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World Tapas Day

Celebrate World Tapas Day with friends and family - try out delicious recipes and explore different flavors from all around the world!

Thursday

June 2026

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

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YEARLY DATEThird Thursday in June

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYGlobal Cuisines

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Gather your friends and family to celebrate World Tapas Day on the third Thursday of June! Tapas originated in Spain over 500 years ago, and have since become a popular cuisine all over the world. They are small dishes usually served as appetizers or snacks, but can also be enjoyed as a full meal. Tapas come in all shapes, sizes, flavors, and textures that will tantalize your taste buds! This is the perfect day to explore new recipes, share old favorites with friends and family, and sample some of the best tapas around. So don't miss out on this delicious celebration – gather your favorite people together for World Tapas Day!

TIMELINE

World Tapas Day Timeline

Birth of Tapas

Tapas are said to have been invented in Spain during the 1500s as small snacks accompanying drinks, with the word "tapa" meaning "cover" or "lid".

Tapas Culture Evolves

In the 1800s, tapas evolved into a key part of Spanish socializing, with individuals making an evening of moving from bar to bar and enjoying a tapa and drink at each stop.

International Recognition

Tapas started to gain international popularity and recognition during the 1980s and 1990s thanks to a global interest in Mediterranean cuisine.

Modern Tapas Movement

The 2010s saw a resurgence in the popularity of tapas with the advent of gourmet tapas and fusion cuisines, bringing a new creative edge to this traditional Spanish fare.

Inaugural World Tapas Day

Spain's tourism agency organized the first World Tapas Day in 2016, to celebrate the culinary delight and its cultural significance.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Tapas Day

Go out for Tapas

Visit a local Tapas restaurant to celebrate World Tapas Day. Enjoy a variety of tasty dishes and drinks.

CREATE

Create your own Tapas

Get creative in the kitchen and try your hand at making some delicious Tapas dishes. You can try traditional recipes or make up your own unique creations.

HOST

Host a Tapas party

Invite your friends over for a fun Tapas party. Gather a selection of small dishes and allow everyone to sample a variety of flavors.

EXPLORE

Explore different cultures

Spend some time researching the different countries that celebrate World Tapas Day. Learn about the various styles of cuisine and what ingredients are used in each dish.

TRY

Try new recipes

Look up some new recipes to try on World Tapas Day. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create something truly unique.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love World Tapas Day

It's a Social Experience

Sharing Tapas is all about bringing friends or family together for good conversation and shared laughter. With dishes big enough for people to share (but not too big!), it's the perfect setting for making memories over delicious food!

Tapas are flavorful

Tapas are a great way to enjoy a lot of different flavors in one meal. From crispy chorizo to roasted vegetables, there is something for everyone on the plate! Plus, because tapas portions are usually small, you can try lots of new things without getting overwhelmed with too much food at once.

They can be inexpensive

Apart from dinner out and drinks at the bar, tapas are also an incredibly affordable option for dining. Most restaurants offer tapas plates that are reasonably priced and portions come in sizes appropriate for both individuals and larger groups.

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