Red Nose Day 2016: What Is It? Plus When, Where To Watch Live TV Special Of Biggest Fundraiser

For the past 28 years ---through the power of entertainment and comedy--- Red Nose Day has raised awareness and money to help kids who need it the most around the world. Red Nose Day is on a mission to lift kids out of poverty and has raised over $1 billion globally in the last 25 years. This wonderful fundraising campaign launched in 1988 in Europe, becoming the biggest fundraising initiative in the United Kingdom. However, it's celebrated all over the world, including the United States.

The day is treated as a semi-holiday, and many schools spend the day hosting festivals or participating in other acts to raise money for several social initiatives. Students are encouraged to change their uniforms for something red. Businesses and official institutions often join the cause, asking their employees to purchase a red nose and wear it throughout the day. Many celebrities take part in it, donning a clown red nose and visiting hospitals and/or orphanages all over the country. The money collected in the fundraiser is sent to NGOs in more than 27 countries, including South Africa, Pakistan and Brazil.

Red Nose Day kicked off in the U.S. in 2015, raising more than $23 million in its inaugural year. The funds benefited children in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated, according to the organization's official website.

The website also notes that half of the money distributed by Red Nose Day this year will be spent in the U.S. The other half will be spent in some of the poorest communities in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

As traditions holds, NBC will hold a live 2-hour primetime special, bringing together some of the biggest stars in the biz. Here's when and where to catch the TV special aring Thursday night.

THE RED NOSE DAY TV SPECIAL

When: Thursday, May 26
Time: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: NBC
Host: Craig Ferguson
More info: nbc.com/the-red-nose-day-special

SPECIAL GUESTS