Last updated: January 23 , 2026
Quick Answer: January 23 National Pie Day is an annual American food celebration observed every January 23, honoring the long history of pie in United States culture. It was created in the mid-1970s by Boulder, Colorado resident Charlie Papazian, who simply chose his own birthday as the date. The American Pie Council has formally sponsored the day since 1986, making it one of the most recognized food holidays on the national day calendar.
Key Takeaways
National Pie Day falls on January 23 every year, in 2026, that is a Friday.
Charlie Papazian, a Boulder, Colorado teacher and nuclear engineer, founded the holiday in the mid-1970s by designating his birthday as the celebration date.
The American Pie Council has sponsored National Pie Day since 1986, originally tied to Crisco’s 75th anniversary.
National Pie Day (January 23) is entirely separate from Pi Day (March 14), which is a math-themed observance.
The American Pie Council hosts the National Pie Championships, one of the largest competitive pie events in the United States.
Pie is one of the oldest prepared foods in American and European culinary history, with roots dating back thousands of years.
Common ways to observe the day include baking, buying from local bakeries, hosting pie parties, and sharing on social media using #NationalPieDay.
What Is National Pie Day and Is It a Real Holiday?
National Pie Day is a legitimate, widely recognized American food observance celebrated every January 23. While it is not a federal public holiday, meaning schools and offices do not close, it appears consistently on the national day calendar, is tracked by major calendar services, and is actively promoted by an established trade organization. That makes it as real as food holidays get in the United States.
The holiday exists to celebrate pie in all its forms: sweet, savory, single-crust, double-crust, and everything in between. From classic apple to double-crusted wild blueberry pie, the day encourages Americans to bake, buy, or simply enjoy a slice. Outlets from the national day calendar community to mainstream food media cover it annually, confirming its place among recognized national food holidays.
National Pie Day History: How January 23 Became Pie Day
National Pie Day traces directly to one person: Charlie Papazian, a Boulder, Colorado teacher and nuclear engineer who created the holiday in the mid-1970s. His method was straightforward, he simply declared his own birthday, January 23, to be National Pie Day. Papazian is also widely known as a pioneer of the American homebrewing movement, so founding a food holiday was very much in character.
The American Pie Council formally adopted and began sponsoring National Pie Day in 1986, a year that coincided with the 75th anniversary of the shortening brand Crisco. That corporate connection helped amplify the celebration into a national event with organized baking contests and media coverage. Wikipedia’s entry on National Pie Day confirms both Papazian’s founding role and the American Pie Council’s sponsorship history.
Key dates in National Pie Day history:
YearEventMid-1970sCharlie Papazian designates January 23 as National Pie Day in Boulder, Colorado1986American Pie Council formally sponsors the day, linked to Crisco’s 75th anniversary1990s, presentNational Pie Championships established by the American Pie CouncilJanuary 2014Growing media coverage cements the day january observance in mainstream calendarsJanuary 2026National Pie Day falls on a Friday; celebration continues nationwide
Pie itself has a far longer history. Ancient Egyptians made early grain-based pastry shells, and the Romans carried pie-making traditions across Europe. The American pie tradition, especially apple pie, became a cultural symbol of home and country by the 19th century, making a national day dedicated to pies a natural fit for U.S. food culture.
Why Is January 23 National Pie Day? The Charlie Papazian Story
January 23 is National Pie Day because Charlie Papazian said so, and it stuck. Born in Boulder, Colorado, Papazian chose his birthday as the holiday date in the mid-1970s, a decision that was informal but effective. There was no petition, no act of Congress, and no formal proclamation. He simply began promoting the idea, and over time the American Pie Council, food media, and the broader national day community embraced it.
This origin story is worth noting because it distinguishes National Pie Day (January 23) from Pi Day (March 14), which celebrates the mathematical constant pi (3.14…). The two holidays are completely unrelated despite the similar names. Thrillist has covered the National Pie Day vs. National Pi Day distinction in detail, noting that the January 23 date has nothing to do with mathematics and everything to do with one man’s birthday.
Some sources also list a secondary pie observance on December 1, though its origin is unclear and it lacks the institutional backing of the January 23 date. The American Pie Council, national media, and the primary national day calendar all point to January 23 as the authoritative date.
When Is National Pie Day Celebrated? Upcoming Dates
National Pie Day is always January 23. Here are the upcoming dates and the day of the week each falls on, based on verified calendar data:
January 23, 2026, Friday (the current year’s celebration)
January 23, 2027, Saturday
January 23, 2028, Sunday
Calendarr confirms these dates for the United States, and HolidayCalendar.io lists them through 2028. The day january 23 designation has remained unchanged since Papazian established it, and there is no indication from the American Pie Council or any national body that the date will shift.
For those planning ahead, January 2026 offers a convenient Friday date, ideal for a weekend pie-baking kickoff or a restaurant special. If you enjoy tracking january national days, January 23 sits in a busy stretch of food observances that includes National Gluten-Free Day on January 13 and National Whipped Cream Day on January 5, the latter being a natural pairing with pie.
