National Pie Day falls on January 23 every year, a fixed calendar date set aside to celebrate one of the most versatile foods in the kitchen: the pie. Whether your favorite is a flaky apple, a silky pumpkin, a tart key lime, a nutty pecan, or a hearty savory pot pie, this is the day to bake one, buy one, or simply share a slice with someone you love. It is a low-key, feel-good holiday that asks nothing more than an appetite.
When is National Pie Day?
National Pie Day is observed on January 23 annually. It is a fixed-date holiday, meaning it lands on the same calendar day every year rather than floating to a particular weekday. Because January 23, 2026 has already passed, the next observance falls on Saturday, January 23, 2027. It should not be confused with National Pi Day, the math-themed celebration held on March 14 (3/14) in honor of the constant 3.14, nor with the many pie-specific days such as National Pecan Pie Day or National Blueberry Pie Day that dot the calendar throughout the year.
History and origin of National Pie Day
The most widely cited origin traces to Charlie Papazian, a nuclear engineer better known as a founding figure of American home brewing and the founder of the Great American Beer Festival. As the story goes, in the mid-1970s Papazian simply decided that his own birthday, January 23, should forever be a day to celebrate pie, and he registered it, reportedly listing it in Chase’s Calendar of Events under the banner of a then-informal Boulder, Colorado group. In 1986 the American Pie Council, a real organization dedicated to preserving America’s pie heritage, adopted and began promoting the day. The council remains its official sponsor and also runs the annual National Pie Championships, a competition that draws professional bakers, commercial brands, and amateurs alike. It is a rare case where a casual personal tradition grew into a nationally recognized food holiday.
Why National Pie Day matters
Pie occupies a special place in American food culture. It appears at Thanksgiving and Fourth of July gatherings, at county fairs, and in the phrase “as American as apple pie,” even though pie itself long predates the United States and has roots reaching back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where early cooks encased fillings in rough pastry shells. National Pie Day gives home bakers, bakeries, and restaurants a shared moment to celebrate that heritage, pass recipes between generations, and appreciate a food that is at once humble and endlessly creative. For many families, a particular pie recipe is a cherished heirloom, tied to a grandparent’s handwriting on a splattered index card. The day also offers small bakeries a welcome sales boost in the quiet weeks after the winter holidays.
How to celebrate National Pie Day
- Bake a pie from scratch, from the crust up, and try a variety you have never made before.
- Host a pie potluck or swap where everyone brings a different flavor to share.
- Support a local bakery by buying a whole pie or a few slices.
- Revisit a family recipe and cook it with a parent or grandparent.
- Try a savory pie such as a chicken pot pie or a shepherd’s pie for something beyond dessert.
- Donate pies to a shelter, food bank, or community kitchen.
- Share photos of your creations online with #NationalPieDay.
Related days and observances
Pie lovers can also mark National Pi Day, National Blueberry Pie Day, National Pecan Pie Day, National Cherry Pie Day, National Pumpkin Pie Day, National Dessert Day, and National Baking Week, along with broader food celebrations like National Bagel Day and National Sandwich Day.
Fun facts
The word “pie” may derive from the magpie, a bird known for collecting an assortment of objects, echoing the mixed fillings of early pies. Apple pie is one of the most searched pie recipes in the United States, and pumpkin pie surges every autumn around Thanksgiving. Early American colonists sometimes baked pies in long, narrow pans called “coffins,” and the crust was originally meant as a durable container to preserve the filling rather than something to eat. The American Pie Council’s championships have handed out awards across dozens of categories, from cream and fruit pies to innovation classes, proving just how far the humble pastry has come.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Pie Day?
National Pie Day is January 23 every year, a fixed date. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, January 23.
Who started National Pie Day?
It is credited to Charlie Papazian, who declared his birthday, January 23, a day for pie in the 1970s; the American Pie Council took over promotion in 1986.
Why do we celebrate National Pie Day?
To honor pie as a beloved comfort food and a fixture of American home baking and holiday tables.
How do you celebrate National Pie Day?
Bake a pie, buy one from a local bakery, host a pie swap, or share your favorite recipe online.
Is National Pie Day a public holiday?
No. It is an unofficial food observance, not a federal or public holiday, so businesses stay open.
What is the hashtag for National Pie Day?
Celebrants commonly use #NationalPieDay when posting photos of their pies.