Soft, sweet, and delicious—who doesn’t love a good donut? If you’ve got a weak spot for donuts, then we have the perfect holiday for you. Enter: National Donut Day. Enjoy a donut and maybe a cup of coffee on Friday, June 4, 2021.
This holiday started way back in 1938, and we’re glad it’s still around. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the origins of Donut Day or want to know how to celebrate, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about National Donut Day and give you the inside scoop of where to get free donuts to observe this tasty holiday. Let’s get started!
When is National Donut Day?
National Donut Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of June. This year, Donut Day is on Friday, June 4, 2021. If you don’t want to miss the delicious festivities, make sure to mark your calendar. We’ve also included future Donut Day dates so you can make a note of those as well:
- June 3, 2022
- June 2, 2023
- June 7, 2024
- June 6, 2025
- June 5, 2026
Now there’s no excuse to forget about National Donut Day and wonder, “Hm, is today National Donut Day?”. Here are a few more sweet holidays you should keep on your radar:
- National Ice Cream Day: July 8, 2021
- National Dessert Day: October 14, 2021
- National Brownie Day: December 8, 2021
- National Pie Day: January 23, 2022
History of National Donut Day
From pop culture icon Homer Simpson to former President Barack Obama, donuts are the favorite treat of so many people. So it goes saying that National Donut Day is well deserved. But where did it begin, and who founded National Donut Day?
The origins of Donut Day can be traced back to World War I. During this time, the Salvation Army was helping on the frontlines by providing meals to troops in need. They aimed to provide them with comforting food and found donuts to be a great snack that would brighten their spirits during these challenging times. Soon, those volunteering with the Salvation Army to do this were known as the “donut lassies.”
While on the frontlines, donuts were fried up inside of metal helmets that belonged to soldiers. This also caused American soldiers to be known as “doughboys.”
In 1938, Donut Day became an established holiday to honor all the hard work the Salvation Army put in to help soldiers during World War I. Almost 85 years later, Donut Day is still widely celebrated across the United States. In fact, many donut shops take this holiday as an opportunity to give away free donuts.
Are There Two National Donut Days?
Yes, there are two National Donut Days. However, there are a few differences. For starters, the second Donut Day is celebrated in November, and it’s not as popular as the holiday observed in June. The origins of the second Donut Day are also much more challenging to track down. Regardless, you can enjoy two Donut Days instead of one.
International Donut Days
While there may not be a globally observed Donut Day, there are a few countries that celebrate other special treats, such as:
- Sweden observes Waffle Day on March 25
- New Zealand observes National Chocolate Fish Day on May 11
- Australia observes National Marshmallow Day on May 18
Who Has Free Donuts on National Donut Day?
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. The following donut shops give away free donuts on National Donut Day, so make sure to stop by:
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Duck Donuts
- Krispy Kreme
- LaMar’s Donuts & Coffee
- Stan’s Donuts
Keep in mind that some shops can only be found in certain states. You’ll want to do a bit more research to see if there’s a location near you.
How to Celebrate National Donut Day 2021
Besides scoring a few free donuts, there are numerous ways to celebrate National Donut Day. Here are a few of our favorite ways:
- Enjoy the day with one (or a dozen) of your favorite donuts
- Experiment and eat a donut flavor you’ve never tried before
- Continue the legacy of the Salvation Army and deliver donuts to first responders
- Host a brunch party for all of your loved ones and provide a variety of donut flavors
- Fry a few donuts yourself
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, FTD is here to help. We have a delicious donut bouquet that comes with an assortment of a dozen donuts. These fluffy treats are decorated with sprinkles and dipped in white, dark, and milk chocolate. We’ll have your mouth-watering sweets delivered just in time for National Donut Day. The best part is that you don’t have to leave your house to enjoy your donuts.
If you wish to enjoy National Donut Day, then remember, it falls on Friday, June 4, 2021!