- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- American foodFast FoodSummer
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- 3rd Wednesday of July
- Holiday emoji:
- 🌭
National Hot Dog Day fires up grills and taste buds every third Wednesday of July. This beloved American classic is a staple at ballparks, barbecues, and family gatherings. Grab your favorite toppings and celebrate this iconic summer treat by trying a new recipe or visiting a local hot dog stand.
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Expected National Hot Dog Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Hot Dog Day brings sizzling deals from major chains and local eateries. Expect Nathan’s Famous, Five Guys, and Sonic Drive-In to offer discounts on their classic dogs. Many grocery stores like Kroger and Walmart often run sales on hot dog packs and buns, perfect for backyard barbecues. Regional favorites like Portillo’s or Shake Shack might feature special limited-time hot dog creations. Keep an eye out for promotions from condiment brands like Heinz and French’s, encouraging you to load up your frankfurter. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Hot Dog Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalHotDogDay. Film your ultimate hot dog creation or a taste test of regional styles.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalHotDogDay. Share mouth-watering photos of your hot dog masterpiece or a picnic spread.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalHotDogDay. Tweet about your favorite hot dog toppings or a local spot with the best dogs.
National Hot Dog Day Hero
Charles Feltman
History of National Hot Dog Day
You should know some solid trivia about hot dogs, including knowing that the term itself was derived in the 19th century, at a time when German immigrants brought their own culinary traditions with them to the new world. It’s believed they brought to New York America’s first hot dogs, originally referred to as a dachshund sausage — for their long shape that resembled the beloved dachshund pups. Around 1870, Charles Feltman, a German immigrant, began to sell hot dogs out of a stand on Coney Island. He sold over 3,600 frankfurters in a bun that year alone.
While we cannot be completely sure how or even when National Hot Dog Day was created, we do know that the day was created as a nod to National Hot Dog Month in July by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council to highlight this fan favorite. Hot dogs became a household name in the late 19th century when casual food lover and baseball team owner of the St. Louis Browns — better known to some as the Baltimore Orioles — Chris Von de Ahe brought the two together at his own amusement park.
Celebrating this day is fairly straightforward — just make your hot dog your way, and enjoy it however you’d like! Honestly, in the Dog Days of Summer, who doesn’t like a hot dog with all their favorite fixings?
Some take hot dogs beyond food form. There are also Weiner dog races and other relative, inclusive festivals to consider. We very strongly encourage you to indulge away!
National Hot Dog Day timeline
Frankfurter Wuerstchen are distributed in Germany on the eve of imperial coronations.
Charles Feltman begins selling sausages in rolls on Coney Island in New York.
Hot dogs and baseball are officially paired together in St. Louis by the owner of the St. Louis Browns, now known as the Baltimore Orioles.
Hot Dog Day is first celebrated by students in Alfred, New York — the hot dog’s affordability is something that many students favor.
National Hot Dog Day Traditions
Frank-furter-ly speaking, every day is Hot Dog Day. Filling and delicious, the beloved food is enjoyed any time of the day. Common traditions on National Hot Dog Day include firing up the grill to cook hot dogs outdoors with friends and family and topping your hot dogs with your choice of condiments.
Hot dog eating contests are another popular way to celebrate the day. Special deals on hot dogs are also offered by many eateries and retail stores, and you’ll find longer-than-usual queues near hot dog vendors.
National Hot Dog Day By The Numbers
7 billion – the estimated number of hot dogs consumed by Americans from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
150 million – the number of hot dogs consumed during the Fourth of July holiday.
20.4 million – the number of hot dogs eaten by baseball fans at major-league ballparks during the season.
350 million pounds – the amount of hot dogs purchased from retail stores by Americans.
20 billion – the number of hot dogs consumed by Americans in a year.
70 – the average number of hot dogs consumed per person each year in America.
95% – the percentage of homes in the United States that consume hot dogs.
15% – the percentage of hot dogs purchased from street vendors
9% – the percentage of hot dogs purchased at ballparks.
1900 – the year when the term ‘hot dog’ first appeared in print in “The Oxford English Dictionary.”
National Hot Dog Day FAQs
When is National Hot Dog Day?
National Hot Dog Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, July 15, making it a perfect mid-week treat to break up the routine.
How many hot dogs are consumed in the U.S. each year?
Americans consume an estimated 20 billion hot dogs annually, a testament to their enduring popularity. This figure includes about 7 billion eaten during the summer grilling season alone.
What are the most popular hot dog toppings?
While preferences vary regionally, classic toppings like mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions consistently rank among the most popular. Chili, cheese, and sauerkraut also have dedicated fan bases.
What's the difference between a hot dog and a frankfurter?
Historically, ‘frankfurter’ referred to a sausage from Frankfurt, Germany, while ‘wiener’ came from Vienna. Today, the terms ‘hot dog,’ ‘frankfurter,’ and ‘wiener’ are often used interchangeably in the U.S. to describe the same type of cooked sausage served in a bun.
National Hot Dog Day Activities
Have your hotdog your way
There are plenty of ways to enjoy a good hot dog. Seriously, the only rule of the day is to make your favorite hot dog your way, as many times as you like. That means, you can have beef, turkey, or tofu, with mustard, relish, ketchup. Grill it, boil it, or put it in the microwave. Outside feedback or input isn’t required...your preferences dictate your enjoyment.
Hot dog parties are a thing
Did you know that you can celebrate National Hot Dog Day with a party? Yes, it is true. Throw a festival or a small-level soiree with your favorite hot dog. You already know that we like a good party, so throwing one in honor of our favorite foods is an idea we absolutely endorse.
Get a ball park frank
Hot dogs have long been paired with baseball games. So, if you find yourself in a baseball stadium that day, we’d strongly encourage you to enjoy one with the game.
5 Facts About Hot Dog Day That Will Blow Your Mind
7-Eleven Sells millions a year
In 2014 alone, 7-Eleven sold well over 60 million hot dogs in their store and in 2017, the store chain sold over 100 million hot dogs.
Condiments make a hot dog thrive
Of all the toppings you can add to a hot dog, mustard comes in first as the most popular hot dog condiment, followed by ketchup and chili, respectively.
Sports and hot dogs go together
Over 26 million hot dogs are sold annually at baseball stadiums in the United States, one of America’s favorite past times.
A street vendor favorite
From New York City, to Chicago, to Philadelphia, you can find a hot dog on most street corners.
Independence Day
On this summer holiday, over 155 million hot dogs are reportedly consumed.
Why We Love National Hot Dog Day
They are a testament to American innovation
While the deep origins of the hot dog can be traced back to either Frankfurt or Vienna (we’ll let them slog it out for the title of true originator), the American hot dog dates back to the 1860’s, when German immigrants started selling them from stands in New York City. Splash of ketchup here, little bit of mustard there, and you’ve got the birth of the American hot dog.
They offer endless variety
In the mood for an all-beef Chicago dog loaded with toppings on a poppy seed roll? Or are you more of a Texa Chili Dog kind of person? Perhaps the basic, original New York dog is all you’re looking for. Regardless, wherever you are in the country, you can try a unique variation on this once-German/Austrian (whoever you want to believe) tradition.
Anyone can cook a great hot dog
If you need a quick and easy meal this summer, look no further. Boil them, grill them, heck, eat ’em cold as long as they’re precooked. It’s the simplicity and affordability that makes them such a great summer snack. Who wants to stress over what to cook anyway?
National Hot Dog Day Featured Video
National Hot Dog Day
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