National Goose Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cooking Food
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every September 29
Holiday emoji:: 🦢

National Goose Day arrives every September 29, a culinary nod to a medieval tradition that once involved paying rent with geese. Originally tied to Michaelmas, this day now offers a delightful excuse to savor roast goose. Gather friends and family to explore new recipes, visit a specialty butcher, or try a restaurant offering this unique dish.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National Goose Day Deals

While specific 2027 promotions for goose may be niche, history shows specialty butchers and high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Wegmans often stock whole geese or goose products around the fall season. Restaurants specializing in European or traditional cuisine, such as The Olde Pink House Restaurant in Savannah or The Gage in Chicago, might feature roast goose specials. Online retailers like D’Artagnan and Fossil Farms are reliable sources for gourmet poultry. Keep an eye on local farm-to-table establishments. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 29 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Goose Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalGooseDay. Share photos of your roast goose creations, medieval-inspired feasts, or even local goose sightings.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalGooseDay. Film a ‘how-to’ video on roasting a goose, or showcase fun facts about geese and Michaelmas.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalGooseDay. Share historical tidbits about Michaelmas or ask followers for their favorite goose recipes.

National Goose Day Hero

Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel is a central figure in Christian tradition, celebrated on Michaelmas Day, September 29. Historically, this day marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle, leading to the tradition of consuming geese. While not directly related to the bird itself, his feast day became inextricably linked to the 'goose harvest' and the payment of rent in medieval times.

History of National Goose Day

Egyptians were among the first civilizations to domesticate geese some 3,000 years ago. They captured thousands of the birds in nets, kept them in pens, and bred them for meat and eggs. Goose was a delicacy only the wealthy merchants and nobility could afford. In the 4th century in France, locals told the story of St. Martin of Tours and his geese. Martin did not want to be a bishop, and on the day of his appointment, he locked himself inside a barn. The honking was so loud that the geese drew the congregation to the barn, where they discovered Martin hiding. Martin became a bishop in 327 A.D. The goose was the traditional bird eaten by the Christian faithful on his feast day on November 11.

The first informal Goose Day in the U.S. was celebrated in Pennsylvania, in the Juniata River Valley. A Dutchman named Andrew Pontius employed Archibald Hunter, and their contract stated that Pontius would settle payments on September 29. Hunter appeared on Pontius’ doorstep with a goose on the day of payment. He explained to his employer that geese were good luck symbols for the coming year.

This is how the tradition of Goose Day caught on in America, starting in the Juniata River Valley. In 1973, International Goose Day was officially celebrated in Mifflin County, and in 1976, Juniata County followed suit. Since then, International Happy Goose Day has been observed annually on September 29.

National Goose Day timeline

3,000 Years Ago

Geese in Egypt

Ancient Egyptians domesticate geese.

17th Century

A Goose For Christmas

In London, geese become a popular Christmas dish.

1843

A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge presents a goose for Christmas dinner.

1856

“The Food of London”

According to George Dodd’s “The Food of London,” 888,000 geese are sold every year, compared to 69,000 turkeys.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Goose Day

Local restaurants can embrace National Goose Day by featuring a special roast goose dish on their menu, perhaps with a modern twist on traditional accompaniments. Specialty butchers can highlight their goose offerings and provide cooking tips or recipe cards to customers. Food bloggers and culinary schools could host online cooking classes or demonstrations focused on preparing goose. Retailers selling kitchenware might promote roasting pans and carving sets. Consider a ‘medieval feast’ theme to tie into the historical roots of Michaelmas.

National Goose Day FAQs

When is National Goose Day?

National Goose Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, September 29, inviting a mid-week culinary adventure. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore the rich history and flavors associated with this traditional fowl.

How popular is goose meat today?

While less common than chicken or turkey, goose meat maintains a niche popularity, especially in European and holiday culinary traditions. Its rich, dark meat is prized by gourmands and often featured in festive meals.

What is the history behind National Goose Day?

National Goose Day originates from Michaelmas Day, celebrated on September 29, which honors Saint Michael the Archangel. In medieval England, this date was traditionally a rent-payment day, and geese were often used as a form of payment, leading to the association with the bird.

What is the difference between a goose and a duck?

Geese are generally larger than ducks, with longer necks and more upright postures. Their meat tends to be richer and fattier than duck, and they have a distinct, strong flavor. Ducks, while also waterfowl, are typically smaller and have a broader, flatter bill.

National Goose Day Activities

Roast a goose
Roast goose has a gamey but intense flavor comparable to dark meat like beef. Now is the perfect time to give it a try.
Fry a goose egg omelet
Goose eggs are larger and richer in flavor compared to chicken eggs. A goose egg omelet is sure to be a tasty treat.
Sharing is caring
Give your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers some succulent goose meat to sample. They’ll love it, and you get to introduce one more person to this delicious fowl.

5 Great Facts About Geese

Imprinting on moving objects
Goslings will imprint on the first suitable moving stimulus, whether it's a mother goose, a human being, or an object.
Geese are territorial
Geese are fiercely protective of their territory, making them good guard animals on a farm.
Geese are the largest waterfowl
Aside from swans, geese are the largest waterfowl.
They are loyal
Geese mate for life and are very protective of their partners and offspring.
Goose alarm
In ancient Rome, geese were used to alert the citizens of the Gaulish invasions.

Why We Love National Goose Day

Goose meat is juicier
Farmers often joke that geese are the pigs of the air, bred to be lard animals. This means their meat is juicy and tender. You won’t need any gravy.
They have a unique taste
Geese absorb the flavor of whatever they eat in their body fat. Breeds like Black Brant are prized for this reason. Fed on eelgrass or wild celery diet, they’re pretty popular on the West Coast.
It’s a welcome change
People don’t eat goose as much as they used to. It’s a nice change if you’re bored of eating chicken or turkey all the time.