Edge Day is an unofficial holiday associated with members of the Straight edge

Straight edge

Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...

 movement. It is celebrated under the name of "Edge Fest" on October 17 and was first done so in 1999 in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

. Although Edge Day continues to receive its largest turnout there, every year it is celebrated on a smaller scale with smaller concerts and gatherings in countries all over the world.

History

The medium of the holiday is the attendance of local shows done by (mainly hardcore

Hardcore punk

Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...

) bands who also identify themselves with being straight edge. It entered its 10th year in 2009. The first annual National Edge Day was celebrated on October 17, 1999 at the final Ten Yard Fight

Ten Yard Fight

Ten Yard Fight was a straight edge, football-based band formed in 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with In My Eyes and Floorpunch, they spearheaded the youth crew revival in 1997. Ten Yard Fight's "official" last show was in Boston on October 17, which would become the first National Edge Day...

 concert at the nightclub Karma in Boston, Massachusetts. The concert also featured the bands Bane

Bane (band)

Bane, a hardcore punk band, began as a side project between Aaron Dalbec and Damon Bellardo. Aaron approached Matt Firestone to sing and they played under the moniker of Gateway for a few shows, before Firestone departed ways to focus on other projects...

, In My Eyes, Reach the Sky

Reach the Sky

-History:Reach the Sky formed in 1997, and they released two EPs in 1999; their debut full-length, So Far From Home, followed on Victory Records later that same year....

 and Floorpunch. This show marked the end of the 1990s youth crew

Youth crew

Youth crew is a music subgenre of hardcore punk attributed to the band Youth of Today who were primarily active during the early to mid-1980s particularly during the New York hardcore scene of 1988...

revival, but arguably starting a new chapter in straight edge by creating an observable holiday in the community. Since then, every year there has been a local show in the Boston area that has been the celebrated Edge Day show. If the 17th does not fall on a weekend, the Edge Day (Observed) show usually falls on the Saturday before or after the 17th.