.svg)
August 31st is Eat Outside Day, so break out the picnic blankets and get ready to enjoy the beautiful summer weather with a delicious outdoor meal! Eat Outside Day celebrates our ability to take advantage of nature’s finest offerings while enjoying a tasty feast. This special day has been around since at least 2007, and continues to be celebrated as an excellent way to bring people together.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Picnicking</div><div class='timeline-text'>The concept of outdoor dining became popular during the 19th century, particularly in France, eventually spreading to Great Britain and across the Atlantic.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Picnics In Pop Culture</div><div class='timeline-text'>Outdoor dining, picnicking and grilling grew in popularity in America in the post-World War II era, showing up frequently in film and literature.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1963</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Invention of Cooler</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first portable ice cooler was invented, facilitating outdoor dining and making picnics more convenient and widespread.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise Of Outdoor Festivals</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 1980s saw a rise in outdoor food festivals and farmer's markets, furthering the culture of outdoor dining.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Eat Outside Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first recognized Eat Outside Day was celebrated in 2007, encouraging people to enjoy their meals outdoors.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Pack a picnic</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab a basket and fill it with your favorite snacks and treats. Then head to your local park or beach for a picnic in the great outdoors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a barbecue</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Fire up the grill and invite some friends over for an outdoor feast. Don't forget the sides, like salads, chips, and desserts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go camping</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head out into nature and spend the day — or even the weekend — camping. Make some delicious campfire meals, like smores and hot dogs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an outdoor movie night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Set up a projector in your backyard, grab some blankets and pillows, pop some popcorn, and watch your favorite film under the stars.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a garden party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your closest friends and family in your backyard for a fantastic garden party full of good food, drinks, games, music, and conversation.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Great for mental health</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Eating outside immensely benefits one's mental health. It can be really relaxing to sit outside and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature instead of being cooped up inside all day. Studies have also shown that spending time outdoors can reduce stress and improve mood.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>An opportunity to get fresh air</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When you eat outside, you get to experience the fresh air and sunshine. This is especially beneficial if you live in an area with pollution or poor air quality. Eating meals out in the open will help you take in deep breaths of clean air and enjoy some real sunshine!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Allows for better conversations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When dining outside, it's easier to carry on meaningful conversations with friends or family because there are fewer distractions. You're able to focus exclusively on the people around you and interact with them without the interference of technology or other distractions from indoors.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Eat Outside Day Combats Office Culture</h3><p class='facts-text'>As our lives become increasingly more digital and sedentary due to office work culture, Eat Outside Day serves as a refreshing reminder to step outside, connect with nature, and enjoy our meals in a vibrant, natural setting.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Outdoor Dining Enhances Taste Perceptions</h3><p class='facts-text'>Few know that eating outside can also enhance our taste perceptions. The natural light, fresh air, and outdoor atmosphere are known to stimulate our senses and may even make the food taste better!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Eat Outside Day Encourages Mindful Eating</h3><p class='facts-text'>Because there are fewer distractions outdoors than inside, eating outside promotes mindful eating. This not only improves our digestive processes but also increases the overall enjoyment of our meals.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Eating Outside Fosters Community Bonding</h3><p class='facts-text'>Community picnics, food festivals, and similar outdoor eating events play an important role in fostering community bonds, where shared food experiences can help form strong, lasting relationships.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Outdoor Dining Aligns with Multiple Cultures</h3><p class='facts-text'>Enjoying food in the outdoors aligns with a universal human experience across multiple cultures and time periods, bringing people together in a meaningful way that transcends culture and borders.</p></div></div>
Eat Outside Day is celebrated on August 31 every year. In 2024, Eat Outside Day will fall on a Saturday.
2023
Aug 31
Thursday
2024
Aug 31
Saturday
2025
Aug 31
Sunday
2026
Aug 31
Monday
2027
Aug 31
Tuesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