How to Observe National Pie Day: Activities and Ideas
Observing National Pie Day is as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. The American Pie Council encourages pie lovers to bake a pie, buy one from a local bakery, or share their love of pies on social media using the hashtag #NationalPieDay. Beyond those basics, there are several creative ways to mark the day.
Ways to celebrate on January 23:
Bake a pie from scratch. Choose a classic like apple or cherry, or try a double-crusted wild blueberry pie for something less common. Wild blueberry pie has a more intense flavor than cultivated blueberry varieties.
Host a pie party. Invite friends or family to each bring a different pie variety. This is one of the most popular group celebration formats for the day.
Visit a local bakery or restaurant. Many food businesses run pie day specials on January 23. Search locally for deals, more on that below.
Enter a pie contest. The American Pie Council runs the National Pie Championships, and many local county fairs and community groups hold their own competitions around this time.
Share on social media. Post a photo of your pie with #NationalPieDay. The hashtag sees significant search and engagement each year on January 23.
Learn about pie history. Read about the American pie tradition, or search for the history of regional pie styles across the United States.
Pie throwing tidbit: Pie throwing, the comedic act of throwing a cream pie at someone, has its own cultural history separate from pie eating. While it has no formal place in National Pie Day observances, it is a fun piece of food pop culture trivia to share at a pie party.
Do Restaurants Have Pie Day Specials on January 23? Where to Buy Pie
Many restaurants and bakeries offer pie day deals on January 23, though specials vary widely by location and year. The best approach is to search locally in the days leading up to the holiday.
How to find pie day deals near you:
Search “[your city] National Pie Day 2026 specials” in the days before January 23.
Check the social media accounts of local bakeries and diners, many announce deals on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Sign up for email newsletters from local food businesses; many send promotional emails about food holiday specials.
Contact your favorite bakery directly to ask if they plan any pie day promotions.
Check deal aggregator sites and local food blogs, which often compile pie day restaurant lists.
National chains like Village Inn and Perkins have historically offered free or discounted pie slices on National Pie Day, though availability changes each year. Always verify current offers before you go. For those in the Boulder, Colorado area, the city’s food scene, including coverage from outlets like the Boulder Reporting Lab, often highlights local pie day events and bakery specials.
Best Pie Recipes and Types of Pies to Make for National Pie Day
The best pie for National Pie Day is whichever one you will actually enjoy making and eating. That said, certain varieties are especially popular for the celebration, and a few lesser-known types are worth exploring.
Classic American pies:
Apple pie (the most iconic American pie)
Blueberry pie, including double-crusted wild blueberry
Cherry pie
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
Cream and custard pies:
Banana cream pie
Coconut cream pie
Key lime pie
Lemon meringue pie
Savory pies:
Chicken pot pie
Shepherd’s pie
Quiche (a French-origin savory pie popular in the United States)
Tips for pie day baking:
Use cold butter and ice water for a flakier crust.
Blind-bake custard pie shells to prevent sogginess.
Let fruit pies cool fully before slicing, this allows the filling to set.
Top with whipped cream just before serving for best presentation. Our guide to National Whipped Cream Day has useful tips on whipped cream storage and application.
Can you freeze pie before National Pie Day? Yes. Most fruit pies freeze well either baked or unbaked. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven. Cream pies do not freeze well and are best made fresh.
What’s the Difference Between Pie Day and Pi Day?
National Pie Day (January 23) and Pi Day (March 14) are two entirely separate observances with nothing in common except a similar name. National Pie Day is a food holiday about baking and eating pies. Pi Day, observed on March 14 (3/14, referencing 3.14159…), is a celebration of the mathematical constant pi, popularized in schools and among math enthusiasts.
The confusion is common enough that Thrillist dedicated a full article to the distinction. The key difference: one is about food, one is about math. Both days do involve pie-eating in practice, many schools celebrate Pi Day with actual pie, but the origins and purposes are completely different. National Pie Day also has a specific founder (Charlie Papazian) and an institutional sponsor (the American Pie Council), while Pi Day grew more organically from the math and science community.
There is also a National Pizza Pie Day, sometimes observed in February, which adds another layer of confusion. For clarity: the primary national pie day on the American food calendar is January 23, as recognized by the American Pie Council and the national day calendar community.
How to Host a Pie Day Party on January 23
Hosting a pie day party on January 23 is one of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate. The format is flexible enough for a casual family gathering or a larger neighborhood event.
Step-by-step pie party checklist:
Set the menu. Aim for at least three to five different pies to give guests variety. Mix sweet and savory options.
Assign pies. If guests are contributing, use a sign-up sheet or group message to avoid duplicates.
Prep in advance. Most fruit pies can be baked the day before. This reduces day-of stress significantly.
Set up a pie bar. Offer toppings like whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and chopped nuts so guests can customize their slices.
Create a voting card. A simple best-pie vote adds friendly competition and keeps guests engaged.
