National Jump for Jelly Beans Day – Jul. 31, 2026

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day
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Every July 31
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National Jump for Jelly Beans Day lights up July 31, inviting everyone to celebrate the iconic candy. This day is a sweet excuse to savor your favorite flavors, discover new ones, and share the joy with friends and family. Gather your favorite assortment, try a new recipe, or simply appreciate the chewiness of these delightful treats.

Want to sponsor National Jump for Jelly Beans Day? Learn how

Expected National Jump for Jelly Beans Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Jump for Jelly Beans Day often inspires sweet deals. Look for discounts from major candy retailers like Dylan’s Candy Bar, IT’SUGAR, and CandyStore.com. Brands such as Jelly Belly, Brach’s, and Starburst often feature special promotions or limited-edition flavors. Grocery stores and convenience chains like Target and Walmart may also offer sales on bulk jelly beans and assorted candy bags. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 31 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #JellyBeans. Film a creative ‘jump for jelly beans’ challenge or showcase your favorite flavor pairings.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalJumpForJellyBeansDay. Share vibrant photos of your jelly bean collection or a DIY candy craft.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #JellyBeanJoy. Tweet about your top 3 jelly bean flavors or a fun fact about the candy’s history.

Social Media Tips for National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

Individuals

Host a jelly bean tasting party with friends, trying to guess mystery flavors. Share your reactions and favorite picks on social media.

Creators

Create a stop-motion video showing jelly beans 'jumping' into a jar or a tutorial for making homemade jelly bean-inspired desserts.

Brands

Run a 'guess the jelly bean flavor' contest on your page, offering a prize pack of candy or merchandise to winners who get it right.

Top Brands for National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

  1. Jelly Belly

    Founded in 1869, Jelly Belly Candy Company is renowned for its gourmet jelly beans. They introduced the first 'true-to-life' flavors in 1976, revolutionizing the candy industry with their vast array of unique and accurate tastes.

  2. Brach's

    Established in 1904 by Emil J. Brach in Chicago, Brach's is a classic American candy company. They are well-known for their diverse range of confections, including popular jelly bean assortments, especially around Easter.

  3. Starburst

    Originally launched in the UK in 1960 as Opal Fruits, Starburst is a brand of fruit-flavored taffy candy owned by Mars, Inc. Their jelly beans offer a chewy, fruit-forward experience, mirroring the intense flavors of their original candies.

  4. Ferrara Candy Company

    Formed in 2012 by the merger of Ferrara Pan Candy Company and Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Ferrara produces many beloved brands. Their portfolio includes classic jelly beans under various labels, maintaining a strong presence in the candy market.

  5. Russell Stover

    Founded in 1923 by Russell and Clara Stover, this American candy company is famous for its chocolates and confections. They offer jelly beans as part of their seasonal offerings, particularly for holidays like Easter.

  6. CandyStore.com

    An online bulk candy retailer, CandyStore.com offers a vast selection of candies, including every imaginable flavor and brand of jelly beans. They frequently publish data and insights on candy consumption trends across the United States.

  7. Dylan's Candy Bar

    Founded in 2001 by Dylan Lauren, this luxury candy emporium combines candy with fashion, art, and pop culture. With flagship stores and an online presence, they offer a curated selection of gourmet jelly beans and unique candy experiences.

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day Hero

Ronald Reagan

The 40th U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, was famously fond of jelly beans, particularly the Jelly Belly brand. He began eating them to help quit smoking and kept jars of them in the Oval Office and on Air Force One. His love for the candy brought jelly beans into the national spotlight during his presidency in the 1980s.

History of National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

Even though widely consumed in America, Jelly beans are not an idea original to America. These candies have, however, taken precedence over other kinds of candies in the country, so much so that they were even sent up as a surprise to astronauts in space. The making of Jelly beans was inspired by the Turkish confection known as ‘Turkish delight,’ which is a soft version of this hard candy. A huge variety of jelly beans exist where companies that produce the candy make them in different colors for both aesthetic and identification purposes. Additionally, a wide variety of flavors are added to the candy to offer consumers different tastes.

