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National Cranberry Relish Day

Celebrate National Cranberry Relish Day with a delicious twist to your favorite dishes - add some cranberry relish for extra flavor and zest!

Sunday

November 2026

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

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YEARLY DATENovember 22

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYSide Dishes

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Cranberry Relish Day on November 22nd with a festive dish of this delicious condiment! This day has been celebrated since the 1960s and is an opportunity to enjoy cranberries in all their forms. Whether it’s eating them raw, baking them into cakes or pies, or making relish out of them – there are lots of creative ways to celebrate this special day!

TIMELINE

National Cranberry Relish Day Timeline

Cranberry Harvesting

In the mid-1800s, cranberries began to be harvested commercially in the United States, including wet harvesting which is used for cranberries for processing such as cranberry relish.

Formation of Cooperative

Ocean Spray, a cooperative of cranberry growers, was formed, further promoting the sale and consumption of cranberries.

Relish Recipe Popularized

Ocean Spray popularized its recipe for cranberry relish, which was printed on every bag of cranberries it sold.

First Celebrations

During the 1960s, National Cranberry Relish Day unofficially began being celebrated by these cranberry growers and their communities.

Event Recognition

The holiday was officially recognized by "Chase's Calendar of Events" in 1997, bringing it to a wider audience.

Spread of the Tradition

The use of cranberry relish has expanded beyond the Thanksgiving table to a variety of dishes making National Cranberry Relish Day a widely-celebrated event.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Cranberry Relish Day

Make your own cranberry relish

Making cranberry relish is easier than you think. You will need fresh cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, chopped apples and some spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until everything is blended.

Go out for cranberry relish

Find a restaurant that serves up a delicious cranberry relish dish. Whether it's a side dish or a main course, try something new and let your taste buds explore the deliciousness of cranberry relish.

TAKE

Take a cranberry cooking class

Search for cooking classes that specialize in cranberry dishes. Who knows, you might even find out about some innovative ways to make your own cranberry relish.

HOST

Host your own cranberry party

Invite friends over to share in the joys of National Cranberry Relish Day by having everyone make their own version of the classic dish! It'll be great fun to see what everyone comes up with.

Share your favorite recipe

Share your favorite recipe online with family and friends as well as on social media. Who knows, it might just become someone else's go to recipe for National Cranberry Relish Day!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Cranberry Relish Day

Cranberry relish can be used in many recipes

Once you've made your cranberry relish, there are countless ways to use it. Add it to your morning smoothie for a tasty twist, or try adding it to grilled cheese sandwiches for an extra layer of sweetness. You can also get creative and use it in savory dishes - try stirring it into mashed potatoes or stuffing for a tart yet flavorful kick!

Cranberry relish is colorful and festive

Cranberry relish adds the perfect pop of color to any holiday dinner or spread. It has a bright, vibrant red hue that instantly brings a festive feel to any table. And it's so easy to make at home - just chop some cranberries, mix in some orange juice or orange zest, and you're done!

Cranberry relish is full of flavor

The tartness of the cranberries combined with the sweetness from the sugar creates an amazing balance that is both refreshing and satisfying. Plus, it pairs well with other flavors like cinnamon and ginger, making it the perfect addition to pumpkin pies and other autumnal treats.