National Bomb Pop Day
June 25
About National Bomb Pop Day
National Bomb Pop Day is celebrated on the last Thursday of June, which in 2026 falls on Thursday, 25 June. It marks the height of summer with the red, white and blue rocket-shaped ice pop that has cooled down American afternoons for seventy years.
How to Celebrate National Bomb Pop Day
This is a day built for fun, so the best way to mark it is simply to grab a Bomb Pop and enjoy the sunshine. Here are plenty of ideas to make the most of it.
- Buy a box and share them out – Pick up a multipack from the freezer aisle and hand them round to friends, family, and neighbours on a hot afternoon.
- Make your own from scratch – Layer cherry, lemon-lime, and blue raspberry juices into ice-lolly moulds, freezing each layer before adding the next for that classic striped look.
- Host a backyard ice-pop bar – Set out a tray of different frozen treats and let guests pick their favourite while you keep cool in the garden.
- Run a flavour taste test – Bomb Pops now come in dozens of varieties, so line up a few and vote on the best one.
- Get the kids involved – Freezing homemade pops is a simple, mess-friendly activity for children during the summer holidays.
- Cool down after sport – Hand them out at the end of a baseball game, a school sports day, or a community fun run.
- Photograph the melt – The dripping red, white and blue colours make for a brilliant summer photo. Share yours online.
- Pair it with a barbecue – With the Fourth of July just days away, a Bomb Pop is the perfect patriotic pudding to round off a cookout.
What is National Bomb Pop Day?
National Bomb Pop Day is an American food holiday celebrating the Bomb Pop, the rocket-shaped frozen ice pop known for its three-tone red, white and blue colouring. The day is deliberately timed for the last Thursday of June, placing it right before the Fourth of July when the treat’s patriotic colours and fireworks-like shape feel especially fitting. It is enjoyed by families, ice-cream vans, and anyone looking for a refreshing way to beat the summer heat.
When is National Bomb Pop Day?
National Bomb Pop Day always falls on the last Thursday in June. In 2026 that means Thursday, 25 June. Because the date depends on the final Thursday of the month, it shifts slightly each year, as shown in the table below.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, 25 June |
| 2027 | Thursday, 24 June |
| 2028 | Thursday, 29 June |
| 2029 | Thursday, 28 June |
| 2030 | Thursday, 27 June |
The History of National Bomb Pop Day
The Bomb Pop itself was invented in Kansas City, Missouri, by James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy. The pair reportedly dreamed up the idea during a car journey from Memphis to Kansas City in 1955, brainstorming an eye-catching, multi-flavoured ice pop that felt distinctly American. The result was a rocket-inspired design with six fins, a nod to the space race and the atomic age of the era, finished in cherry red, lime white, and blue raspberry. The first Bomb Pops were produced on 30 July 1955.
The treat was trademarked in 1971 and patented in 1975 by James W. Wilkerson, then president of Merritt Foods. When Merritt Foods closed in 1991, Wells’ Dairy bought the business and the Bomb Pop brand, expanding the range nationally with new flavours and tie-ins to popular sweets and film characters over the following decades. The original rocket design, however, has remained the icon at the heart of the brand.
National Bomb Pop Day was created more recently by the brand’s modern owners as a marketing celebration, deliberately anchored to the last Thursday of June so it would sit just ahead of Independence Day. It has since been picked up by national day calendars and embraced by fans as an unofficial start to summer ice-pop season. If you enjoy food holidays like this, you might also like National Peaches and Cream Day, another sweet treat celebrated in early summer.
Fun Facts About National Bomb Pop Day
- The original Bomb Pop combined cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavours in a single pop.
- Its six-finned rocket shape was inspired by the space race and atomic age of the 1950s.
- The Bomb Pop was first produced on 30 July 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri.
- The brand has released versions tied to popular sweets such as Jolly Rancher and Warheads.
- The red, white and blue colouring makes it a popular choice for Fourth of July celebrations.
- The day is purposely scheduled just before Independence Day to maximise its patriotic appeal.
Why National Bomb Pop Day Matters
Not every awareness day needs a serious cause behind it. National Bomb Pop Day is about nostalgia, simple summer pleasures, and the shared memory of chasing down the ice-cream van as a child. It gives families an easy excuse to gather outdoors, supports the seasonal treat businesses that thrive in the warmer months, and brings a splash of colour to the start of the American summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Bomb Pop Day?
It is an American food holiday celebrating the rocket-shaped red, white and blue Bomb Pop ice pop, held on the last Thursday of June each year.
When is National Bomb Pop Day in 2026?
It falls on Thursday, 25 June 2026, the last Thursday of the month.
Why is the Bomb Pop red, white and blue?
The colours come from its three original flavours, cherry, lime and blue raspberry, and they give the pop its patriotic look that fits perfectly with the run-up to the Fourth of July.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your meltiest, most colourful Bomb Pop photos on social media with #NationalBombPopDay and #BombPopDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to cool off with one too!
Related Awareness Days
- National Peaches and Cream Day – Another sweet summer food day worth marking in June.
- National Meteor Watch Day – A late-June observance for stargazers and night-sky fans.
- Mario Day – A fun, light-hearted celebration for the playful at heart.
Links
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