National Pizza Day is a day set aside for one of the world’s most beloved dishes: pizza. Celebrated on February 9 each year, this day invites everyone to enjoy pizza in all its forms, flavors, and toppings, from classic Margherita to inventive new varieties. Pizza’s global reach and adaptability make it a favorite across cultures, enjoyed by millions daily. National Pizza Day not only highlights the popularity of pizza but also celebrates its rich history, tracing back centuries and crossing multiple regions before it reached its iconic status today.
If you are yearning for more pizza holidays, we have compiled this fantastic list of pizza holidays, celebrating everything from classic cheese and sausage pizzas to unique regional styles like deep dish. This fun guide highlights special days for every pizza lover, helping fans discover the many ways pizza is honored throughout the year. Perfect for planning your next pizza party! But now, let’s move on to learn more about the history of pizza.
A Quick Slice of Pizza History
Pizza as we know it began in Naples, Italy, where the classic combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil was crafted to mimic the Italian flag. This “pizza Margherita” is often considered the first true pizza, dating back to the late 1800s. However, forms of flatbreads topped with ingredients have existed since ancient times, from Greek to Middle Eastern and Roman culinary traditions. Pizza’s journey to fame took off in the United States, especially after World War II, when American soldiers returning from Italy sought to recreate this memorable meal.
The versatility of pizza has helped it remain one of the most popular dishes worldwide, leading to a variety of similar food celebrations. For example, National Cheese Pizza Day (September 5) spotlights the classic, cheese-only variety, while National Sausage Pizza Day (October 11) celebrates one of the most popular toppings. Pizza lovers also indulge in National Deep Dish Pizza Day on April 5, an ode to Chicago-style pizza.
When is National Pizza Day Celebrated?
Circle February 9 on your calendar, because that’s when National Pizza Day arrives each year—a day devoted to appreciating one of the world’s most popular foods. From deep-dish enthusiasts to thin-crust purists, everyone can join in the pizza celebration. Here’s a list of upcoming dates so you can plan your slice-worthy festivities:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 9, Sunday |
| 2026 | February 9, Monday |
| 2027 | February 9, Tuesday |
| 2028 | February 9, Wednesday |
| 2029 | February 9, Friday |
| 2030 | February 9, Saturday |
Fun Facts About Pizza
Pizza’s journey has many interesting stops along the way, from ancient flatbreads to its rapid rise in the U.S. Here are some lesser-known facts that highlight just how this dish came to dominate the global food scene:
- Ancient Origins: Pizza’s earliest ancestors appeared as far back as the time of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who baked flatbreads with toppings, giving a glimpse into what would evolve into pizza.
- A Royal Favorite: The famous Margherita pizza was named after Italy’s Queen Margherita, who loved this simple but flavorful dish during her visit to Naples in 1889.
- Record-Breaking Pizza: In 2023, YouTuber Airrack and Pizza Hut created the world’s largest pizza, covering 13,990 square feet. Made with tons of dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, this giant pizza was donated to charities in Los Angeles after setting the record!
- Global Consumption: An estimated 3 billion pizzas are sold in the United States each year, proving pizza’s widespread appeal.
Ways to Celebrate National Pizza Day
Get ready to celebrate National Pizza Day with a fresh spin on this classic favorite. From exploring diverse flavors to creating your own unique combinations, there are countless ways to enjoy pizza like never before.
- Try a New Style: Explore different regional styles like New York thin crust, Chicago deep dish, or Detroit square pizza.
- Create Your Own: Host a pizza night at home, where friends or family can create their personalized pizza with various toppings.
- Visit a Local Pizzeria: Support local businesses and try a pizza from a neighborhood restaurant that might offer unique flavors or family recipes.
- Explore New Toppings: Step out of your comfort zone and sample pizza topped with unique ingredients like truffle oil, figs, or burrata for an adventurous twist.
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.
