National Food Truck Day
June 26
About National Food Truck Day
National Food Truck Day is a celebration of mobile kitchens and the small business owners who run them. It falls on the fourth Friday of June each year, which in 2026 is Friday 26 June, giving food lovers a reason to track down their favourite truck and tuck into something delicious served straight from the street.
How to Celebrate National Food Truck Day
Food trucks are all about good food and good times, so the day is best enjoyed outdoors with an appetite:
- Find a food truck – Seek out a truck or street food market near you and try something you have never eaten before.
- Try a new cuisine – Food trucks are famous for bold, global flavours, so be adventurous and step outside your usual order.
- Bring friends – Gather a group and order a spread of different dishes to share between you.
- Support small business – Remember that most trucks are independent operators, so your custom makes a real difference.
- Leave a review – Post a glowing review or social media shout out for a truck you love to help them reach new customers.
- Visit a food truck festival – Many towns hold gatherings where dozens of trucks come together in one place.
- Tip generously – A little extra goes a long way for the small teams running these kitchens on wheels.
- Share your finds – Photograph your meal and tag the truck so others can discover them too.
What is National Food Truck Day?
National Food Truck Day celebrates food trucks and the entrepreneurs behind them. These mobile kitchens serve everything from tacos and burgers to gourmet desserts and international street food, and they have become a beloved part of city life and event catering. The day recognises both the variety and creativity of the food on offer and the hard work of the independent owners who bring it to the streets. It is observed mainly in the United States.
When is National Food Truck Day?
National Food Truck Day is observed on the fourth Friday of June each year. In 2026 it falls on Friday 26 June. Because the date moves with the calendar, the table below shows when it lands over the next few years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 26 June |
| 2027 | Friday, 25 June |
| 2028 | Friday, 23 June |
| 2029 | Friday, 22 June |
| 2030 | Friday, 28 June |
The History of National Food Truck Day
Food trucks have roots that stretch back to the chuckwagons and mobile lunch carts of earlier eras, but they enjoyed a major revival and surge in popularity through the 2000s, when gourmet trucks transformed street food into a serious culinary scene. The day that celebrates them is more recent.
National Food Truck Day was inaugurated on 11 October 2015 by Rick McNeely, a radio personality known as DJ Rick from the Fishbowl Radio Network in Arlington, Texas. It was created to celebrate and promote food trucks and the small business owners who operate them. Originally called National Eat at a Food Truck Day, it began as an October event.
In 2016 the food truck networking platform Roaming Hunger became involved, and in 2018 the celebration was renamed National Food Truck Day and moved to the fourth Friday of June, where it has stayed ever since. The summer timing suits the day perfectly, with warm weather drawing crowds to outdoor markets and festivals.
Fun Facts About National Food Truck Day
- The day was inaugurated in October 2015 before moving to June in 2018.
- It was created by Arlington, Texas radio personality Rick McNeely.
- It was originally called National Eat at a Food Truck Day.
- Food trucks surged in popularity during the gourmet street food boom of the 2000s.
- The fourth Friday of June timing makes the most of warm summer weather and outdoor events.
Why National Food Truck Day Matters
Food trucks give talented cooks an affordable route into running their own business and bring fresh, diverse food to streets, festivals, and events. Celebrating them supports independent entrepreneurs and the vibrant street food culture they have built.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Food Truck Day?
It is an annual celebration of food trucks and the small business owners who run them, encouraging people to seek out and support mobile kitchens.
When is National Food Truck Day in 2026?
It falls on Friday 26 June 2026, the fourth Friday of the month.
Who created National Food Truck Day?
It was created in 2015 by Rick McNeely, a Texas radio personality, and later moved to the fourth Friday of June with the involvement of Roaming Hunger.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best food truck finds on social media with #NationalFoodTruckDay and #FoodTruckDay2026. Tag your favourite trucks and challenge your friends to try something new. If you love outdoor food events, you might also enjoy National Picnic Week.
Related Awareness Days
- National Picnic Week – A week celebrating outdoor eating and food shared in the open air.
- National Coconut Day – Another summer food day to add to your June calendar.
- Sustainable Gastronomy Day – A day exploring how the food we eat can be both delicious and responsible.
Links
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