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National Junk Food Day

Celebrate National Junk Food Day with all your favorite guilty pleasures - indulge in salty snacks, sweet treats, and tasty fast food!

Tuesday

July 2026

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

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YEARLY DATEJuly 21

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYSnacks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to indulge in your favorite guilty pleasures on National Junk Food Day, July 21! This day has been around since 1985 when it was created by a group of food enthusiasts who wanted to celebrate the tasty treats that are often frowned upon. From chips and candy bars to pizza and ice cream, there is something for everyone on this special holiday. So grab some junk food and get ready for a delicious celebration!

TIMELINE

National Junk Food Day Timeline

Potato Chip Invented

The first potato chip was invented by George Crum, a chef in Saratoga Springs, New York, giving birth to the now-popular junk food item.

Birth of Candy Bars

The first candy bars were made in the late 19th century, but they gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century, becoming a staple of junk food culture.

Beginning of Fast Food

White Castle, often considered America’s first fast food chain, was founded in Wichita, Kansas. This started the rise of fast food culture in the United States.

National Junk Food Day Introduced

A group of food enthusiasts introduced National Junk Food Day as a day to celebrate unhealthy but delicious snacks without the guilt.

Junk Food Becomes Global

With the globalization of American culture, junk food became a global phenomenon, penetrating markets worldwide, and leading to the international observance of National Junk Food Day.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Junk Food Day

Organize a junk food potluck

Gather your friends and family together for a delicious and indulgent evening of junk food. Have each person bring their favorite junk food to share with the group.

HOLD

Hold a junk food eating contest

Challenge your friends to see who can eat the most junk food in a given amount of time. This can be done with individual items or an assortment of snacks. The winner will be the one who can consume the most in the given time frame!

MAKE

Make your own junk food

Instead of buying pre-made junk food, why not make your own? There are plenty of recipes online for making delicious desserts, snacks, and even full meals that you can make from scratch.

Go on a junk food scavenger hunt

Send everyone out on an exciting scavenger hunt around town to find all sorts of different kinds of junk food. The team who finds the most items wins!

HAVE

Have a movie marathon

Pick out some fun movies, pop some popcorn, and get ready for an evening filled with laughter, fun, and of course, lots of junk food!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Junk Food Day

Junk food brings back memories

For many people, the smell of warm popcorn or salty French fries takes them right back to childhood memories. Whether it's traveling for summer vacation or making smores around the campfire, nothing reminds us of our past quite like junk food!

Junk food is delicious

From cracker jacks and popcorn to potato chips and candy bars, there's no doubt that junk food is one of the most delicious treats around. Plus, it can make any movie night or game night more exciting - and who doesn't love a bowl full of munchies while they watch their favorite show?

Junk food is fun

Whether you're hosting a party or just hanging out with friends, junk food always adds an extra element of fun. Ice cream sundae bars, nacho bars and popcorn machines make any event special - plus, they let everyone customize their own snack platter!

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