- Categories:
- Relationship
- Tags:
- ActivitiesFriendshipLove
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June 22
- Holiday emoji:
- 💋
National Kissing Day encourages everyone to share a kiss every June 22. This delightful observance highlights the joy and health benefits of kissing, from stress relief to boosting immunity. Show affection to loved ones, explore new connections, or simply appreciate the power of a kiss.
Want to sponsor National Kissing Day? Learn how
Expected National Kissing Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that National Kissing Day can inspire sweet deals. Look for discounts on chocolates from brands like Hershey’s and Godiva, or special offers on romantic dinners at restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory. Retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works might feature promotions on lip care products or fragrances. Even streaming services like Netflix could highlight romantic comedies. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 22 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Kissing Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalKissingDay. Share photos or reels of heartwarming (and appropriate!) kisses, or fun facts about the benefits of kissing.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalKissingDay. Create short, engaging videos about different types of kisses, or a comedic take on awkward first kisses.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalKissingDay. Share a post asking followers about their favorite movie kiss or a sweet memory.
National Kissing Day Hero
Auguste Rodin
History of National Kissing Day
Today, kissing is a form of communication. We use it to show love, or in some cultures, as a greeting. The running theory on the evolution of the kiss is based on our natural instinct to share food — similar to how many mammals feed their young.
Since then, historians believe the earliest references to kissing traces back to India, with four major texts in the Vedic Sanskrit literature referencing the supposed earliest forms of kissing. Dating from 1500 B.C., these texts describe ‘kissing’ as the act of rubbing and pressing noses together.
Fast forward to 326 B.C. and kissing became mainstream thanks to the army of Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander, his army spread out — as did the act of kissing.
The kiss went mainstream thanks to the Romans, and as the saying goes, “do as the Romans do.” We’ll ignore the part about “when in Rome,” since they took their kissing knowledge and made it popular around the world.
Kissing was used to show friendship back then, and only if the kiss was “French” did it show passion. Ancient Roman culture went so far as to create laws around the act, stating that if a virgin was kissed passionately in public, she could demand full marriage rights — the Romans didn’t mess around.
Fast forward to today and you can see couples smooching everywhere, without all the scandal, hence why we have a whole day to celebrate!
National Kissing Day timeline
Four major texts in Vedic Sanskrit suggest kissing as the custom of rubbing noses.
After the demise of Alexander the Great’s army, they take their kissing knowledge from India and begin locking lips all over the world.
Pope Clement V forbids the “holy kiss” in fear that it would lead to other “unholy” acts.
“The Kiss,” a silent film, is shown for the first time with May Irwin and John Rice locking lips.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Kissing Day
Local businesses can embrace National Kissing Day with creative promotions. Restaurants might offer a ‘Kissing Booth’ photo op or a special dessert for couples. Bakeries could sell lip-shaped cookies or chocolate-dipped strawberries. Spas and beauty salons might promote lip care treatments or couples’ packages. Even florists can encourage customers to ‘seal it with a kiss’ by adding a small gift to flower orders, celebrating affection in all its forms.
Traditions
How else are we to celebrate National Kissing Day than by practicing the art of kissing? Pucker up and shower your significant other with tender kisses. Of course, it is kissing day, so kisses can be placed on cheeks and foreheads, too, but mostly the day is about locking lips.
This is also the day when you can flirt with all sorts of corny jokes and puns about kissing. How about buying a box of chocolate kisses as a warm-up?
By the Numbers
26 – the number of calories burned during a one-minute kiss.
278 – the number of bacteria colonies exchanged during a kiss.
2 weeks – the time a person spends in their life kissing.
$1600 – the price for which a lipstick imprint of a kiss made by Mick Jagger was sold.
79 – the number of guys the average woman kisses before marriage.
90% – the percentage of people in the world who kiss on the lips.
50% – the percentage of people who have kissed before reaching their teenage years.
1923 – the year when the term ‘French kiss’ came into use in America.
34 – the number of facial muscles used to kiss someone.
5 – the number of cranial nerves involved in one kiss.
National Kissing Day FAQs
When is National Kissing Day?
National Kissing Day 2026 falls on Monday, June 22. It’s a perfect opportunity to share affection and celebrate the simple act of kissing.
What are the health benefits of kissing?
Kissing offers several surprising health benefits, including stress reduction, calorie burning, and boosting immunity by exchanging harmless bacteria. It’s a fun way to improve well-being.
How many people celebrate National Kissing Day?
While exact numbers are hard to quantify, millions worldwide participate in National Kissing Day, often sharing messages, photos, and, of course, kisses with loved ones. Its global counterpart, International Kissing Day, also sees widespread observance.
What are some fun facts about kissing?
The longest kiss on record lasted over 58 hours, and kissing can involve up to 34 facial muscles. The scientific study of kissing is called philematology, highlighting its fascinating aspects.
National Kissing Day Activities
Kiss ‘hello’
While you may normally go in for the handshake or the high-five, try something new inspired by the Europeans. Opt to kiss those you meet today with a kiss on both cheeks. Surely they’ll think you’re very fancy, but we might recommend not trying this on your boss.
Try out new kissing methods
They say practice makes perfect, don’t they? You’ve got the kissing thing down by now, but who says you can’t have a little fun with it? Mix up your daily peck with a French kiss, butterfly kiss or a hand kiss with a curtsey.
Watch a Rom-Com
If you’d rather not partake in the kissing festivities yourself, there’s no harm in settling in and watching a romantic movie solo or with friends. Maybe even try to track down “The Kiss” and see where it all began!
Take the Chance To Vote For Your Favorite Movie Scene Kiss Quiz
5 Facts About Lips That Will Blow Your Mind
Lips are more sensitive than your fingertips
With millions of nerve endings on your lips, they are very sensitive to touch and to external effects like the weather.
Lips are pink because of blood vessels
Lips have three to six layers, compared to the 16 layers on other areas of your skin, meaning the blood vessels are more apparent and change the color of the skin.
In some cultures, women cover their lips
The lips are seen as sexual organs in various cultures.
Lips lose plumpness as you age
As you age, collagen production decreases, meaning so does your lip fullness.
It takes muscle to kiss
In order to pucker up, you need to contract your orbicularis oris, a complex of four muscles.
Why We Love National Kissing Day
Many cultures approach kissing differently
In Italy, people kiss to say hello, the French kiss for passion, in Latin America, it’s normal to greet someone you just met with a kiss, and in Africa, people often kiss the ground on which their chief walked. While kissing is common around the world, the actual practice varies.
Kissing can be healthy
If you’re into wellness trends, add kissing to the list of things to consider. Some perks of kissing include: boosting your “happy” hormones, reducing stress and anxiety, upgrading your immune system, reducing allergic responses, preventing cavities by increasing saliva production, and even burns calories. We don’t think you need any more reasons to participate, right?
Kissing makes us feel loved
Whether it’s a kiss on the forehead, a peck on the cheek, or a passionate kiss, you’re sure to feel special when your grandma, your toddler or your bae lays one on you. While affection may not be everyone’s ‘love language,’ it still does wonders to make us feel loved and appreciated.
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