National US Food Days and Holidays for Restaurants

Each year, national food holidays give restaurants an opportunity to celebrate…while also capitalizing on specialty spending trends. From National Beer Day to BOGO burgers on National Cheeseburger Day, there’s no limit to creating fun and unique promotions around some of the tastiest days of the year!

Looking for some inspiration to add to your marketing calendar? Read on to learn more about how these national food holidays can help drive sales and boost guest engagement. The calendar below lists national food days by month, January through December.

National and international food days calendar

Get a preloaded marketing calendar filled with the year’s top food days and holidays.

January

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• National Bloody Mary Day – January 1
• National Buffet Day – January 2
• National Spaghetti Day – January 4
• National Whipped Cream Day – January 5
• National Shortbread Day – January 6
• National Tempura Day – January 7
• National English Toffee Day – January 8
• Curried Chicken Day – January 12
• National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day – January 14
• Strawberry Ice Cream Day – January 15
• International Hot & Spicy Food Day – January 16
• Peking Duck Day – January 18
• National Popcorn Day – January 19
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – third Monday in January
• National Cheese Lover’s Day – January 20
• National Pie Day – January 23
• National Peanut Butter Day – January 24
• National Irish Coffee Day – January 25
• Chocolate Cake Day – January 27
• National Blueberry Pancake Day – January 28
• Lunar New Year – late January or February
• National Croissant Day – January 30
• National Hot Chocolate Day – January 31
• National Pho Day – January 31

February

• Start of Black History Month – February 1
• National Carrot Cake Day – February 3
• World Nutella Day – February 5
• National Chocolate Fondue Day – February 5
• National Fettuccine Alfredo Day – February 7
• National Bagels and Lox Day – February 9
• National Pizza Pie Day – February 9
• Super Bowl Sunday – second Sunday in February
• Galentine’s Day – February 13
• National Tortellini Day – February 13
• Valentine’s Day – February 14
• National Drink Wine Day – February 18
• National Margarita Day – February 22
• National Tortilla Chip Day – February 24
• National Clam Chowder Day – February 25
• National Pancake Day (IHOP) – late February or March
• National Chili Day – last Thursday in February
• National Strawberry Day – February 27
• National Chocolate Souffle Day – February 28
• Start of Ramadan – moves about eleven days earlier each year, February or March

March

• Start of Women’s History Month – March 1
• National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day – March 1
• National Banana Cream Pie Day – March 2
• National Cold Cuts Day – March 3
• Mardi Gras – February or March, 47 days before Easter
• National Pound Cake Day – March 4
• National Oreo Cookie Day – March 6
• National Cereal Day – March 7
• International Women’s Day – March 8
• National Crabmeat Day – March 9
• National Meatball Day – March 9
• Popcorn Lover’s Day – second Thursday in March
• National Potato Chip Day – March 14
• National Peanut Lovers’ Day – March 15
• St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
• National Irish Food Day – March 17
• National Poultry Day – March 19
• Maple Syrup Saturday – third Saturday in March
• Spring Equinox – around March 20
• International Day of Happiness – March 20
• National Ravioli Day – March 20
• Great American MEAT-OUT – March 20
• National French Bread Day – March 21
• National Chip and Dip Day – March 23
• National Cheesesteak Day – March 24
• International Waffle Day – March 25
• Spinach Day – March 26
• Something on a Stick Day – March 28
• Eid Al-Fitr – moves about eleven days earlier each year, March or April
• National Clams on the Half Shell Day – March 31
• Oranges and Lemons Day – March 31

April

• Start of Arab American Heritage Month – April 1
• National Brunch Month – April
• April Fools Day – April 1
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day – April 2
• National Chocolate Mousse Day – April 3
• National Burrito Day – first Thursday in April
• National Cordon Bleu Day – April 4
• National Caramel Day – April 5
• National Beer Day – April 7
• National Empanada Day – April 8
• National Cheese Fondue Day – April 11
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day – April 12
• Palm Sunday – the Sunday before Easter, March or April
• Vaisakhi – April 14
• Day of the Mushroom – April 16
• National Eggs Benedict Day – April 16
• Good Friday – the Friday before Easter, March or April
• Garlic Day – April 19
• Easter – late March or April
• Passover – March or April
• Earth Day – April 22
• National Picnic Day – April 23
• National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day – April 24
• National Pretzel Day – April 26
• National Prime Rib Day – April 27
• National Blueberry Pie Day – April 28
• National Shrimp Scampi Day – April 29
• National Bubble Tea Day – April 30

