INTERNATIONAL DAYGENERAL

International Louie Louie Day

Every year on April 11, three chords and one famously unintelligible lyric get their birthday party. International Louie Louie Day falls on the birthday of Richard Berry, the man who wrote "Louie Louie" in 1955 and watched it become one of the most recorded songs in rock history. It is a day for garage bands, air guitar, and singing along at full volume, even if you still do not know all the words.

APR11

Sunday, April 11Every year on April 11

days to go

Roots: Chosen from several April "Louie Louie" landmarks, including the Kingsmen’s April 6, 1963 recording session and Washington’s April 12, 1985 "Louie Louie Day" proclamation; listed by Chase’s Calendar of Events and supported by LLAMAS and fans worldwide.
Also on Apr 11: World Parkinson’s Day · Barbershop Quartet Day · Cheese Fondue Day
Hashtag: #InternationalLouieLouieDay

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3 ways to celebrate

AT HOME

Learn the Three Chords

Grab a guitar and learn the famous progression that built a legend, then play it loud enough for the neighbors to enjoy and try singing along without looking at the lyrics.

WITH FRIENDS

The Louie Louie Marathon

Line up as many cover versions as you can find, from the Kingsmen to the Beach Boys to Motorhead, play them back to back, and vote on the wildest one.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Host a Sing-Along

Gather at a bar, a porch, or a park with printed lyrics, count everyone in, and let the whole crowd shout the words they think they hear at full volume.

Plan ahead

International Louie Louie Day is observed on April 11 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, Apr 11this year

2027Sun, Apr 11

2028Tue, Apr 11

2029Wed, Apr 11

2030Thu, Apr 11

2031Fri, Apr 11

2032Sun, Apr 11

2033Mon, Apr 11

2034Tue, Apr 11

2035Wed, Apr 11

2036Fri, Apr 11

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Fast facts

More than 2,000Recorded covers and counting; the song sits in the Grammy Hall of Fame and on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs list, and the Kingsmen’s version peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Play every version you own back to back, learn the three famous chords, and host a full-volume sing-along with friends.