National Popcorn Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 19
Holiday emoji:: 🍿

National Popcorn Day pops up every January 19, honoring one of the world’s oldest and most beloved snacks. Whether you like it sweet, salty, or smothered in butter, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a bowl. Grab some kernels, fire up your popper, and share your favorite popcorn creations!

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History
Timeline
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FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Traditions
Related
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Expected National Popcorn Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Popcorn Day often brings irresistible deals from major cinema chains and snack brands. In past years, movie theaters like AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark have offered free popcorn, discounted refills, or special combo deals. Snack companies such as Orville Redenbacher’s, Pop Secret, and SkinnyPop frequently run promotions on their bagged or microwaveable popcorn products at grocery stores. Keep an eye out for local artisan popcorn shops like Garrett Popcorn Shops to offer unique flavor specials or buy-one-get-one deals. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 19 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Popcorn Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalPopcornDay. Film a creative popcorn recipe or a ‘popcorn hack’ video.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalPopcornDay. Share aesthetically pleasing photos of your gourmet popcorn creations or movie night setups.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalPopcornDay. Tweet about your favorite popcorn flavor, a fun fact, or a memory associated with popcorn.

National Popcorn Day Hero

Orville Redenbacher

Orville Redenbacher (1907–1995) was an American businessman and agriculturalist who became a household name through his popcorn brand. A Purdue University graduate, he spent decades perfecting a hybrid popcorn kernel that would pop 'lighter and fluffier' than any other. His folksy, self-deprecating persona made him a beloved advertising icon, cementing his legacy as the face of quality popcorn.

History of National Popcorn Day

Did you know that the corn we eat and the corn we pop are two different varieties of maize? In fact, the corn you’d find on your dinner table is most likely unable to pop at all! Only one variety of corn is able to become popcorn: Zea mays everta. This particular corn variety has small ears, and the kernels burst when exposed to dry heat.

In 1948, small heads of Zea mays everta were discovered by Herbert Dick and Earle Smith in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico. Ranging from smaller than a penny to about two inches, the oldest Bat Cave ears were about 4,000 years old. Several individually popped kernels were also discovered, which have since been carbon dated and shown to be approximately 5,600 years old. There’s also evidence of early use of popcorn in Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala, as well as other places in Central and South America.

Aztecs used popcorn to decorate their clothes, create ceremonial embellishments, and also for nourishment. Native Americans have also been found to consume and utilize popcorn in their day to day lives. In a cave in Utah, thought to be inhabited by Pueblo Native Americans, popcorn has been found that dates back to over 1,000 years ago. French explorers who traveled to the new world discovered popcorn being made by the Iroquois Natives in the Great Lakes region. As colonists moved around North America, and as the USA came to be, many people adopted popcorn as a popular and healthy snack.

National Popcorn Day timeline

1519

The Aztecs

Don Hernán Cortés gets his first sight of popcorn when he invades Mexico and comes into contact with the Aztecs.

1650

Peru

Padre Bernabé Cobo writes about Peruvian Natives, and notes, "They toast a certain kind of corn until it bursts. They call it pisancalla, and they use it as confection."

1920s

Get With the Times

Many theaters refuse to sell popcorn because they believe it is too messy.

Early 1980s

A Simple Snack

Microwavable popcorn becomes available in the marketplace.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Popcorn Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Popcorn Day by offering special deals or unique popcorn-themed products. Movie theaters and entertainment venues can provide discounted popcorn or free refills for the day. Restaurants might feature popcorn-crusted dishes or popcorn-infused desserts. Even non-food businesses could offer small bags of gourmet popcorn to customers as a festive treat or host a ‘popcorn bar’ for employees, encouraging a fun break. Consider collaborating with local popcorn vendors to create unique flavor combinations.

