- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- American food
- Where:
- World
- Date change rule:
- Every October 25
- Holiday emoji:
- 🦐
Shrimpmas, created by Just Shrimp, celebrates the ocean’s delicious, versatile, and party-ready protein. While traditional holiday meals center around heavy roasts and long hours in the kitchen, shrimp has been carrying holiday appetizer tables, festive family gatherings, and bite-sized snacking for generations. Whether you’re cooking up crispy nuggets for a family meal or prepping a hearty platter for guests, consider Shrimpmas on October 25 your green light to give shrimp the main-character energy it deserves.
Expected Shrimpmas Deals
BOGO Just Shrimp Frozen Shrimp Nuggets — Special Shrimpmas Offer
Buy one Just Shrimp Frozen Shrimp Nuggets and get one free (a $6 value) at Harris Teeter stores from October 14-27.
For other locations where you can but Just Shrimp products, see the Store Locator.
Platform Guide for Shrimpmas
Mention @eatjustshrimp and keep your content highly visual with close-up images and captivating short-form video.
TikTok
Mention @eatjustshrimp and try a first-person taste test. Reaction clips perform well, driving real-time engagement and making viewers hungry to try the recipe themselves.
Shrimpmas Hero
Gustavus Swift
History of Shrimpmas
Long before modern holiday spreads featured turkey or ham, European coastal communities celebrated Christmas Eve with multi-course seafood feasts. It’s a tradition that evolved into the famous Italian-American “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” In Australia and across the Southern Hemisphere, a Christmas “prawn on the barbie” has been an essential holiday ritual for generations.
In the United States, shrimp shifted from a regional coastal delicacy to America’s favorite seafood during the mid-20th century. The invention of commercial flash-freezing technology in the 1940s allowed fresh-tasting shrimp to reach heartland kitchens year-round, where shrimp cocktail eventually became a staple of holiday parties in the 1960s.
In 2026, October 25 was officially declared as Shrimpmas, establishing a playful new tradition to officially kick off the holiday season and remind shrimp lovers everywhere to enjoy quick, family-friendly seafood during the holidays and beyond.
Shrimpmas timeline
The concept of serving raw seafood with spicy, tangy sauces in glass tumblers originates in U.S. coastal cities, initially featuring oysters as the star ingredient long before shrimp took over the glass.
The expansion of commercial ice plants and refrigerated railcars (known as "reefers") allows Gulf Coast shrimpers to pack their catch in ice and sawdust, shipping fresh shrimp to Midwestern cities like Chicago without spoilage.
Flash-freezing technology revolutionizes the commercial fishing industry, making shrimp widely accessible to home cooks across North America.
Shrimp becomes the most consumed seafood in the United States, surpassing tuna and salmon which had previously held the top slots.
Research published in the Mayo Clinic’s peer-reviewed journal finds that people who regularly eat shrimp have lower risk factors for heart failure and stroke.
Shrimp consumption hits record highs, with Americans consuming more than five-and-a-half pounds annually.
Just Shrimp makes its retail debut with easy-to-cook, family-friendly shrimp nuggets, bringing shrimp to the frozen seafood aisle and American tables.
Just Shrimp establishes the first annual Shrimpmas holiday, delivering much-deserved recognition to Santa’s favorite seafood.
Shrimpmas FAQs
What makes shrimp an ideal holiday food?
Shrimp is the ultimate holiday multitasker. It cooks in minutes, fits every style of gathering, and delivers a light yet protein-rich alternative to heavier holiday entrees. It’s virtually mess-free and loved by kids and adults alike, making it the easiest way to feed a crowd without spending all night in the kitchen.
Why is Shrimpmas celebrated on October 25?
October 25 lands exactly two months before Christmas Day during National Seafood Month, just as the holiday season begins to ramp up and National Seafood Month starts winding down. It’s the ideal time to embrace comfort cooking, whether you’re sizzling shrimp in the air fryer, baking it in a warm oven, or pan-frying it for a quick weeknight dinner.
Is shrimp really Santa’s favorite seafood?
It’s true. A red-nosed source close to the Big Guy confirms that after delivering millions of presents, Santa reaches for a succulent shrimp snack and saves the gingerbread cookies for Mrs. Claus. Leaving a few shrimp out on Christmas Eve is guaranteed to score you a spot on the nice list.
How can I participate in Shrimpmas?
You can participate from anywhere! Share your favorite shrimp dishes on social media using #Shrimpmas, follow along at JustShrimpmas.com, and be sure to ask your local grocer to stock up on Just Shrimp products for the holiday season.
Shrimpmas Activities
Plan a Shrimpmas Snack for Santa
Swap out the standard cookie plate for some crispy shrimp nuggets or a chilled shrimp cocktail.
Ask Your Local Grocer About Just Shrimp
Each serving of Just Shrimp Nuggets offers 12 grams of 100% real shrimp protein, contains no artificial flavors, colors, fillers or preservatives, and is made with real home-coast shrimp, lightly breaded with wheat flour, egg, and spices. Download the retailer request form at JustShrimpmas.com and hand it to your local store manager or submit a request on your favorite grocer’s website.
Host an Air-Fryer Potluck Party
Gather friends and family for a fun friendsgiving or neighborly get-together. Have everyone choose a quick-and-easy dish to bring, like crispy shrimp tacos, shrimp baskets, or shrimp nuggets, and roll out a selection of sauces for a zero-stress holiday meal.
Share Your #Shrimpmas Feast
Show the world how you celebrate Santa's favorite seafood! Snap a photo of your Shrimpmas setup and post it on TikTok or Instagram with #Shrimpmas and tag @eatjustshrimp.
Why We Love Shrimpmas
It gives seafood the spotlight it deserves
Turkey, pork and beef usually take center stage during this time of year, but shrimp is the real star of party platters, potluck spreads, and cozy gatherings. Shrimpmas finally gives America’s favorite crustacean its day in the sun.
It makes holiday prep easy
Holiday meal prepping and planning can feel overwhelming (not to mention arduous). Shrimp cooks in minutes and is incredibly easy to prepare. It’s proof that festive meals don’t need to require hours of cooking or years of skill.
It spotlights a nutrient-packed MVP
Shrimp delivers serious nutrition without compromising on flavor. It’s packed with protein, and has almost no fat, plus it’s rich in Vitamin B-12 and Omega 3 fatty acids, making it a naturally light, heart-healthy option that lets you enjoy indulgent holiday flavors without the food coma.
Shrimpmas dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 25 | Sunday |
| 2027 | October 25 | Monday |
| 2028 | October 25 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | October 25 | Thursday |
| 2030 | October 25 | Friday |
Social Media Tips for Shrimpmas
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