Although it’s not known when jelly beans began to be celebrated, two occurrences are responsible for popularizing it. The first was in the 1860s, during the American civil war when William Schrafft, owner of a Boston, candy-producing company urged people to send jelly beans to soldiers fighting in the civil war as a morale booster. His marketing strategy proved effective and more people began to notice and appreciate the candy. The second was when Ronald Reagan declared jelly beans his favorite candy in the 1960s. During his reign as president in the 1980s, a jar of it could always be found on his desk in the White House. He was so in love with jelly beans that at one point, a flavor was specially made for him. It was this same fondness for the candy that prompted the president to regularly give them out as gifts.

Besides National Jump for Jelly Beans Day, another celebration is held in April for the candy, known simply as National Jelly Bean Day. This goes to show just how much jelly beans are appreciated.

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day timeline

1860s
Sent to Union Soldiers

On Schrafft's suggestion, jelly beans are sent to soldiers during the American civil war.

1930s
Jelly Beans and Easter

Jelly beans begin to be associated with Easter because of their egg-like shape.

1967
Flavors Introduced

Jelly bean flavors such as lemon, licorice, grape, green apple, and tangerine, among others are introduced.

1980s
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Created

A special type of jelly bean is made from real fruit juices.

1983
Jelly Beans Sent to Space

President Reagan sends jelly beans to astronauts in space as a surprise.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Jump for Jelly Beans Day by offering sweet incentives. Cafés could feature jelly bean-flavored lattes or pastries, while ice cream shops might introduce a limited-time jelly bean sundae. Retail stores could host a ‘guess the number of jelly beans in the jar’ contest or offer a small bag of jelly beans with every purchase. Encourage staff to wear bright, candy-colored attire to add to the festive atmosphere.

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day FAQs

When is National Jump for Jelly Beans Day?

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day 2026 falls on Friday, July 31. It’s the perfect mid-summer day to indulge in your favorite chewy treats and discover new flavors.

How many jelly bean flavors exist?

While classic brands like Jelly Belly offer over 100 official flavors, the total number of jelly bean flavors across all brands is likely much higher. Enthusiasts can find everything from traditional fruit to gourmet and even ‘gross’ flavors.

How popular are jelly beans in the U.S.?

Jelly beans remain one of the most popular candies in the U.S., especially around holidays like Easter, when billions are consumed. They consistently rank high in candy sales, appealing to a wide demographic.

What is the origin of jelly beans?

The exact origin of jelly beans is debated, but they are believed to have evolved from Turkish delight and Jordan almonds. The first known mention of jelly beans in America dates back to 1861, when confectioner William Schrafft encouraged people to send them to Union soldiers during the Civil War.

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day Activities

  1. Eat jelly beans

    Grab a cupful of multicolored jelly beans. Relish their sweetness as you gorge on them.

  2. Try other jelly beans flavors

    If you usually stick to one flavor then today is a good time to experiment with others. Why not try Reagan's personal favorite, licorice?

  3. Share the love of jelly beans

    Knock on a neighbor's door with a bucketful of jelly beans. Take the fun up a notch by closing your eyes while choosing and eating one and guess what flavor it is.

5 Interesting Facts About Jelly Beans

  1. Made using a French process

    Jelly beans are produced using a candy-making process known as 'panning.'

  2. They take days to make

    Jelly beans take about one to three weeks to be produced because of the panning process.

  3. Has numerous flavors

    The Jelly Belly jelly beans-producing company makes over 100 different flavors of jelly beans, ranging from fanciful to gross flavors.

  4. They are widely consumed

    The amount of jelly beans consumed in a year is enough to circle the earth five times over.

  5. First to be sold as penny candy

    Jelly beans were the first candy to be sold by filling a bag and paying for it according to its weight.

Why We Love National Jump for Jelly Beans Day

  1. They are energy sources

    Jelly beans contain calories that your body needs for energy. Remember though, that not burning enough calories off leads to weight gain.

  2. They bring joy

    Whether to children or the elderly, getting a cupful of jelly beans lifts one's spirit. See who you can gift some jelly beans to today!

  3. Different flavors abound

    You don't need to get different candies for different tastes. Jelly beans have a variety of flavors for you to enjoy.

National Jump for Jelly Beans Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 July 31 Friday
2027 July 31 Saturday
2028 July 31 Monday
2029 July 31 Tuesday
2030 July 31 Wednesday