National Bagel Day, celebrated on January 15, has quickly become a celebrated occasion in the U.S., marking a day to enjoy one of the country’s favorite breakfast foods. While its exact origin remains unknown, National Bagel Day has been widely celebrated since 2019, capturing the nation’s love for this classic, chewy ring of bread. Bagels have grown from a niche item to a widespread staple, available everywhere from neighborhood bakeries to major supermarkets.
➡️ Have you already seen DigitalHygge’s National Food Days Calendar?
The Rise of the Bagel: From Krakow to New York
Bagels trace back to Jewish communities in Krakow, Poland, where they evolved from a parboiled, ring-shaped bread called obwarzanek. Jewish bakers refined this treat, giving it a distinctive shape and chew through a unique boiling and baking process. By the late 19th century, Eastern European Jewish immigrants introduced bagels to North America, bringing their baking traditions to cities like New York, which would soon become the bagel capital.
In the U.S., bagels became more than just a bread; they turned into an essential cultural food. Early bagels, made by hand in challenging conditions, sparked the rise of one of New York’s most powerful unions, Beigel Bakers Local 338. This union safeguarded the craft and set standards for quality, ensuring bagels were handmade until machinery and mass production emerged in the mid-20th century. By then, the bagel was firmly established as an American breakfast favorite, evolving through innovations like frozen, pre-sliced bagels, which made them accessible to households nationwide.
Today, National Bagel Day celebrates not only the humble origins of this iconic bread but also its journey through the heart of American breakfast culture.
When Is National Bagel Day Celebrated?
ℹ️ By 1986, the bagel had reached such a level of popularity that Lender’s Bagels, a major bagel company, declared February 9 as Bagel Day. However, in 2019, the date was officially moved to January 15, making it the new official National Bagel Day.
Here’s a look at the upcoming dates so you can mark your calendar and prepare for a bagel-filled celebration:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | January 15, Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 15, Thursday |
| 2027 | January 15, Friday |
| 2028 | January 15, Saturday |
| 2029 | January 15, Monday |
| 2030 | January 15, Tuesday |
Fun Facts About Bagels
Bagels have a long-standing history, but there’s plenty more to them beyond their origins. Here are some fun facts to chew on during National Bagel Day:
- The hole in the center of a bagel isn’t only for looks! It helps the bagel cook evenly and allows vendors to easily display them on dowels or strings.
- The rainbow bagel, a colorful variety that took social media by storm, originated in Brooklyn, New York. It is known for its vibrant colors and is often paired with fun, sweet spreads like birthday cake cream cheese.
- Bagels are traditionally boiled before being baked, giving them their distinctive chewy texture and shiny crust.
- New York bagels are so iconic that many believe it’s the New York water that gives them their unique flavor. Some even ship water from the city to recreate that taste elsewhere.
- In Montreal, bagels are smaller, sweeter, and denser than New York-style bagels. They are boiled in honey-sweetened water before baking, which gives them a distinct sweetness and texture.
Ways to Celebrate National Bagel Day
National Bagel Day provides countless opportunities to enjoy and celebrate bagels. Here are some fun and creative ways to make the most of this special day:
- Start Your Day with a Bagel: The simplest way to celebrate is by enjoying your favorite bagel for breakfast. Grab one from your local bakery, toast it at home, and spread on some cream cheese, butter, or jam. It’s an easy and tasty start to the day.
- Try a New Bagel Flavor: Mix things up by tasting a bagel flavor you haven’t tried before. Go for a sweet option like cinnamon raisin or blueberry, or choose a savory flavor like everything or onion. You might discover a new favorite without needing any extra effort.
- Bagel Taste Test at Home: Pick up a variety of bagels and a few different toppings for a simple taste test. Try cream cheese, butter, honey, or even avocado. Keep it easy by sticking to classic toppings and simply enjoying the different combinations.
- Post Your Bagel on Social Media: After you’ve enjoyed your bagel, take a quick snap and share it on social media. Show off your bagel creation using hashtags like #NationalBagelDay to connect with fellow bagel lovers.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
