Global Day of Unplugging

March 6-7, 2026

Become a Spark

Every first weekend of March since 2009, Global Day of Unplugging hosts the Annual GDU – a worldwide 24-hour digital pause where people and communities power down devices and power on real-world connection. Whether you unplug for one hour or the full 24, solo or with a group, this is your chance to step into a global moment of authentic human connection.

Host or join a gathering, add your pin to the Unplug Map, and be part of a worldwide movement showing the world that real connection isn’t just possible – it’s happening everywhere, and no one is doing it alone.

The 17th GDU 2026: March 6-7

Spread the Word

The Gathering Effect: Moving Beyond Anecdotes

In 2026, Global Day of Unplugging will launch a coordinated research study to better understand what happens when people gather offline, on purpose.

The study will examine how participation in phone-free, in-person Gatherings relates to the experiences of connection, belonging, loneliness, social support, and overall life satisfaction.

While loneliness is widely recognized as a growing public health concern, gathering itself remains under-studied as a social practice.

Learn more

1. Plan

When you start planning, please fill out the Gathering Plans form so we can support you along the way, showcase your community on our platforms, & follow your gathering’s journey. Member or not, when you submit the Gathering Plans form, you’ll receive some of our free resources.

Gathering Plans

    • Unplug Blog → Explore real stories, ideas, and successes from Gatherers (hosts) around the globe.

    • Unplugged Ideas → Browse 200+ creative, community-tested ways to unplug.

    • Become a Member → Unlock the full GDU resource suite, practical tools, and 1:1 strategy support from our team.

2. Host

Hosting an unplugged gathering doesn’t mean losing photo or video memories – just be intentional about how you capture them! Our favorite approach? Using the I/We Unplug Signs as one intentional photo moment.

I/We Unplug Signs

    • Photo-Only Person: Designate a photo-only person

      • Pro tip – make them known! Give them a fun bandana or name tag so guests still feel present.

    • Call on Your Guests: Provide or encourage guests to bring analog, Polaroid, or disposable cameras – it takes a village!

      • After the gathering, share a Dropbox link so everyone can share their favorite snapshots.

    • Keep it Grassroots: Invite a local photographer or videographer to capture the magic.

    • Provide Opportunity: Call your local school or college and recruit a student photographer who’s excited to practice their craft.

    • Get Crafty: Have guests draw, paint, or doodle each other – or whatever catches their eye in the unplugged moment.

3. Wrap It Up

After gathering, submit the Gathering Wrapped form & watch your finished gathering appear on the Unplug Map. Your pin becomes a symbol of hope – a reminder that humans can find balance in a digital world if we’re willing to unstick ourselves. It tells the world: We still gather. We still choose each other.

Gathering Wrapped

    • Guest Survey Form→ Measure your gathering’s impact by inviting your Gatherlings (guests) to share their before-and-after connection and belonging levels.

    • Photo Collection: If your guests took photos or videos during the gathering, set up a Dropbox link to collect & share the content.

Form submissions power our impact and keep the movement funded. We can’t show the importance of our work without them – so please don’t skip them! Curious about how, what, and why we measure? Learn more→ Impact Report.

Do what you love, but make it unplugged.

