National Bacon Day is celebrated annually on December 30. The observance was created in 1997 by Danya “D” Goodman and Meff “Human Cannonball” Leonard and was inspired by a line from the The Simpsons episode I Love Lisa, in which Homer asks, “Is it Bacon Day?”
The date was chosen for its timing at the close of the year, when it offers a break from traditional holiday foods and and a chance to enjoy something different before many people shift their focus toward health and wellness in the new year.
🍽️ In 2025, Wendy’s marks National Bacon Day with a $0.01 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger available through its app with any qualifying purchase. At the same time, Buffalo Wild Wings offers free bacon added to any burger or sandwich on December 30.
🥓 December 30 is not the only time bacon is celebrated. International Bacon Day, held on the Saturday before Labor Day and National Bacon Lovers Day, observed on August 20.
When Is National Bacon Day Celebrated?
National Bacon Day is observed each year on December 30. The table below shows upcoming dates for the observance, making it easy to see when it falls and plan ahead.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 30, Tuesday |
| 2026 | December 30, Wednesday |
| 2027 | December 30, Thursday |
| 2028 | December 30, Saturday |
| 2029 | December 30, Sunday |
| 2030 | December 30, Monday |
Facts About Bacon
Bacon’s popularity today reflects centuries of food preservation practices, changing eating habits, and modern food culture.
- Bacon-like preparations date back to around 1500 B.C. in China, where pork belly was preserved with salt, a method that helped extend shelf life long before refrigeration.
- In the United States, bacon’s rise as a breakfast food is closely tied to a 1920s marketing campaign by Edward Bernays, who promoted bacon and eggs as a “hearty” morning meal by linking it to medical authority.
- The Bacon Explosion, a dish made from bacon wrapped around sausage and coated in barbecue sauce, gained viral attention in 2008 and became an early example of internet-driven food trends.
- In many European countries, what is sold as “bacon” differs significantly from the U.S. version, often cut thicker and cured less sweetly, reflecting regional preferences.
- Bacon fat was commonly saved and reused in home kitchens well into the mid-20th century, especially during wartime rationing, when it served as a valuable cooking fat.
Ways to Celebrate National Bacon Day
National Bacon Day celebration often revolves around cooking, tasting, and experimenting with bacon in familiar and unexpected dishes.
- Host a bacon-focused brunch: Build a menu around familiar dishes such as bacon-wrapped eggs, maple bacon doughnuts, or a bacon-infused Bloody Mary.
- Explore sweet and savory pairings: Try combinations like chocolate-covered bacon, bacon jam, or baked goods topped with small pieces of bacon, where salt and sweetness balance each other.
- Try a new recipe: Use the day as an excuse to cook something slightly outside your routine, such as bacon-wrapped jalapeños, candied bacon, or a homemade bacon jam.
- Watch and cook along: Follow a short bacon recipe video or cooking tutorial and recreate it at home, turning the process into part of the celebration.
