National M&M Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Candy Chocolate Dessert
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 13
Holiday emoji:: 🍫

National M&M Day lights up October 13, honoring the beloved chocolate candies that have delighted generations since 1941. Get ready to celebrate this colorful confectionery by stocking up on your favorite varieties, baking M&M-filled treats, or simply enjoying a handful straight from the bag. Share your M&M’s love with friends and family!

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Expected National M&M Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National M&M Day often brings sweet deals from major retailers and candy brands. Expect special offers from grocery chains like Kroger and Walmart, perhaps a buy-one-get-one-free on M&M’s bags. Candy shops such as IT’SUGAR and Dylan’s Candy Bar might feature M&M’s-themed treats or discounts on bulk purchases. Fast-food restaurants, including McDonald’s and Dairy Queen, could offer limited-time M&M’s McFlurries or Blizzards. Keep an eye on the official M&M’s website for exclusive coupons or new product announcements. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 13 approaches.

Platform Guide for National M&M Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalMMDay. Share vibrant photos of your M&M’s creations, from cookies to colorful art.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalMMDay. Film a fun video showcasing your favorite M&M’s flavor or a creative M&M’s hack.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalMMDay. Ask your community to share their earliest M&M’s memory or favorite M&M’s color.

National M&M Day Hero

Forrest Mars Sr.

Forrest Mars Sr. (1904–1999) was an American businessman and the visionary behind M&M's. He developed the idea for the candy-coated chocolates in the 1930s, inspired by Spanish Civil War soldiers eating chocolate pellets encased in a hard shell. Launching M&M's in 1941, he created a product that wouldn't melt in warm temperatures, revolutionizing the chocolate industry and building Mars, Incorporated into a global confectionery giant.

National M&M Day timeline

1930s

The idea for M&M’s was born

After seeing soldiers carry Smarties — chocolate pellets protected by a shell to keep them from melting —during the Spanish Civil War, Forrest Mars Sr., son of the Mars Company founder, pitched the idea of the candy we know today as M&M’s.

1941

Manufacturing M&M’s began

Forrest Mars Sr. started producing M&M’s at a factory in New Jersey

1949

The famous tagline was created

The popular M&M tagline, "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand,” was released.

1950

M&M’s were branded

A black “M” is printed onto M&M’s to give them a unique look — it was changed to a white “M” in 1954.

1980s

M&M’s went overseas

M&M’s went on sale in Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National M&M Day

Local businesses can sweeten their offerings for National M&M Day. Bakeries might feature M&M-studded cookies, brownies, and cupcakes, perhaps with a special discount for the day. Coffee shops could introduce M&M’s-themed lattes or hot chocolates. Retail stores could create colorful displays of M&M’s, offering bulk discounts or pairing them with other snack items. Consider hosting an ‘M&M’s guessing game’ for customers, with the winner receiving a gift basket filled with candy and local treats.

National M&M Day FAQs

When is National M&M Day?

National M&M Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 13, inviting everyone to enjoy the iconic chocolate candies. It’s the perfect mid-week treat to brighten your day.

What does M&M stand for?

M&M stands for ‘Mars & Murrie,’ referring to Forrest Mars Sr., the founder of Mars, Inc., and Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey’s president William Murrie. Their partnership in the early 1940s led to the creation of the famous candy-coated chocolates.

How many M&M's colors are there?

While the original M&M’s came in brown, yellow, orange, red, green, and violet, the current standard mix includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and brown. Over the years, many limited-edition and specialty colors have also been introduced, making the total number quite extensive.

Are M&M's sold in other countries?

Yes, M&M’s are a globally recognized brand, sold in over 100 countries worldwide, with variations in flavors and packaging specific to different regions. This widespread availability makes them one of the most popular chocolate candies internationally.

National M&M Day Activities

Have an M&M inspired bake sale
Bake sales are always great because they get everyone involved in the celebration and they raise money for a cause. So celebrate National M&M Day by inviting friends and family to join you in a bake sale — the only catch is that they have to incorporate M&M’s into whatever item they make.
Host a sweet party
Now, we don’t mean sweet as in “rad” or “cool” (although we’re sure it will be), but when we say sweet, we mean foods, snacks, and drinks that’ll satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. For instance, you can serve M&M brownies, cookies, cupcakes, smoothies, and cocktails!
Don the color of your favorite M&M
We’ve all seen the commercials: the smart, know-it-all red one, the dumb but kindhearted yellow one, the sassy, sultry green one. Odds are, there’s an M&M you connect with most, so on National M&M Day, celebrate by rocking a yellow tie, a red shirt, or a green scarf — whatever helps you get in touch with your inner M&M.

5 Magical & Marvelous M&M's Facts

Orange once replaced red
The company stopped making red M&M’s for 10 years because researchers linked the red dye amaranth to cancer (even though red M&M’s didn’t — and still don’t — contain this type of red dye); they picked orange as the replacement.
Cardboard tubes came first
Today, we associate a tube of M&M’s with mini M&M’s, but back in the day, the original packaging of all M&M’s was a cardboard tube.
The “M’s” stand for the owners
Forrest Mars Sr., of the Mars candy company, struck a deal with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey president William Murrie, to develop a hard-shelled candy with chocolate at the center.
Fans voted to replace tan M&M’s with blue
Mars eventually decided that having tan and brown M&M’s was silly — and that tan candy was a bit underwhelming — so they had fans choose between blue, pink or purple as the color to replace tan M&M’s; obviously, blue was the winner.
Astronauts love M&M’s
That’s right, because of how easy they are to eat, M&M’s are the most consumed chocolate in outer space.

Why We Love National M&M Day

It’s an excuse to have a sweet treat
Not that you need permission to indulge on chocolatey goodness — but still. Go ahead, take full advantage of National M&M Day. The big question: How many will you have?
Because they melt in your mouth, not in your hand — need we say more?
As their famous tagline suggests, M&M’s won’t melt in your hand — making them a perfect treat for kids (and any adults who have a million things to do and can’t inhale their M&M’s in a matter of seconds). So celebrate this candy staple — and one that has saved you from being a chocolatey mess.
There’s a flavor — and a color — for all of us
Milk chocolate and dark. Salty caramel and mint. Let's not forget peanuts. Plus, like race cars, they come in a variety of custom colors. So on National M&M Day, celebrate the candy that has something for everyone.