National Carousel Day is celebrated every year on July 25. The holiday was founded by the National Carousel Association to honor one of the most iconic amusement rides. The date commemorates a key event in 1871, when William Schneider received the first U.S. patent for a modern carousel design. However, carousel-like attractions existed much earlier—evidence suggests they date back to the Byzantine Empire around 500 AD.
History
The earliest carousels in the Byzantine Empire featured baskets suspended from poles, spinning riders around for entertainment. The origin of the word “carousel” is debated—it may come from the Italian *garosello* or Spanish *carosello*, both meaning “little battle.” The first recognizable carousel with wooden horses appeared in the 17th century.
German immigrant Gustav Dentzel is credited with introducing animal figures to American carousels, although he never patented the design. That distinction belongs to William Schneider of Davenport, Ohio.
Most Popular Amusement Parks
- Magic Kingdom in Florida, part of Walt Disney World Resort, welcomes over 20 million visitors annually.
- Tokyo Disneyland in Japan draws 16–17 million visitors each year thanks to its blend of magic and advanced technology.
- Tokyo DisneySea also boasts around 15 million annual guests.
- Universal Studios Japan sees nearly 12 million visitors per year.
- Shanghai Disneyland welcomed over 11 million guests last year.
How to Take Part
Spend this joyful day with your family at a local amusement park or fair. Don’t miss the chance to ride a carousel and take nostalgic photos. Share your experience on social media with the hashtag #NationalCarouselDay.
When is National Carousel Day in 2025?
National Carousel Day is observed on July 25 each year.
Observations
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
| Friday | July | 25 | 2025 |
| Saturday | July | 25 | 2026 |
| Sunday | July | 25 | 2027 |
| Tuesday | July | 25 | 2028 |
| Wednesday | July | 25 | 2029 |
