National Jell-O Week – Feb. 8, 2027

National Jell-O Week
Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationDessertSweet Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Week starting with the 2nd Monday of February
Holiday emoji:
🍮

National Jell-O Week wiggles its way into our calendars every second full week of February, running from February 9 to 15, 2026. This celebration honors the iconic gelatin dessert, a treat that has delighted generations with its vibrant colors and jiggly texture. Get ready to experiment with new recipes, share your favorite Jell-O creations, and embrace the fun!

Want to sponsor National Jell-O Week? Learn how

Expected National Jell-O Week Deals

While official 2027 promotions for National Jell-O Week are still taking shape, past observances suggest a flurry of colorful deals and creative recipes. Look for Kraft Heinz, the parent company of Jell-O, to feature special promotions on their gelatin and pudding mixes. Grocery chains like Kroger, Walmart, and Target often run sales on Jell-O products, making it the perfect time to stock up on your favorite flavors. Specialty dessert shops might offer Jell-O-inspired treats, while food bloggers and recipe sites will undoubtedly share innovative ways to enjoy this classic. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as February 2027 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Jell-O Week

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalJelloWeek. Film your most creative Jell-O recipes, jiggle tests, or nostalgic Jell-O molds.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalJelloWeek. Share vibrant photos of your Jell-O creations, from layered desserts to Jell-O shots.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalJelloWeek. Share your favorite Jell-O memories, family recipes, or vote on the best flavor.

Social Media Tips for National Jell-O Week

Individuals

Whip up a classic Jell-O dessert, experiment with new flavor combinations, or host a retro Jell-O themed party with friends and family.

Creators

Develop unique Jell-O recipes, create visually stunning layered Jell-O art, or film a 'taste test' video of obscure Jell-O flavors.

Brands

Run a Jell-O recipe contest, partner with food influencers for creative content, or offer special discounts on Jell-O products and related dessert ingredients.

Top Brands for National Jell-O Week

  1. Jell-O (Kraft Heinz)

    The iconic gelatin brand, Jell-O, is owned by Kraft Heinz, a global food and beverage company formed by the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company in 2015. Jell-O offers over 25 gelatin flavors and 30 pudding flavors, making it a household name for desserts.

  2. Knox Gelatine

    Knox Gelatine, a brand of unflavored gelatin, is also part of the Kraft Heinz portfolio. It was founded by Charles Knox in 1890 and is widely used for thickening, gelling, and stabilizing in both sweet and savory dishes, providing the structural base for many Jell-O creations.

  3. Dole

    Dole Food Company, one of the world's largest producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables, is often associated with Jell-O through its fruit cups. Many Jell-O recipes incorporate fresh or canned fruit, making Dole products a natural pairing for colorful, healthy-ish gelatin desserts.

  4. Cool Whip

    Cool Whip, a brand of whipped topping owned by Kraft Heinz, is a ubiquitous companion to Jell-O desserts. Introduced in 1966, it became an instant hit for its convenience and light texture, often layered with or dolloped atop Jell-O molds and parfaits.

  5. Pillsbury

    Pillsbury, a brand known for its baking products and doughs, often features in dessert recipes alongside Jell-O. While not directly a gelatin product, Pillsbury's pie crusts, cakes, and cookies can be used to create elaborate Jell-O-based desserts, adding texture and flavor.

  6. General Mills

    General Mills, a leading global food company, produces a wide array of products including cereals, yogurt, and baking mixes. Although not directly in the gelatin market, their various dessert components and fruit snacks can complement Jell-O recipes, especially in family-friendly creations.

  7. Great Value (Walmart)

    Great Value is Walmart's private label brand, offering a wide range of products including gelatin mixes and dessert ingredients at affordable prices. This makes Jell-O and similar gelatin desserts accessible to a broad consumer base, especially during themed weeks like National Jell-O Week.

National Jell-O Week Hero

Pearle B. Wait

Pearle B. Wait, a carpenter and cough syrup manufacturer from LeRoy, New York, is credited with patenting the powdered gelatin dessert in 1897 and coining the name 'Jell-O.' While gelatin itself had been around for centuries, Wait's innovation made it accessible and convenient for home cooks. He sold the Jell-O brand to Orator Frank Woodward in 1899, who then popularized it into the household name it is today, transforming a niche product into an American staple.

History of National Jell-O Week

National Jell-O Week celebrates the history and significance of Jell-O. Initially, this dish was reserved for the most affluent families due to its long preparation time. Jell-O contains protein gelatin extracted from boiling bones, connective tissues, and other animal products; this is the primary ingredient. Due to Jell-O’s availability to the general public, its popularity grew once people started making the concoction in powdered form.

