2026 Food Holiday Guide for Restaurants
- eileen strauss
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
A Month-by-Month Guide to Spark Sales, Social Buzz, Seasonal Promotions, and Delivery Growth
With more than 1,500 national food holidays sprinkled throughout the year, 2026 is packed with ready-made moments your restaurant can turn into traffic, engagement, and sales. Whether you're promoting delivery, launching seasonal specials, crafting LTOs, or building buzz on social media, these micro-holidays give you a steady stream of ideas your customers actually engage with—and yes, they love it.
Some dates are iconic mainstays (St. Patrick's Day, Easter Sunday, and Mothers' Day). Others are fan-favorite foodie moments (National Pizza Day, Taco Day, National Burger Day). And then there are the quirky inventions (Maple Syrup, Malbec, and Rum Day). Together, they help your restaurant stay visible, relevant, and consistently engaging—especially during slower weeks when every post, promo, and order counts.
This expanded 2026 Food Holiday Guide is more than a list of dates—it’s your all-in-one content and promotion planner.
Use this guide to plan ahead, fill last-minute content gaps, inspire mouthwatering specials, and keep your customers celebrating (and ordering) all year long.
JANUARY 2026
January may be cold and slow, but it’s a delivery goldmine. Lean into cozy comfort foods, New Year reset energy, and snow-day cravings that make staying in feel downright delicious. Warm bowls, hearty dishes, and “don’t cook tonight” bundles shine all month long.
January Food Holiday
January 1 - New Year’s Day
January 4 - National Spaghetti Day
January 7 - National Tempura Day
January 13 - National Gluten-Free Day
January 15 - National Bagel Day
January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 23 - National Pie Day
January 30 - National Croissant Day
January 31 - National Hot Chocolate Day
FEBRUARY 2026
February heats up fast. With Valentine’s Day, the big game, Presidents’ Day weekend, and tons of fun food holidays, this month is built for cozy date nights, comfort cravings, and game-day spreads. It’s your moment to show up everywhere—feeds, inboxes, and front doors.
Key February Food Holidays
February 1 - National Baked Alaska Day
February 2 - National Tater Tot Day
February 3 - National Carrot Cake Day
February 9 - National Pizza Day
February 8- Super Bowl
February 14 - Valentine’s Day
February 17 - Presidents’ Day (Federal Holiday)
February 17 -Lunar New Year
February 18 - National Drink Wine Day
February 18 - Ramadan Begins
February 20 - National Muffin Day
February 22 - National Margarita Day
February 26 - National Chili Day
MARCH 2026
March is made for festive eating. Between St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness, diners want green drinks, hearty eats, and shareable snacks for watch parties. It’s the perfect month to roll out themed specials, colorful menu twists, and “lucky” limited-time treats.
Key March Food Holidays
March 4 - National Pound Cake Day
March 9 - National Meatball Day
March 13 - National Chicken Soup Day
March 16 - National Artichoke Day
March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day
March 20 - End of Ramadan
March 25 - International Waffle Day
March 27 - World Whiskey Day
APRIL 2026
April officially kicks off “fresh flavor” season. With Passover, Easter, Earth Day, and patio weather returning, it’s prime time for bright menus, sustainability content, and brunch-worthy dishes. Use the month to reset, refresh, and show customers what’s new for spring.
Key April Food Holidays
April 1 - Passover Begins
April 5 - Easter Sunday
April 6 - Carbonara Day
April 8 - National Empanada Day
April 15 - Tax Day
April 16 - Eggs Benedict Day
April 17 - Malbec Wine Day
April 22 - Earth Day
April 27 - Prime Rib Day
MAY 2026
May is loaded: Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, plus warmer weather and patio season in full swing. It’s your month to go big on brunch, bold flavors, and backyard-ready catering. From tacos and tequila to mom-approved brunch boards and grill-friendly party packs, use May’s holidays to launch summer before summer even starts.
Key May Food Holidays
May 5 - Cinco de Mayo
May 9 - Shrimp Day
May 10 - Mothers' Day
May 13 - National Hummus Day
May 14 - National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 25 - National Wine Day
May 25 - Memorial Day
Ma7 27 - Eid al-Adha (Kurban) (Est.)
May 28 - Brisket Day
May 30 - Mint Julep Day
JUNE 2026
June brings full-blast summer energy. With Pride Month, Flag Day, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and endless food holidays, it’s one of the most creative months of the year. From rainbow desserts and dad-sized portions to icy treats and on-the-beach delivery menus, June is built for color, community, and craveability.
Key June Food Holidays
June 2 - Rotisserie Chicken Day
June 4 - National Cheese Day
June 7 - National Ice Cream Day
June 12 - International Falafel Day
June 16 - Fudge Day
June 19 - Juneteenth
June 21 - Father’s Day
June 22 - Onion Ring Day
JULY 2026
July is fireworks, festival crowds, and full-sun flavor. Independence Day anchors the month with parties, picnics, and catering-friendly classics. Add in frozen drinks, bold BBQ, and heat-beating specials, and you’ve got a month packed with opportunities to feed every kind of celebration.
