Home   Calendar   Holidays   Barbershop Quartet Day

Apr11 Fun Holiday – Barbershop Quartet Day

April 11 is Barbershop Quartet Day, a day that celebrates barbershop music, a style of harmony singing without any accompanying music.

Painting of barbershop pole.

Barbershop quartets started in the barber shop.

©iStockphoto.com/radrev

The unofficial holiday commemorates the founding of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America in 1938.

Waiting Songs

As the name suggests, barbershop music originated in 19th-century American barbershops, a place where men, usually African-American, came to socialize. While waiting for their turn with the barber, these men sang, harmonized improvised songs and created a genre of music that is now known as barbershop music.

Straw Hats

A barbershop quartet is a group of 4 men, each with their own unique voices - second tenor, first tenor, bass, and baritone - singing songs in the barbershop style.

Barbershop quartets have a signature dressing style that includes bright striped jackets, straw hats, and big mustaches.

How to Celebrate?

  • Celebrate the day by getting acquainted with Barbershop music and its history.
  • Attend a barbershop quartet show and enjoy their music.

Did You Know…

…that barbershop music is a type of acapella? Acapella is a style of singing without any accompanying instrumental music. The word comes from the Italian word for according to the church.

Barbershop Quartet Day Observances

Fun Holiday: Barbershop Quartet Day Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024ThuApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2025FriApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2026SatApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2027SunApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2028TueApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2029WedApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2030ThuApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2031FriApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2032SunApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day
2033MonApr 11Barbershop Quartet Day

See all Fun Holidays

Other Fun Holidays around April 11

9 Apr

Be Kind to Lawyers Day

Be Kind to Lawyers Day is an unofficial holiday that promotes kindness towards lawyers.

10 Apr

Siblings Day

Siblings Day is an unofficial holiday that honors siblings.

11 Apr

Submarine Day

Honor people who build and work on submarines. Celebrate the day by eating submarine sandwiches.

12 Apr

Grilled Cheese Day

Grilled Cheese Day on April 12 is a day that honors all kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches.