Pigs in Blankets Day
December 23
About Pigs in Blankets Day
Pigs in Blankets Day is a UK celebration of the small, sausage-and-bacon parcel that has become a fixture of the British Christmas dinner. Falling on 23 December 2026, it lands the night before Christmas Eve and gives home cooks an excuse to perfect their pigs in blankets technique before the big day. National Pigs in Blankets Day is also marked on 12 December in the UK, giving the dish a full fortnight in the festive spotlight.
How to Celebrate Pigs in Blankets Day
This is a food day made for sharing, so the celebrations focus firmly on cooking, eating, and trying new variations:
- Make the classic recipe – Wrap chipolata sausages in streaky smoked bacon, brush with maple syrup, and roast at 200°C for 20 to 25 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the sausages are cooked through.
- Run a supermarket taste test – The big UK supermarkets all release their own takes for Christmas; line up M&S, Tesco Finest, Waitrose, and Aldi versions and rate them with friends.
- Try a flavoured twist – Add a smear of cranberry sauce, a wrap of black pudding, or a sprinkle of fennel seeds for a different take on the standard recipe.
- Bake them into a sharing platter – Pile pigs in blankets onto a sharing board with cocktail sticks, mustard, sticky chutney, and pickles for an easy festive snack.
- Make a vegetarian or vegan version – Most supermarkets now sell plant-based pigs in blankets; alternatively wrap halloumi sticks or jackfruit sausages in coconut bacon.
- Host a pigs in blankets bake-off – Invite friends to bring their best variation and judge them on taste, looks, and creativity.
- Try a sandwich or pie filling – M&S famously launched a pigs in blankets sandwich; you can recreate the idea at home with leftover sausages and crusty bread.
- Share your photos with #PigsInBlanketsDay – Post your tray-bake on Instagram, X, or TikTok and tag the supermarkets and butchers behind your favourite version.
What is Pigs in Blankets Day?
Pigs in Blankets Day is an unofficial UK food celebration of the sausage-and-bacon combo eaten with Christmas dinner. The 23 December observance gives Brits a final dress rehearsal for the big day, while the more widely recognised National Pigs in Blankets Day on 12 December marks the dish’s standalone fame. Both days exist primarily as a bit of festive fun: a chance for supermarkets, butchers, and home cooks to celebrate one of the country’s favourite seasonal sides.
When is Pigs in Blankets Day?
Pigs in Blankets Day falls on Wednesday 23 December 2026, with National Pigs in Blankets Day observed earlier in the month on Saturday 12 December 2026. Both dates are annual and fixed.
The History of Pigs in Blankets
The combination of sausage and bacon has roots in many cuisines, but the British version we now associate with Christmas became a household name relatively recently. Some food historians trace early references to similar dishes in 19th-century American cookbooks, while UK records of sausages wrapped in bacon appear sporadically through the 20th century. The modern Christmas pigs in blankets, served alongside roast turkey, only became a fixture of the British festive table in the 1990s.
Many sources credit Delia Smith with popularising the dish for a mass audience, after she included a recipe in her bestselling Christmas cookbook published in 1990. Supermarkets quickly followed, and pigs in blankets are now one of the most heavily promoted festive sides in the UK. Marks & Spencer, in particular, has driven the format forward with foot-long versions, double-wrapped pigs, and even a year-round pigs in blankets sandwich. National Pigs in Blankets Day was declared on 12 December 2013 by the team behind Yorkshire Pudd, and the dish now generates millions of pounds in seasonal sales each December.
Fun Facts About Pigs in Blankets
- The first National Pigs in Blankets Day in the UK was declared on 12 December 2013.
- UK supermarkets sell tens of millions of packs of pigs in blankets every December.
- Marks & Spencer has launched foot-long pigs in blankets to compete with rival supermarkets.
- The dish has roots in 19th-century American cookbooks, though the British version is associated with Christmas.
- Delia Smith’s 1990 Christmas cookbook helped popularise pigs in blankets as a turkey accompaniment.
- Vegan and vegetarian versions are now stocked by every major UK supermarket.
Why Pigs in Blankets Day Matters
Beyond the obvious enjoyment of a salty, smoky Christmas favourite, food days like this give independent butchers, free-range pork producers, and craft sausage makers a moment in the spotlight. Many UK farms rely heavily on Christmas pork sales, and choosing higher-welfare bacon and sausages directly supports outdoor-bred British pig farming. The day is also a reminder that festive food traditions are constantly evolving, with vegan and vegetarian options now mainstream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pigs in Blankets Day?
An unofficial UK food day celebrating sausages wrapped in bacon, particularly as a Christmas dinner accompaniment.
When is Pigs in Blankets Day in 2026?
Wednesday 23 December 2026, with National Pigs in Blankets Day on Saturday 12 December 2026.
What’s the best way to cook pigs in blankets?
Wrap chipolata sausages in streaky smoked bacon and roast at 200°C for 20 to 25 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the sausages are cooked through. A brush of maple syrup or cranberry sauce in the last few minutes adds a festive glaze.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best pigs in blankets photos on social media with #PigsInBlanketsDay and #PigsInBlankets. Tag the supermarkets and butchers behind your favourite version and challenge your friends to try a new twist on the classic.
Related Awareness Days
- Early May Bank Holiday – Another national day with strong food and gathering associations.
- Cinco de Mayo – A heritage celebration that has become a global food event.
- National Picnic Month – Highlights how British food culture moves outdoors in summer, the seasonal opposite of pigs in blankets.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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