  • Card

    Go on a Retreat or Host Your Own

  • Bar Hop? No, Restaurant Hop

  • Team Up With Your Favorite Café

  • Have a 'Yes Day' with Your Kids

  • Challenge Your Friends

  • Craft in Your Living Room

  • Yoga in the Park

  • Unplugged Coffee Grounds

    Craft at Your Local Café

  • Yoga in Unexpected Places

  • Live Music on College Campuses

  • Mom & Daughter Retreats

  • Group Reflection

  • Comedy Open Mics

  • Fox point farms

    Scavenger Hunts

  • Explore Your City – Analog Style

  • Community Bike Rides

  • Unplugged Coffee Cafe

    New Friend Meetups

  • Unplugged Spaces: Mall

    Yo-Yo in the Mall

  • Flower Crowns at the Beach

  • Unplugged Spaces Wine Bar

    Wine & Gab

  • Cards with Colleagues

  • Comedy Nights

  • School Celebrations

  • BBQ in the Park

  • Farmers Market Scavenger Hunts

  • Digital Literacy Education

  • Adventure Date Day

  • School Proclamations

  • Live Shows

  • Puppy Yoga

  • Family Dance Class

  • Date Night Theme: Presence

  • Volunteer

  • Call Up the Grandparents

  • Silly Hats for 24 Hours

  • New Business? Unplugged Open House

  • Live Music

  • Block Parties

  • Unplugged Shabbat

  • Meditative Sound Experiences

Unplugging Ideas

Mindfulness & Movement

Arts & Expression

Retreats & Travel

Dining Experiences

Outdoors & Nature

Grassroots Movements

New Friends Hangouts

K-12 School Unplugging

College Campus Unplugging

Global Gatherings

Sound Experiences

Get Inspired by SuperGatherers!

SuperGatherers are seasoned hosts who keep showing up with creativity and connection. Some have led Annual GDU Gatherings for years, while others host unplugged gatherings monthly or weekly. They’re our powerhouse of ideas, and yours too.

Explore Gathering Categories and the Unplug Blog to see how some of them brought their visions to life!

Gathering Categories

Gathering Categories

Mindfulness & Movement

Arts & Expression

Retreats & Travel

Dining Experiences

Outdoors & Nature

Grassroots Movements

New Friends Hangouts

K-12 School Unplugging

College Campus Unplugging

Global Gatherings

Sound Experiences

We Unplug…

I/We Unplug Signs

Check out the numbers from Annual GDU 2025!

Since we’re all community here, we like to be open and honest about our impact. Check out the GDU 2025 Impact Report.

GDU 2025 Report
@daniellamonet

@daniellamonet

KTLA x GDU's Head of Marketing (Becky Tahel)

KTLA x GDU's Head of Marketing (Becky Tahel)

WECT 6 News

WECT 6 News

Billboard x Global Day of Unplugging

Billboard x Global Day of Unplugging

FAQs

  • The Annual GDU happens every first weekend in March. But Gatherings can take place before, during, or after those dates – what matters is creating space to unplug.

  • Anyone!

    • Individuals, families, schools, businesses, clubs, and community groups all host Unplugged Gatherings.

    • If you care about connection, you can be a Gatherer

  • Nope!

    • Some people unplug for one hour, others for all 24. What matters is being intentional and making space for real connection in whatever way works for you and your community.

  • Nope! Participating in the Annual GDU is free for everyone. Memberships simply provide extra resources, support, and visibility if you want to take your Gathering further.

    How to Participate:

    1. Dream it up — Imagine your unplugged Gathering (big or small, anything counts).

    2. Share it — Submit your Gathering to the Unplugged Map page.

    3. Live it — Host your Unplugged Gathering and enjoy the magic of real connection.

    4. Reflect it — Fill out your Gatherer Wrap-Up form and invite your Gatherlings (guests) to share theirs too: Gatherling Wrap-Up.

  • Anything!

    • We’ve got your back! If you want extra guidance in planning a meaningful unplugged Gathering, join our Unplugged Memberships (relaunching early September). You’ll get resources, strategy tips, and a direct line of support from our team

    • Wrap-Ups aren’t just paperwork, they’re how we measure impact and keep this movement growing.

    • They help you reflect on your unplugging experience, share your story with the community, and show funders that unplugging matters.

    • No Wrap-Ups = no fuel for the fire. Please don’t skip them – your story keeps our lights on.

    • SuperGatherers are our community powerhouses. To join their ranks, host more than one Unplugged Gathering and complete Wrap-Ups for each one.

    SuperGatherers get:

    • Early access to seed-funding opportunities

    • Invitations to give feedback on new resources

    • Special recognition and promotions across the GDU network.

    • We offer seed-funding when sponsorships and partnerships make it possible.

    • Want to be the first to know when funding opens? Join our Unplugged Membership (coming back in September!) or sign up for our Newsletter for updates.

    • We love sharing the unplugged story. For all PR, partnership, or sponsorship inquiries, please fill out our Partnership Form and our team will be in touch.