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National Gingerbread Day

Get creative this National Gingerbread Day with delicious recipes and fun activities! Bake up some yummy treats and enjoy the day!

Saturday

June 2027

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

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YEARLY DATEJune 5

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYBaking

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Gingerbread Day on June 5! This sweet holiday has been around for centuries, with the first gingerbread recipe being written as early as the 15th century. Bakers everywhere love this holiday because it's a great excuse to get creative and create delicious treats out of gingerbread. Whether you like your gingerbread in cookie form or cake form, National Gingerbread Day is all about getting together with friends and family to enjoy some tasty treats!

DEALS & OFFERS

2026’s deals have wrapped

See who celebrated this year, and browse offers from past years.

Offers wrapped for 2026

National Gingerbread Day ran on June 5. Here’s who celebrated with offers this year.

1 brand offered a deal this year

Three Brothers Bakery

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TIMELINE

National Gingerbread Day Timeline

First Gingerbread

Armenian monk, Gregory of Nicopolis, brought gingerbread to Europe and taught French Christians to bake it.

Gingerbread's European Rise

Gingerbread became widely popular across Europe, made into various shapes and decorated with white icing.

Queen Elizabeth I's Innovation

Queen Elizabeth I is credited with the idea of making gingerbread men and other figures as gifts.

Gingerbread in America

Gingerbread recipes migrated to America with settlers and began to take on many forms, including softer cakes.

German Gingerbread Tradition

Germans began the tradition of gingerbread house construction, likely influenced by the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel.

Start of National Gingerbread Day

National Gingerbread Day is observed for the first time in the US, promoting a newfound appreciation for the historic baked good.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Gingerbread Day

Bake a gingerbread house

Gather your family and friends to bake your very own gingerbread house. You can make it traditional with the classic icing and candy decorations, or you can get creative with different flavors and colors.

HOST

Host a gingerbread decorating party

Invite your friends over for a gingerbread decorating party! Bake some gingerbread cookies in advance and have each guest bring their favorite candy to decorate them with. This is a fun way to spend time with friends.

MAKE

Make gingerbread pancakes

Gingerbread pancakes are a delicious way to celebrate National Gingerbread Day. All you need is your favorite pancake batter, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, and chopped nuts to give it that unique flavor. Enjoy with syrup or honey!

Go on a gingerbread scavenger hunt

For an extra special activity, plan a gingerbread themed scavenger hunt! Hide clues around the house or neighborhood that lead to the prize--a delicious gingerbread treat!

TRY

Try out new recipes

Take this as an opportunity to try out some new recipes featuring gingerbread. From breakfast muffins to dinner casseroles, there are so many tasty possibilities.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Gingerbread Day

It’s a sweet way to celebrate the holidays

From November through January, Gingerbread season is in full swing. It's a unique way to come together and make festive decorations that can bring cheer to any room. What better way to kick off the winter holidays than with some warm and inviting gingerbread creations?

Gingerbread is delicious

During National Gingerbread Day, you can indulge in all kinds of gingerbread treats. From traditional gingerbread houses to decadent gingerbread truffles, the possibilities are endless. Plus, its warm and comforting flavors of molasses, cinnamon and nutmeg make it a classic wintertime treat!

Gingerbread is fun to decorate

Making and decorating homemade gingerbread builds custom holiday memories. Whether it's with family or friends, making gingerbread is an easy and fun activity that everyone can enjoy. And the best part? You get to eat your hard work at the end!