May

• Start of Mental Health Awareness Month – May 1
• Start of AAPI Heritage Month – May 1
• National Truffles Day – May 2
• National Herb Day – first Saturday in May
• National Hoagie Day – May 5
• May Day – May 1
• National Shrimp Day – May 10
• Mother’s Day – second Sunday in May
• International Hummus Day – May 13
• National Apple Pie Day – May 13
• National Buttermilk Biscuit Day – May 14
• National Chocolate Chip Day – May 15
• International Pickle Day – May 16
• National Walnut Day – May 17
• International Tea Day – May 21
• National Waiters and Waitresses Day – May 21
• National Escargot Day – May 24
• National Wine Day – May 25
• Memorial Day – last Monday in May
• National Brisket Day – May 28
• National Hamburger Day – May 28
• National Mint Julep Day – May 30
• National Macaroon Day – May 31

June

• Start of Pride Month – June
• Start of Caribbean American Heritage Month – June
• World Milk Day – June 1
• National Rotisserie Chicken Day – June 2
• National Egg Day – June 3
• National Cheese Day – June 4
• National Frozen Yogurt Day – June 4
• National Gingerbread Day – June 5
• National Donut Day – first Friday in June
• National Chocolate Ice Cream Day – June 7
• National Iced Tea Day – June 10
• Corn on the Cob Day – June 11
• International Falafel Day – June 12
• National Cupcake Lovers Day – June 13
• National Strawberry Shortcake Day – June 14
• National Lobster Day – June 15
• Father’s Day – third Sunday in June
• Fresh Veggies Day – June 16
• National Apple Strudel Day – June 17
• International Picnic Day – June 18
• International Sushi Day – June 18
• Juneteenth – June 19
• National Martini Day – June 19
• National Vanilla Milkshake Day – June 20
• National Onion Rings Day – June 22
• National Ceviche Day – June 28
• National Ice Cream Soda Day – June 30

July

• Start of Disability Pride Month – July
• Independence Day (Fourth of July) – July 4
• National Fried Chicken Day – July 6
• Chocolate Day – July 7
• National Macaroni Day – July 7
• National Sugar Cookie Day – July 9
• National Blueberry Muffin Day – July 11
• National Pecan Pie Day – July 12
• National French Fries Day – July 13
• National Macaroni and Cheese Day – July 14
• National Ice Cream Day – third Sunday in July
• National Caviar Day – July 18
• International Cake Day – July 20
• National Hot Dog Day – third Wednesday in July
• National Junk Food Day – July 21
• National Vanilla Ice Cream Day – July 23
• National Tequila Day – July 24
• National Hot Fudge Sundae Day – July 25
• National Scotch Day – July 27
• National Hamburger Day – July 28
• National Chicken Wing Day – July 29
• National Lasagna Day – July 29
• International Day of Friendship – July 30
• National Cheesecake Day – July 30
• National Chicken and Waffles Day – July 30
• National Chili Dog Day – last Thursday in July

August

• National Ice Cream Sandwich Day – August 2
• National Watermelon Day – August 3
• National IPA Day – first Thursday in August
• National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – August 4
• National Oyster Day – August 5
• National Root Beer Float Day – August 6
• Friendship Day – first Sunday in August
• National Frozen Custard Day – August 8
• International Beer Day – first Friday in August
• National S’mores Day – August 10
• National Panini Day – August 11
• National Filet Mignon Day – August 13
• India Independence Day – August 15
• National Rum Day – August 16
• National Bratwurst Day – August 16
• Potato Day – August 19
• National Bacon Lovers’ Day – August 20
• National Sweet Tea Day – August 21
• National Sponge Cake Day – August 23
• National Waffle Day – August 24
• National Banana Split Day – August 25
• Women’s Equality Day – August 26
• International Bacon Day – the Saturday before Labor Day
• Eat Outside Day – August 31

September

• National Gyro Day – September 1
• Labor Day – first Monday in September
• National Cheese Pizza Day – September 5
• National Salami Day – September 7
• International Chocolate Day – September 13
• National Peanut Day – September 13
• Hispanic Heritage Month starts – September 15 through October 15
• National Guacamole Day – September 16
• National Cheeseburger Day – September 18
• Fall Equinox – September 22
• Rosh Hashanah – September or October
• National Ice Cream Cone Day – September 22
• National White Chocolate Day – September 22
• National Quesadilla Day – September 25
• National Dumpling Day – September 26
• National Key Lime Pie Day – September 26
• Mooncake Festival, or Mid-Autumn Festival – September or October
• National Coffee Day – September 29
• National Mocha Day – September 29

