Odd Socks Day is celebrated annually in November to mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week and encourage people to celebrate each other’s differences.
The day was created in 2017 by children’s TV presenter Andy Day, who was known for his comedy group Andy and the Odd Socks.
As the name suggests, it involved wearing a pair of odd socks without any fear of judgment from others.
Everyone is welcome to join in. In fact, the more people who rock their mismatched socks the better.
Five million children, thousands of parents and hundreds of workplaces got involved in the event in the past. Celebrities such as Ant and Dec, Emma Willis, and Sir Mo Farah have joined in on the fun.
When is odd socks day?
This year, the quirky yet meaningful event takes place on Monday, November 13.
What is this year's theme?
This year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme is “Make A Noise About Bullying”, with the Anti-Bullying Alliance saying: “Too often, we are silent when we see bullying take place, silent about the hurt bullying causes, and silent when we hear bullying dismissed as ‘just banter’. It doesn't have to be this way.
"Of course, we won’t like everyone and we don’t always agree, but we can choose respect and unity.
"This Anti-Bullying Week let’s come together to have discussions about what bullying means to us, how banter can turn into something more hurtful, and what we can do to stop bullying. Together, we can make a difference and take a stand against bullying.
"From the playground to Parliament, and from our phones to our homes, let’s make a noise about bullying."
How to get involved in Odd Socks Day
Here are some fun ideas families and classrooms can try out to mark the special day.
- Hold an odd socks fashion show with each family picking socks that reflect their personality and vibrance
- Sit down to have a chat about what bullying means and the importance of reaching out
- Volunteer for or donate to anti-bullying organisations
- Share the word on social media to help raise awareness
