- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- FruitHealthy Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every October 21
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍎
National Apple Day arrives every October 21, a day dedicated to celebrating one of the world’s most beloved and versatile fruits. From crunchy snacks to comforting desserts, apples offer endless culinary possibilities. Pick your favorite variety, try a new recipe, and share your apple appreciation with friends and family.
Want to sponsor National Apple Day? Learn how
Expected National Apple Day Deals
As National Apple Day approaches, expect grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and specialty food retailers to roll out enticing promotions. Look for discounts on fresh apples from popular varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji, as well as deals on apple-related products such as cider, apple sauce, and baked goods. Historically, brands like Mott’s and Martinelli’s have offered coupons or in-store specials on their apple juice and cider. Local bakeries and cafes may feature limited-time apple pies, tarts, and turnovers. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Apple Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalAppleDay. Share vibrant photos of your favorite apple varieties, apple-picking adventures, or delicious apple recipes.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalAppleDay. Create short videos showcasing quick apple recipes, apple tasting challenges, or fun facts about apples.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAppleDay. Post about your family’s favorite apple traditions, local apple festivals, or tips for growing apples.
National Apple Day Hero
John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)
History of National Apple Day
Studies have shown that the earliest known wild apple trees cropped up in regions of central Asia anywhere between 10 and 20 million years ago. Though initially their flavor skewed toward sour, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits. This development would make them a more attractive food for wild animals and thereby assist with their diffusion throughout the continent. The apple would eventually spread to Europe as early as the 17th century BC; some historians believe it was during this time that the Roman populus cultivated and developed the apple into the larger, sweeter, more edible fruits that we are familiar with today.
Since then, the apple has found its way to the forefront of parts of American consciousness and identity (the iconic story of Johnny Appleseed, the phrase “as American as apple pie,” and the nickname “The Big Apple” all come to mind). In fact, though, the United States plays a small part in the worldwide history of the apple; the only native variety to the country is the crabapple, often dismissed as too bitter to enjoy naturally.
Furthermore, though also observed in America, National Apple Day actually has its roots in Europe. It was created by the U.K.-based charity organization Common Ground on October 21st of 1990 in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of diversity in different communities. Though the initial meaning of the holiday has been somewhat forgotten, apple-lovers everywhere still enthusiastically use the holiday as a chance to rave about their love for the more than 7,500 different varieties of apple grown across the globe!
National Apple Day timeline
Colonists arrive at Jamestown with European apple seedlings and begin to plant and harvest apples.
John Eastman (a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed) travels throughout the Midwest in an effort to plant numerous apple trees and educate farmers on proper apple crop care
The British Pomological Association began testing new varieties of apples to determine suitability for English farmers.
Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth; tubes of applesauce serve as part of his interstellar diet.
Apple growers in the United States began using controlled atmosphere facilities that maintain the freshness of apples until they are brought to market.
Newly discovered scientific facts made the apple breeding process considerably faster and more accurate.
Worldwide apple production reaches a staggering total of 83,139,326 metric tonnes
Opal Apples sponsors National Apple Day to celebrate apples in all their delectable forms. Want to be a sponsor: learn how.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Apple Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Apple Day by offering apple-themed specials and promotions. Restaurants might feature seasonal apple dishes, from savory apple-stuffed pork to classic apple pie a la mode. Bakeries can create unique apple pastries, ciders, and caramel apples. Farmers’ markets are ideal for showcasing local apple varieties and offering tasting events. Consider partnering with a local orchard to highlight regional produce or host an apple-themed workshop.
National Apple Day FAQs
When is National Apple Day?
National Apple Day 2026 falls on a Wednesday, October 21. It’s a perfect mid-week opportunity to enjoy the crisp taste of apples.
How many varieties of apples are there?
Globally, there are over 7,500 known varieties of apples, with about 2,500 grown in the United States alone. Each variety offers unique flavors, textures, and uses, making apples incredibly versatile.
What are the health benefits of eating apples?
Apples are packed with fiber, vitamins (especially Vitamin C), and antioxidants, contributing to heart health, improved digestion, and a strengthened immune system. Their natural sugars also provide a healthy energy boost.
What's the difference between apple cider and apple juice?
Apple cider is typically raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized apple juice, giving it a cloudy appearance and a richer, more complex flavor. It often contains pulp and sediment, distinguishing it from clearer juices.
National Apple Day Activities
Eat an apple
The clear and obvious choice. Make today the day to keep the doctor away and enjoy a nice, crisp, juicy apple. Maybe even try a completely new kind of apple.
Plant an apple tree
Do some preparation for next year’s National Apple Day and plant an apple tree in your yard! Your future self will thank you.
Share the apple love
Not everyone may be aware of National Apple Day; help spread the seeds of awareness by sharing apples with friends, family, strangers… Everyone loves a good apple!
5 Apple Types You Need To Try
The Granny Smith
Named after Maria Ann Smith, this green apple originated in Australia.
The Honeycrisp
A red apple developed by the Horticultural Research Center at the University of Minnesota.
The Fuji
A hybrid of two American varieties of apples, it was developed by researchers in Fujisaki, Japan.
The Cameo
Discovered by chance in an orchard in Oregon in 1987.
The Ginger Gold
Introduced to market in the 1980s, it is one the 15 most popular apples in the world.
Why We Love National Apple Day
Eating apples is healthy
Apples are filled with antioxidants. Eating them can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. They can also help you lose weight.
Apples are versatile
You can bake apples into a pie, use it in a turnover, smother it with caramel, puree it into applesauce… The possibilities are limitless.
Apples have a huge family tree
The apple has the greatest amount of variety among all other species of fruit. Daybreak Fuji, Candy Crisp, Sansa, Zestar, Shamrock… These are but a few fantastic names among literally thousands of apple variants.
National Apple Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 21 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | October 21 | Thursday |
| 2028 | October 21 | Saturday |
| 2029 | October 21 | Sunday |
| 2030 | October 21 | Monday |
Social Media Tips for National Apple Day
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