The patent and recipe for Jell-O were registered in 1897 by Pearle Bixby Wait, a carpenter from New York City. Once powdered gelatin became readily available in the early 1900s, Jell-O’s yearly sales passed $1 million.

General Foods acquired Jell-O in 1964. The LeRoy Jell-O plant shut down following, the acquisition. To commemorate their worldwide adoration of the delectable jiggly dessert and its wide range of flavors, people from all over the world can now partake in the annual National Jell-O Week, which was first celebrated in Utah in 2001.

National Jell-O Week timeline

1897
The Patent

Pearle Bixby Wait, a carpenter from New York City, registers the patent and recipe for Jell-O.

1902
Mass Marketing

Sales increase as a result of aggressive mass marketing campaigns.

1923
“The Ten Commandments”

In the silent film, “The Ten Commandments,”Jell-O is used to give the effect of parting the Red Sea.

2009
National Jell-O week

National Jell-O week is established.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Jell-O Week

Local businesses can embrace National Jell-O Week by featuring creative gelatin-inspired treats on their menus. Restaurants and cafes could offer special Jell-O parfaits, layered desserts, or even savory aspics for a retro twist. Bakeries might incorporate Jell-O flavors into cakes and cupcakes, while grocery stores can create eye-catching displays of Jell-O products with recipe cards. Consider hosting a Jell-O mold competition or a ‘guess the flavor’ challenge to engage customers and create a fun, memorable experience.

National Jell-O Week FAQs

When is National Jell-O Week?

In 2027, National Jell-O Week will be observed from Monday, February 8, through Sunday, February 14. Mark your calendars for a full week of colorful, wobbly fun.

How popular is Jell-O?

With a presence in over 90% of American homes, Jell-O’s popularity is undeniable. Its versatility and wide range of flavors ensure it maintains its status as a beloved dessert brand across generations.

What is Jell-O made from?

The core ingredient of Jell-O is gelatin, a natural protein. The manufacturing process involves boiling animal parts to extract collagen, which is then processed into the powdered gelatin we mix with water to create the wobbly dessert.

What is the difference between gelatin and Jell-O?

Think of gelatin as the raw ingredient, a colorless and flavorless gelling agent. Jell-O is a commercial product that takes this gelatin and combines it with sweeteners and artificial flavors to create a ready-to-make dessert mix, available in a rainbow of options.

National Jell-O Week Activities

  1. Share your recipes

    You can share your favorite recipes with other people on social media. Additionally, you can look up new recipes online.

  2. Try new recipes

    Taste different combinations of flavors to find out which one you like the most. You can have a taste test with kids or other people around you.

  3. Make Jell-O shots

    Add some vodka or white rum to your Jell-O and serve it to your friends as a shot. You can have a Jell-O party with friends and family.

5 Interesting Facts About Jell-O And Its Uses

  1. Different forms

    Prepared (ready-to-eat) or powdered Jell-O can be purchased, and it comes in various colors and flavors.

  2. Additions

    It's possible to build sophisticated treats out of fruit, veggies, and whipped cream.

  3. Impossible combinations

    Using fresh pineapple, papaya, kiwifruit, or ginger root would make it impossible for the gelatin to set.

  4. Jell-O salads

    As the popularity of salads grew, Jell-O responded by creating new savory and vegetable flavors such as celery, mixed vegetables, seasoned tomato, and Italian, however, the flavors have since been discontinued.

  5. The Jell-O Gallery museum

    The Le Roy Historical Society operates the Jell-O Gallery museum at the Le Roy House and Union Free School on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why We Love National Jell-O Week

  1. It’s given in hospitals

    Jell-O is provided to patients in the hospital for more than taste and digestive concerns because of its smooth, liquid nature. Because of its high gelatin content, it is also a good source of nutrition.

  2. Vegetarian options are available

    Not all Jell-O products are vegetarian or vegan; however, it is possible to make yours vegan or vegetarian. Jell-O sweets made from plant gums or seaweeds like agar or carrageenan are also available for those who choose a plant-based diet.

  3. It improves bone health

    Collagen may have a beneficial effect on bone health. The bone density of postmenopausal women who took 0.2 ounces of collagen peptides daily for a year was significantly higher than that of women who received a placebo, according to a randomized trial.

National Jell-O Week dates

Year Date Day
2026 February 9–15 Monday–Sunday
2027 February 8–14 Monday–Sunday
2028 February 14–20 Monday–Sunday
2029 February 12–18 Monday–Sunday
2030 February 11–17 Monday–Sunday