- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- ActivitiesFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every August 31
- Holiday emoji:
- 🧺
Eat Outside Day invites everyone to enjoy their meals in the fresh air every August 31. From leisurely picnics in the park to vibrant patio dining, this day celebrates the simple pleasure of al fresco eating. Grab your basket, pack a meal, and find a scenic spot to dine outdoors.
Want to sponsor Eat Outside Day? Learn how
Expected Eat Outside Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that many restaurants and food delivery services offer special deals for outdoor dining. Look for discounts on picnic essentials from retailers like Target and Walmart, or special outdoor dining menus at local eateries. Food delivery apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats might feature promotions on orders perfect for a park picnic. Brands like Yeti and Hydro Flask could offer sales on coolers and insulated drinkware. Additionally, grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s often highlight ready-to-eat picnic items. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 31 approaches.
Platform Guide for Eat Outside Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #EatOutsideDay. Share vibrant photos of your al fresco meals, from backyard BBQs to scenic park picnics.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #EatOutsideDay. Film creative outdoor dining setups, recipe ideas for picnics, or funny moments enjoying food in nature.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #EatOutsideDay. Ask your community for their favorite local spots for outdoor dining or share tips for the perfect picnic.
Eat Outside Day Hero
Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
History of Eat Outside Day
The human race has always eaten outside — in the early days, simply because there was no other option! But the choice to dine outside dates back to the Medieval period when men would fuel up with a hearty meal of bread, meat, and cheese just before setting off for a hunt.
In the centuries that followed, eating outside continued to be associated with hunting, when in the summer months the gentry would feast under large tents on the spoils of the day’s hunt. These would typically be lavish occasions, recreating the banquet they might have had inside, but in the open air.
It was the French people who made al-fresco dining an option for the masses when, following the French Revolution in 1789, the former Royal Parks were opened to the public, and people used them for socializing, bringing food to share, and enjoying it together. At a similar time, pleasure gardens were created in the U.S. These were private spaces where a family could walk, play outdoor games, and enjoy a meal. These were replicated by the Germans as their beer gardens and, in the Prohibition era, they were made into tea gardens in the U.S.
The invention and later increasing affordability of the motorcar enabled people to travel further afield to enjoy a day out in the countryside, making picnics a highly popular way to socialize and stay energized. Our enjoyment of good weather combined with good food has also proven lucrative for restaurants, with al-fresco dining, and homes, with outdoor spaces for BBQs.
As we can’t always rely on the weather, we celebrate Eat Outside Day on August 31 when the weather should be at its best and we can celebrate the history of food, socializing, and the great outdoors!
Eat Outside Day timeline
Following the French Revolution, the French people open their royal parks to everyone, and people begin eating together in them.
The first use of the word ‘picnic’ is documented, stemming from the French term, ‘pique-nique,’ which uses the verb ‘to pick’ with a rhyming ending to denote a thing of small importance or trifle.
American artist Thomas Cole paints “The Pic-Nic,” which shows a group of well-dressed diners eating al fresco in the Hudson River Valley.
To celebrate the first Bastille Day of the new millennium, the French organize a 600-mile-long picnic.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Eat Outside Day
Local restaurants can offer special ‘al fresco’ menus or picnic baskets for takeout, encouraging customers to enjoy their meals in nearby parks or outdoor seating areas. Cafes could set up temporary outdoor seating or partner with food trucks to serve customers in a festive street setting. Retailers specializing in outdoor gear, like camping stores or sporting goods shops, can host demonstrations on portable cooking or offer discounts on picnic supplies. Even offices can organize a team lunch outside, fostering camaraderie and a change of scenery for employees.
Eat Outside Day FAQs
When is Eat Outside Day?
Eat Outside Day 2026 falls on a Monday, August 31, encouraging everyone to enjoy their meals in the fresh air. It’s the perfect way to cap off the summer season with an al fresco feast.
How popular is outdoor dining?
Outdoor dining has seen a significant surge in popularity, especially in recent years, with many restaurants expanding their patio and sidewalk seating. Surveys suggest that a large percentage of diners prefer outdoor options when available, valuing the ambiance and fresh air.
What are the benefits of eating outside?
Eating outside offers numerous benefits, including improved mood, increased vitamin D exposure from sunlight, and a greater connection to nature. It can also enhance the dining experience by providing a refreshing change of scenery and a more relaxed atmosphere.
What's the difference between a picnic and al fresco dining?
While both involve eating outdoors, a picnic typically implies a meal packed in a basket and consumed informally, often on a blanket in a park or natural setting. Al fresco dining, on the other hand, usually refers to eating at a restaurant’s outdoor patio or terrace.
How to Celebrate Eat Outside Day
Dine at an outdoor restaurant
Treat yourself to a meal at a restaurant with outdoor seating. You can enjoy delicious food without any of the faffs, and enjoy the great outdoors whilst you dine.
Picnic in the park
Great for kids or larger groups, a picnic is the quintessential outdoor eating experience. You can take savory snacks with you and fulfill your sweet tooth at the ice cream truck.
Graze in your garden
Take the table outside and eat in your garden or on your porch for an easy and cost-effective way to celebrate. With a BBQ, you can even do the cooking outside too!
5 Facts About Picnics To Tickle Your Tastebuds
You can picnic and protest
In 1989, the Pan-European Picnic was organized on both sides of the Hungarian/Austrian border as part of the fight for German reunification.
The teddy bears didn’t picnic at first
The children’s song, ‘The Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ was originally called ‘The Teddy Bear’s Two-Step’ when it was composed in 1907, but changed when the lyrics were added in later, in 1930.
Robin Hood loved to picnic
One of the earliest accounts of picnicking comes from the stories of Robin Hood, in which Robin and his band of Merry Men would eat bread, cheese, and beer in the forest.
They’re important in Australian literature
Considered by critics to be one of Australia’s best novels, “Picnic at Hanging Rock” centers around the unresolved mystery of a missing girl — author Joan Lindsay’s original draft resolved the mystery with the suggestion of a time warp, but that chapter was removed before publication.
They weren’t always outside
Originally, picnics took place inside, with the distinction from a dinner party being that all guests brought a dish for everyone to share.
Why We Love Eat Outside Day
Nature is amazing
Wherever you are, there’s always something incredible in nature to enjoy — from the local wildlife to the changing seasons.
It’s good for our health
Getting fresh air is proven to boost our energy and be beneficial for both our mental- and physical health, so take a deep breath and feel that goodness in your lungs! Food is fun! Food isn’t just about surviving — it’s about thriving! Food can be creative, inventive, and exciting and making your meal memorable will mean you enjoy it even more.
Social Media Tips for Eat Outside Day
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