The 291 National Food Days, Ranked

Thanks to social media, we now have the privilege of celebrating 291 national food and drinks spread across 214 calendar days. That’s a lot of celebrating and a lot of calories — especially when six variations of National Pizza Day exist.
Admittedly, some days are fête-worthy (enter: National Taco Day), while others have had us scratching our heads for hours (see: National Vichyssoise Day). And although we still see a need for additional contenders — Why no National Sushi Day? — we figured we’d do some heavy lifting and rank the current 291, starting with the very best and throwing in a few factoids along the way.

1. January 22, National Hot Sauce Day: Eating spicy food will make you live longer, as peppers contain capsaicinoids: a bioactive ingredient that helps burn fight and fight infection. Bring on the hellfire habanero.
2. March 27, International Whiskey Day
3. June 4, National Cheese Day
4. July 29, National Chicken Wing Day
5. November 12, National Happy Hour Day
6. October 4, National Taco Day
7. November 6, National Nachos Day
8. April 7, National Beer Day
9. November 3, National Sandwich Day
10. First Saturday of February, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day: Take the lead of American billionaire Warren Buffett, who starts each day with chocolate chip ice cream and then follows it up with five Coca-Colas and an endless amount of shoestring potato crisps. Buffett celebrated his 86th birthday on August 30. Go figure.
11. March 9, National Meatball Day
12. May 1, National Eat What You Want Day
13. Fourth Thursday of July, National Chili Dog Day
14. April 12, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
15. June 3, National Egg Day
16. July 6, Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day

Image via Flickr

17. April 19, National Rice Ball Day: In 1988, Nakanoshima Noukyou Festival set the Guinness World Record for the largest onigiri (aka Japanese rice ball), which weighed in at 1,322 lb 12 oz. That’s a lot of soy sauce.
18. January 19, National Popcorn Day
19. June 20, National Kouign Amann Day
20. Last Thursday in June, National Bomb Pop Day
21. March 3, National Canadian Bacon Day
22. July 13, National French Fries Day
23. September 29, National Coffee Day
24. May 5, National Hoagie Day
25. November 12, Pizza With the Works Except Anchovies Day: We wholeheartedly disagree, but hey, we don’t make the rules.
26. Third Friday of May, National Pizza Party Day
27. February 9, National Pizza Day
28. September 5, National Cheese Pizza Day
29. September 20, National Pepperoni Pizza Day
30. October 11, National Sausage Pizza Day: Didn’t we cover this with National Pizza Day?
31. March 11, Johnny Appleseed Day: There’s perhaps no better way to honor Johnny Appleseed, aka John Chapman, than with a frosty, raised glass of hard apple cider. Consider an American Dionysus of sorts, Chapman is credited for bringing the sweet gift of alcoholic cider to the 19th century American frontier. Cheers, Mr. Appleseed.
32. February 2, National Tater Tot Day
33. March 1, National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
34. March 23, National Chips and Dip Day
35. July 4, National Barbecue Day
36. July 14, National Mac & Cheese Day
37. July 19, National Daiquiri Day

38. June 15, National Lobster Day: Did you know that 80% of the lobsters in the U.S. come from Maine? Now you do.
39. July 21, National Junk Food Day
40. July 13, National BBQ Day
41. July 23, National Hot Dog Day
42. First Saturday of August, National Mustard Day
43. July 27, National Scotch Day
44. August 10, National S’more Day
45. December 31, National Champagne Day
46. May 24, National Escargot Day: Each year, the French consume approximately 40,000 metric tons of snails. Pass the beurre, s’il vous plaît.
47. August 22, National Eat A Peach Day: Aka Nick Cage Day
48. August 21, National Spumoni Day
49. August 25, National Banana Split Day
50. September 14, National Eat a Hoagie Day
51. August 28, Crackers Over The Keyboard Day
52. September 7, National Beer Lover’s Day
53. November 9, National Scrapple Day

