- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CandyFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every November 4
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍬
National Candy Day lights up the calendar every November 4, inviting everyone to embrace their inner child and savor their favorite sweet treats. Whether you prefer chocolate bars, chewy gummies, or tangy hard candies, this day is a perfect excuse to indulge. Stock up on your favorites, share with friends, and explore new confectionery delights!
Want to sponsor National Candy Day? Learn how
Expected National Candy Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Candy Day often brings a flurry of sweet deals. Expect major retailers like Walmart and Target to offer discounts on bulk candy and popular brands. Specialty candy stores such as Dylan’s Candy Bar and IT’SUGAR may feature limited-time offers and exclusive assortments. Even grocery chains like Kroger and Publix often have sales on confectionery items. Keep an eye out for buy-one-get-one deals on chocolate bars from brands like Hershey’s and Mars Wrigley, or discounts on gummy candies from Haribo. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 4 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Candy Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCandyDay. Film a ‘candy haul’ video, review your favorite sweets, or create a DIY candy craft.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalCandyDay. Share vibrant photos of your candy stash, a dessert made with candy, or a nostalgic throwback to childhood treats.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalCandyDay. Ask your followers to share their all-time favorite candy and why it’s special to them.
National Candy Day Hero
Milton S. Hershey
History of National Candy Day
The story of candy begins in India. Between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the Persians and Greeks learned that the people in India had, what they called, reeds that make honey without bees. These reeds were actually sugarcane, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Ancient Indians would boil sugarcane juice, turning it into individual pieces of sugar, which they called “khanda.”
Before sugarcane was domesticated outside of Asia, honey was used in ancient China, the Middle East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome to coat fruits and flowers, which would preserve them and turn them into a form of candy. Before the Industrial Revolution, candy was used as medicine to either calm the digestive system or cool the throat. In the Middle Ages, candy was mostly consumed by the wealthy and was made of sugar and spices to aid digestive problems, which were very common, as food was neither fresh nor balanced.
Candy first came to America in the 18th century from France and Britain. Very few colonists were skilled in sugar work, meaning only the wealthy were able to enjoy these new treats. In the 1830s, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, technological advances allowed candy to be accessible to more than just the rich, including a new market specifically for children. While some artisan sugar workers remained, candy stores were becoming an American staple, especially in the lives of children across the country. Penny candy became the first thing a child would spend their money on, and candy store owners relied mostly on the business of children and families to keep them running.
National Candy Day timeline
In a town in Yorkshire, England, Samuel Parkinson began making butterscotch as a hard candy.
David Bradley's candy store in New Jersey flooded due to a major storm, resulting in him calling his taffy "saltwater taffy."
M&M's were invented by Forrest Mars, who got the idea from soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War.
Starburst candies were invented in the UK by Peter Phillips.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Candy Day
Local businesses can sweeten their offerings for National Candy Day by incorporating candy-themed promotions. A bakery could create special candy-studded cupcakes or cookies, while a restaurant might offer a dessert flight featuring various candies. Retail stores could set up a ‘candy bar’ for customers to fill a bag with treats, or offer a discount on purchases when customers mention their favorite candy. Even service-based businesses could provide a small bowl of premium candies at their reception desk to delight clients.
Candy By The Numbers
65% — the percentage of the total candy produced that is consumed by Americans over the age of 18.
65% — the percentage of U.S. candy brands introduced more than 50 years ago.
36 million — the number of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate that are sold on Valentine’s Day.
1800s — the period when physicians commonly prescribed chocolate to patients with broken hearts.
1875 — the year when Daniel Peter and Henri Nestle created milk chocolate.
2.8 billion pounds — the amount of chocolate consumed in the United States each year.
22 pounds — the average amount of candy consumed each year by Americans.
2 ounces — the amount of milk chocolate that is poisonous for a 10-lb puppy.
$7 billion — the amount spent on chocolate every year.
25 pounds — the amount of candy eaten per person per year in the United States.
2 — the number of Ms on M&Ms that stand for Mars and Murrie.
National Candy Day FAQs
When is National Candy Day?
National Candy Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 4. It’s the perfect mid-week pick-me-up to enjoy your favorite sweet treats.
How much candy do Americans eat each year?
Americans consume a significant amount of candy annually. Estimates suggest that the average American eats approximately 25 pounds of candy per year, with chocolate being the most popular category.
What is the most popular candy in the US?
While preferences vary by region and age group, chocolate candies consistently rank as the most popular in the U.S. M&M’s, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Snickers frequently top lists of best-selling treats.
What is the history of candy?
The history of candy dates back to ancient civilizations, where honey was used to coat fruits and nuts. Modern candy, as we know it, began to take shape with the widespread availability of sugar in the 16th century, leading to boiled sweets and confections.
National Candy Day Activities
Buy candy for a friend
Give sweets to be sweet! Nothing says "Have a great day" better than a box of colorful candy.
Make your own
How about making your own candy for a change? Candy is made by boiling sugar in water or milk until it starts to caramelize. Find a recipe that strikes your interest and make it at home!
Try something new
We all have our go-to candies, but next time you're at the shop, try the candy you always look at but never actually pick up. It might be a new favorite.
5 Dandy Facts About Candy!
Cotton candy’s original name
Fairy floss was the original name of the cotton candy.
Snickers was a horse
The Snickers candy bar was named after Frank Mars’ family horse.
Chocolate’s comforting properties
The ancient Aztecs believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac.
Candy is healthy
Some candies such as gummy bears, lollipops, and sour balls are cholesterol-free, making them a healthy treat.
The Swiss love their chocolate
The Swiss consume more chocolate than any other country in the world.
Why We Love National Candy Day
It's delicious
If you've never had a king-sized Kit Kat bar or pack of Sour Patch Kids, then you haven't lived. Candy is great. End of story.
Childhood nostalgia
From crushing piñatas at birthday parties, to passing out Hershey's Kisses for Valentine's day, candy was a big part of our childhoods. No matter how much we grow, candy will always bring back those special memories.
It's improves your mood
Happy? Sad? It doesn't matter! Candy is used by many people as a way to boost happiness. It has a natural knack for lifting our moods.
National Candy Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 4 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 4 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 4 | Saturday |
| 2029 | November 4 | Sunday |
| 2030 | November 4 | Monday |
Social Media Tips for National Candy Day
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