Every year on the last Saturday in February, we celebrate a holiday that cuts straight to the heart of the bizarre—World Sword Swallower's Day!
This daring day of recognition was founded in 2007 by award-winning sword swallower Dan Meyer, who also happens to be the president of Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI).
For 4,000 years, sword swallowers have captivated audiences with their daring feats, and today, they continue to push the limits of human ability. This celebration honors veteran, injured, and past performers like Murrugun, Nick Penney, and Johnny Fox while raising awareness of their contributions to science and medicine.
It also sheds light on the real dangers of sword swallowing, dispelling myths, and recognizing the risks these artists take. Beyond the spectacle, this event supports important causes, including esophageal cancer research, swallowing disorder awareness, and the Injured Sword Swallowers Relief Fund.
We celebrate the resilience and bravery of sword swallowers who prove that this ancient art is still as thrilling and awe-inspiring as ever.
2007 was a big year for Meyer, not just because he founded International Sword Swallower's Day but also because he and radiologist Brian Witcombe received the Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine.
Meyer and Witcombe earned their spot in the Ig Nobel history books for their study on—what else?—“Sword Swallowing and Its Side Effects,” published in the British Medical Journal .
As unexpected as this honor may seem, the medical field has been interested in sword swallowers for a long time.
In 1868, German physician Dr. Adolph Kussmaul studied sword swallowers while developing the rigid endoscope, a groundbreaking medical tool that helped pave the way for modern internal medicine. Imagine that—sword swallowing helping advance science!
Sword swallowing itself has been around for over 4,000 years, originating with Indian fakirs and shaman priests around 2000 BC.
From there, it spread through Greece, Ancient Rome, China, Japan, the Middle East, and finally, Europe in the 1200s.
While today it’s most often seen in sideshows and street performances, its deep-rooted history and unexpected contributions to medicine make it one of the most fascinating performance arts of all time.
Each year on World Sword Swallower's Day, daredevils around the globe demonstrate their astonishing skills. Whether you’re watching a live performance or just learning about the unbelievable history behind the act, this day is a testament to human resilience, skill, and sheer nerve.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is excited to announce the return of World Sword Swallower’s Day on Saturday, February 22, 2025—a thrilling tribute to the fearless performers who have mastered one of the world’s oldest and most dangerous art forms.
Visitors at participating Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums will have the rare opportunity to witness gravity-defying feats and jaw-dropping displays of courage as some of the world's most skilled sword swallowers take center stage.
To celebrate World Sword Swallower's Day, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is offering 25% off admission with promo code SWORD25 at participating locations February 15 – February 25, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to witness the extraordinary and save big!
To take advantage of this offer and to find out more information about participating locations, click here !