54. July 6, National Fried Chicken Day: Go ahead and wash down those golden-fried drumsticks with a glass or two of Champagne. Why? Sure there’s the high-brow low-brow allure, but its real appeal has more to do with chemistry: Champagne’s bright acidity and zippy bubbles cut right through the fatty richness of brined and battered fried food. (Hint: Champagne’s more affordable cousins, Prosecco and Cava, work equally well.)
55. September 18, National Cheeseburger Day
56. September 16, National Guacamole Day
57. April 29, National Shrimp Scampi Day
58. October 25, National Greasy Food Day
59. First Thursday of November, National Men Make Dinner Day: We needed a day for this?
60. September 30, National Hot Mulled Cider Day
61. May 28, National Burger Day: The hamburger’s humble origins can be traced all the way back to the thirteenth-century Mongol Empire, where Mongols packed raw mutton under their saddles, tenderizing their meat as they rode. Gross.
62. Day after Thanksgiving, Sinkie Day
63. November 8, Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day
64. November 14, National Spicy Guacamole Day
65. January 4, National Cheese Fondue Day
66. January 24, National Peanut Butter Day
67. March 31, National Cream Cheese Frosting Day
68. April 24, National Pigs in a Blanket Day
69. May 28, National Brisket Day

70. November 26, National Cake Day: “I wanted to buy a candle holder, but the store didn’t have one. So I got a cake.” – Mitch Hedberg
71. February 23, National Banana Bread Day
72. July 7, National Strawberry Sundae Day
73. July 28, Hamburger Day
74. February 15, National I Want Butterscotch Day
75. March 8, National Pancake Day
76. July 10, National Piña colada Day
77. July 7, Macaroni Day
78. July 23, National Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day
79. July 1, National Gingersnap Day
80. September 15, National Double Cheeseburger Day
81. September 26, National Dumpling Day: Yeah, you’re right: this should have been higher on the list.
82. July 29, National Lasagna Day
83. August 30, National Toasted Marshmallow Day
84. January 5, National Whipped Cream Day
85. July 30, National Cheesecake Day
86. August 16, World Bratwurst Day
87. June 2, National Rotisserie Chicken Day: Ever wonder why supermarket rotisserie chickens are so cheap? Well, we hate to burst your bubble, but according to Priceonomics, if you’re assessing price per pound, in most stores the cooked chickens aren’t actually any cheaper — they just look cheaper. Whatever; they’re still a delicious alternative to cooking.
88. July 25, National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
89. Third Sunday of July, National Ice Cream Day
90. July 27, National Creme Brulee Day
91. August 18, National Pinot Noir Day
92. September 28, National Drink Beer Day
93. August 24, National Peach Pie Day
94. November 14, National Pickle Day
95. November 17, Homemade Bread Day
96. November 29, Throw Out Your Leftovers Day
97. December 10, National Lager Day
98. December 11, National Have A Bagel Day
99. December 8, National Brownie Day
100. July 1, National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day: You don’t need an ice cream maker to make ice cream. According to Stef Ferrari’s Ice Cream Adventures, all you need is condensed milk, heavy cream, whipped topping and a freezer. Get creative by adding one-of-a-kind flavors — like peppermint cocoa cookie or key lime vanilla bean.
101. March 7, National Crown Roast of Pork Day
102. March 22, National Corndog Day
103. March 9, National Crabmeat Day
104. April 26, National Pretzel Day
105. First Friday of June, National Donut/Doughnut Day
106. January 3, National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
107. First Monday, National Frozen Yogurt Day
108. June 5, National Moonshine Day
109. April 2, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
110. July 20, National Fortune Cookie Day: The New York City-based Wonton Food flagship has a database of 15,000 fortunes on hand. Consequently, my new dream job is “fortune writer.”
111. August 1, National Milkshake Day
112. August 13, National Filet Mignon Day
113. March 12, National Baked Scallops Day
114. June 28, National Ceviche Day
115. June 20, National Vanilla Milkshake Day
116. April 17, National Cheeseball Day
117. March 11, Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