October

• Yom Kippur – September or October
• World Vegetarian Day – October 1
• National Taco Day – October 4
• National Noodle Day – October 6
• National Frappe Day – October 7
• National Pierogi Day – October 8
• National Salmon Day – October 8
• International Beer and Pizza Day – October 9
• National Gumbo Day – October 12
• World Egg Day – second Friday in October
• National Dessert Day – October 14
• National Chicken Cacciatore Day – October 15
• World Food Day – October 16
• National Pasta Day – October 17
• National Nut Day – October 22
• National Boston Cream Pie Day – October 23
• National Greasy Foods Day – October 25
• Pumpkin Day – October 26
• National Potato Day – October 27
• National Chocolate Day – October 28
• National Oatmeal Day – October 29
• Halloween – October 31
• National Caramel Apple Day – October 31

November

• Start of American Indian Heritage Month – November 1
• National Deep Fried Clams Day – November 1
• National Deviled Egg Day – November 2
• National Sandwich Day – November 3
• National Candy Day – November 4
• National Donut Day – November 5
• National Nachos Day – November 6
• National Pork Belly Day – November 10
• National Mussels Day – November 10
• Veterans Day – November 11
• National Sundae Day – November 11
• National Indian Pudding Day – November 13
• National Pickle Day – November 14
• National Fast Food Day – November 16
• National Baklava Day – November 17
• National Parfait Day – November 25
• National Cake Day – November 26
• National Bavarian Cream Pie Day – November 27
• Thanksgiving – fourth Thursday in November
• Giving Tuesday – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
• National French Toast Day – November 28
• National Mousse Day – November 30

December

• National Fritters Day – December 2
• National Cookie Day – December 4
• National Gazpacho Day – December 6
• National Pastry Day – December 9
• National Lager Day – December 10
• Hanukkah begins – late November or December
• National Maple Syrup Day – December 17
• National Fried Shrimp Day – December 20
• National Hamburger Day – December 21
• National Eggnog Day – December 24
• Christmas – December 25
• National Tamales Day – December 25
• Kwanzaa – December 26
• National Candy Cane Day – December 26
• National Champagne Day – December 31
• New Year’s Eve – December 31

A food day promotion starts in the kitchen and ends with the next booking

A promotion for every food day on the calendar would overwhelm your staff and flood your guests’ inboxes. Use these three tips to decide which ones are worth promoting:

Choose the dates your menu already celebrates

Start with fit. National Taco Day suits a taqueria, just as National Pasta Day fits a trattoria. Neither requires your kitchen to learn a new dish. Then look at demand. For example, celebrating National Noodle Day on a slow Tuesday would be the perfect driver of traffic to your restaurant on a normally quiet night. On a Saturday during which you already expect to sell out, however, it would only add unnecessary work.

Build something guests can only get that day. As of early 2025, 55% of consumers said a restaurant’s limited-time offers were important when deciding where to eat, according to Technomic data reported by Restaurant Dive.

For instance, a wing flight with different flavors such as buffalo, BBQ, and garlic parmesan on National Chicken Wing Day can give guests a reason to book without having to offer a discount, while a ticketed presale tells you how many guests to expect before service.

Target the promotion before you send it

The typical mistake with email and text marketing is sending the same message to everyone. Operators’ top promotion goals are driving repeat visits (38%) and increasing spend (36%), yet only 30% target every promotion to a specific guest group or behavior, according to the SevenRooms 2026 Restaurant Industry Trends Report.

Email marketing lets you build each messaging blast around guest tags and visit history, so your National Margarita Day invitation reaches your bar regulars. Give promotions with a set menu or ticketed seating at least two weeks of lead time.

Use text marketing for time-sensitive occasions, such as a day-before reminder. Nearly half of US diners (48%) prefer to hear from restaurants by text, as shown in the SevenRooms 2025 Restaurant Industry Trends Report. That’s why sending text messages to your customers should be part of your plan from the start.

The booking process is a promotional channel too: offers like a margarita pitcher sold as a prepaid add-on secures the extra spend before service.

Bring the food day crowd back on a slower night

Guests who come for one special dish can easily become one-time visitors unless you incentivize them to return. A restaurant CRM builds one guest profile from every booking and visit. Tag each visit by the promotion that brought the guest in, such as “Taco Day,” and you can reach that group again with a relevant message.

Plan for the second visit, not just the first. Repeat diners spend 27% more than first-time diners. Send an automated email the following week with a reason to return, such as a weeknight table for two. Targeted, automated emails drive 16x more revenue per email than mass sends, so guests who came for a specific food day or holiday should get a follow-up tailored to that visit.