National Pickle Day is celebrated every year on November 14 to honor one of the oldest preserved foods in the world. Pickling has existed for thousands of years—long before refrigeration—as a way to preserve cucumbers and other vegetables in brine or vinegar. The word pickle comes from the Dutch pekel, meaning brine.
The modern celebration began in 1949, when the Pickle Packers Association (today known as Pickle Packers International) introduced International Pickle Week to promote pickle consumption and support farmers and food producers. The campaign drew national attention with stunts such as a “Pickle Queen” and a man floating in a boat full of pickles, boosting sales by more than 20%. Over time, the weeklong promotion evolved into the single-day event we now call National Pickle Day, held near the end of the cucumber harvest season.
Today, National Pickle Day is a widely recognized observance. The hashtag #NationalPickleDay has been used over 21.9K times on Instagram and 24K times on Facebook, reflecting how much people enjoy sharing their favorite pickles.
When is National Pickle Day Celebrated?
National Pickle Day, celebrated each year on November 14, is a fun observance devoted to everyone’s love of pickles. It joins the lineup of food celebrations that make November an especially flavorful month for food enthusiasts.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | November 14, Friday |
| 2026 | November 14, Saturday |
| 2027 | November 14, Sunday |
| 2028 | November 14, Tuesday |
| 2029 | November 14, Wednesday |
| 2030 | November 14, Thursday |
Ways to Celebrate National Pickle Day
Celebrating National Pickle Day can be as simple as enjoying your favorite jar or as fun as trying something new. Here are a few easy and creative ways to join the celebration:
- Try a new pickle variety. Explore beyond the usual dill or bread-and-butter and taste something different—spicy, garlic, or even kimchi-style pickles.
- Make your own pickles at home. Use cucumbers or experiment with vegetables like carrots, radishes, or green beans—quick refrigerator recipes take just minutes.
- Visit a local deli or farmers’ market. Support local producers and discover small-batch or homemade pickles made with unique seasonings.
- Pair with a meal: Add pickles to a snack or meal. They pair surprisingly well with cheese, charcuterie boards, or even cocktails like a Bloody Mary.
If you want to see some weirder pairings, check out this funny video by Taste of Home from a few years back.
- Host a “Pickle Taste-Off” with friends or coworkers. Everyone brings a different type of pickle, and you vote on the most unusual, tangy, or delicious one.