National Popcorn Day - Survey Results

According to one of the top Food Marketing Agencies:

National Popcorn Day Around the World
Country	Holiday	Occasion	Date
Sweden	Waffle Day	A chance for the Swedish to celebrate their beloved waffles.	March 25
New Zealand	National Chocolate Fish Day	That sacred day when New Zealanders eat a chocolate fish. Yep, it's really a thing.	May 11
South Korea	Black Day	Black day is for single people in Korea and they celebrate by eating black noodles.	April 14
Germany	National Soup Day	When winter begins to set in, our friends in Germany get warmed up by eating a bowl of soup.	November 19
Australia	National Marshmallow Day	A day for our Australian friends to enjoy some toasted marshmallows and a cup of hot cocoa.	May 18

National Popcorn Day Traditions

National Popcorn Day is all about enjoying a movie while sinking your hand into a bucket or packet of popcorn. Food marketing agencies love this holiday, so keep your eye out as there will be some deals and freebies available on and around the holiday.

National Popcorn Day Stats

15 billion quarts — the amount of popcorn consumed by Americans annually.

70% — the percentage of popcorn eaten at home.

90% — the percentage of unpopped popcorn sales.

13.5% — the percentage of moisture content in popcorn.

31 — the number of calories in a cup of popcorn.

5,000 — the number of years popcorn has been in existence for.

1885 — the year when the first commercial popcorn machine was invented by Charles Cretors.

250 million — the number of pounds of popcorn produced in Nebraska every year.

3 – the number of feet that a single popped corn can fly when popping.

400°F — the ideal temperature for popping popcorn.

31 cals per cup

On a diet and looking for the perfect low calorie snack? Well, we hope you like popcorn. Compared to most snack foods, popcorn is extremely low in calories. Air-popped popcorn only has 31 calories per cup, while oil-popped popcorn has only 55 calories per cup. Popcorn is the perfect go to snack for trying to meet those weight loss (or gain) goals healthily while keeping your body nourished and your tummy happy!

National Popcorn Day FAQs

When is National Popcorn Day?

In 2027, National Popcorn Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 19. Mark your calendars for a mid-week treat!

What is the most popular popcorn flavor?

Beyond the traditional, caramel corn and cheese popcorn are highly popular gourmet options. The rise of home popping has also led to increased experimentation with unique spice blends and sweet drizzles.

How much popcorn do Americans eat?

The vast majority of popcorn consumed in the U.S. is eaten at home, with movie theaters accounting for a smaller but still significant portion. Popcorn sales typically surge during colder months and holiday seasons.

Is popcorn a healthy snack?

When prepared without unhealthy additives, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making it a good choice for those seeking a nutritious snack. Many brands now offer healthier pre-popped options.

National Popcorn Day Activities

Make Popcorn Jewelry
Why not make a long necklace for you, friends, family members—even strangers. It will definitely make you the most popular person at the office happy hour.
Plan a Movie Marathon
Three weeks into January? Chances are you just want to hide and eat comfort food—but, your resolutions. There's a win-win! Tee up your favorite Star Wars Trilogy (Pro Tip: not the prequels) and pop a big bowl of popcorn. You can enjoy the wisdom of Yoda and keep to your diet. (A little olive oil and salt with the carb-y goodness of the popcorn may just hit the spot!)
Put on the Popcorn Olympics at Your Office
Popcorn basketball, popcorn air hockey, popcorn relay race? Burn off the pent-up energy gathered from sitting in a chair all day and get competitive with your coworkers. And when you're feeling a little peckish, munch on some popcorn and keep the fun going!

5 Facts About Popcorn That Will Make You Grab Some

Popcorn is healthy
Popcorn is GMO-free and a gluten-free snack.
Popcorn was popular during World War II
During the World War II sugar shortage, Americans ate three times more popcorn.
Old Maids
Unpopped popcorn kernels at the bottom of a popcorn bag are called old maids.
Popcorn as Decor
In North America, popcorn is a common Christmas tree decoration!
It has two shapes
Round-shaped popcorn is called mushroom popcorn, and popcorn that pops into odd shapes is called butterfly popcorn.

Why We Love National Popcorn Day

It's Easy and Fast to Make
Whether you're cooking on the stovetop or in the microwave, popcorn takes a matter of minutes—and you can personalize it with your own favorite toppings: classic butter, spices, and even sriracha! Yum.
It's Filling
Popcorn is a whole grain—the starchy inside of the grain has been fluffed with heat and air. The carbohydrates and air add up, making a wonderful snack alternative for those watching their waistline.
It Comes With Good Memories
Think of the morning matinee with your dad or that sweet (and awkward) first date at the movies. Popcorn tends to be part of festive occasions and meaningful moments.