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National Hamburger Month

A month-long food observance in May celebrating the hamburger as a beloved American culinary staple through promotions, restaurant specials, and grilling events.

Friday

1–31

May 2026

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAll of May

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYBurgers

ORIGIN

Corporate Initiative

FOUNDING ENTITY

White Castle

FIRST OBSERVED

1993

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

White Castle, credited as America's first fast-food hamburger chain, created National Hamburger Month in 1993 to celebrate the hamburger as a beloved American food and promote their sliders during the May grilling season.

View Official Announcementvia whitecastle.com

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to fire up the grill and sink your teeth into a juicy burger because May 1 kicks off National Hamburger Month! This month-long celebration of America's favorite sandwich dates back to the early 1900s, when it was first popularized at state fairs and carnivals. Today, hamburgers can be found on almost every restaurant menu and are enjoyed by people all around the world. Whether you like yours with cheese, bacon, or loaded with toppings, this delicious dish is sure to satisfy your cravings. So let's dig in and celebrate this month filled with deliciousness!

TIMELINE

National Hamburger Month Timeline

Hamburger Introduced to America

The hamburger was introduced to the United States at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, quickly becoming a staple at carnivals and fairs.

First Fast-Food Hamburger Chain

White Castle, the first fast-food hamburger chain, was founded in Wichita, Kansas, sparking a new era for the hamburger.

Creation of Cheeseburger

In 1930, the cheeseburger was created in Pasadena, California, adding a new delicious twist to the classic burger.

McDonald's Founded

Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino, California, revolutionizing the fast-food industry and hamburgers worldwide.

First Burger King Opens

The first Burger King opens in Miami, Florida, further popularizing the hamburger and introducing competition in the fast-food industry.

National Hamburger Month Declared

May is officially declared as National Hamburger Month, prompting annual celebrations and promotions centered around the beloved dish.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Hamburger Month

Create your own gourmet burger

Experiment with different toppings, condiments, and meats to create your own unique and delicious gourmet burger. Get creative and have fun in the kitchen!

Go on a burger tour

Explore your city or town and try out different burger joints. Make a list of all the places you want to visit and go on a fun burger tour with friends or family.

HOST

Host a backyard BBQ

Gather your friends and family for a backyard BBQ and grill up some delicious hamburgers. You can even have a build-your-own burger station with various toppings for everyone to customize their own burgers.

ATTEND

Attend a burger festival

Check out if there are any burger festivals happening in your area and attend one for a day filled with delicious burgers, live music, and fun activities.

TRY

Try a veggie burger

If you're not a fan of meat, celebrate National Hamburger Month by trying out different veggie burger recipes. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite burger alternative!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Hamburger Month

They're perfect for summer cookouts

National Hamburger Month takes place during the height of summer, which makes it the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and invite friends over for a backyard barbecue. Burgers are easy to make in large batches and everyone can customize their own to their liking!

Hamburgers are a classic American food

There's something about biting into a juicy, flavorful hamburger that just screams America. They have become an iconic part of our culture and we can't imagine summertime without them!

You can get creative with toppings

Think beyond the basic cheese and lettuce - there are so many delicious toppings you can add to your burger! From bacon and avocado to fried eggs and grilled pineapple, the possibilities for flavor combinations are endless.

Related holidays

FRI

May 2026

Food

National Hamburger Day

Celebrate National Hamburger Day with a juicy, delicious burger - turn up the flavor with your favorite toppings and condiments!

National Burger Day

Sizzle and yum! National Burger Day is here! Relish the day with your favorite patty, toppings, and bun for the ultimate burger experience.

National Cheeseburger Day

Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with your favorite burger joint! Enjoy delicious burgers, fries, and shakes - the perfect way to treat yourself!

International Burger Day

A food observance on May 28 celebrating the hamburger's cultural significance, culinary diversity, and enduring role in global cuisine.

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