Key July Food Holidays
July 4 - Independence Day
July 6 - National Fried Chicken Day
July 13 - French Fry Day
July 24 - National Tequila Day
July 29 - National Chicken Wing Day
July 31 - National Avocado Day
AUGUST 2026
August is hot, bright, and bursting with seasonal produce. It’s perfect for juicy fruits, icy cocktails, seafood specials, and “cool down” menus. With summer in full swing, highlight refreshing flavors, outdoor dining, and fun, heat-friendly promotions.
Key August Food Holidays
Aug 3 - National Watermelon Day
Aug 5 - National Oyster Day
August 8 - Frozen Custard Day
Aug 11 - National Panini Day
Aug 16 - National Rum Day
Aug 27 - National Burger Day
SEPTEMBER 2026
Theme: Cozy Transitions + Back-to-School
September straddles two seasons—still warm, but fall is calling. It’s flannel weather, football kickoffs, and pumpkin-spice everything. Use this month to roll out fall teasers, back-to-school meal kits, and game-day bundles that make weeknights easy.
Key September Food Holidays
September 2 - National Bacon Day
September 3 - National Baby Back Ribs Day
September 7 - Labor Day
September 10 - National Hot Dog Day
September 13- National Peanut Day
September 15 - First Day of National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16 - National Guacamole Day
September 11 - Rosh Hashanah
September 20 - Yom Kippor
September 25 - National Quesadilla Day
September 26 - National Pancake Day
September 29 - National Coffee Day
September 30 - Mulled Cider Day
OCTOBER 2026
October sits right on the edge of the holiday rush, which makes it the perfect warm-up month. Cool air, colorful leaves, and comfort food cravings are officially in play.
Layer in fall flavors, veggie-forward dishes, Taco Day fun, and Halloween treats to get guests excited for the months of feasting ahead.
Key October Food Holidays
October 1 - World Vegetarian Day
October 4 - National Taco Day
October 6 - National Noddle Day
October 16 - World Bread Day
October 21 - National Apple Day
October 22 - National Nut Day
October 27 - American Beer Day
October 28 - National Chocolate Day
October 31 - Halloween
NOVEMBER 2026
November hits the gas on the holiday season. From Diwali and Day of the Dead to Thanksgiving and Black Friday, this month is non-stop planning, feasting, and snacking.
Use it to promote catering, family-style meals, game-day spreads, and gift card offers that carry your restaurant straight through the end of the year.
Key November Food Holidays
November 1 - World Vegan Day/Day of the Dead
November 3 - National Sandwich Day
November 8– Diwali
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 14 - National Pickle Day
November 21 - Cranberry Day
November 25 - Drinksgiving
November 26 - National Cake Day
November 26 - Thanksgiving
November 27 - Black Friday
November 28 - Small Business Saturday
November 30 - Cyber Monday
DECEMBER 2026
December is your grand finale: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and a month full of office parties, family gatherings, and at-home celebrations.
From cookie boxes and catering spreads to NYE party packs and gift cards, December is your chance to end the year festively—and profitably.
Key December Food Holidays
December 4 - National Cookie Day
December 4 - First Night of Hanukkah
December 5 - Comfort Food Day
December 8 - National Brownie Day
December 13 - National Cocoa Day
Decmber 14 - Bouillabaisse Day
December 17 - National Maple Syrup Day
December 21 - National Hamburger Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 31 - New Year’s Eve
Five Ways to Promote Food Holidays
Get Staff Involved
Getting employees involved in obscure food holiday promotions can energize your team and enhance the overall customer experience.
Encourage employees to create and name a dish or drink for the holiday, with the winning item featured on the menu.
Host a contest for the best-decorated workstation or costume aligned with the theme, such as “Best Dressed Pickle" National Pickle Day.
Offer incentives like free meals, gift cards, or extra tips for those who actively promote the holiday to customers.
Organize interactive activities, such as servers leading a pizza trivia game for National Pizza Day.
Themed Specials and Limited-Time Menus
Design unique dishes or drinks that tie into the holiday, such as a “Triple Chocolate Cake” for National Chocolate Day.
Offer limited-time pricing or bundles to create urgency and excitement.
3. Social Media Campaigns
Post engaging content with holiday-specific hashtags to increase visibility, e.g., #NationalBurgerDay.
Host contests or polls, like “Vote for your favorite taco” on National Taco Day, with a chance to win a free meal.
4. Interactive Events and Experiences
Organize themed events, such as a pizza-making class on National Pizza Day.
Collaborate with local influencers or chefs to host pop-ups or tasting nights tied to the holiday.
5. Incentivized Promotions
Offer discounts or giveaways for participation, like “Buy one ice cream cone, get one free” on National Ice Cream Day.
Reward loyalty program members with exclusive perks tied to food holidays.
Take Away
From tiny micro-holidays to major celebrations, every moment is a chance to delight your customers.
Incorporating a food holiday calendar into your restaurant’s marketing scheme is a simple yet effective way to drive engagement, attract new customers, and celebrate your restaurant's culinary joys. By capitalizing on the charm of quirky, obscure food holidays along with the year's grand festivities, you can keep your promotions fresh, create buzz around your menu, and encourage repeat visits.
Download your free 2026 Food Holiday Guide now:
With this guide in hand, you’re ready to spark joy, build loyalty, and serve up craveable experiences all year long. Cheers to a flavorful, festive, and profitable 2026.
By Eileen Strauss
