Nobel Day2026 · Date · History
The Nobel Foundation identifies 10 December as Nobel Day, when the Nobel Prize award ceremonies take place in Oslo and Stockholm
About Nobel Day
Nobel Day is December 10, the date on which Nobel Prize award ceremonies are held in Stockholm and Oslo.
The Nobel Foundation uses “Nobel Day” for the ceremonial date, which is tied to the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
Why Nobel Day matters
The day centers on the Nobel Prize system and the presentation of prizes recognizing work in the Nobel categories.
“Nobel Day” is an institutional and ceremonial term; it should not be described as a separately enacted worldwide public holiday.
History of Nobel Day
Alfred Nobel died on December 10, 1896.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901, five years after his death.
The December 10 award ceremonies continue in Stockholm and Oslo within the Nobel Prize system.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
First documented observance
Nobel Foundation history identifies December 10, 1901 as the first Nobel Prize award ceremonies.
Nobel Foundation and Nobel Prize-awarding institutions
NobelPrize.org documents the continuing December 10 prize ceremonies within the Nobel system in Stockholm and Oslo.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Nobel Prize Day
How to Observe Nobel Day
Read Nobel lectures or biographies of laureates through NobelPrize.org.
Learn how the different prize-awarding institutions select laureates in their respective fields.
Explore the history of Alfred Nobel’s will and the establishment of the prize system.
Use the date to discuss major discoveries, literature, peace work and economic science without treating the ceremony as a universal public holiday.
Nobel Day Facts
Nobel Day is December 10.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901.
December 10 is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
Nobel Prize award ceremonies take place in Stockholm and Oslo.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
NobelPrize.org — Nobel Prize facts (opens in a new tab)
NobelPrize.org — The First Nobel Prizes (opens in a new tab)
NobelPrize.org — The Nobel Prize award ceremonies (opens in a new tab)
NobelPrize.org — Nobel Day (opens in a new tab)
Official Award Ceremony
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Nobel Day?
10 December each year The documented recurrence rule is: 10 December.
Does Nobel Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Nobel Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Nobel Foundation / Nobel Prize award ceremonies in Oslo and Stockholm. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Nobel Day?
The documented basis is: The Nobel Foundation identifies 10 December as Nobel Day, when the Nobel Prize award ceremonies take place in Oslo and Stockholm. Supporting evidence includes NobelPrize.org — Nobel Day. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is Nobel Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Nobel Foundation / Nobel Prize award ceremonies in Oslo and Stockholm. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-19.
When is Nobel Day?
Nobel Day is December 10.
Why is Nobel Day on December 10?
The date is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death on December 10, 1896.
When were the first Nobel Prizes awarded?
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901.
Is Nobel Day a worldwide statutory public holiday?
No. The term is used for the Nobel Prize ceremonial date and should not be confused with a universally enacted public holiday.
Other observances on December 10
These observances are also listed on December 10, 2026.
Constitution Day
Thailand’s Board of Investment official 2026 holiday information lists 10 December 2026 as Constitution Day.
Human Rights Day
A/RES/423 (V)
International Animal Rights Day
World Animal Protection states that International Animal Rights Day is observed on December 10 every year and is used to advocate for recognition and protection of animals as sentient being…
Victory Day
Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research publishes annual Victory Day messages on December 10 commemorating victory over terrorism/ISIS.