I have just learned that the Tolkien Society sponsors an annual Tolkien Reading Day on March 25. The text below is a press release. Would anyone like to help plan a Duluth event for next year?

Tolkien Reading Day 2026 is dedicated to Tolkien’s Unlikely Heroes. Will you join us on later today?

What is Tolkien Reading Day?

Tolkien Reading Day is held on the 25th of March each year. The date of the 25th of March was chosen as the date on which the Ring was destroyed, completing Frodo’s quest and vanquishing Sauron.

It has been organised by the Tolkien Society since 2003 to encourage fans to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien by reading favourite passages. We particularly encourage schools, museums and libraries to host their own Tolkien Reading Day events.

How to join us this year
In honour if this year’s theme Unlikely Heroes, we will be hosting an online event through Zoom on Wednesday, 25th March. The timings of the event are:

New Zealand Daylight Time: 8am-10am, Thursday 26th March
Australian Eastern Daylight Time: 6am-8am, Thursday 26th March
Eastern European Time: 9pm-11pm, Wednesday 25th March
Central European Time: 8pm-10pm, Wednesday 25th March
Greenwich Mean Time: 7pm-9pm, Wednesday 25th March
Eastern Daylight Time: 3pm-5pm, Wednesday 25th March
Central Daylight Time: 2pm-4pm, Wednesday 25th March
Mountain Daylight Time: 1pm-3pm, Wednesday 25th March
Pacific Daylight Time: 12 noon-12pm, Wednesday 25th March

The Chair and Education Secretary of the Tolkien Society will offer a reading and short discussion alongside brief reflections from artist Miriam Ellis on Unlikely Heroes in Tolkien’s work and worlds.

The main part of the event will take place in smaller breakout groups, inviting participants to share short readings that highlight their own favourite Unlikely Heroes. These “Telerin Circles” — inspired by the Tolkien Society’s annual Oxonmoot — will be co-hosted by Tolkien scholars, content creators, Society Trustees, and fellow enthusiasts.

Participants are warmly invited to bring a 2-3 minute reading, along with a few sentences introducing their choice. Contributions in all languages are welcome; however, English will enable the widest participation.

Join us for free on 25th March for two hours of reading Tolkien — and the announcement of an exciting new series of events organized and hosted by the Tolkien Society.

Sign up for our Tolkien Reading Day event