Professor Tolkien had a special talent for adding specific dates to the events in his best loved work, meaning that fans of all things Middle-earth can mark those dates through the year.
Main events celebrated by Tolkien fans include Tolkien's birthday, the destruction of the one ring.....and Hobbit day!
Tolkien's most famous and best-loved work, The Lord of the Rings, begins with plans for a very special birthday party for his 2 greatest heroes, Bilbo & Frodo Baggins, to be held on September the 22nd. From that party has come Hobbit day, a day to celebrate all things Hobbit and all things Tolkien.
With a focus very much on celebrating the Hobbit side of Middle-earth life, Hobbit day is the perfect chance to prove that if more of us did value food and cheer and song above hoarded gold that it would be a merrier world.
In whatever way you are a fan of Hobbits, Hobbit day is your day to revel in it, celebrate it, enjoy it. Make every September 22nd your Hobbit day!
The Hobbit was first published in 1937, on September 21st, making 2012 the 75th anniversary of its publication. Publishers of Tolkien's work all over the world are especially keen to commemorate this. Keep an eye out for special anniversary editions of The Hobbit and new companion publications, especially as 2012 is all the year of....
For the mainstream, Hobbit Day will be happening on or after December 14th when the first of The Hobbit movies are released. With so many fans looking forward to the film it promises to be quite the Hobbit day.
There's also day of the global premiere, in Auckland on November , yet another Hobbit day in 2012. With 2 more movies to go after An unexpected journey both 2013 and 2014 promise to be years of multiple Hobbit days too.
...a party of special magnificence
There's still an awful lot of Hobbit partying left to do in 2012!
As the movie release date gets closer and closer there are all sorts of things for fans to look forward to. Here's a list of dates you might want to take note of.
October 7 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" toys go on general sale around the world. Grab yourself a Gandalf!
November 1 All "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" items from Weta Workshop are available to buy.
November 6 A day of publication! Movie tie-in releases for "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" like the Visual Companion by Jude Fisher or the Movie Guide by Brian Sibley go on sale.
November 7 Tickets for "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" go on sale in USA.
November 28 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" global premiere in Wellington, New Zealand.
December 3 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" soundtrack by Howard Shore is released.
December 6 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" premieres in New York
December 12 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" Royal premiere in London, UK.
December 12 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" goes on release in some European countries.
December 14 "The Hobbit : an unexpected journey" goes on general release in most countries.
Keep checking back for more information as the film release gets closer!
Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin's classic 1977 animated musical version of The Hobbit.
Put together in a rush to prevent film rights expiring, this is very first film adaptation of The Hobbit. A real rarity to enjoy.
Be warned though - its not really what you'd call an authentic adaptation....
DJ Chetreo's amazing remixes, made entirely with sounds from the Lord of the Rings films.
More fun, from Nimoy's 60s zaniness to remixes.
