Carousel Day or National Merry-Go-Round Day is observed every year on July 25. The holiday was created by the National Carousel Association (N.C.A.) as a way to mark the registration of the first patent for a carousel design in 1871 by William Schneider. However, carousels are not exactly a modern phenomenon, as their existence has been traced to 500 A.D in the Byzantine Empire where ancient drawings depict a fascinating carousel style.

History of Carousel Day

The earliest-known carousel depiction is said to have originated from the Byzantine Empire in 500 A.D. In the design, riders are depicted sitting in baskets suspended from poles. The word ‘carousel’ derives from the Italian word ‘garosello’ and the Spanish word ‘carosella,’ both of which mean ‘little battle.’ The name references the sixth-century style of jousting in Europe and Asia, where knights on horses would ride in a circle while attempting to catch balls of perfume being thrown at them. In the 17th century, children began to play a mock version of this game by riding on horses made of wood.Several people contributed to the development of modern carousels. One of the most prominent was Gustav Dentzel who emigrated from Germany to the United States and revived his family’s carousel business. He has been credited as the first to include animal menagerie in his carousels, such as lions, cats, tigers, and deer, apart from the traditional horses and chariots. However, he did not file a patent for his carousel designs and in 1871, William Schneider of Davenport, Ohio became the first person to file a patent for a carousel.The creation of Carousel Day or Merry-Go-Round Day is all thanks to Bette Largent, President of the National Carousel Association (N.C.A.), and Ronald Hopkins, a carousel historian. The holiday was created to celebrate carousels and their joyful addition to society.

Carousel Day timeline

1871
Schneider Registers the First Patent

William Schneider registers a patent for the carousel.

1971
Walt Disney World Opens

The Walt Disney World Resort opens in Florida, United States.

1973
The N.C.A. is Founded

The National Carousel Association is founded in the United States.

2014
Carousel Day is Created

The National Carousel Association creates Carousel Day.

Carousel Day FAQs

Is Disneyland free on your birthday?

No. Disneyland no longer gives free admission on birthdays.

Who is the president of Walt Disney World Resort?

Jeff Vahle is the current president of Walt Disney World Resort.

What is the most expensive theme park in the world?

Universal Studios Hollywood is considered to be the most expensive theme park in the world, at an average of $12.38 per ride.

Carousel Day Activities

  1. Visit an amusement park

    On this day, relive some of your happiest memories by visiting an amusement park or local fair. Participate in all the fun games, indulge your taste buds, and have some fun.

  2. Ride a carousel

    Even if you feel a little bit out of place, take a carousel ride. Just relax and enjoy the smooth ride.

  3. Post on social media

    While you’re at the park, take a picture of some of your favorite rides and post it online. Make sure to use the hashtag #merrygoroundday or #carouselday.

5 Most Visited Amusement Parks In The World

  1. Magic Kingdom

    Located in Florida, U.S. at the Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom welcomes over 20 million guests a year.

  2. Tokyo Disneyland

    Located in Japan’s capital, Tokyo, this park had over 17 million visitors in 2019.

  3. Tokyo DisneySea

    Also located in Japan, this park has received an average of over 15 million visitors a year for the past ten years.

  4. Universal Studios Japan

    Owned by Comcast, Universal Studios receives an average of 11.7 million visitors every year.

  5. Shanghai Disneyland

    Located in Shanghai, China, this park welcomed over 11 million visitors in a single year.

Why We Love Carousel Day

  1. Carousels are so much fun

    Relive the feeling of freedom and weightlessness as you’re carried along on a merry-go-round. We love carousels because they are just plain fun.

  2. Carousels help to create good memories

    Carousels are mostly associated with family time as parents watch their kids laugh and enjoy the many rides. Carousels are not only fun but also create special memories for both kids and adults.

  3. Carousel Day provides publicity

    Carousel Day encourages people to take carousel rides and visit amusement parks. Due to the buzz created by the holiday, this provides publicity for carousel makers and theme parks.

Carousel Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 July 25 Tuesday
2024 July 25 Thursday
2025 July 25 Friday
2026 July 25 Saturday
2027 July 25 Sunday