National Cherry Pie Day 2026
food drinkSaturday, February 20, 2027
158 days from today · next occurrence
About National Cherry Pie Day
There is something deeply comforting about a cherry pie cooling on the counter, and February 20 exists to celebrate exactly that. National Cherry Pie Day honors one of America's most classic desserts, a flaky-crusted beauty filled with tart cherries, sugar, and a squeeze of lemon. Because fresh cherries are a summer fruit, winter pies rely on canned, frozen, or jarred cherries, which is precisely why February is such a fitting month: the pantry staples get their moment in the spotlight.
The tart Montmorency cherry is the traditional choice, prized for its bright acidity that keeps the filling from becoming cloying. Pies arrive with lattice tops, full double crusts, or streusel crowns, and each family defends its own recipe with surprising passion. Whether you bake from scratch or doctor a store-bought crust, the holiday is a midwinter excuse to turn the oven on, fill the kitchen with the smell of bubbling fruit, and claim the first warm slice for yourself.
When is National Cherry Pie Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | February 20, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | February 20, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | February 20, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | February 20, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | February 20, 2030 | Wednesday |
History of National Cherry Pie Day
Pies came to America with English settlers, and cherry fillings became popular wherever orchards thrived, especially in Michigan, which still grows the majority of the country's tart cherries. By the nineteenth century, cherry pie was firmly woven into American home cooking, appearing in cookbooks and on farmhouse tables from Ohio to Oregon. The phrase as American as apple pie may get top billing, but cherry pie holds its own as a diner-menu classic and a county-fair favorite. Food holiday enthusiasts eventually carved out February 20 as its day, slotting it neatly between Valentine's sweets and the spring baking season. Today bakeries in cherry country, from Michigan's Traverse City region to Door County, Wisconsin, often mark the date with specials, while home bakers treat it as the official start of pie practice before summer fruit arrives.
How to Celebrate National Cherry Pie Day
- Bake a cherry pie from scratch, or at least roll out a store-bought crust and fill it honestly.
- Try a lattice top for the classic look, even if your weaving is imperfect.
- Serve the first slice warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Share a slice with a neighbor, coworker, or someone who never bakes for themselves.
- Compare a sour-cherry filling with a sweet-cherry one and pick a family favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is National Cherry Pie Day?
- National Cherry Pie Day falls every year on February 20, right in the heart of winter baking season and just a few days after Presidents' Day weekend.
- Is National Cherry Pie Day a public holiday?
- No. It is a fun food holiday, not an official public holiday, so banks, schools, and government offices keep their normal schedules.
- How do people celebrate National Cherry Pie Day?
- People celebrate by baking a pie, sampling bakery versions, topping slices with ice cream, and sharing leftovers with friends. Cherry-growing regions sometimes host tastings and pie sales on or around the date.
- Can I use frozen cherries for pie?
- Yes. Frozen or canned tart cherries work well and are actually the standard choice in winter. Thaw and drain frozen cherries first, and thicken the filling so it does not turn runny.