National Cherries Jubilee Day
September 24
About National Cherries Jubilee Day
National Cherries Jubilee Day is celebrated every year on 24 September, falling on Thursday, 24 September in 2026. The day honours cherries jubilee, an elegant flambeed dessert of cherries simmered in syrup and liqueur, set alight at the table and spooned over vanilla ice cream. It is a chance to revisit a classic dish with a glamorous history that stretches back to the dining rooms of Victorian Britain.
How to Celebrate National Cherries Jubilee Day
The best way to honour this dessert is to make it, eat it and share it. Here are plenty of ideas to bring some theatre to your kitchen.
- Make the classic dessert at home – Poach cherries in syrup, add a splash of brandy or kirsch, flambe carefully and serve over good vanilla ice cream for the full effect.
- Host a dessert dinner party – Cherries jubilee is built for an audience, so invite friends round and prepare it tableside for a dramatic finish.
- Use fresh seasonal fruit – If cherries are out of season, frozen or jarred cherries work beautifully, so there is no excuse to skip it.
- Try a non-alcoholic version – Swap the spirits for cherry juice and a little vanilla so everyone, including children, can enjoy the dish.
- Pair it thoughtfully – Serve alongside a dessert wine, strong coffee or a digestif to round off a special meal.
- Visit a fine-dining restaurant – Some classic establishments still prepare cherries jubilee tableside, so seek one out for an authentic experience.
- Experiment with the base – Spoon the warm cherries over pancakes, waffles, cheesecake or pound cake instead of ice cream.
- Share your flambe – Film or photograph the moment the cherries catch flame and post it online to inspire others to try the dish.
What is National Cherries Jubilee Day?
National Cherries Jubilee Day is an American food holiday dedicated to one specific, storied dessert. Cherries jubilee is made by warming cherries in a sweet syrup, flavouring them with a liqueur such as kirsch, and igniting the alcohol for a brief, dramatic flame before serving the sauce over ice cream. The day celebrates both the dish and the showmanship of its tableside preparation, appealing to home cooks and dessert lovers alike.
When is National Cherries Jubilee Day?
National Cherries Jubilee Day takes place on 24 September every year. The date is fixed, and in 2026 it falls on a Thursday. It sits within a packed September of food celebrations across the United States.
The History of National Cherries Jubilee Day
The dessert at the heart of this day has a genuinely regal pedigree. Cherries jubilee is widely credited to the legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier, who is said to have created it for one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations. Knowing the Queen’s fondness for cherries, Escoffier poached the fruit in a simple syrup, poured warm brandy over the top and set it aflame just before serving. Sources differ on whether the dish first appeared at the Golden Jubilee in 1887 or the Diamond Jubilee in 1897, but it quickly became one of the most fashionable desserts of the era.
Over time the recipe evolved, with later versions adding the cherry liqueur kirschwasser and, crucially, a scoop of ice cream beneath the warm sauce. The dessert crossed the Atlantic and became a fixture of America’s finest restaurants, reaching the height of its popularity in the 1950s and 1960s when tableside flambe was the mark of a sophisticated dining room.
The awareness day itself is more recent. According to several sources, 24 September has been observed as National Cherries Jubilee Day since 1994, when it was established by the International Cherry Growers Association. The day helps keep a once-ubiquitous classic in the public eye. If you enjoy desserts with history, you might also like National Bakewell Tart Day, another sweet treat with deep roots.
Fun Facts About National Cherries Jubilee Day
- Cherries jubilee is credited to Auguste Escoffier, one of the most influential chefs in culinary history.
- The dish was created for a Jubilee celebration of Queen Victoria, who was known to love cherries.
- The dessert is traditionally flambeed, with the alcohol set alight just before serving.
- Cherries jubilee reached the peak of its popularity in America during the 1950s and 1960s.
- The awareness day has been observed on 24 September since 1994, established by the International Cherry Growers Association.
- Later versions of the recipe added the cherry liqueur kirschwasser and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why National Cherries Jubilee Day Matters
The day keeps alive a piece of culinary heritage that links a French master chef, a British monarch and the golden age of restaurant dining. It encourages home cooks to try a dish that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple, and it offers a moment of nostalgia and showmanship at the dinner table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Cherries Jubilee Day?
It is an American food holiday celebrating cherries jubilee, a dessert of cherries simmered in syrup and liqueur, flambeed and served over ice cream. It is observed every 24 September.
When is National Cherries Jubilee Day in 2026?
It falls on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year.
Who invented cherries jubilee?
The dessert is generally credited to the French chef Auguste Escoffier, who is said to have created it for one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations in the late nineteenth century.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best cherries jubilee photos on social media with #CherriesJubileeDay and #CherriesJubileeDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to take part!
Related Awareness Days
- National Bakewell Tart Day – Celebrates a classic British dessert with its own rich history.
- National Pastry Day – A day for every kind of sweet baked treat.
- Goat Cheese Day – One of many food celebrations for those who love to cook and entertain.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Lindsay Moe on Unsplash.
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