Celebrate Frankenstein Friday the Last Friday in October
On the last Friday in October we celebrate the birth of the popular horror character, Frankenstein’s monster, with Frankenstein Friday.
The famous monster was born in 1818 when 21-year old Mary Wollenstonecraft Shelley published her now-famous story, Frankenstein.
The Frankenstein in the book was actually the scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who created (but never named) a grotesque creature in his lab.
These days we call the monster Frankenstein too. That’s not actually right, but we usually know what people mean by Frankenstein! They’re usually not talking about the scientist.
Ron MacCloskey created Frankenstein Friday in 1997. We celebrate it on the last Friday in October every year. And Ron awards “The Franky Award” for making significant contributions to promoting Frankenstein.
Apparently Ron chose a Friday to honor the famous monster partly because Friday’s a good party night and partly for the “FR” connection (you know, FRankenstein and FRiday?).
This day is different from Frankenstein Day on August 30. That day honors Franky’s creator Mary Shelley. She was born August 30, 1797.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial monster-loving holiday.
Ideas for Celebrating Frankenstein Friday
Celebrate Dr. Frankenstein and his monster of course!
Read Mary Shelley’s book, Frankenstein. This is the original 1818 uncensored version.
Watch a Frankenstein movie!
- Frankenstein – the original, 1931 version with Boris Karloff
- Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – A 1994 remake starring Rober De Niro (as the monster) and Kenneth Branagh (as Dr. Frankenstein)
- Young Frankenstein – A 1974 Mel Brooks comedy with Gene Wilder
Or make it a Boris Karloff marathon and add Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein to your viewing list. You can get all three (plus 5 more Frankenstein movies) in Frankenstein: Complete Legacy Collection.
Have a Frankenstein-themed party.
- Have everybody dress up as Frankenstein (the monster or the scientist—your choice). Or Frankenstein’s bride.
- Have a best costume contest
- Make Frankenstein cookies
- Turn Rice Krispies treats into Frankentreats (this would be fun for the kids, too)
- Decorate a cake with the monster’s face
- Use Frankenstein cupcake toppers
- Decorate with a Frankenstein balloon bouquet
- Find other Frankenstein party supplies!
Get your kids in on the fun with a Frankenstein Action Figure.
Dates for Future Frankenstein Friday Celebrations
Since the actual date of this holiday changes each year, here’s a list of the dates for the last Friday in October for the next few years.
- 2019 – Friday, October 25
- 2020 – Friday, October 30
- 2021 – Friday, October 29
- 2022 – Friday, October 28
- 2023 – Friday, October 27
- 2024 – Friday, October 25
- 2025 – Friday, October 31
- 2026 – Friday, October 30
- 2027 – Friday, October 29
- 2028 – Friday, October 27
- 2029 – Friday, October 26
Some body was asking for ideas on how to observe the day and we advised them to visit this page.
It turns out that they made the Frankenstein cookies and it was fun.
They came back impressed an we want to rely their gratitude.
Thank you.
Awesome! Glad we were able to help your friend find a way to make the day fun.
[…] Frankenstein Friday: Get a jump-start on your Halloween festivities by celebrating that most famous of monsters. The one cobbled together in the lab of a truly mad scientist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Read the book, have a Frankenstein-themed party, or watch a Frankenstein movie or two. […]