National Popcorn Lover’s Day is a fun, unofficial food holiday dedicated to celebrating one of the world’s most beloved snacks: popcorn! It’s observed annually on the second Thursday in March—which means in 2026, it falls on March 12

Quick Facts

• Founded in 2012 by Bob Matthews from Rochester, New York. He and his wife had a regular Thursday “date night” tradition centered around fresh popcorn, so he picked the second Thursday in March to make it a recurring celebration. (Some sources call it “National Popcorn Lover’s Day,” but Bob originally just named it Popcorn Lover’s Day without the “National” prefix.)
• It’s all about honoring popcorn in every form—from classic buttery stovetop pops to gourmet flavors, movie-theater style, or even growing your own kernels.

Popcorn has a rich history going back thousands of years (oldest kernels date to around 3600 BCE in what is now New Mexico), with Native Americans and Aztecs using it for food, decoration, and ceremonies long before it became the ultimate snack. Popcorn is surprisingly versatile and can be a healthier snack when air-popped or lightly seasoned (low in calories, whole grain, and fiber-rich). Whether you’re team sweet, savory, or loaded with toppings, today (or Thursday) is the perfect excuse to indulge guilt-free.

What’s your go-to popcorn flavor?

Happy Popcorn Lover’s Day—may your bowl never run empty!