118. June 2, National Rocky Road Day
119. July 4, National Caesar Salad Day
120. August 19, National Potato Day
121. March 5, National Cheese Doodle Day
122. July 15, Gummi Worm Day
123. September 6, National Coffee Ice Cream Day
124. October 6, National Noodle Day
125. July 24, National Drive-Thru Day: Although several claim provenance, it’s likely that the first true drive-thru came care of Baldwin Park, California’s In-N-Out Burger, where, in 1948, motorists were promised takeout meals with “NO DELAY.” Somehow, “Animal Style” doesn’t scream 1940s Americana, but we’ll take it.
126. September 7, National Salami Day
127. June 11, National Corn on the cob day
128. September 15, National Linguine Day
129. August 29, More Herbs, Less Salt Day
130. March 31, National Clams on the Half Shell Day
131. December 20, National Sangria Day
132. December 17, National Maple Syrup Day
133. December 25, National Pumpkin Pie Day
134. July 23, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
135. March 13, National Coconut Torte Day
136. July 12, National Pecan Pie Day
137. July 14, National Grand Marnier Day
138. July 17, National Peach Ice Cream Day
139. June 12, National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
140. July 11, National Blueberry Muffin Day
141. October 30, Haunted Refrigerator Night: You laugh, but there are scores of homeowners who have to celebrate haunted refrigerator night every night. In his photo book, “13: Hauntingly Beautiful,” photographer Seph Lawless captures 13 bone-chilling American residences which once served as backdrops for notorious murders, suicides and hauntings. Cool.
142. September 14, National Cream Filled Donut Day
143. December 9, National Pastry Day
144. October 23, National Boston Creme Pie Day
145. December 1, National Pie Day
146. August 24, National Waffle Day
147. August 15, National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
148. March 2, National Banana Creme Pie Day
149. August 16, National Rum Day
150. August 14, National Creamsicle Day
151. December 16, National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
152. September 20, National Rum Punch Day
153. December 1, Eat a Red Apple Day: There are 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States. Worldwide? You’re looking at a jaw-dropping 7,500. Once again, cheers Mr. Appleseed.
154. September 17, National Apple Dumpling Day: Because we have so many goddamn apples, probably.
155. December 15, National Cupcake Day
156. June 5, National Gingerbread Day
157. January 27, National Chocolate Cake Day
158. August 3, National Watermelon Day
159. October 4, National Vodka Day
160. July 26, National Coffee Milkshake Day
161. August 28, National Cherry Turnover Day
162. December 4, National Cookie Day
163. November 24, National Espresso Day
164. November 28, National French Toast Day
165. November 11, National Sundae Day
166. November 8, National Cappuccino Day
167. First Thursday of November, International Stout Day
168. June 11, National German chocolate cake day
169. July 9, National Sugar Cookie Day
170. July 22, National Penuche Fudge Day
171. June 21, National Peaches ‘N’ Cream Day
172. August 3, National White Wine Day
173. April 19, National Garlic Day
174. April 27, National Prime Rib Day
175. July 3, Eat Beans Day
176. June 4, National Cognac Day
177. September 4, National Macadamia Nut Day
178. September 15, National Cheese Toast Day
179. October 24, National Food Day
180. September 26, National Better Breakfast Day
181. June 17, National Eat Your Vegetables Day
182. September 17, National Monte Cristo Sandwich Day
183. April 5, National Caramel Day
184. April 15, National Banana Day
185. August 23, National Spongecake Day
186. April 25, National Zucchini Bread Day
187. September 7, National Acorn Squash Day
188. July 16, Fresh Spinach Day
189. August 29, National Chop Suey Day
190. August 27, National Banana Lovers Day
191. July 18, National Caviar Day
192. September 9, National Steak Au Poivre Day
193. August 27, National Pots De Creme Day
194. July 4, National Spareribs Day
195. September 16, National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day
196. September 27, National Corned Beef Hash Day
197. September 28, Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children: Probably should have been higher on the list as well.
198. October 14, National Dessert Day