Document and share. Encourage guests to post photos with #NationalPieDay and tag your event.
Contact local bakeries if you want to supplement homemade pies with professional ones, many will take advance orders for the day.
For those who enjoy tracking food holiday celebrations throughout the month, pairing a pie party with other nearby January observances, such as National Apricot Day on January 9, can inspire creative flavor combinations like apricot pie or apricot glaze on a tart.
The American Pie Council and National Pie Championships
The American Pie Council is the primary national organization behind National Pie Day, and it does considerably more than manage a calendar date. The American Pie Council promotes pie appreciation, supports the pie industry, and organizes the National Pie Championships, a major annual competition open to both amateur and professional bakers across the United States.
The Pie Council’s involvement since 1986 transformed National Pie Day from a personal birthday declaration by Charlie Papazian into a genuine national celebration with media coverage, corporate partnerships, and organized events. The council’s website and social media channels are the most reliable sources for official National Pie Day news, contest registration details, and pie-related food industry updates.
The National Pie Championships accept entries across dozens of categories, from classic apple to specialty and commercial divisions. Winning a national championship through the American Pie Council is considered a significant credential in the American baking community. For serious bakers, this is the most competitive and prestigious pie contest in the country.
FAQ: People Also Ask About January 23 National Pie Day
Why is Jan 23 National Pie Day?
January 23 is National Pie Day because Charlie Papazian, a Boulder, Colorado teacher and nuclear engineer, created the holiday in the mid-1970s and chose his own birthday as the date. The American Pie Council formally adopted and sponsored the day in 1986. There is no deeper mathematical or historical reason for the January 23 date, it is simply Papazian’s birthday, and the designation stuck.
What is January 23rd National Day?
January 23rd is most widely recognized as National Pie Day in the United States, a food holiday celebrating pies in all forms. It was founded by Charlie Papazian of Boulder, Colorado and is sponsored by the American Pie Council. Some national day calendar sources also list other minor observances on January 23, but National Pie Day is by far the most recognized and widely covered of the day’s designations.
Why is January 23 so special?
January 23 is special primarily because it is National Pie Day, one of the most popular food holidays on the American national day calendar. The date also holds personal significance as Charlie Papazian’s birthday, the Boulder, Colorado founder who created the holiday. Beyond pie, January 23 occasionally coincides with other observances depending on the year, but the pie celebration is the dominant reason the date stands out in American food culture.
What Day is National Pie Day 2026?
National Pie Day 2026 falls on Friday, January 23, 2026. The holiday is always observed on January 23 each year, regardless of the day of the week. In 2026, the Friday date makes it a convenient start to a pie-themed weekend, whether you plan to bake at home, visit a local bakery, or host a pie party. The American Pie Council and national day calendar sources confirm this date annually.
See Also: Related January Food Holidays
January is packed with food observances worth knowing about. Here are a few closely related celebrations from the january national days calendar:
National Whipped Cream Day, January 5: The perfect pie topping has its own holiday earlier in the month.
National Gluten-Free Day, January 13: Relevant for bakers making gluten-free pie crusts.
National Cream Puff Day, January 2: Another pastry-focused celebration to kick off the month.
Conclusion: How to Make the Most of January 23 National Pie Day in 2026
National Pie Day on January 23 is a genuine, well-documented American food celebration with a clear origin story, an active sponsoring organization, and decades of growing recognition. In 2026, the Friday date gives everyone, home bakers, restaurant owners, and pie enthusiasts, a natural opportunity to plan something memorable.
Actionable next steps:
Mark January 23, 2026 on your calendar now and decide whether you will bake, buy, or host.
Search for local pie day specials in your area in the week before January 23, sign up for bakery email lists to get early notice.
If you want to go beyond casual celebration, contact the American Pie Council to learn about the National Pie Championships and how to enter.
Share your pie on social media with #NationalPieDay to join the national conversation and connect with other pie lovers.
Edit your usual pie recipe with one new ingredient or technique this year, wild blueberry filling, a butter-lard crust blend, or a savory option like chicken pot pie can make the day feel fresh.
Pie has been a cornerstone of American food culture for centuries. On January 23, that history gets a day of its own, and it is well worth celebrating.
References
[1] National Pie Day – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pie_Day
[2] National Pie Day 3810 – https://www.wikidates.org/holiday/national-pie-day_3810.html
[3] National Pie Day Vs National Pi Day – https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/national-pie-day-vs-national-pi-day
[4] Pie Day – https://www.wincalendar.com/uk/Pie-Day
[5] National Pie Day – https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/national-pie-day/
[6] National Pie Day – https://nationaltoday.com/national-pie-day/
[7] National Pie Day – https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/national-pie-day
[8] Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/piestyle1/videos/national-pie-day-is-coming-up-this-friday-january-23-2026-it-is-a-day-dedicated-/1204772211268490/
[9] Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDKMcsa8_lE
[10] National Pie Day – https://www.checkiday.com/afd923363ddfc09855ceccc70359e545/national-pie-day