A day for the goth scene
World Goth Day falls on 22 May each year. It is a celebration of goth culture: the music that grew out of post-punk at the end of the 1970s and the start of the 1980s, and the fashion, art, literature and community that have grown around it ever since.
How it began
The day grew out of goth-themed programming on BBC Radio 6 Music on 22 May 2009, as part of a series about musical subcultures. It was taken up by DJs in the UK goth scene, among them Martin Oldgoth, and promoted as a worldwide day from 2010. Accounts differ on who first suggested the idea, but 22 May has been the date ever since.
How it is marked
There is no single way to celebrate. Clubs hold special nights, bands play gigs, radio stations build dark playlists, and people share photos, music and memories online. The organisers’ message has always been an inclusive one: you do not need to dress or listen a particular way to join in.
World Goth Day is a fan celebration, not an official holiday.