199. September 9, Wienerschnitzel Day
200. October 29, National Oatmeal Day
201. January 9, National Cassoulet Day
202. November 29, National Lemon Cream Pie Day
203. December 5, National Rock Candy Day
204. January 2, National Creampuff Day
205. November 21, National Stuffing Day
206. November 18, National Apple Cider Day
207. September 20, National Punch Day
208. November 16, National Fast Food Day
209. November 15, National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day
210. March 10, National Blueberry Popover Day
211. November 23, National Eat A Cranberry Day
212. December 24, National Eggnog Day
213. July 16, National Corn Fritter Day
214. August 26, National Cherry Popsicle Day
215. September 11, National Hot Cross Bun Day
216. September 28, National Strawberry Cream Pie Day
217. November 8, National Shot Day
218. December 2, National Fritters Day
219. April 22, National Jellybean Day
220. June 16, National Fudge Day
221. August 31, Trail Mix Day
222. June 3, National Chocolate Macaroon Day
223. July 31, National Raspberry Cake Day
224. September 19, National Butterscotch Pudding Day
225. October 28, National Chocolate day
226. October 31, National Candy Apple Day
227. Fourth Thursday in November, Turkey Day (informal name for Thanksgiving Day): Naturally.
228. November 1, National French Fried Clam Day
229. March 8, National Peanut Cluster Day
230. July 20, National Lollipop Day
231. June 6, National Applesauce Cake Day
232. July 5, National Apple Turnover Day
233. September 21, National Pecan Cookie Day
234. November 20, National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
235. November 23, National Cashew Day
236. November 17, National Baklava Day
237. June 28, National Tapioca Day
238. November 2, National Deviled Egg Day
239. November 4, National Eating Healthy Day
240. November 1, National Vinegar Day
241. September 10, National TV Dinner Day
242. September 1, National Cherry Popover Day
243. October 18, National Chocolate Cupcake Day
244. October 24, National Bologna Day
245. November 1, National Cook For Your Pets Day
246. September 12, National Chocolate Milkshake Day
247. August 22, National Pecan Torte Day
248. November 4, National Candy Day
249. November 15, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
250. September 13, International Chocolate Day
251. June 10, National Iced Tea Day
252. July 8, National Chocolate with Almonds Day
253. September 15, National Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day
254. November 30, National Mousse Day
255. June 27, National Orange Blossom Day
256. August 17, National Vanilla Custard Day
257. September 27, National Chocolate Milk Day
258. November 12, Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
259. June 25, National Catfish Day
260. August 29, National Lemon Juice Day
261. September 3, National Welsh Rarebit Day: WTF?
262. November 8, National Harvey Wallbanger Day: Seriously, WTF?
263. December 11, National Noodle Ring Day
264. November 10, National Vanilla Cupcake Day
265. June 7, Chocolate Ice Cream Day
266. September 13, National Peanut Day
267. November 29, National Chocolates Day
268. November 25, National Parfait Day
269. November 7, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
270. September 2, National Blueberry Popsicle Day
271. November 13, National Indian Pudding Day
272. July 28, National Milk Chocolate Day
273. October 30, National Candy Corn Day
274. June 26, National Chocolate Pudding Day
275. May 4, National Candied Orange Peel Day
276. August 25, National Whiskey Sour Day
277. September 29, National Biscotti Day
278. May 17, National Walnut Day
279. July 3, National Chocolate Wafer Day
280. June 20, National Ice Cream Soda Day
281. May 23, National Taffy Day
282. October 20, National Brandied Fruit Day
283. July 2, National Anisette Day
284. November 19, Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day
285. December 22, National Date Nut Bread Day
286. December 27, National Fruitcake Day
287. December 30, National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
288. November 18, National Vichyssoise Day
289. February 29, National Frog Legs Day (Celebration for Leap Day): Cute, but gross.
290. July 24, National Tequila Day: The last time I drank tequila, I woke up wearing a shirt as pants.
291. February 22, National Margarita Day: See: Tequila Day