National Apple Day

National Apple Day, celebrated on October 21st, started in Britain in 1990, thanks to the initiative of Common Ground. This day was created to celebrate the diversity of apples and to raise awareness about the importance of preserving local varieties, orchards, and even our cultural and ecological heritage. While the focus was initially on Britain, Apple Day has grown in popularity and is now observed in other countries too.

At its core, Apple Day isn’t just about apples—it’s also about reconnecting with local food sources, understanding where our food comes from, and appreciating the link between food and the land. Over the years, the celebrations have expanded to include activities like apple tastings, juicing, baking, games, and even poetry and songs inspired by apples. It has become a fun, community-focused event that brings people together in towns, cities, and rural areas alike.

From small gatherings in villages to larger events organized by local markets, schools, and environmental groups, Apple Day continues to inspire local pride and encourages people to celebrate in their own unique ways. Its emphasis on the importance of food provenance has also played a role in the growth of farmers’ markets and other local food initiatives.

When is National Apple Day celebrated?

October is the perfect time to celebrate apples, as it falls within the heart of apple season. October is also National Apple Month in the United States, a national promotion that began in 1904. This timing makes it a great fit for National Apple Day, which celebrates not only apples but also the local traditions and culture tied to them.

Here’s the complete table with dates for National Apple Day from 2024 to 2030:

Apples Through Time: A Juicy Lineup of Apple Days

Apples have been important to us for centuries, representing everything from health and vitality to tradition and festivity. From their legendary appearance in the Garden of Eden to their starring role in fall festivals, apples are always in the spotlight. With so many apple-themed days to enjoy, it’s clear that our love for this fruit runs deep. Let’s take a quick look at some key apple celebrations!

• National Apple Month (October, U.S.): Founded in 1904 as National Apple Week, this celebration grew into a month-long promotion of apples. It encourages everyone to explore all the tasty ways to enjoy apples during harvest season.
• National Caramel Apple Day (October 31): A fun Halloween treat, this day is all about indulging in apples dipped in sticky caramel—a delicious balance of tart and sweet.
• Apple Cider Day (November 18): A day to warm up with a cup of apple cider, celebrating the rich, spiced flavors of fall.
• Apple Tree Day (January 6): Originally started to honor a particular ancient tree, this day has evolved into a broader celebration of the apple tree itself—rooted in both tradition and delicious potential!
• Wassailing Day (Twelfth Night in January): This ancient tradition is celebrated to bless apple orchards, with songs, cider, and cheers to ensure a fruitful harvest in the coming year.
• National Apple Pie Day (May 13): Apple pie is an iconic dessert, and this day is dedicated to celebrating the timeless combination of sweet apples and flaky crust.
• National Eat an Apple Day (Third Saturday in September): This day is a simple reminder to grab a fresh, juicy apple and savor its crisp goodness as autumn rolls in.

If you’re a fan of apple recipes, you’ll find even more to love in my national food calendar, where I highlight many other apple-related recipes throughout the year. This list is just the beginning of the delicious ways to enjoy apples!

National Apple Day Quotes

Looking for some clever quotes to share on #NationalAppleDay? Below is a collection of some apple-themed quotes, perfect for your social media posts, captions, or even as a fun conversation starter.

• “Birds of a feather pick apples together.”
• “I find you a-peel-ing.”
• “The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core.”
• “The simplicity of apples attracts a lot of people.”
• “Comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love.” – Solomon
• “It’s unsettling to meet people who don’t eat apples.” – Aimee Bender
• “How do you divide seventeen apples among sixteen people? Make applesauce.” – Batman TV series

National Apple Day Jokes

Need a joke for National Apple Day? Look no further!

• Q: Why did the apple cry? A: Its peelings were hurt…
• Q: What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? A: Finding half a worm…
• Q: What is a math teacher’s favourite dessert? A: Apple Pi.
• Q: Why are apples excellent athletes? A: They have a strong core.
• My neighbor says he is too afraid to plant an apple tree. I told him, “Grow a pear!”

National Apple Day Facts & Trivia

Apples are packed with surprises! Here are a few more fascinating facts about apples to help you celebrate National Apple Day with a fresh perspective:

• Apples float because they are made up of 25% air, which explains why bobbing for apples is so much fun!
• The science of growing apples is called pomology. It’s a field dedicated to understanding the cultivation of this fruit.
• The world’s largest apple weighed a whopping 4 pounds and 1 ounce, grown in Japan in 2005.
• China is the largest producer of apples, growing nearly half of the world’s supply.
• The average apple contains about 80 calories, making it a healthy, low-calorie snack.
• Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans, who cultivated them thousands of years ago.
• It takes around 36 apples to make just one gallon of apple cider. That’s a lot of apples!
• With over 7,500 varieties of apples worldwide, it would take you nearly 20 years to try them all if you tasted one each day!
• Apples are grown in all 50 states of the United States, so you’re never too far from an orchard.
• Love peeling your apples? You might want to reconsider! About two-thirds of the antioxidants and fiber are found in the peel. Who knew the skin was so valuable?
• Believe it or not, apples are actually related to roses. They both belong to the Rosaceae family. How sweet is that?

These extra bits of trivia make apples even more interesting to celebrate. Share these fun facts and impress your friends on National Apple Day!

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.

This article was originally published on September 25, 2022. It has been completely rewritten, so the publication date has been updated accordingly.