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Every January 23, Americans grab a slice of life and celebrate National Pie Day - an ode to one of the most classic and beloved desserts in the United States. From apple to pecan, pies hold a special place in U.S. culture, symbolizing comfort, tradition, and the simple pleasures of home baking.
National Pie Day 2026 invites pie lovers nationwide to share recipes, reminisce about pie memories, and, of course, indulge in a slice (or two) of their favorite flavor.
National Pie Day Countdown
Wondering how many days until National Pie Day? Here's the live countdown to the next celebration on January 23:
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So if you're planning to bake an apple pie, pick up a slice from your favorite bakery, or host a pie swap, this countdown makes it easy to get ready for National Pie Day.
Why We Celebrate National Pie Day on January 23
National Pie Day has its roots in the 1970s, when a Colorado school teacher named Charlie Papazian decided to commemorate his birthday - January 23 - by declaring it National Pie Day. What started as one man's personal celebration of pie gained momentum, and by 1986, the American Pie Council (APC) had adopted and sponsored the day to promote America's love affair with pies. The APC's involvement helped National Pie Day grow in popularity, distinguishing it from the better-known Pi Day (March 14). While Pi Day honors the mathematical constant π, National Pie Day purely celebrates the edible pie - and there's no confusion about which kind of “pie” we mean here!
In recent decades, National Pie Day has been embraced by bakeries, diners, and home cooks across the country. It's a time to honor the history of pies in America, from the first pies brought over by English settlers to their status as an icon of American cuisine (“as American as apple pie,” the saying goes). The American Pie Council often uses the holiday for pie-themed promotions and even partnered with Hollywood in 2014 - teaming up with Paramount Pictures to promote the film Labor Day, which features a memorable pie-making scene. This campaign included promotional materials placed in pie shops and bakeries, linking the romance of pie-making with pop culture.
How to Celebrate National Pie Day
One simply celebrates National Pie Day by eating and sharing pie, but the possibilities are endless:
- Bake Your Favorite Pie: There's nothing like a homemade pie. Many take this day as an opportunity to bake a family recipe - be it a classic apple pie or a regional specialty like key lime pie. If you're new to pie-making, the APC provides recipes and even tips for the perfect crust.
- Host a Pie Party or Bake-Off: Pie Day is more fun with friends. Some enthusiasts organize pie bake-offs or pie swaps, where everyone brings a different kind of pie to share. It's a delicious way to taste a variety of pies and maybe discover a new favorite.
- Try a New Flavor: While apple and pumpkin are perennial favorites, why not use Pie Day to try something new? Consider seasonal or unusual fillings (sweet or savory). Pies aren't only desserts - pot pies or quiches could be on the menu too.
- Visit a Local Bakery or Diner: Many pie shops and restaurants run special deals on January 23. For instance, certain chains and diners offer free slices or buy-one-get-one promotions for customers. Keep an eye out for local promotions - you might score a free slice of cherry or apple crumb pie with your meal.
- Get Creative (Pie-Themed Fun): Beyond eating, you can watch movies featuring pie (Waitress or the famous pie scene in Labor Day), listen to pie-themed songs (like Don McLean's “American Pie”), or even play pie-themed games (a pie trivia or a playful pie-in-the-face contest for the bold).
National Pie Day has also become a day of community and charity for some. Many people use the holiday as an excuse to share pie with neighbors, donate baked goods, or support local bake sales and food drives. After all, sharing a pie is sharing comfort and kindness.
Fun Pie Facts & Trivia
Pie Day is a perfect time to brush up on some pie trivia and history:
- Ancient Origins: Pie-like dishes go back to antiquity, and written recipes for early baked pastries appear in historical sources. Exactly which recipe counts as the “first” is debated, but the long timeline helps explain why pies show up in so many cultures.
- Pie in America: Pies came to America with early English settlers. By the 19th century, pies were firmly embedded in American culture - even eaten for breakfast by pioneers. New Englanders of the 1800s often started the day with pie, considering it a hearty meal.
- Two Pie Holidays? Interestingly, some people also recognize December 1 as another “Pie Day.” However, January 23rd - backed by the APC - is the dominant National Pie Day. (And of course, March 14 is Pi Day, celebrated with pies due to the wordplay, but that's a different occasion entirely.)
- Record-Breaking Pie: One widely reported record apple pie weighed 34,438 pounds and was baked in Wenatchee, Washington in 1997, beating an earlier record set in Chelsfield, England in 1982.
- Pie Consumption: According to the American Pie Council, approximately $2 billion worth of pies are sold in U.S. grocery stores each year (grocery stores only). They also report that nearly one out of five Americans (19%) name apple pie as their favorite.
- Breakfast of Champions: Pie isn't just for dessert. One APC survey found 35% of Americans have eaten pie for breakfast, while 66% have enjoyed it for lunch and 59% as a midnight snack.
- Pop Culture Pie Moment: Beyond the wholesome, pies have had notorious moments too - remember the film American Pie? Variety once quipped, “What damage American Pie did for the pie industry, Labor Day has reversed,” referencing how one movie made pie a punchline while another made it poignant.
- State Pie Spotlight: Key Lime Pie is Florida's official state pie. Vermont is famous for pairing apple pie with cheddar - and even passed a lighthearted law encouraging apple pie to be served with milk, cheddar, or ice cream.
- Pies in Nursery Rhymes: The classic rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence” mentions blackbirds baked in a pie - a reminder that pies once weren't only sweet, and have long been part of folklore and storytelling.
Each pie fact adds a little extra flavor to the celebration. Share these tidbits at your Pie Day gathering and you're sure to impress your fellow pie aficionados.
National Pie Day Dates
Even though every day can be a pie day, National Pie Day proper comes once a year. Mark your calendar for these upcoming National Pie Days:
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 23, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 23, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 23, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 23, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 23, 2030 | Wednesday |
Savoring Pie Day: Embrace the Slice
In the depth of winter, National Pie Day offers warmth and nostalgia. It's about more than just eating pastry; it's about sharing a comforting tradition. Many bakeries run promotions on Pie Day. For example, in 2024, Shoney's offered a free slice of its Strawberry Pie with the purchase of an entrée or its All-You-Care-To-Eat Fresh Food Bar (participation may vary by location and while supplies last).
Social media lights up with photos of lattice crusts and meringue peaks, and families swap stories of grandma's famous pie recipes.
Some communities even tie Pie Day into longer promotions - for example, Indiana's “Pie Day-to-Pi Day” event connects National Pie Day (Jan 23) to Pi Day (Mar 14) with a weeks-long pie-trail challenge.
Ultimately, National Pie Day is a light-hearted celebration of an all-American dessert that brings people together. Whether you bake a pie, buy a pie, or simply enjoy reading about pies, take a moment on January 23rd to appreciate the simple joy of a well-made pie. So grab a fork, cut a big slice, and enjoy - happy Pie Day!
