National Chocolate Candy Day on December 28 falls just after Christmas, when many households still have boxes of chocolates, foil-wrapped candies, and assorted truffles left from holiday gifting. It aligns naturally with the custom of sharing chocolate as part of holiday stockings, gift tins, and dessert trays.
The day also honors chocolatiers and specialty chocolate makers whose work goes far beyond simple candy production. Creating fine chocolate candies requires precise temperature control, ingredient knowledge, and skilled techniques such as tempering, molding, and filling, often developed through years of practice.
National Chocolate Candy Day also highlights how frequently chocolate appears on the calendar, as one of more than 70 chocolate-themed observances recognized throughout the year.
When is National Chocolate Candy Day Celebrated?
National Chocolate Candy Day is celebrated each year on December 28, falling just after the main holiday season. The timing makes it a natural extension of Christmas traditions, when many people are still enjoying chocolates received as gifts.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 28, Sunday |
| 2026 | December 28, Monday |
| 2027 | December 28, Tuesday |
| 2028 | December 28, Thursday |
| 2029 | December 28, Friday |
| 2030 | December 28, Saturday |
December features several sweet-themed observances, making it an especially festive month for dessert lovers. Alongside National Chocolate Candy Day, the calendar also includes National Hard Candy Day and National Candy Cane Day, both observed in December.
Fun Facts About Chocolate Candy
Chocolate candy we know today is the result of centuries of innovation and changing tastes. From early cacao drinks to modern confections, its history blends food science, craftsmanship, and tradition.
- Chocolate began as a drink. For most of history, cacao was consumed as a bitter beverage. The shift toward solid chocolate started in 1828, when Dutch chemist Coenraad van Houten invented a hydraulic cocoa press that separated cocoa butter from cacao solids, making modern chocolate candy possible.
- The first chocolate bar followed soon after. In 1847, J.S. Fry & Sons used cocoa butter, sugar, and cocoa powder to create one of the first solid eating chocolate bars.
- Chocolate boxes were designed for gifting. In 1868, Cadbury introduced decorated boxes of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, shaping the long-lasting tradition of chocolate as a gift.
- Not all chocolate is technically chocolate. White chocolate contains cocoa butter but no cocoa solids. It was developed in the 1930s by Nestlé as a way to use excess cocoa butter.
- There is a fourth type of chocolate. In 2017, Barry Callebaut introduced ruby chocolate, naturally pink in color with a berry-like flavor, made without added dyes or flavorings.
- Chocolate played a role in World War II. The Hershey Chocolate Company produced millions of heat-resistant D-ration bars each week for Allied soldiers, designed as emergency energy rather than everyday candy.
- Dark chocolate stands apart nutritionally. With higher cocoa content and less sugar than milk chocolate, dark chocolate contains antioxidants that are often studied for potential health benefits when eaten in moderation.
- Chocolate consumption is massive. The average American eats about 12 pounds of chocolate per year, while Switzerland leads globally with even higher per-person consumption.
- Chocolate is big business. In the United States alone, annual chocolate sales exceed $20 billion, much of it driven by candy bars, boxed chocolates, and seasonal confections.
Ways to Celebrate National Chocolate Candy Day
National Chocolate Candy Day offers a simple reason to slow down and enjoy chocolate with a bit more intention.
- Enjoy your favorite chocolate candy. Choose a classic chocolate bar, filled candies, or truffles you already love, or try something new from a local shop.
- Make chocolate candy at home. Simple treats like chocolate bark, truffles, or molded chocolates are approachable ways to explore how chocolate works with different textures and flavors.
- Share chocolate with others. Gift a small box of chocolates, add chocolate candy to a coffee break with friends, or set up a casual tasting with a few varieties.
- Learn how chocolate is made. Visit a local chocolatier, explore behind-the-scenes videos, or read about techniques like tempering and filling to better understand the skill involved.
- Support ethical chocolate producers. Look for fair-trade or sustainably sourced chocolate to connect your celebration with responsible farming and production practices.
