National Cheese Curd Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cheese Cooking
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 15
Holiday emoji:: 🧀

National Cheese Curd Day celebrates the delightful, bite-sized nuggets of cheese every October 15. Created by Culver’s in 2015, this day invites everyone to indulge in the fresh, often fried, cheesy goodness. Get ready to buy, make, and most importantly, eat plenty of cheese curds to honor this delicious occasion.

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Expected National Cheese Curd Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Cheese Curd Day often brings irresistible deals from fast-food chains and local eateries. Culver’s, the holiday’s creator, is a perennial favorite for offering discounts or free curds. Keep an eye on other Midwestern-centric brands like Arby’s and Dairy Queen, which occasionally feature cheese curds on their menus. Local pubs and diners, especially in Wisconsin, often run specials on their house-made fried cheese curds. Specialty cheese shops like The Cheese Shop of Salem and Murray’s Cheese might highlight artisan curds for home frying. Grocery stores such as Kroger and Whole Foods Market may also offer promotions on fresh cheese curds. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Cheese Curd Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCheeseCurdDay. Film a ‘squeak test’ challenge or a recipe for homemade fried curds.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CheeseCurdDay. Share mouth-watering photos or reels of your favorite cheese curd dishes, from poutine to standalone fried curds.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CheeseCurdLove. Ask your community to share their favorite local spots for cheese curds or their go-to curd recipes.

National Cheese Curd Day Hero

George Culver

George Culver is the co-founder of Culver's, the beloved Midwestern fast-food chain, alongside his wife Ruth and son Craig. In 2015, Culver's officially established National Cheese Curd Day to celebrate their iconic Wisconsin Cheese Curds. George's vision for quality food and hospitality helped build Culver's into a regional powerhouse, making cheese curds a staple for many across the country.

National Cheese Curd Day timeline

1100s

Cheese curds make it into a song

The Celtic song, “Visions of MacGonlannee,” mentioned cheese curds in its lyrics.

1840

Wisconsin got in on the cheese game

Wisconsin became the “it” place to make and produce cheese because of its rich farmland.

1922

Wisconsin’s cheese factories grow

By this year, Wisconsin was home to more than 2,800 cheese factories.

1900s

Cheese curds gain in popularity

Because cheese curds grew in popularity, milk factories experienced surpluses in this century.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Cheese Curd Day

Local restaurants and pubs can celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by featuring special cheese curd dishes, offering discounts on existing curd menu items, or introducing new, creative curd-based appetizers. Specialty food stores can host tasting events for different types of fresh cheese curds or offer kits for making fried curds at home. Even non-food businesses can join the fun by partnering with local eateries for employee treats or customer giveaways, promoting a sense of community and cheesy indulgence.

National Cheese Curd Day FAQs

When is National Cheese Curd Day?

National Cheese Curd Day 2026 falls on Thursday, October 15, offering a perfect mid-week excuse to indulge in these delightful cheesy bites.

What are cheese curds?

Cheese curds are solid pieces of curdled milk, typically cheddar, that are separated from the whey during the cheesemaking process. They are known for their fresh, mild flavor and distinct ‘squeaky’ texture when eaten fresh.

Where are cheese curds most popular?

Cheese curds are most popular in the Midwestern United States, particularly in Wisconsin, which is renowned for its dairy industry and cheese production. They are a staple snack and appetizer across the state.

What makes cheese curds 'squeaky'?

The ‘squeak’ of fresh cheese curds is due to the elastic protein strands in the cheese rubbing against the enamel of your teeth. This phenomenon is a sign of freshness, as the squeak diminishes over time.

National Cheese Curd Day Activities

Say “cheese” and share your pics on social media
Sharing experiences (new or nostalgic) on social media is always fun, so celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by sharing your cheese curd experience online. If you’re new to eating cheese curds, take a video capturing your first bite. If cheese curds were a staple in your childhood, snap pics of your favorite cheese curd joint.
Go crazy—take a trip to Wisconsin
What better way to celebrate National Cheese Curd Day than taking a trip to the state that started it all? Since this holiday falls on a Monday this year, you can experience Wisconsin for the weekend, hit up Culver’s (or any place that serves cheese curds), and save some cheese curds for when you're back home— and so you can eat them on National Cheese Curd Day — taking this indulgent holiday to a whole new level.
Try making your own
Whether you can buy fresh cheese curds locally or not, National Cheese Curd Day is the perfect time to tackle a new recipe challenge. So on October 15, look for recipes online and try frying your own cheese curds at home.

4 Things About Cheese Curds That’ll Make You Want To Book A Flight To Wisconsin

Cheese curds squeak
Not only is squeaking a common characteristic of cheese curds—this happens because the elastic protein strands in the curds rub against your teeth’s enamel— but it’s also a sign of freshness.
It’s takes a lot of milk to make a little bit of cheese
Wisconsin cheese curds are so dang fresh and flavorful because they’re only filled with cheese from Wisconsin milk — and it takes 10 pounds of milk to produce one pound of cheese.
Don’t worry, the squeak can be restored
If you don’t finish your bag of cheese curds within two days (although let’s be honest, this would take serious self control), you can simply microwave them to get back them back to their squeaky state.
Their insides can vary in color
Because cheese curds are typically made with cheddar cheese, they can sometimes be white inside, or sometimes yellow.

Why We Love National Cheese Curd Day

If you’ve never had one, this is your excuse to (finally) try one…or several
While cheese curds may be a staple for many people, you may have never had one, and that’s okay. But thanks to National Cheese Curd Day, you now have a reason to try them, so on October 15, make it a priority to get your hands on some.
Use it as an opportunity to try a new dish
Trying to cook a new dish is a fun challenge (especially when fried cheese is the end result), so if there isn’t a joint frying up cheese curds near you, try whipping up your own on October 15. After all, there’s not a better time to try a cheese curd recipe than on National Cheese Curd Day.
It’s a reason to eat cheese (as if we needed another one)
If you’re a cheese lover, then National Cheese Curd Day is the holiday for you. But unlike other days where you may just indulge in a meat and cheese platter or cheese and crackers, October 15 is your chance to indulge in gooey cheese curds.