National Taco Day, previously celebrated on October 4th, has shifted to the first Tuesday in October to align with ‘Taco Tuesday’. It is a day about celebrating the rich culture and tradition that tacos represent. From their origins in Mexican street food to their evolution into a global phenomenon, tacos have a way of bringing people together. They encourage us to share, experiment, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
On National Taco Day, everyone is invited to embrace their inner taco connoisseur. Maybe you’ll try something new, like a Korean BBQ taco with kimchi, or perhaps you’ll perfect your classic taco night with friends, complete with homemade guacamole and margaritas. Restaurants and taco joints across the country often offer special deals, so it’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself and maybe even discover a new favorite spot.
Some other national days that honor Mexican cuisine:
- National Burrito Day
- National Fajita Day
- National Quesadilla Day
- National Nachos Day
- National Chimichanga Day
When Is National Taco Day Celebrated?
National Taco Day has moved dates and is now celebrated on the first Tuesday of October (yes, to line up with ‘Taco Tuesday’). Here’s a table that shows the exact dates and weekdays for the celebration up to 2030. We hope this will help you plan your taco parties, family gatherings, or just make sure you don’t miss out on the fun.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | October 1, Tuesday |
| 2025 | October 7, Tuesday |
| 2026 | October 6, Tuesday |
| 2027 | October 5, Tuesday |
| 2028 | October 3, Tuesday |
| 2029 | October 2, Tuesday |
| 2030 | October 1, Tuesday |
How to Celebrate National Taco Day
There are plenty of fun and tasty ways to celebrate National Taco Day. For those who love to cook, experimenting with new taco recipes at home can be a fun way to celebrate. You might try traditional options like carne asada or get creative with something like fish tacos or vegetarian versions. The possibilities are endless, making it a great opportunity to explore different flavors.
If you prefer dining out, many restaurants offer special deals on tacos for National Taco Day. It’s a perfect excuse to visit your favorite taco spot or try a new place, where you can enjoy unique taco creations and discounts.
Finally, sharing your taco creations or experiences on social media with hashtags like #NationalTacoDay can help you connect with other taco lovers and join in the wider celebration online.
History of National Taco Day
The origins of National Taco Day trace back to the late 1960s in San Antonio, Texas. The day was initially part of a larger celebration known as National Taco Week, which was established by Roberto L. Gomez, a city council candidate and newspaper columnist. Gomez, along with the San Antonio Social Civic Organization, began a tradition of sending tacos and other Mexican dishes to the White House to remind U.S. presidents of the influence of Mexican culture in America.
In 1967, San Antonio’s mayor proclaimed the week before Cinco de Mayo as National Taco Week, and by 1968, National Taco Day was set for May 3rd. Gomez’s efforts were aimed at promoting tacos and Mexican cuisine, hoping to elevate their status to be as popular as American staples like hamburgers and hot dogs.
Over the years, National Taco Day evolved and eventually landed on October 4th, before shifting to the first Tuesday of October in 2024, thanks to a collaboration between the National Day Calendar and Taco Bell.
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.
