172 saved#1,213 of 6,224

National Hard Candy Day

Celebrate National Hard Candy Day with a sweet treat! Indulge in your favorite hard candy flavors and enjoy the sugary goodness!

Saturday

December 2026

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

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEDecember 19

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYCandy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to indulge your sweet tooth on National Hard Candy Day on Dec. 19! This fun-filled holiday celebrates the world's oldest and most beloved form of candy -- hard candy! Dating back as far as the 15th century, hard candies have been a favorite treat among children and adults alike. From cinnamon drops to jawbreakers, these delicious treats have been enjoyed for centuries by people all over the world.

TIMELINE

National Hard Candy Day Timeline

Origins of Hard Candy

Hard candy, made by boiling sugar till it hardens, begins to be enjoyed in Europe during the 1500s.

Peppermint Candy Invention

The first American candy machine, built by pharmacist Oliver Chase, produces Peppermint Candy, marking a new era in candy production.

Life Savers Creation

In the early 20th century, Clarence Crane invents Life Savers, a ring-shaped hard candy, significantly popularizing hard candies.

Jolly Rancher Establishment

Jolly Rancher, a famous hard candy company known for their intense fruit flavors, is founded by Bill Harmsen in Denver, Colorado.

Introduction of Werther's Original

German company August Storck KG introduces Werther's Original, a popular brand of caramel hard candy, further expanding the global reach of hard candies.

National Hard Candy Day Recognition

National Hard Candy Day starts being celebrated annually on Dec. 19, paying homage to this sweet and time-honored treat.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Hard Candy Day

Create your own hard candy

Making hard candy is a fun and rewarding experience. All you need is sugar, food coloring, corn syrup and water. Heat the ingredients together to form a thick syrup and let it cool for about an hour before cutting into shapes.

VISIT

Visit a candy store

Take a trip to your local candy store and try out different flavors of hard candy. You can find anything from cherry drops to sour worms to lemon drops.

MAKE

Make homemade lollipops

Making homemade lollipops is really easy. All you need is sugar, corn syrup, water, flavoring extract, and food coloring. Mix the ingredients together and pour into molds or cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

Go on a scavenger hunt

Hide hard candies around the house or outside and create a scavenger hunt for the kids or family members to find them all! They'll have so much fun searching for their treats.

HOST

Host a candy exchange

Invite friends over for a candy exchange party! Everyone brings their favorite hard candies to share with everyone else and by the end of it you'll have tried out so many different types of candies.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Hard Candy Day

Hard Candy Supports Small Businesses

Supporting small businesses can go a long way towards helping them thrive. So why not show some love on National Hard Candy Day by purchasing from your favorite local shop or online store? You'll not only be getting delicious treats - you'll also be helping someone out as well!

Hard candy is nostalgic

Many of us have fond memories of childhood spent enjoying the sweet taste of hard candy. From big-name brands like Jolly Ranchers to classic favorites like lollipops, there's something special about indulging in a treat that takes us back to our carefree days.

Hard candy has unique flavors

There are so many different types and flavors of hard candies out there! Whether you're looking for fruity or minty, sour or spicy, you're sure to find exactly what your taste buds are craving. Plus, these goodies often come in various shapes and colors, making them even more fun!