National Edge Day Date in the current year: October 17, 2024

Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. For some, the straight edge lifestyle extends to not using caffeine or prescription drugs, following a vegan or vegetarian diet, or not engaging in promiscuous sex. The term “straight edge” was adopted from the 1981 song of the same name by Minor Threat.

The inaugural National Edge Day was celebrated on October 17, 1999, as Edge Fest. It took place at the Karma night club in Boston, Massachusetts. The show featured the bands Ten Yard Fight (actually, it was the band’s last official concert), In My Eyes, Bane, Floorpunch, and Reach the Sky.

Since the inaugural show, National Edge Day has been held in Boston every year. Today, the holiday is celebrated in other cities throughout the United States, as well as abroad. Countries that have joined the celebration include Sweden, the UK, and Malaysia. National Edge Day is typically celebrated with local live shows featuring hardcore bands who also identify as straight edge.