National Cherry Popsicle Day
August 26
About National Cherry Popsicle Day
National Cherry Popsicle Day falls on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, an annual American food holiday dedicated to one of the most popular frozen treats of the summer. The day celebrates the cherry-flavoured popsicle, a bright red ice pop on a stick that has been cooling people down for a century. Falling in the final stretch of summer, it gives ice-lolly lovers one last excuse to enjoy a frozen favourite before autumn arrives.
How to Celebrate National Cherry Popsicle Day
This is a day built for participation, and the simplest way to mark it is to eat a cherry popsicle. Here are plenty of ways to make the most of 26 August.
- Grab a cherry popsicle from the shop – The easiest option of all. Pick up a box of ready-made cherry ice pops and enjoy one in the sunshine. Many freezer aisles carry cherry as a single flavour or as part of a mixed-fruit multipack.
- Make your own from scratch – Blend fresh or frozen cherries with a little water, sugar, and lemon juice, pour the mixture into lolly moulds, add the sticks, and freeze for four to six hours. Homemade versions let you control the sweetness and pack in real fruit.
- Try a grown-up twist – Adults can turn the day into something a little fancier by stirring cherry juice into sparkling water or a splash of something stronger before freezing. A cherry and lime combination works particularly well.
- Host a popsicle party – Invite friends and family round, set out a range of flavours alongside the cherry classics, and let everyone pick their favourite. A paddling pool or a shaded garden makes the perfect backdrop.
- Run a flavour taste test – Buy several brands of cherry popsicle and rank them blind. It is a fun activity for children and a surprisingly competitive one for adults.
- Experiment with layered lollies – Pour cherry mixture in stages, freezing between each layer, to create striped or two-tone popsicles. Pair cherry with vanilla yoghurt or coconut milk for a creamier result.
- Use up a glut of summer fruit – Late August is peak season for cherries in many regions, so the day is an ideal way to use up fruit that might otherwise go to waste.
- Share the moment online – Post a photo of your popsicle, tag friends, and challenge them to join in. Half the fun of a food holiday is encouraging other people to take part.
What is National Cherry Popsicle Day?
National Cherry Popsicle Day is an informal American food holiday that honours the cherry-flavoured popsicle, a frozen ice pop served on a wooden stick. It is one of dozens of single-food celebrations scattered across the calendar, and it sits firmly in the light-hearted, just-for-fun category rather than marking any cause or campaign. The day is embraced by families, ice-lolly fans, and anyone looking for a reason to enjoy a cold treat at the tail end of summer. Cherry holds a special place in popsicle history because it was one of the original flavours offered when the treat first went on sale.
When is National Cherry Popsicle Day?
National Cherry Popsicle Day is observed every year on 26 August. In 2026 that date falls on a Wednesday. It is a fixed-date holiday, so it lands on the same calendar day each year regardless of the day of the week. Its position in late August means it often coincides with the last warm weeks of the American summer, just before the back-to-school season begins in earnest.
The History of National Cherry Popsicle Day
The story of the cherry popsicle begins with the popsicle itself, and that story is one of the most charming accidents in food history. In 1905, an eleven-year-old boy named Frank Epperson, living in the San Francisco area of California, mixed a powdered soda drink with water and left it outside on the porch overnight with the stirring stick still in the cup. The temperature dropped to an unusual low that night, and the next morning Epperson discovered the liquid had frozen solid around the stick. He pulled it out and tasted the result, an icy fruit-flavoured treat on a handle.
For years Epperson did little with his discovery, calling it the Epsicle. It was not until 1923, almost two decades later, that he applied for a patent on his frozen ice on a stick. His own children reportedly called the treats “Pop’s ‘sicles”, and that affectionate nickname stuck, giving us the name Popsicle. In 1925 Epperson sold the rights to the Joe Lowe Company of New York, and the product quickly became a nationwide sensation, selling for just five cents each on birch-wood sticks.
Cherry was among the first flavours offered when the popsicle went to market, and it has remained one of the most beloved ever since. The exact origin of National Cherry Popsicle Day is not documented, as is the case with many single-food holidays, but the celebration reflects the enduring popularity of the flavour. Cherry consistently ranks at or near the top of favourite popsicle flavours, which makes a dedicated day for it a natural fit on the food calendar.
Fun Facts About National Cherry Popsicle Day
- The popsicle was invented entirely by accident by an eleven-year-old, making it one of the few iconic foods created by a child.
- Cherry is frequently cited as the most popular popsicle flavour in the United States.
- Frank Epperson originally called his creation the Epsicle before his children’s nickname “Pop’s ‘sicles” gave the treat its lasting name.
- The twin popsicle, with two sticks so it could be snapped in half and shared, was designed during the Great Depression so two children could split a single treat.
- Early popsicles sold for just five cents each and were mounted on birch-wood sticks, a design that has barely changed in a hundred years.
- The success of the popsicle inspired a whole family of frozen treats, including the Fudgsicle, the Creamsicle, and the Dreamsicle.
Why National Cherry Popsicle Day Matters
Food holidays like this one are not about raising money or awareness of a serious issue, and that is precisely their appeal. National Cherry Popsicle Day is a small, joyful occasion that brings people together over a shared treat, sparks a little nostalgia for childhood summers, and gives families an easy activity to enjoy at home. It also celebrates a genuine piece of American invention history and supports the businesses, from corner shops to artisan lolly makers, that keep the tradition going.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Cherry Popsicle Day?
It is an annual American food holiday celebrating the cherry-flavoured popsicle, one of the original and most popular ice-pop flavours. People mark it by buying or making cherry popsicles and enjoying them with friends and family.
When is National Cherry Popsicle Day in 2026?
National Cherry Popsicle Day is on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. It is celebrated on the same date every year.
Who invented the popsicle?
The popsicle was invented by accident in 1905 by Frank Epperson, an eleven-year-old from the San Francisco area, who left a powdered soft drink outside overnight with a stirring stick in it and found it frozen the next morning. He patented the treat in 1923.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best cherry popsicle photos on social media with #CherryPopsicleDay and #CherryPopsicleDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to take part!
Related Awareness Days
- National Freezer Pop Day – Another summer celebration of the humble freezer pop, perfect for popsicle fans.
- National Creamsicle Day – Honours one of the frozen treats that the original popsicle inspired, celebrated earlier in August.
- National Bomb Pop Day – A patriotic ice-lolly day dedicated to the red, white, and blue layered popsicle.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
