National Ambrosia Day, celebrated on December 12, gives us the chance to honor a classic American dessert that has been a favorite at family gatherings for generations. Ambrosia, which traditionally consists of a mixture of fruits like oranges, pineapple, and coconut, sometimes enhanced with whipped cream, marshmallows, or cherries, evokes nostalgia for holiday dinners and summer picnics alike.
The name “ambrosia” comes from Greek mythology, where it refers to the food of the gods, believed to grant immortality. While modern ambrosia doesn’t promise eternal life, it certainly brings an air of lightness and festivity to the table. This dessert became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as citrus fruits became more readily available in the U.S. People were drawn to its refreshing combination of sweet and tart flavors, making it a staple during the holiday season, particularly in the southern states.
Ambrosia is often seen as a flexible dish, and while some stick to the classic ingredients, many home cooks like to add their own twist. Common additions include whipped cream or yogurt for creaminess, pecans for crunch, or even marshmallows to add extra sweetness. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability—people can make it as simple or as decadent as they like, which is likely why it remains popular to this day.
If you’re a fan of National Ambrosia Day, you might also enjoy celebrating similar dessert days like National Bavarian Cream Pie Day, National Parfait Day and National Lemon Cream Pie Day, all of which feature the same delightful mix of fruit, creaminess, and indulgence that make ambrosia so special.
When Is National Ambrosia Day Celebrated?
Here’s when National Ambrosia Day will be celebrated in the coming years. Falling annually on December 12, this day lands right in the middle of the festive season, making it an ideal time to enjoy a refreshing, nostalgic dessert. If you’re planning to add ambrosia to your holiday gatherings, use the table below to mark your calendar for future celebrations!
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | December 12, Thursday |
| 2025 | December 12, Friday |
| 2026 | December 12, Saturday |
| 2027 | December 12, Sunday |
| 2028 | December 12, Tuesday |
| 2029 | December 12, Wednesday |
| 2030 | December 12, Thursday |
Ways to Celebrate National Ambrosia Day
You can celebrate by making your own ambrosia, either following a traditional recipe or putting your own spin on it. If you’ve never tried ambrosia before, this could be a perfect day to discover the appeal of this fruity, refreshing dessert. You could also use the day as an excuse to host a small gathering, where everyone brings their favorite variation of the dish. Share the love of this dish with family and friends and make it a new holiday tradition!
Here’s a fun fact: While ambrosia is often thought of as a Southern dessert, it has gained fans across the entire country, especially during festive times like Thanksgiving and Christmas. National Ambrosia Day, falling right in December, perfectly aligns with its holiday vibes, making it an ideal time to indulge in this sweet, fruity creation.
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 Calendar 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.
