Blue Monday is coming up on Monday 19 January and this year, we’re transforming it into an uplifting celebration. Turn Blue Monday Red is our chance to come together to support our mental health and the mental health of those around us. Here’s how you can get involved.  

What is Turn Blue Monday Red? 

Turn Blue Monday Red is Virgin Active’s take on a classic awareness day. We understand that January can be difficult for so many reasons and we want to shine some light in these short and gloomy days.  

We’re holding Turn Blue Monday Red on Monday 19 January, bringing energy, positivity and lightness to your day, week and hopefully all month. We’ve got two events on the day. 

Move For Your Mood Class Crawl 

Move For Your Mood is our classic Club Crawl, reinvented. Rather than running from club to club, you’ll take on three back-to-back 25-minute classes. The aim is to get your endorphins sky high and make some new friends to hang out with for when the refreshments come out.  

Book your space for 19 January on our app.  

Good Mood Food Webinar 

Join our resident nutrition expert, Dr Becky Townsend for a webinar on all things feel-good food. She’ll explore the link between food and mental health and share everything she knows about the power of food to boost mood, energy and overall wellbeing.  

Tune in from home, work or in-club from 12:30 - 13:30 on Monday 19 January. Save your spot here. 

What is Blue Monday? 

Blue Monday was named by British psychologist Cliff Arnall in 2004 in response to being asked to create a travel campaign to beat the January blues. It was initially marketed as the most depressing day of the year to encourage people to book their summer holidays. But it’s an idea which Arnall himself admits is ‘pseudoscience’ - something which looks like science but hasn’t been scientifically proven.   

There’s no actual fact behind it but marking Blue Monday gives us the chance to recognise that it’s okay if we don’t feel our best in January. In the northern hemisphere, we’ve got shorter days, colder mornings and evenings, plus after the high of the festive season, some of us are feeling financial and emotional strains.  

It’s not saying that you should feel ‘off’ on Blue Monday itself or even in January at all. It’s more of a statement that reinforces the idea that it’s okay not to be okay.  

When is Blue Monday? 

Blue Monday is held on the third Monday of January every year. In 2026, Blue Monday will be held on Monday 19 January.  

Not yet a member? Find your nearest club and start your membership today.

FAQs 

What is Blue Monday? 

Blue Monday is an annual event that was created in 2004 after psychologist Cliff Arnall helped a travel company create a campaign to get people to book their summer holidays. It’s pseudoscience and there’s no evidence that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. However, marking Blue Monday gives us the chance to recognise that everyone struggles with mental health and to show our support for people who are having a difficult time right now.  

What is Turn Blue Monday Red? 

Turn Blue Monday Red is our signature Blue Monday event, aimed at getting the community together and connecting over feel-good movement and lots of endorphins.  

What events are on? 

We’ll have Move For Your Mood, a class crawl happening in all of our clubs and a Good Mood Food watch party where our Head of Nutrition Dr Becky Townsend will share everything to do with mental health and food.