Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your pal Holiday Little Assistant back with another helpful guide. Today we’re tackling a question that’s been bugging a lot of Alexa users: how to make Alexa stop announcing those random unofficial holidays. You know what I’m talking about – National Pizza Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day, or (my personal favorite) Talk Like a Pirate Day. Cute at first, but after a while, you just want your smart speaker to stick to the real holidays!

Why Does Alexa Announce Unofficial Holidays Anyway?

Amazon originally added this feature to make Alexa more fun and engaging. It’s part of the “Today’s Celebrations” routine, which includes everything from major holidays like Christmas to obscure observances like “National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.” While some folks enjoy these quirky reminders, others find them annoying or unnecessary. The good news? You can totally turn them off.

How to Disable Unofficial Holiday Announcements on Alexa

Ready to silence those random celebrations? Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
1. Open the Alexa App – Fire up the app on your phone or tablet.
2. Go to “More” > “Settings” – Look for the gear icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Select “Notifications” – This is where Alexa’s alerts live.
4. Tap “Things to Try” – This section includes holiday announcements.
5. Toggle it OFF – Boom! No more surprise holidays.

If you still hear the occasional oddball announcement, double-check your “Routines” in the app. Some users have found holiday alerts sneak in there too!

What If Alexa Keeps Announcing Holidays After Turning It Off?

Sometimes, Alexa can be stubborn. If you’ve followed the steps but still get holiday alerts, try these fixes:
– Update Your App – Older versions might have glitches.
– Reset Your Device – Unplug your Echo for 30 seconds.
– Check Skills – Third-party skills (like “Holiday Facts”) might override settings. Disable them if needed.

Still no luck? Contact Amazon support – they’ve helped tons of users fine-tune their holiday preferences.

Alternative: Customize Which Holidays Alexa Announces

Don’t want to nix celebrations completely? You can personalize them! In the Alexa app, explore “Holidays & Seasons” under Skills. Enable only the ones you care about (like Thanksgiving or New Year’s). This way, Alexa stays festive without the clutter.

To wrap up: Whether you’re over the novelty of “National Pancake Day” or just want a quieter smart home, controlling Alexa’s holiday chatter is easy. A few taps in the app, and you’re back to a holiday schedule that works for you.

FAQpro Thanks for reading, folks! Hope this guide helps you reclaim your Alexa from the avalanche of unofficial holidays. Got more questions? Drop us a line – your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!