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Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Raise a glass and sip the season's fresh wine! Enjoy the French tradition and celebrate the arrival of the new Beaujolais on Beaujolais Nouveau Day!

Thursday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEThird Thursday in November

OBSERVED INFrance

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYAlcohol

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Say "Santé" (cheers) to the vibrant flavors of the season as we uncork the thrill of Beaujolais Nouveau Day on November 21! This annual wine event has its roots firmly planted in the picturesque vineyards of the Beaujolais region of France. Since the tradition began in the 19th century, every third Thursday of November marks the release of a new Beaujolais Nouveau - a young, light-bodied red wine made from Gamay grapes. It's all about celebrating the end of harvest and the coming together of friends over a good wine. So grab your glasses, fill them with a fresh Beaujolais pour and toast to the joy of wine and friendship!

TIMELINE

Beaujolais Nouveau Day Timeline

Birth of the Tradition

The Beaujolais Nouveau tradition began in the Beaujolais region of France, with the local inhabitants and growers celebrating the end of the harvest season with a young wine.

Mid-December Release

French law established that new wines could not be sold until December 15th, setting a specific time for the release of Beaujolais Nouveau.

New Law & Beaujolais Day

A new regulation was passed allowing Beaujolais Nouveau to be sold before December 15th, and consequently, Beaujolais Nouveau Day was officially established on November 21.

International Recognition

The event gained international recognition in the 1980s & '90s as exporters, such French producer Georges Duboeuf, introduced the Beaujolais Nouveau Day to other countries.

Continuing Celebrations

The tradition of releasing young, vibrant Beaujolais wines on the third Thursday of November continues worldwide, with huge celebrations held in France and beyond.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Host a Beaujolais-themed tasting party

Invite your friends for a wine tasting party, featuring the new Beaujolais Nouveau. To make the party even more memorable, ask your friends to bring different kinds of cheese and baguettes to pair with the wine.

MAKE

Make traditional French dishes

Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day by cooking up some classic French dishes that pair well with the wine. Some examples include Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, or Quiche Lorraine.

Go on a wine bar crawl

Visit your local wine bars and have a glass of both the new Beaujolais Nouveau and last year's vintage so you can compare them. Make sure to take notes on what you liked and disliked about each of them.

ORGANIZE

Organize a virtual wine tasting event

If getting together in person isn't possible, organize a virtual wine tasting event. Everyone can purchase the new Beaujolais Nouveau and then join a video call to taste it together.

CREATE

Create Beaujolais Nouveau inspired artwork

Take inspiration from the vibrant purple-red color of the Beaujolais Nouveau and create some artwork. You can paint a picture, make a collage, or even design your own wine bottle label.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Bringing People Together

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is about appreciating the fresh new wine, but more than that, it’s about coming together with friends and family. Whether in person or virtually, this day brings people together to celebrate and enjoy each other's company, and that's something we can all toast to!

It's a Celebration of Harvest

We love Beaujolais Nouveau Day because it celebrates the end of harvest. It's not just about the wine, it's about recognizing the hard work that went into producing it. It's a beautiful juxtaposition of the end of something and the beginning of another - the end of harvest season and the arrival of a fresh new wine.

French Tradition and Culture

Beaujolais Nouveau Day allows us to participate in a historic French tradition. Whether you're hosting a tasting party, crafting traditional French dishes, or engaging in a wine bar crawl, participating in Beaujolais Nouveau Day means you're partaking in a time-honored French custom.