January is a month of transition. The Christmas lights come down, routines return, and winter settles in for good. In the midst of this setting, a concept has gained traction over the past two decades: the “saddest day of the year.” But what exactly is Blue Monday?
The term refers to a specific date on the calendar when, supposedly, a series of negative factors converge to impact our mood, causing a general feeling of melancholy or a collective “low.” While many take it with humor, it has become a cultural milestone that marks the lowest point of the January slump.
When Is Blue Monday?
If you’re wondering which day Blue Monday falls on, the answer follows a fixed rule: it’s always the third Monday of January.
That means the date changes every year. In 2026, the calendar has placed it on January 19, the precise moment when the euphoria of New Year’s resolutions begins to fade and the reality of routine becomes more palpable. However, knowing the date in advance has an advantage: it allows us to prepare to fight it.
Why Is It Called Blue Monday?
To understand where Blue Monday comes from, we have to go back to 2005. The concept didn’t originate from rigorous medical research, but from a marketing campaign by a travel agency (Sky Travel) aiming to boost holiday bookings in January.
The agency contacted Cliff Arnall, a psychologist at Cardiff University, who devised a mathematical formula to determine the most depressing day of the year. This formula attempted to explain why Blue Monday exists by combining variables such as:
- The weather (cold temperatures and shorter days).
- Debt accumulated after Christmas.
- Time elapsed since the holidays.
- Failure to stick to New Year’s resolutions.
- Low motivation levels.
Although the scientific community has dismissed the formula as pseudoscience, the concept has taken deep root. Why? Because, scientifically proven or not, we all recognize that feeling of apathy in mid-January.
From the Saddest Day to the Tastiest Week: Blue Days Arrive at Grupo Dani García
Now that you know the theory, let’s get practical. At Grupo Dani García, we believe the best way to fight January apathy isn’t with a mathematical formula, but with a great table surrounded by your favorite people.
If the original idea behind this day was to sell trips to escape reality, we invite you to stay and enjoy it. We’ve decided to flip the calendar: where others see a gray Monday, we see an opportunity to indulge. In 2026, we transform “Blue Monday” into a full week of culinary joy with our Blue Days.
Enjoy Exclusive Gastronomic Offers on Blue Monday
We’ve designed a series of special Blue Monday promotions to prove that happiness is sometimes served on a plate. We want to brighten not just your Monday, but the entire month.
Blue Days dates:
- Purchase your experience: January 19–22.
- Enjoy it: Valid for up to 6 months, except for Smoked Room experiences, which are valid for a total of 12 months.
Now that you know the theory, let’s get practical. At Grupo Dani García, we believe the best way to fight January apathy isn’t with a mathematical formula, but with a great table surrounded by your favorite people.
If the original idea behind this day was to sell trips to escape reality, we invite you to stay and enjoy it. We’ve decided to flip the calendar: where others see a gray Monday, we see an opportunity to indulge. In 2026, we transform “Blue Monday” into a full week of culinary joy with our Blue Days.
Enjoy Exclusive Gastronomic Offers on Blue Monday
We’ve designed a series of special Blue Monday promotions to prove that happiness is sometimes served on a plate. We want to brighten not just your Monday, but the entire month.
Blue Days dates:
- Purchase your experience: January 19–25.
- Enjoy it: Valid for up to 6 months, except for Smoked Room experiences, which are valid for a total of 12 months.
Where to Celebrate Blue Monday
No matter what kind of craving you have to lift your spirits, our restaurants are ready to welcome you with proposals guaranteed to change your mood:
- Leña: Fire heals everything. If January’s cold gets to you, our steakhouse has the solution. Live embers and premium cuts offer the warm, sophisticated refuge you need.
- BiBo: Break the routine. Dani García’s most eclectic, globe-trotting concept is perfect for traveling with your palate without leaving your city.
- Lobito de Mar: A seaside “late-night bite.” Bring summer joy, sea breeze, and fresh seafood to the table and forget about winter.
- Tragabuches: An Andalusian restaurant that feels like home—only better. Hearty spoon dishes, Andalusian tradition, and comforting flavors that warm the soul.
- Smoked Room: Treat yourself at our Michelin-starred restaurant. If you’re going to fight the saddest day, do it with the utmost exclusivity at our high-end counter.
Don’t let Cliff Arnall’s formula be right. Take advantage of our Blue Days offers, book your table, and prove that the third Monday of January can actually be the most delicious day of the year.
