2026 National Food Holidays Calendar

National Boston Cream Pie Day? World Vegetarian Day? National Biscuit Month?

As anyone with a X feed knows, it’s the golden age of food holidays. Whatever you’re serving, there’s likely a food holiday to help promote it.

Jump to the Calendar

Operators who dismiss these celebrations are likely losing out, considering that a few low-cost specials and some simple online marketing can attract droves of customers on an otherwise slow day. If you’re planning a trip down Holiday Road, look out for these possible roadblocks.

Don't Forget About Upscale Diners

Lunar New Year (late January or early February) is a major event for the Michelin-star restaurant chain Hakkasan, says its executive vice president of global restaurants, Gert Kopera. Hakkasan, which has 12 locations, develops special menu items, fashions innovative décor features and books traditional Chinese lion dancers. The promotion is marketed on social media with influencers and VIPs. And no expense is spared, as Hakkasan often sees a 10% jump in reservation requests for that day.

Do What You Already Do Well

For Truk’t, in Beloit, Wisconsin, celebrating National Margarita Day (Feb. 22) is an easy sell, because margaritas are already its most popular cocktail. Patrons can upgrade their margaritas with a premium tequila for the regular price of $10. Typically, the upgrade would cost $4. “So basically, we discount the mixers,” says Klaus Nitsch, vice president of restaurant operations for Geronimo Hospitality Group, which owns Truk’t. Because diners ordered food with their drinks, sales increased significantly.

Adopt a Freebie Strategy

The 4 Star Restaurant Group always capitalizes on National Pizza Day (Feb. 9) at Frasca Pizzeria in Chicago. Diners are offered one free pizza per table with the order of any entrée. More food resulted in additional drink sales, generating a 49% increase in sales. “A free pizza was a huge incentive that brought in both regulars and diners who had never visited us before,” says Josh Rutherford. “The overall sales easily made up for the cost of the extra pizzas.” Marketing the event was simple: a few media placements and TV segments, social media and emails to its rewards member list.

Give Them What They Can't Have

Rich Clark’s C&S Chowder House in Roswell, Georgia, runs its Clam Jam on March 31, National Clam Day. For the past two years, the event boosted revenues by 30% – thanks to special menus, $5 pints, live music and two discounted specialty cocktails that sell for $8, rather than $15. Good clams aren’t easy to find in the Atlanta area, which attracts Northeastern transplants. Clark promotes the event a month in advance with table tents, check inserts, social media blasts and media mentions with help from a PR firm. “I always pooh-poohed these national holidays,” Clark says, “but now, when I look at our Clam Day numbers, all I can say is, ‘Wow.’"

National Food Holidays by Month

JANUARY

• January 2: National Buffet Day
• January 12: National Gluten-Free Day
• January 23: National Pie Day

FEBRUARY

• February 9: National Pizza Day
• February 27: National Strawberry Day
• February 28: National Chilli Day

MARCH

• March 19: National Poultry Day
• March 23: National Chip and Dip Day
• March 26: National Spinach Day

APRIL

• April 12: National Grilled Cheese Day
• April 26: National Pretzel Day
• April 27: National Prime Rib Day

MAY

• May 10: National Shrimp Day
• May 16: BBQ Day
• May 28: National Hamburger Day

JUNE

• June 14: National Bourbon Day
• June 21: National Wagyu Day
• June 22: National Onion Ring Day

JULY

• July 13: National French Fry Day
• July 24: National Ice Cream Day
• July 29: National Chicken Wing Day

AUGUST

• August 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
• August 18: National Fajita Day
• August 19: National Hot and Spicy Day

September

• September 16: National Guacamole Day
• September 25: National Lobster Day
• September 29: National Coffee Day

OCTOBER

• October 1: National Vegetarian Day
• October 16: National Taco Day
• October 6: National Noodle Day
• October 14: National Dessert Day

NOVEMBER

• Novermber 3: National Sandwich Day
• Novermber 6: National Nachos Day
• Novermber 14: National Pickle Day

DECEMBER

• December 8: National Brownie Day
• December 9: National Pastry Day
• December 30: National Brownie Day