTimes created Fintastic Friday in 2011. The intention was "Giving Sharks, Skates, and Rays a Voice to help raise awareness and encourage advocacy to protect elasmobranchs."

Everyone needs a special day, especially the often demonized, misunderstood and underappreciated shark. Fintastic Friday celebrates sharks and encourages kids to find ways to change public opinion from hatred to love and from fear to appreciation. Sharks need our help. People kill as many as 100 million sharks a year. Populations are dropping at catastrophic rates. WhaleTimes is confident kids can change the tide for sharks in a positive way. Throughout the world, kids celebrate Fintastic Friday in all kinds of ways, such as making their home a shark conservation zone or having a "Sharks in the Park" rally. 

It is observed on the second Friday of May.

WhaleTimes director Ruth Musgrave got the idea for the day when she was writing the book Everything Sharks. She thought the view of sharks should be updated, as their survival was essential for the survival of all ocean species. Ruth believed they needed a new voice and that kids could be that voice.

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